Cub Scout Pack 874 | Ellicott City, Maryland
FAQs
General Program Questions
Q: What is Cub Scouts?
A: Cub Scouts is a program of Scouting America for girls and boys in elementary school. It focuses on developing character, citizenship, personal fitness, and leadership with fun, hands-on learning, and outdoor adventures.
Q: Who can join Cub Scouts?
A: Cub Scouts is open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade (approximately ages 5–10). Cub Scouts has been open to girls since 2018. Our pack and dens are co-ed. After fifth grade, scouts transition to a boys or girls troop for grades 6–12. Scouting America welcomes all eligible youth, regardless of gender, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, or gender identification.
Q: Who are the leaders?
A: All leaders are volunteers. Some leadership roles include:
Every pack has a “Key 3” — the Committee Chair, Cubmaster, and Chartered Organization Representative. They work together to make sure the pack is well-run, safe, and fun for the kids. Think of them as the leadership triangle that keeps everything balanced.
Program Structure
Q: What is a Pack and a Den?
A: A den is a group of Scouts in the same grade. It is the place where Cub Scouting starts. In the den, Cub Scouts develop new skills and interests, practice sportsmanship and good citizenship, and learn to do their best, not just for themselves but for the den as well. The dens are Lions (kindergarten), Tigers (first grade), Wolves (second grade), Bears (third grade), Webelos - which stands for We’ll Be Loyal Scouts (fourth grade), and Arrow of Light, or AOLs (fifth grade).
A pack is the larger Cub Scout group comprising all grades K-5.
Q: How often do Cub Scouts meet?
A: From kindergarten through third grade, dens meet 1–2 times per month, while fourth and fifth grade meet weekly or bi-weekly. The pack meets once a month for a larger activity or special event like camping trips and the Pinewood Derby race. There are other special events put on by the National Pike (Howard County) District and Baltimore Area Council. Families can participate in as much as they desire and balance scouting with other activities, but the program benefits scouts more if families can participate in a majority of activities.
Activities
Q: What kinds of activities do Cub Scouts do?
A: Activities include camping, hiking, STEM experiments, crafts, games, community service, and special events like the Pinewood Derby. The program is designed to be fun, active, age-appropriate, and safe.
Q: Do Cub Scouts go camping?
A: Yes! Cub Scouts camp with their families. There are overnight pack campouts, as well as day camps in the summer, and council-run family campouts. Our pack does tent camping in the fall and spring and cabin camping in the winter. Fourth- and fifth-grade scouts have the opportunity to camp as a den and to attend district-level older-scout events.
Family Involvement
Q: Do parents need to participate?
A: Yes, Cub Scouts is designed as a family program, not a drop-off activity. Parents/guardians are asked to attend meetings, help with activities, and support their child’s advancement. We ask all families in the pack to find a way to contribute their time and talents, whether that’s through helping run a den meeting, organizing a station at a pack meeting, doing shopping or food prep for camping, or helping with our website, service projects, fundraiser, or special events. You don’t have to know anything about the program to help, we have all the information you need. All we need from you is help executing the plans!
Q: How much time is required from families?
A: Typically one hour a week per scout.
Costs & Uniforms
Q: How much does Cub Scouts cost?
A: There are a few components to cost in Cub Scouts. There is an annual national organization fee ($85), a Baltimore Area Council fee ($75), and Pack 874 dues ($90). For those costs, you’ll receive a lot of value: a pack T-shirt, neckerchief, awards including belt loops/pins/patches, a Pinewood Derby car kit, and materials for pack and den meetings. These dues also help to cover leader uniforms and training, camping equipment, and costs to run the pack, such as our storage trailer, banking fees, and website and email services. National and Council fees help cover program development and administration, Council camps and programs, and insurance. We ask that each scout set a goal to fundraise $300 in popcorn sales in the fall, of which $100 stays with the pack and $100 stays with the Baltimore Area Council. Financial assistance is available.
Q: Does my child need a uniform?
A: Cub Scouts wear a uniform shirt appropriate for their grade level. Cub Scout uniforms serve a dual purpose, demonstrating that a Scout is part of a team and showing individual achievement (belt loops, pins, and patches). Wearing the uniform to meetings and activities also encourages a neat appearance and good behavior.
