Wed, Sept 3rd @ 6:30pm
Recruitment Night
Wed, Sept 17th @ 7:30pm
Pack Meeting
Sat, Sept 20th @ 10am
Family Camp Out at
Lakewood Forest Preserve
More Info/Registration
Fri, Oct 24th @ 6:30pm
Bon Fire at Breezewald Park
View Full Calendar
View printable list of events
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Pack Meetings
What are Pack Meetings?
Welcome to Cub Scout Pack 237!
The following list of frequently asked questions was prepared to help you get the most out of Cub Scouting. Do not hesitate to contact the Committee Chairperson, Cubmaster or any leader with your inputs and suggestions on how we can improve your Pack for the benefit of the boys!
What is Cub Scouting?
Cub Scouting is a part of the Boy Scouts of America program for boys ages 6-10 (2nd through 5th grades). Boy Scouting was founded in 1910 by Sir Baden Powell with the objective of helping boys develop and learn positive life skills such as self-confidence, leadership, morals, teamwork and responsibility through individual and group activities.
Just as religion, sports, and academics are also important dimensions of a boy’s development, Scouting provides a positive framework and program to develop their moral character and leadership skills.
Boy Scouting is an exceptionally well-run international organization with programs in just about every dimension. They provide sample programs, resources, and training for the volunteers that run the local programs. All that’s needed is involvement from parents to make the program successful.
Tiger Cubs are open to boys that are in 1st Grade. It’s a pre-cursor to full Cub Scouting. Our Tigers fully participate in all Pack activities. Tiger Cubs typically meet once a month as a Tiger Den (of 5-8 boys) and go on "outings" to "search, discover, and explore" (their motto) the world around them. They may or may not have formal Den meetings outside of this activities; it’s up the Tiger Den leaders. Each Tiger must have a parent/guardian participate with them in all activities. Tigers is NOT a "drop your child off" activity; you must participate with them. In the spring of the year, the Tigers will graduate and become full Cub Scouts in the Pack.
What Resources are Available to Me?
The Boy Scouts of America provides just a wealth of standard material to assist the local Packs run their programs. They provide leader training on a wide range of topics including: how to build a program, basics of Cub Scouting, outdoor skills training, youth protection, safe swimming/canoeing. Program materials are available from the Scout Shop. All registered leaders also get Scouting magazine which includes ample ideas for projects and programs. Roundtable is held monthly, which is run by the local District to provide program materials/ideas to the local Packs as well as communicate Council or District-wide initiatives. These are excellent training/learning opportunities.
We are a part of the Boy Scouts of America.
We are a part of the Northwest Suburban Council.
We are a part of the Signal Hill District (including Barrington, Lake Zurich, Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows).
Where can I get a uniform or Scout supplies?
Uniforms and all Scouting equipment can be purchased from the BSA Scout Shop in Mt. Prospect at 600 N. Wheeling Road. To get there from Rte. 53, take Euclide east to Wheeling. South on Wheeling about 1 mile (past Kensington). It’s on the west side. Hours are roughly 8am - 6pm plus Saturday 8-12noon. They are now also open late Monday nights.
Check out our uniforming page to learn more
What is the Pack 237 required Cub Scout uniform?
All Cub Scouts should have the following: Blue Cub Scout shirt. Webelos can optionally wear the khaki. Neckerchief (appropriate to rank), neckerchief slide, long dark pants. On the shirt should be the Pack numerals and council shoulder strip.
Optional: hat, red brag vest (for sewing on their many patches!)
The ladies at the Scout Shop are most helpful. Just tell them you’re new to Scouting and your son’s rank, and they will help you from there.
Pack meetings are events where all the Scouts, including Tiger Cubs, and their families join to celebrate Scouting with events, skits, songs, and recognition of Scout advancements. We try very hard to make them fun, keep them moving but informative, and 1-1.5hrs in duration.
When do we hold Pack Meetings?
We have a Pack meeting every month, September - May. Times of Pack meetings (and all events) are published in our annual calendar. Details for the next Pack meeting and all upcoming activities are always published in the monthly bulletin.
Are siblings invited to Pack Meetings and Events?
Yes! Cub Scouting is family oriented, and we encourage/invite the whole family to attend all activities. We do ask parents to be responsible for their children and supervise them, especially younger children, as well as keep them "under control" so as not to distract from the Cub Scout activities going on.
Can Tigers participate in Pack activities?
Absolutely. Although this policy varies from Pack to Pack, Tigers are not excluded from any Pack 237 activities.
What are Pack 237’s Major Events?
We have a major Pack event outside of Pack Meetings every month, including during the summer months.
- In the fall we have our fund raising events for the year (popcorn sales).
- In January, we hold our PineWood Derby where we race our homemade wooden cars.
- In February, we hold our annual Blue and Gold dinner. It’s a catered event with entertainment and rank advancement.
- In April we hold our District Pinewood Derby.
- In June we have our Rocket Launch.
The Den meetings are key meetings for the boys. Parent are encouraged to participate, help out, or observe den meetings. The Den Leaders really form the core of the Cub Scouting program.
How often are Den Meetings held?
It’s up to the Den Leaders. All Dens should meet at least once a month. Some dens meet 2x/month. They can meet as often as the Leaders wish.
It’s up to the Den leaders. It’s up to the Den leaders to organize, schedule, and run the Den Meetings.
Can siblings participate in Den Meetings?
No, these are where the Cubs work on their projects, including some of the achievements for rank advancement.
