Pack 17's
PUBLIC SITE
Home Page
Why Scouts?
Scouting Purpose
Character Dev.
Scouting Benefits
Cub Scout Values
Parent Role
Cub Scout History
Past Activities
Scouting FAQ's
Flyers
Leadership


 
Cub Scout Pack 17
(La Crosse, Wisconsin)
 
ScoutLander Contact Our Pack Member Login
  
 

Scouting FAQ's


What is Scouting?

Cub Scouting is a year-round program uniquely designed to meet the needs of young boys and their parents. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and mental, spiritual and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values of scouting and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect. For Pack 17, family involvement is an essential part of Cub Scouting and parents are encouraged to play an active role in the program. Through interaction between parents, leaders, and friends, boys learn citizenship, compassion, and courage. This family- and community-centered approach to learning means that Cub Scouting is truly time well spent.

What are the requirements to join Cub Scouts of Pack 17?

Boys are encouraged to join scouting at any age and are assigned to Dens by the following guidelines.
  • Tiger Cubs - entering first grade or age 7
  • Wolves - entering second grade or age 8
  • Bears - entering third grade or age 9
  • Webelos Scouts - entering fourth or fifth grade, or age 10 or 11
Cub scouting activities are run primarily by parent volunteers who have received training through the Boy Scouts of America.  Scouts do need to register and pay an annual membership fee to support the activities of their pack and regional and national organizations, and they will need to purchase a boy scout Class A shirt and patches for pack activities, and have the option to buy additional "Class B" clothing for other pack events. Scout clothing can be purchased at the Gateway Area Council office on route 16 in La Crosse, or you may go online to scouting.org.

What does Cub Scouting offer my son?

Cub Scouting offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect. 

How does participation in Cub Scouting affect participation in other activities?

The Cub Scout program is designed to compliment many other extracurricular activities. Typical time commitment is one or two Den meetings per month, one Pack meeting per month, and possibly one Pack outing per month. Boys who participate in organized sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, etc, or academic-based extracurricular activities like music, art, science etc., can be recognized for these activities though Cub Scout belt loops and pins which are worn on their uniform.

Do Cub Scouts go camping?

Yes, but they ease into it. They may go camping with a parent, or even with the entire family. Some dens will do camping activities, and there are camping outings at Camp Decorah.

What other activities are available to Cub Scouts and their families?
 
Pack 17 is active, providing many opportunities for boys and their families to participate. Typical annual events include:  

  • Blue & Gold Banquet
  • Pinewood Derby
  • Ice Fishing
  • Webelos Summer Resident Camp
  • Summer Day Camp
  • Polar Cub Day Camp
  • Shenanigans Family Entertainment Center
  • High Rollers Skating Rink
  • Hiking Events
  • Cub Hibernation
  • and more!

How much is it going to cost?

The annual Pack dues are $20 and this covers the National Boy Scouts of America registration fee and handbook appropriate for your son's rank.  Cub Scout fundraising (Popcorn Sales) efforts provide funds that make the Pack go.  These funds are used to pay for Pinewood Derby kits, all patches and awards, and to reduce the cost of activities.  Other costs include uniforms, required uniform patches, and activity fees for outings.

Where can I buy uniforms, pack and den number patches?

The Scout Shop is located at:

Boy Scouts of America
Gateway Area Council
2600 Quarry Road
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 784-4040 

Call for hours of operation before you go. Feel free to contact the Cubmaster with uniform questions.

How often are the meetings?

Cub Scouts usually meet in their Dens once or twice each month, and a Pack meeting and/or a Pack outing is held for all Cub Scouts and their families once a month.  Beyond that, it depends on the Den and Pack: a Den may hold a special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings. Likewise, the Pack may conduct a special event such as a rocket launch, campout, or service activity as an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly Pack meeting. 

How can I learn more?

The best way to learn about what a Cub Scout really does is to talk with a Cub Scout who is engaged in the program.  Also, please feel free to contact the Cubmaster by selecting "Contact Us" (above) and asking questions, or leave your phone number to receive a call back.

Cub Scout Pack 17, La Crosse, Wisconsin