General
Q: Are girls allowed in your pack?
A: Absolutely! Cub Scouts allows for packs to be designated as "Family" packs, which means both boys and girls are allowed. Additionally, we also have "Family" dens, meaning we can have co-ed dens as well. We currently have girls in 5 of our 6 dens.
Q: When do you meet?
A: Generally, the pack meets once a month on the 4th Monday to get everyone together for awards, announcements, and the like. There is a parents and leaders meeting on the 1st Monday of the month for us to discuss upcoming events, issues, spending, and the administrative aspects of the pack. The frequency and date of each Den is up to that specific Den Leader.
Q: Where do you meet?
A: Pack meetings are usually held at the Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department. Den meetings are frequently held there also, although there can also be outings to nature centers, parks, and more.
Finances
Q: How much does it cost to join?
A: In order to be a member of BSA, there is an annual fee of $80. There is also a $25 fee for youth joining the organization for the first time. Additionally, there is an annual fee of $130 for our pack, which covers items such as neckerchiefs, adventure loops/pins, Pinewood Derby kits, and more. There are certain extracurricular activities that may have charges associated (park entrance fees, camping to pay for food, etc.), but none of these activities are ever mandatory.
Q: What about the uniform?
A: Our pack does not supply the uniform itself, although it is common for members to pass along items that are no longer needed. While a child would never be turned away for not wearing a uniform, the minimum that we do like to see is the Uniform shirt and dark shorts/pants. The items that we do provide are the Pack numbers, the Den patch, the neckerchief, and for Webelos the colors. If you purchase the uniform at the scout store, the other required patches will be included in the price and pre-sewn. You can also find many of the items at the online Scout Shop.
A pack shirt, also known as the Activity Uniform or Class B's, is available at https://www.bigdippergraphics.com/group-stores/cub-scouts-417.html
Q: Are there any fundraising opportunities?
A: Yes! Fundraising is an important part of Cub Scouts. It teaches the scouts responsibility as well as social engagement, especially with our live sales like the carnival. We have two different types of fundraisers - we have general pack fundraisers, where all funds go to the pack and help contribute to our annual dues cost, supplying items for events like our picnic, and maintaining the pack. The second type of fundraiser goes to what is called a "Scout account", which is individually tracked for each scout. This fund can be used for anything involved in our pack including paying dues, paying for any of the extracurricular events, or paying for camps.