A key component of Cub Scouting is the attainment of the badge associated with each Cub Scout rank (Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos). In order to attain the rank badge, the Scouts must complete a set of "Achievements" in a variety of age-appropriate categories. Completion of these rank badges is the responsibility of the Scout and their parents. Some Achievements may be accomplished via Den meetings. These achievements are an excellent opportunity for the boys to set goals and accomplish them, building skills and self-confidence. I think you’ll find each of these Achievements are "good things" the boys should be learning; they also are an outstanding opportunity for parents to spend quality, structured time with their sons, something I realize is increasingly harder for many of us given the work, school and other events we all have going on. I strongly encourage you to spend the time with your son working on some of his Achievements; I know you’ll find it a rewarding experience.
We target rank advancement to be achieved by the Blue and Gold dinner each February and have a formal ceremony recognizing its accomplishment. We will also repeat the ceremony one other time in the spring for any boys who are unable to complete their rank by Blue and Gold, but we strongly encourage the boys to set Blue and Gold as their goal and work towards it. Details of the Achievements necessary to achieve the rank badge are very clearly defined in the Cub Scout rank books (Wolf, Bear, Webelos), which each Scout should have (and are available at the Scout Shop). After a Scout obtains his rank badge, he can continue to work on "Elective" activities to earn Gold and Silver Arrow Points for display on their uniform under their rank badge.
What is Webelos
Webelos is the 18month transition program at the end of Cub Scouting to prepare the boys to enter full Boy Scouting. The Achievements are now called "Activity Badges" and are appropriately more difficult and extensive in a given area. The boys begin to take greater responsibility for their advancement and are expected to require less direct adult supervision. Webelos are the only Cub Scouts that are allowed to camp as a Den. There are formal Webelos campouts in the fall and summer to acquaint the boys to the challenges and fun of outdoor camping. Webelos is very exciting and challenging phase of Cub Scouting, and our Webelos are expected to set the example for the younger boys in the Pack.
Is there a "sewing badge" for parents?
No, but there should be! Active Cub Scouts accumulate quite an assortment of badges and patches to be sewn onto their uniforms. They also get a small "event segment" for the back of their brag vest for each activity they participate in. By the time boys graduate as Webelos, many nicely fill the back of their brag vests with concentric circles of segments. If you really despise sewing, several of the local dry cleaners offer to sew the patches on for $0.50 - $1/patch. There also are sometimes Pack parents who offer this service.
Cub Scouts are increasingly being encouraged to partake of the great outdoors and participate in camping experiences. Cub Scouts (except Webelos) are not, however, approved by the Boy Scouts of America for Den or Pack camping. However Cub Scouts can participate in Family Camping experiences. Family Camping is just what it sounds like; several (or many) families within a Pack all agree to show up and camp at the same location for a weekend. Parents are completely responsible for their boys and other children and at least one parent or guardian must accompany each Cub Scout participating. The families of the Pack are free to coordinate games, events, campfires, even meals together. The boys have a great time playing with their friends while hopefully also learning some new skills that they will refine and develop as Webelos and Boy Scouts.
Summer Camp
The District runs local week-long summer camps for Cub Scouts. These may be either day camps or overnight camps. Historically Pack 237 has had one or two groups attend the week long day camps. This is a great opportunity for the boys to get together and learn new skills including archery, swimming, bb gun shooting, rock climbing, nature, and cooking skills under qualified supervision. Ask boy who attended, and you’ll hear what a great time it was. Summer camp is usually attended during early August.
The Pack is run completely by local volunteers who are parents of the boys in the Pack. The volunteer leaders exist in several key areas: the Pack Committee, the Den Leaders, and the Event Coordinators. Given the nature of the fixed 5 year Cub Scouting program, there is always a new crop of boys joining each fall and graduating each spring. With that comes the natural evolution and changing of the leadership team. Most volunteers spend 1-2 years in a given role, though many of our Den Leaders make the commitment to stay with their Den throughout the entire time their boys are in the program. Any time you have is welcomed, needed and appreciated.
The Pack Committee is the administrative and operational arm of the Pack. It includes a chairperson, treasurer, secretary, representative from the sponsoring institution and advancement coordinator. The Committee meets monthly to oversee the operation of the Pack and plan the Pack activities; the Committee is basically the "backroom" behind the Pack. All Pack leaders are encouraged to attend Committee meetings; these meetings are open to all parents, and their location/time is published in the monthly newsletter. There is always room and need for new leaders on the Committee.
The Pack Cubmaster runs the Pack meetings, presides over Scout advancement and recognition and is the visible face to the Pack, setting the example and tone for its members. The Cubmaster may be aided by one or more Assistant Cubmasters.
The Den Leaders run the Den programs for each group of boys. They spend countless hours planning the Den Meetings and programs and working with the boys to accomplish some (but not all!) of their Achievements towards rank. The Dens are the vehicle where the boys spend time working with their den-mates and learning together how to interact, help each other, and develop valuable Scouting skills.
The Event Coordinators are responsible for one event that the Pack runs during the year. Some events are fairly easy and require just a little time to plan and organize. Other events, such as Pinewood Derby and Blue/Gold Dinner are major undertakings and have a team of 4-8 coordinators.
The Pack is only as good as its volunteers. If every parent helps out with just one event or role, the effort is shared so no one person has to carry all the weight of the program. Please volunteer for at least one of these roles during the year.
How does the Pack raise funds?
In the fall, the Scouts raise money through the sales of popcorn. Most Pack events have some nominal participation fee, but the Pack subsidizes almost all events with funds raised by the Scouts. The Boy Scouts is a non-profit organization; all funds we raise are directly spent on the boys and the programs of the Pack.
See the CubMaster, Committee Chair or any of the leaders. Every spring we formally solicit volunteers for the coming year, and typically there are still a few positions open come fall, so join right in. We’re always looking for assistants and co-chairs. Please take a look at the programs we’re running and sign up or contact any of the leaders to express your interest! Our program is only as good as the volunteer parents who lead it. Everything we do is for the direct benefit of the boys in the program.
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