Pack 473's
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Pack #473 FAQ
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Cub Scout Pack 473
(Bloomington, Minnesota)
 
ScoutLander Contact Our Pack Member Login
  
 

Frequently Asked Questions


 Joining Cub Scouting

How old (or young) can a boy be to join Cub Scouting?
Cub Scouting is for boys in the Kindergarten through fifth grades

How much will it cost?
There are national dues and then Pack Dues set by the individual packs. 
Some Packs charge a flat fee per boy;  Pack 473 charges $45 per boy and then you "order off the menu" for all the activities away from Pack meetings.  We participate in one fundraising activity (popcorn sales at businesses) to offset the costs of our activities...and NO you do not need to sell to your friends/families/neighbors. 

There are plenty of free activities for our boys to do that meet the advancement requirements.  We have chosen to plan our calendar one year in advance you can budget accordingly for an extra opportunities away from the meetings. We want  our Pack accessible for more families --and that means financially too.  For families that wish to apply for financial aid, please contact the Cub Master who will provide the application form.  Please don't let the upfront cost keep you out of scouting -- let us work with you to help ensure that scouting can work within your family budget.

Where do your Pack members live & go to school?
We meet at St Stephen Lutheran Church on the southwest corner of France Ave and 86th Street in Bloomington (just south of 494). This meeting site is convenient to reach off France Avenue or 86th Street.
All boys are welcome but we are in closest proximity to students from the following schools:
       Bethany Academy
       Hillcrest Elementary
       Normandale Hills Elementary
       Poplar Bridge Elementary
       Washburn Elementary Bethany Academy.


When do you meet?

During the school year:
1st and 3rd Tuesday nights of each month for most Den Meetings (smaller groups by age)
     Because the Dens are relatively small, they can easily meet in a home or at alternate sites
     Our Pack has reserved Saint Stephen Lutheran Church for the 1st and 3rd of each month

2nd Thursday night of each month for Pack Meetings (all Dens together)

* Activities on the Pack calendar are community events that families often choose to go together
(ie. Heritage Days, Bloomington Fete fireworks, Safety bootcamp at Bloomington Civic Center etc.)

Other Pack/District/Council activities are advertised in advance and are often off site


During the summer:
Our calendar is more fluid.  There is at least on Pack activity per month for June, July & August.
Each Den will continue to schedule activities, but many will be away from the church meeting site.
Be sure to follow the Pack calendar.  There is a special award given to Packs that have strong attendance at three or more summer activities -- let's earn it together and get the ribbon for our flag!

How do I get a copy of the Pack calendar?
Once your son joins our Pack, you will be given a login code to get to the private side of this website. 
There you will have access to Pack family contact information, calendar, photos and much more.
Den leaders can add their activities to the calendar and send email invitations to families easily through this website function.  
Guests: Check out Welcome Activities link for activities that you can attend to meet us and learn more.


What if I can't attend all the meetings? 

You get out of scouting what you put in, so we encourage participation.
There is no attendance requirement for our Pack.


What is the Pinewood Derby?

Boys get a block of wood from a pine tree from which they will make a car to be raced at our annual
Pack 473 Pinewood Derby (January).The basic supplies are provided for those who join our pack and there are plenty of helpers to get you started in December.  It's all about the pride in building something and the fun of racing.  Of course there are prizes and the opportunity to race for District and Council prizes too -- but in our Pack it's about learning, sportsmanship and a lot of FUN for everyone.  The creativity of the boys is always outstanding!

What is Polar Cubs? 
The Northern Star District offers a winter activity day held at one of the area Boy Scout Camps (Camp Phillippo near Cannon Falls is where we will go in 2013).  This is an optional day event with other boys from across the two state region that some of our boys will be attending for the first time.  Financial aid is available -- talk to the Cubmaster Ross Smith for a confidential application.  Some of the activities at Polar Cubs have included snow-tubing, broomball, obstacle course, winter nature activities, crafts, snowshoeing, capture the flag, and snow golf. Webelos have the opportunity to be in a special Webelos program at Polar Cubs, designed just for them to learn about winter survival, animals and outdoor sports.  A hot lunch is provided in the camp dining hall for everyone. Scouts and parents will learn how to keep warm and stay dry in the snow and cold.


