2011 NEW CUB SCOUT PARENT ORIENTATION GUIDE Welcome to the fun and adventure of Cub Scouting!

Westark Area Council Boy Scouts of America 1401 Old Greenwood Road Fort Smith, AR 72901 479-782-7244 www.westarkbsa.org

CUB SCOUT PROMISE I promise to do my best To do my duty to God and my country To help other people, and And to obey the Law of the pack

LAW OF THE PACK The Cub Scout follows Akela The Cub Scout helps the pack go The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow The Cub Scout gives goodwill

WELCOME!! Welcome to Cub Scouting. You and your son are beginning on a trail of fun and adventure that will challenge him and allow you to share experiences that you probably would not otherwise have. He may even become an Eagle Scout! HOW CUB SCOUTING WORKS Cub Scouting is designed to provide opportunities for families to work and play together, to have fun together and to get to know each other a little better. Parents are an integral part of Cub Scouting! THE DEN As a Cub Scout, your son is a part of a group of boys his own age called a den. With his den, your son will build confidence and self-esteem and earn recognition. He will also gain a sense of personal achievement from the new skills he learns. Dens are usually between six and eight boys with one or two parents who are the Den Leaders. Most dens meet once a week. Den meetings have games, crafts, songs, ceremonies and lot of FUN! THE PACK The pack is led by a Cubmaster and is made up of several dens. Your son’s den will meet once a month as part of the pack. These meetings are a time for boys to be recognized for their accomplishments, and to have fun with the entire family. The pack will also hold several special activities each year. THE PACK COMMITTEE The Pack Committee runs the pack. The committee is made up of other parents who want to help our the pack. The committee should meet once a month to discuss and plan pack activities, fundraising, leader training and advancement. WHY CUB SCOUTING? Cub Scouting’s strength is that it is a well rounded program, positively affecting every area of a boy’s life. Cub Scouting encourages boys to achieve a deeper appreciation of others, including peers, parents and other adults. Early in their Scouting experience, boys learn the value of serving others. Cub Scouting provides boys with a sense that they are important as individuals. They learn that their Scouting family cares about what happens to them. Cub Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions have to be made, a boy can look at himself in the mirror and be proud. WHAT’S EXPECTED OF ME? Cub Scouting is a program that parents and sons can do together. Parents who volunteer spend an average of two to four hours per week involved in Cub Scouting activities. This includes meetings with the boys and planning time. Your son’s pack is run entirely by volunteer leaders, they are parents just like you. Volunteering helps strengthen the bond between parent and child. Training is provided. HOW CAN I HELP MY SON?  Become involved  Live by the Scout Oath and Law  Work with him on his achievements  Sell popcorn and help him raise money  Value him as an individual

CUB SCOUT TEACHES YOUR SON       

Confidence through recognition by adults Belonging by building relationships with other boys Quality family time to strengthen the bond between parent and child Social skills through interacting with other people Moral and ethical choices by instilling essential values Leadership skills through leading other boys Citizenship to become responsible community member

ADVANCEMENT The responsibility for a boy’s earning of awards in Cub Scouting lies with the family, not with the pack. Some requirements are done at den meetings, but most are done with you! You can sign off on his requirements when you and your son feel that he has done his best. As a result, the awards he earns raise his self-esteem and confidence. Bobcat Badge The first rank earned by all boys when they join Cub Scouts.

Tiger Cubs (1st grade) Tigers work with an adult partner on achievements and electives in their handbook

Wolf Cubs (2nd grade) Wolves work on 12 achievements to earn the Wolf Badge. Each requirement is designed to teach simple skills and initiate family discussions on values, citizenship, health, etc.

Bear Cubs (3rd grade) Bears must complete 12 out of 24 achievements to earn the Bear Badge.

Webelos Scouts (4th and 5th grade) As a Webelos Scout, a boy works to achieve the Webelos Badge, 20 activity badges and the Arrow of Light. They Webelos Scouts for two years.

Arrow of Light The highest rank in Cub Scouting. A Webelos must earn the Webelos Badge and complete several additional requirements to attain the Arrow of Light.

PROGRAM There are several highlight activities that your son will be able to take part in each year in Cub Scouting. PINEWOOD DERBY The Pinewood Derby has been a Cub Scout tradition for nearly 60 years. Your son starts with a small block of wood and some imagination. He ends with a car that he races against the other boys in his den and pack. He could even win his district Pinewood Derby and earn a trophy!

SCOUTING FOR FOOD Our Boy Scout “good turn.” Every Cub pack and Scout troop in the 17 counties served by the Westark Area Council collect canned good to benefit the food pantries all around our council.

BLUE & GOLD BANQUETS To celebrate the anniversary of Scouting, every Cub Scout pack holds a Blue and Gold Banquet. You will have great fun, great food, and entertainment with every family in your pack.

