Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cub Scouts for both girls and boys?

Absolutely! Pack 287 is a family pack that welcomes youth regardless of gender. We have a mix of both girls and boys among our members.

Why Cub Scouting?

Cub Scouts was founded in 1930 and has run continuously since then. For nearly a century, the Cub Scouts program has helped children build character, develop skills, and grow confidence. The values imparted from Cub Scouts transcend gender, race, religion, nationality, and other characteristics. This is evident in the Scout Law, that explains the 12 core values of scouting: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Is my child eligible to join?

Pack 287 enthusiastically welcomes all youth regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, abilities, or other demographic characteristics. As long as they are in one of the ages/grade levels covered by our program, they are eligible.

What ages are eligible for Cub Scouts?

Cub Scouts provides programming for youth from kindergarten to 5th grade. Youth can join Cub Scouts as early as the summer before they start kindergarten as long as they are at least 5 years old. Once they have completed 5th grade, youth transition to a separate program for middle school and high school aged youth.

Is Cub Scouts a religious program?

Cub Scouts is not a religious program. Scouting America is non-sectarian and welcomes youth regardless of religion. Scouts are required to be "reverent." Merriam-Webster defines reverence as "honor or respect felt or shown." How someone shows reverence differs by person and family. Cub Scouts are asked to complete a reverence-related adventure each year, but that particular adventure is done with their family (rather than with the rest of their den) to allow the scout to explore reverence in a way that is compatible with their own beliefs and practices. For some that involves church and worship, others might honor those who have made great sacrifices, and some might connect reverence to nature. As a pack, we show reverence by welcoming and respecting people of all faiths and philosophies.

What do "Pack" and "Den" mean?

Cub Scouts has historically been animal-themed, drawing inspiration from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. We are one large "pack," with smaller "dens" that allow similarly-aged youth to work together on adventures (learning projects). The dens include:

- Kindergarten: Lion Den
- 1st Grade: Tiger Den
- 2nd Grade: Wolf Den
- 3rd Grade: Bear Den
- 4th Grade: Webelos Den
- 5th Grade: Arrow of Light Den

Dens meet twice a month (usually the first two Mondays of each month) and the pack meets once a month (usually the third Monday of each month). There is also usually one special event or outing for the pack each month.

What are some of the things Cub Scouts do?

We do camping, go to events, hike, race model cars, work on STEM projects, learn about nature, and all sorts of other fun and educational activities. We also do service projects at least annually to demonstrate contributing to our community. It's important to keep in mind that families are free to participate in as much or as little as they want or are able to do. If your family isn't into camping, for example, that's okay. Scouts receive recognition for their accomplishments, but there is never an expectation that they will do everything the program offers.

Do Cub Scouts have to wear a uniform?

No, a uniform is not required. According to the official policy, "wearing the uniform is not mandatory" (Guide to Awards and Insignia, 2022, p. 5). Each year we provide our scouts with a free activity shirt. This is a basic t-shirt that has the Cub Scouts logo and identifies the scout as being part of Pack 287. Many of our scouts wear this t-shirt to our meetings. Cub Scouts are also encouraged to get a field uniform shirt, which is a bit more formal. These are available from the Scout Shop, but can also be purchased used through a variety of other sources to keep costs minimal. There is also other gear that's available for youth who want to wear a full uniform (pants, belt, hat, etc.), but none of them are required and few of our youth have any special scouting clothes beyond the basic shirts.

How do the Cub Scouts earn patches, belt loops, pins, or other awards?

Each year, Cub Scouts work towards a badge of rank. Cub Scouts in the Lion Den (kindergarten), for example, work towards the Lion badge. Along the way, they'll complete a variety of adventures that involve educational and character-building content. Each adventure completed earns the scout a belt loop or a pin (depending on their grade level). Most of the awards given involve either a belt loop or pin for completing an adventure, or a badge of rank for completing enough adventures in the year. You can find more details on the Program page. There are also other awards available, such as the Nova award for STEM activities, for Cub Scouts who want to learn and do even more.

Is my child starting at a disadvantage if they didn't join during kindergarten?

Not at all. Cub Scouts who join at earlier ages may have more awards to display from those years, but each year of Cub Scouts is self-contained and runs according to the school year. The program is not cumulative and your child will be working on the same adventures as all the other youth in the same grade level. Kindergarten is the earliest a youth can join Cub Scouts, but many youth join in later grades too.

What if we join in the middle of the school year?

A new member can immediately begin working on the same adventures as the other scouts of the same grade level. We welcome new members all year long, and membership is good for 12 calendar months beginning with the month they join.

Are den and pack activities planned for the summer?

We continue to have pack events, outings, and activities, even though we don't have regular den and pack meetings in June, July, and August. This is Michigan after all, so these are the prime months for outdoor activities, and we shift our focus to take advantage of the summer weather. We typically do one summer camping experience and several other outings throughout the summer. Visit the Calendar page for more details, although summer activities are likely to be added in the months leading up to summer.

Can siblings come along?

Cub Scouts is all about family. We welcome non-scout siblings (and other family members) at nearly all of our functions. Occasionally we do an activity that has a minimum age or has other restrictions beyond our control, but nearly all of our events are open to the whole family. It's not unusual to see a preschool sibling at our meetings. Please do keep in mind that parental supervision of non-scout siblings is expected at all times.

Can parents be involved?

All of the leaders in the pack are volunteers and we welcome and appreciate more people willing to help. There are different levels of commitment, so even parents with limited free time can contribute. Volunteers who register as a leader must pass a background check for safety reasons.

Although volunteering is appreciated, it is not required for your child to be in scouts. Children in kindergarten and 1st grade are required to have a parent with them during meetings, but otherwise the amount of parental involvement is up to each family.

My child is involved with other activities. Is it okay if we miss some meetings?

Many scouts have lots of activities. Cub Scouts do not have to attend every meeting, and they do not have to complete all the adventures for each grade level. The Cub Scout motto is "Do your best," so that's the standard we apply for attendance too. If you miss out on an adventure, we'd be happy to provide the information so you can do it on your own (if you want to).