We offer a uniform swap each fall, so there may be handed-down uniform materials available at no cost, but supply is not guaranteed. At the Scout Shop, you’ll pick up a uniform shirt, hat ($23), cut-to-size belt ($15), and neckerchief slide. The pack will provide the neckerchief. In kindergarten, Scouts wear a Lion T-shirt ($15). In first grade through fourth grade, Scouts wear a blue button-down uniform shirt ($68). In fifth grade, Scouts transition to a tan shirt ($75), which they will continue wearing when they transition to a troop. In our pack, Scouts can wear any pants or bottoms they prefer. Many choose to wear tan, gray, or olive green.
Q: Are there added costs for events?
A: Yes. For camping trips, we charge a small fee to cover all meals on the trip, which is usually $15-$20 per person. Special events like Scout Day with the Orioles or lock-ins at the Science Center or Zoo carry costs determined by the event organizer. Advancement
Advancement
Q: How do Cub Scouts advance?
A: Recognition is important to everyone. The advancement plan provides fun for the scouts, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members and their den leader work with them on advancement projects.
Scouts work on adventures—age-appropriate activities that teach skills, teamwork, and values. Completing the six required adventures and two electives leads to earning rank badges each year. The badges are worn on the uniform in a prominent position. Your den leader will plan activities to help all scouts achieve rank. Many missed activities can be made up at home, and we typically hold at least one make-up session each spring to help scouts finish their requirements.
Q: Is advancement required?
A: Advancement is encouraged but not mandatory. The main goal is for Scouts to have fun and try new things at their own pace. Even if they don’t complete all the requirements, Cub Scouts will move on to the next level in the fall.
Safety
Q: How is safety handled?
A: Scouting America follows strict youth protection guidelines:
- Two-deep leadership: At least two registered adults (21 or older) must be present at all activities and meetings.
- No one-on-one contact: One-on-one contact between an adult leader and a Scout is prohibited—in person, online, or by phone/text. No adult is ever alone with a child who is not their own. Separate accommodations: On campouts, adults and youth do not share tents (except a parent with their own child). Boys and girls have separate sleeping areas and restrooms.
- Background checks: All registered leaders undergo a criminal background check.
- Mandatory Safeguarding Youth training: All adult leaders (and many parents) complete this online training, which must be renewed every year.
- Mandatory reporting: All leaders are required to report any suspicion of abuse immediately. Anonymous reporting channels exist through councils and the Scouting America national office.
- Age-appropriate guidelines: Activities are designed for each grade level.
- Guide to Safe Scouting: This is Scouting America’s rulebook for what activities are appropriate and how to do them safely (covers things like swimming, hiking, tool use, etc.).
- First aid & preparedness: Leaders receive training in first aid, CPR, and safe outdoor practices. A first aid kit is required at all outings.
- Weather safety: Packs use the Scouting America’s Hazardous Weather Training and tools like Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat for aquatic activities.
Additionally, your child’s safety is a top priority.
Religion
Q: Is scouting a faith-based program?
A: Scouting is a values-based program with room for faith, but it’s not tied to any single religion. Families guide how their child practices their beliefs within the program.
- Open and welcoming: Scouting does not promote or require any one religion. It welcomes families of all faiths (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.), as well as interfaith, nondenominational, and non-religious families.
- Respect for beliefs: Scouts are asked to be reverent — to respect their own faith traditions and the beliefs of others. Scouts are never required to participate in religious practices outside their family’s tradition. At Pack 874, we hold an optional “Scout’s Own” interfaith service during camping trips where scouts can reflect on the wonder of nature around them and express gratitude and wonder.
- “Duty to God” element: The Scout Oath and Law include references to doing one’s “duty to God.” This can mean living by your family’s values, showing respect for what’s bigger than yourself, and being kind toward the beliefs of others. For some families, that’s religious faith; for others, it’s commitment to community, nature, or moral principles. For an interesting perspective on this topic, we suggest this article by Rev. John. A. Buehrens
- Religious awards: Scouts can earn religious emblems or awards through their own faith community (not through the pack directly), which are recognized by an award that can be placed on the Cub Scout uniform. For example, there are Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist programs. These are optional and recognized by the pack if families choose to participate.