Baden Powell University “Cub and Boy Scout Leader Training” This great event is your “one stop shop” for additional unit leader training outside your home district. Continuous training is offered at your monthly Roundtable meetings in your district. This is an opportunity to take advanced classes with other leaders across the rest of the Westark Area Council. To share ideas and to meet lifelong friends in scouting or to just catch up with the ones you know. If you really want to go all the way, you can work toward an advanced degree program to maximize the program within your unit. Where: Cost: $35 ( includes lunch and materials) Registration Deadline is Friday, October 28,2011 Classes include: Dutch Oven Cooking , Leave No Trace , This is Scouting , Youth Protection , Pack Master , Troop Master, Baloo Training just to name a few. Visit www.westarkbsa.com to download the 2010 class guide and sign up for this fabulous training opportunity.

ANNUAL WESTARK AREA COUNCIL POPCORN SALE Your son can pay for most of his Scouting needs easily just by selling popcorn! Your son can earn great prizes! Your son can even earn a scholarship for college! Your son’s Pack earns money and his Council earns money to support your son’s Pack! You can help by selling popcorn to your co-workers and encouraging your son to ask family and neighbors to support his Scouting experience and program by buying popcorn! We’ll be selling some old favorites and some new delicious products, a few of them shown below.

CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CUB SCOUTS AND THEIR FAMILIES Scouting is Outing. Cub Scouting’s camping and outdoor activities fulfill Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos Scouts dreams of fun, excitement and adventure. They provide a natural setting for quality time with family and friends. There are many camping opportunities for Cub Scouts and their families. They vary from day camps to overnighters to weeklong programs. CUB ADVENTURE CAMPOUT Each fall, all Cub Scout Packs in each district get together to camp out, so the existing members and new families can getto-know each other. There are fun activities for all the boys and campfires in the evenings. CUB SCOUT TWILIGHT CAMPS Twilight Camp is an accredited, fun-filled, five-night program for Tiger Cubs, Wolves, Bears and Webelos Scout under certified leadership at an approved site. Each district has its own camp, dates and location. To participate in the

Westark Area Council Cub Scout Twilight Camp, a boy must be entering the first grade in the fall of that year, but must not have completed 5th grade. Our Council offers multiple Twilight Camp opportunities each summer.

CUB SCOUT RESIDENT CAMP Cub Scout Resident Camp is designed specifically for Webelos. It is held at Rogers Scout Reservation near Booneville, Arkansas. Activities include archery, BB Guns, campfires, camping skills, fishing, boating and more. (for 4th & 5th graders) INCLUDES T-SHIRT, PATCH, CRAFT ITEMS, FOOD AND A GREAT PROGRAM Webelos will have the opportunity to camp with unit leadership, much like they will upon becoming Boy Scouts! There will be lots of advancement made and also free time to enjoy all the camp facilities, so have a summer to remember…plan to go with your den to Cub Scout Resident Camp Rogers Scout Reservation! REGISTRATION FOR THIS CAMP IS DONE BY WEBELOS DEN LEADER

CUB SCOUT FAMILY CAMP (family weekends) In April Scouts gather for a fun-filled weekend for Cub Scouts and the whole family at beautiful Rogers Scout Reservation near Booneville, Arkansas or at Camp Orr located on the beautiful Buffalo River near Jasper, Arkansas. Supervised sessions for BB Guns, swimming, canoeing, crafts , games and just plain family fun. A campfire followed by a restful night in a tent . A chapel service on Sunday morning. All meals are provided for the weekend. A great time together for the entire family and their sons in grades 1-5. If parents cannot attend, any adult over age 18 with written permission of parent or guardian may come.

CUB SCOUT PACK FAMILY OVERNIGHTERS Pack-organized family camping is held in council-approved camping facilities that meet national standards. Pack overnighters are generally for one night. Parents and family member are encouraged, and sometimes required, to attend to increase the enjoyment and shared experience.

Westark Area Council SCOUT SHOP

Two Locations to Serve You Fort Smith Scout Shop 1401 Old Greenwood Rd Fort Smith, AR 72901 479-782-7244 800-748-8509 School Hours M-W-F 8am-5pm T-TH 8am-6pm Saturday 10am-1pm

Springdale Scout Shop 5320 W Sunset St 175B Springdale, AR 72762 479-750-3033 Hours Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Saturday 10am-2pm

Please stop in and check us out. We can ship your order. The Westark Area Council Scout Shop offers uniforms, advancements, literature, gifts, scrapbooking supplies, space/regatta/pinewood derby, program and den meeting ideas and supplies. If we don’t have it in stock, we can order it for you.

