FAQ

All Cub Scouts go on "adventures" to earn belt loops and meet the requirements for advancement (moving to the next rank). Adventures vary by the level of the scout and their interests. Each rank has its own set of required adventures and numerous elective adventures scouts may choose to complete. When a scout completes an adventure, he or she earns a loop that can be worn around the belt to show off the achievement. Scouts may also choose to complete the requirements for other awards, such as the NOVA STEM awards or the religious emblem associated with his or her faith.

Dens and packs work on many of these adventures together in den and pack meetings and through other planned activities. These activities vary from den to den and pack to pack. In Pack 198, for example, we go on summer hikes and family overnights, which are fun and allow our scouts to meet some of the requirements of their adventures. Other den and pack activities include participating in skits, campfires, building projects, first aid training, service projects, and STEM activities.

How will my child be assigned to a den?

Your scout will be assigned to a den based on his or her age. The dens will be named based on the rank the scouts are working towards Lions (Kindergarten), Tigers (1st Grade), Wolves (2nd Grade), Bears (3rd Grade) or Webelos (4th and 5th Grade). Before a new scout can work towards those ranks they need to earn the Bobcat Rank, which is not age dependent, and make sure the scout knows some basic scouting information.

When and where are the meetings?

Pack 198 meets year-round and includes a fun-filled, family-oriented program of learning activities. In addition to regular pack and den meetings, we schedule optional indoor/outdoor activities approximately once per month. You can find information about our pack and den events on our Pack 198 calendar. You can also find general information about our meetings here. All our meetings are held in the Fort Collins area.

Are families allowed to attend meetings?

Yes! Cub scouting is a family affair. Adult family members are needed at meetings and events to keep everything running smoothly.

We understand that some families will need to bring the Cub Scouts' siblings with them. We ask that siblings follow the same rules of behavior as the cub scouts. We do try to involve siblings in pack meetings and pack events where possible, and this can be very exciting for those close to joining Cub Scouts themselves. Sometimes it is difficult to conduct the activities necessary for the Scouts to advance in rank while including siblings. For those times, it is helpful to bring activities for the siblings during these meetings (coloring books, homework, board games, craft projects, etc).

We require all parents to go through the short, online Youth Protection Training to ensure the safety of all of our Scouts and their siblings.

What uniform with my child need?

Pack 198 only requires uniforms from the waist up. Pants can be slacks, jeans, skirts/skorts, or nicer shorts as the weather dictates. Shoes should have an enclosed toe. Along with the items below, all scouts should have the following badges affixed to their uniform shirt: World Crest Emblem, 1910 World Crest Ring Emblem, Pack numerals (1, 9, & 8), Den number, and Longs Peak Council. Neckerchiefs and slides will be supplied by the Pack. For more information about uniforms, check out our Uniforms page.

What handbook will my child need?

Each rank has its own handbook. You will want to get the handbook that matches your child's rank. If your child is in Arrow of Light, he or she will need the Webelos Handbook.

What does it cost to join?

When you register your scout (beascout.scouting.org/), you will be charged a registration fee, which is prorated based on the month you join. The annual Registration and Insurance are set by the BSA. Pack 198 also has annual dues that help to cover required costs and allow us to provide fun programming throughout the year. Pack dues can be offset by participating in fundraisers.

What other costs are associated with Cub Scouting?

Uniforms

New uniforms can cost between $50 - $100 and last several years, depending on how fast the Scouts outgrow them. The Loveland Scout Shop carries all required uniform items and can help you find the best size to ensure a fit for multiple years. You can also often find used uniform items online and at thrift stores. One tip is to buy a shirt that will fit your child for the whole 3-4 years he or she is in Cub Scouts. Not only does this save money, it also ensures you do not have to re-sew patches!

Boy's Life Magazine

This popular magazine for boys and girls is optional, but a fun way for Scouts to learn about new things, get new ideas, play games, tell jokes, and enjoy engaging reading opportunities. The annual cost for ten issues is $12.

Optional Indoor/Outdoor Activities

Pack 198 has many opportunities to participate in outdoor activities. Some of these come with an additional cost for entry fees, materials, and food. These costs will be advertised beforehand and are typically less than $15. Skiing and camping cost more but are generally based on group rates.

Council & District Camp

Longs Peak Council and Bighorn District, of which Pack 198 is a part, organize numerous opportunities for the Scouts and their families to participate in outdoor activities, including summer day camp, family camping events, and Haunted weekend. Individual event fees are posted on the Longs Peak Council website, and Pack 198 will also advertise events the pack plans to attend together through the newsletter and on Scoutbook.

What if I cannot afford the cost of Cub Scouts?

Financial hardship should never keep a family from joining Cub Scouts. There may be financial assistance that is available from the Scout Council. We do fundraising during the year that can help offset the costs of Scouting. Uniforms can often be worn for more than one year. If cost is a concern, please talk with the pack leadership and we will do what we can. Everything will be kept confidential.

Understanding Cub Scouting

What is family Scouting?

Family scouting is the name used by the Boy Scouts of America for their unique organizational structure used to integrate boys and girls into one program. Each pack is not simply co-ed. Rather, there are different models packs can choose to follow: all-boy pack, all-girl pack, or co-ed pack with boy dens and girl dens. Pack 198 is a co-ed pack with individual girl and boy-only dens. For more information about family scouting, see https://www.scouting.org/familyscouting/.

What are packs and dens?

In Pack 198, dens are small groups made up of boys or girls in the same grade or age group. Each den has a Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader. For girl dens, one of these leaders is a woman. Together, these dens make up the pack led by the Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmaster. You may also hear the term "Akela", which is used to refer to any pack leader and adult.

What is the role of families in Cub Scouts?

Families are an integral part of Cub Scouts. Lions (Kindergarten) and Tigers (1st Grade) require a parent partner who works closely with the scout to fulfill the requirements for advancement. Since Cub Scouts are a family affair, families are always encouraged to attend den and pack meetings if at all possible. Having family at meetings is exciting for the scouts. Many scouts will need help to complete activities that adult family members can help with.

Adult family members make excellent volunteers and leaders, and in the case of pack with girls and boys, at least one adult woman is required to attend all events with boys and girls (like den and pack meetings or outings). Even if you are not a leader in the pack, adults can help with many tasks ranging from organization to set up and tear down to supervising scouts at events. The more adult involvement, the better the pack runs which will result in a better program for your child.

What is Youth Protection Training?

The Boy Scouts of America is committed to child safety. Youth Protection Training is training from the Boy Scouts of America on how to conduct scouting events in a manner that keeps our scouts and scout leaders safe from abuse and mistreatment. All leaders are required to complete and keep current with their Youth Protection Training (YPT). Two of the most emphasized aspects of YPT are “No one on one” (no adult will be alone with a scout) and “Two Deep Leadership” (at least two leaders/adults must be present with the group of scouts, and one of these must be a woman for girl dens and co-ed packs). YPT also details how to Recognize, Respond to, and Report different types of abuse. We recommend that anyone interested in protecting our youth register for and participate in Youth Protection Training, as it is not limited to scout leaders and volunteers. For more information, see the official Boy Scouts of America YPT webpage at www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/.