What if my son has special needs or is just learning English?
Our Pack seeks to be accessible by all.  Let's start a conversation about how we can help make our Pack more welcoming to your family.


What if our family does not worship at Saint Stephen Lutheran Church?
Our Pack meets in their building because they are a welcoming faith community and have graciously allowed us to use their facilities.  The Pack is a separate autonomous organization and is not run by the church. 


Will my son ever "catch up" if he didn't join in K/1st grade?
Every year we hope that boys will join, even if they didn't start in the earlier grades.
Each boy earns the Bobcat award first, regardless of age or school grade.
You can join at any time during the year and at any time between Kindergarten and 5th grade.
There are plenty of activities to keep everyone engaged and although we build on previous skills, each boy fits in perfectly.

Who are the leaders?
In Cub Scouts, the activities are led by parents, some with uniforms and titles and some without. All adults who will be interacting with boys from other families receive safety training.  At Pack activities there will always be two adults present who have been trained.  Many of the award activities are done in your own family or with a group of families with similar aged boys (called a Den) and the events are spearheaded by a Den Leader.  Both female and male leaders help with Den activities that are usually organized by the Den Leader and implemented by all the adults who are present.  When all of the Dens get together, this is called a Pack activity. The leader is called the Cub Master and for 473 this is Ross Smith.  As a 501c3 nonprofit, there is a Board of Directors and a Chairman of the Board.  Our Pack is big enough that the main responsibilities are already filled for 2012-2013, but we hope that all parents/grandparents/guardians will choose to get involved because that's where the memories are created.  You get out of scouting what you put into it.  We will give the broad framework and it's up to you to choose how active to be.

What if my son doesn't know any of the other boys? 
That is a possibility on the first night when he first walks in -- but that won't last long!
We're small enough that you won't be on the outside looking in.
We're large enough that we have the key Pack leadership roles already in place for 2012-2013 and help new families transition into the Pack gradually.


What should boys wear?
Come be our guest and just dress how you would for school. 
If
/When you join we'll help you figure out the uniform details..but there's plenty of time for all that.
Just come and have fun! 

Cub Scouts in our pack normally wear their uniform to all our Scouting activities (see pages)
  • The Cub Scout shirt, with long or short sleeves (some wear long sleeves under their uniform shirt).
  • A neckerchief (bandana) that shows your rank in Cub Scouting—orange for Tiger Cub, yellow for Wolf Cub Scout, blue for Bear Cub Scout, and plaid for Webelos Scout
  • A blue belt with a brass buckle to hang belt loop awards
  • Optional: A cap with the same colors as your neckerchief

Explain the Uniform

Besides showing that you are a member of the Cub Scouts, your uniform gives you a place to display your personal achievements and those of your den and pack. Badges of rank, award emblems, special recognitions, and the medals you win at Cub Scout activities are all sewn or pinned onto your uniform.


What is the Uniform Exchange?

The Uniform Exchange program is where Scouts and Scout Leaders can get experienced (used) Scout uniforms for a nominal cost. It's also a great way to pass on your uniforms (donations) to Scouts that are in need of a Scout uniform. All Scout shirts, pants, shorts, neckerchief, socks, patches, and more are welcome.

The exchange takes place every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, from 5:30 - 7:00 PM,
at the Gabbert Scout Service Center, 5300 Glenwood Avenue, in Golden Valley.
Please contact the Uniform Exchange Coordinator, Ellen Panning at 612-203-4971 with questions.

Uniform Exchange Order Form

NEW BLUE CUB SCOUT short sleeve shirts cost $23.  Available at the Scout Shop

Burnsville Scout Shop - 952-892-0206
 14250 Plymouth Avenue S - Burnsville MN 55337
 Monday - Friday  9:30 - 6:30PM
 Saturday  9:30 - 5:30PM
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