SCOUT CAPS

CUB SCOUT OR BOY SCOUT UNIFORM SHIRT

VENTURER SHIRTS, SHORTS & PANTS

HANDBOOKS

CUB SCOUT & BOY SCOUT SHORTS, PANTS, & SWITCHBACKS

Item Number

Description

Price

84091 84092

Short-Sleeve Shirt Small Short-Sleeve Shirt Medium

$22.99 $22.99

84093

Short-Sleeve Shirt Large

$22.99

84094

Short-Sleeve Shirt Xlarge

$22.99

84095

Short-Sleeve Shirt 2XLarge

$22.99

90161

Switchback Cub Pants

$24.99

81392

Tiger Cub Belt (fits Waist to 28")

$7.99

81391

Cub Scout Belt (fits Waist to 28")

$7.99

81393

Cub Scout Belt (fits Waist to 38")

$9.99

80871

Tiger Neckerchief

$5.99

00802

Wolf Neckerchief

$5.99

00801

Bear Neckerchief

$5.99

80890

Webelo Neckerchief

$9.99

80870

Tiger Cub Slide

$3.99

80000

Wolf Slide

$3.99

80001

Bear Slide

$3.99

Webelo Slide

$3.99

891 83892

Tiger Cub Cap small

$12.99

83893

Tiger Cub Cap medium/large

$12.99

85392

Wolf Cap small

$12.99

85393

Wolf Cap medium/large

$12.99

85292

Bear Cap small

$12.99

85293

Bear Cap medium/large

$12.99

85192

Webelos Cap small

$12.99

85193

Webelos Cap medium/large

$12.99

00452

Webelos Colors

600143

World Crest

$1.50

Westark Council Strip

$2.50

Unit Numeral

$1.19

Den Numeral

$1.49

Rank Holder

$0.99

Badge Magic

$8.99

$4.49

Insignia L16

L1601 50100

Handbooks 34713

Tiger Cub Handbook

$5.99

33450

Wolf Cub Scout Handbook

$8.99

33451

Bear Cub Scout Handbook

$8.99

33452

Webelos Handbook

$8.99

Coil Bound Books 34022

Book Cover

TOTAL Westark Area Council, Inc., Boy Scouts of America 1401 Old Greenwood Road Fort Smith, AR 72901 479-782-7244 800-748-8509 or 479-782-7244 [email protected]

$14.99 $8.99

Quantity Needed

Total Price

What Makes a Trained Leader A direct contact Scout leader is considered fully trained and entitled to wear the Trained leader emblem when he or she has completed the following training courses and the specific training for the position. Fast Start Training. Fast Start training is the first step for all new leaders and should be taken immediately after they register and before they meet with any youth members. New leaders choose the Fast Start they need to take: Cub Scout Leader, Boy Scout Leader, Varsity Scout Leader, or Venturing Crew Leader. All Fast Start courses are available on DVD, or they can be completed through the Online Learning Center. (If you are new to Scouting, you will be asked to create an account.) Youth Protection Training. Youth Protection training is required for all leaders who have direct contact with youth. At all times, youth safety is the number one priority. At the same time, adults need to know the rules for keeping themselves safe, too. Comprehensive Youth Protection training teaches all the do’s and don’ts of working with youth. The training is offered through the Online Learning Center, or it may be taken as part of an district or council training course. This is Scouting. This Is Scouting is a new online training session that replaces New Leader Essentials. It picks up when Fast Start leaves off with six modules of training: The Mission of Scouting, Programs for All ages, Scouting Is Fun, Scouting in the Community, Keeping Our Youth Safe, and Scouting’s Legacy. The training takes about an hour to complete and can be found on Online Learning Center. (If you are new to Scouting, you will be asked to create an account.) Position Specific Training. Leader position specific training is based on the leader’s position. These courses are taught by informed trainers who know how to engage groups and make learning fun. These courses are offered by the district or council as group training, or may be done as small groups or by personal coaching. Cub Scout Leaders Cub Scout Leader Specific training has been developed for the following positions:  Tiger Cub den leaders  Cubmasters and assistants  Wolf and Bear Den leaders and assistants  Pack Committee  Webelos den leaders and assistants Pack trainers

RESOURCES You have many resources available to you and your son to enhance his Cub Scout experience. Some resources are people. Some are printed materials. Some are electronic. Boys’ Life Boys’ Life has been published by the Boy Scouts of America for over 80 years. It contains articles of special interest to boys including sport, video games, outdoor life and adventure. The mission of boys’ Life magazine is to entertain and educate America’s youth and open their eyes to the joyous world of reading. WEBSITES These are official Boy Scout of America Websites with information, games and other fun things for you and your Cub Scout to enjoy. www.westarkbsa.org The official website of the Westark Area Council. www.scouting.org The official website of the Boy Scouts of America. www.scouting.org Cub Scout website with games and information about Cub Scouting. www.boyslife.org Website about Boys’ Life magazine with articles, jokes, games and stories www.scoutstuff.org Your official online source for information about essential Scouting merchandise www.scoutingvalelapena.org The official Spanish-language website of the Boy Scouts of America www.scouting.org Boy Scout website with information and testimonials about Boy Scouting PEOPLE There are many people who are willing to help your son enjoy his Cub Scout experience. His den leaders, Cubmaster, other pack leaders, district and council-level Scouters. Plus many people not in Scouting, friends, family members, teachers, firefighters, police officers, etc. All of these people play a role in helping your son enjoy Scouting and learn a great deal about character, citizenship and fitness. Nobody is more important to your son’s Scouting experience than YOU!

READ TO LEAD

The Pony Express

Cornerstone Cub Adventure Campout When: Oct 7 – 9, 2011 Where: 13355 Motley Rd, Bentonville, AR Hello Scouts! We are using the same location as last year. It is located west of Highway 279 between Centerton and Vaughn. Here are a few important things to know about Fall Cub Adventure: Cost: $15 per person or $30 for a family thru Sept 22nd, $20 per person or $40 per family from Sept 22nd – Oct. 2nd. After Oct 2nd, packs have to get special permission from Scout Office before attending. Pack registration fee: $50 non-refundable for 10 or more campers, scholarships available if needed. We are having a Chuck wagon dish cook-off. The dish is up to camper interpretation – keep in mind, if you want it judged, make it look appealing to the judges…. We are continuing to use camp inspection to include volunteer hours as a tie break for camp inspections. Those hours include camp setup and Saturday activities (staff planning hours not included). Remember, we have Spirit , Volunteer, Best-in-Theme, and Midway game awards to hand out at campfire. Coleman and the Scout Shop are coming back this year. I’ve been told Coleman plans on bringing more heaters this fall. One final note, we will be asking for the packs to help with camp setup on Oct 4 or 5th, first aid shifts, and activity coverage on Saturday. Once the leader’s guide is posted, you will find a volunteer sheet included.

For questions contact Ken Hunter at [email protected] District Executive: Mike Boness 479-366-8265 Email address: [email protected]

CORNERSTONE DISTRICT DATES August Cornerstone District 8/2/11—School Night Rally team training at 6:30pm at Central United Methodist 8/4/11—Program Preview/Roundtable, 6pm; Central United Methodist Church in Rogers; dinner; bring a chair to sit on 8/11/11—District Committee meeting; 6:30pm at Central United Methodist September Cornerstone District 9/1/11—District Committee 6pm—Central United Methodist Church 9/1/11—Roundtable 7pm—Central United Methodist Church 9/6/11—Popcorn Kickoff meeting for all units—6:30pm Central United Methodist Church October Cornerstone District 10/7/11—10/9—Cub Adventure Campout ; Centerton—same location as 2010 10/14-10/16—Cornerstone Fall Camporee; location to be announced 10/28/11—Popcorn and prize orders due November Cornerstone District 11/3/11—Disttrict Committee-6pm / Roundtable at 7pm at CUMC in Rogers 11/11/11Popcorn Pick up at Budget Text Warehouse in Fayettevlille—same location as 2010 11/19/11—Baden Powell University—Location to be announce December Cornerstone District 12/1/11—District Committee at 6pm / Roundtable at 7pm—CUMC in Rogers 12/8/11—Cornerstone Recharter Party—All recharters can be reviewed and completed/6:30pm at CUMC

Put these dates in your calendar and don’t miss out on all the Cornerstone District has to offer!

POPTOBER September 6, 2011

Cornerstone District Popcorn Kick-off

When: Tuesday September 6th Beginning at 6:30pm at Central United Methodist Church, Get all the information and materials to have a successful popcorn sale in 2011. Free give a-ways, Free unit popcorn materials and information Don’t miss the fun!

Questions or information contact: Cornerstone District Director Mike Boness 479-366-8265 or [email protected]

Your child is registered in the

Cornerstone District (Counties include Benton) District Executive: Mike Boness 479-366-8265 Email address: [email protected] Your son’s Pack # is ________ His Den Leader is _____________________________ phone ______________________ Cubmaster is ________________________________ phone ______________________

COUNCIL SERVICE CENTER FOR ALL YOUR SCOUTING NEEDS, LOCATIONS INCLUDE: Hembree Scout Service Center 1401 Old Greenwood Drive Fort Smith , Arkansas 72901

or at our Retail location in Springdale, Arkansas at Ozark Center Point Place 5320 W. Sunset Suite 175B Springdale, Arkansas 72762 479-7827244 ( Fort Smith) 479-750-3033( Springdale ) www.westarkbsa.org