Welcome Parents and Scouts:
As we prepare for another exciting and fun filled year of scouting, let’s remind ourselves why we are here and what scouting is all about.
Pack 897 is chartered by Cornerstone United Methodist Church , a Christian church whose mission is: With Christ as our Cornerstone, we worship and glorify God, love and nurture each other, and become His disciples in our community and the world. Pack 897 is an extension of this church.
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. Cub Scouting is a year-round family-oriented part of the BSA program designed for boys who are in 1stthrough 5thgrades (or ages 7 through 10). The parents and Cub Scout Leaders in this organization work together to achieve:
10 Purposes of Cub Scouting
1. Character Development 6. Respectful Relationships
2. Spiritual Growth 7. Personal Achievement
3. Good Citizenship 8. Friendly Service
4. Sportsmanship 9. Fun and Adventure
5. Family Understanding 10. Preparation for Boy Scouts
Character development is a part of everything a Cub Scout does. Lessons can be found in every aspect of the Cub Scouting experience. In an effort to make character development an integral part of Cub Scouting, the 12 core values are being integrated throughout the program. When it comes to developing character, the complete person must be considered. Character development involves at least three critical areas: Know (thought), Commit (feeling) and Practice (behavior). In Cub Scouting, addressing these three critical areas and relating them to the 12 core values is referred to as Character Connections.
CITIZENSHIP - Contributing service & showing responsibility to local, state, & national communities
COMPASSION - Having consideration and concern for the well-being of others
COOPERATION - Working together with others toward a common goal
COURAGE - Doing what is right regardless of its difficulty or the consequences
FAITH - Having inner strength & confidence based on our trust in a higher power
HEALTH & FITNESS - Being personally committed to care for our minds & bodies
HONESTY - Telling the truth and being worthy of trust
PERSEVERANCE - Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it is difficult
POSITIVE ATTITUDE - Setting our minds to look for & find the best in all situations
RESOURCEFULNESS - Using human and other resources to their fullest
RESPECT - Showing regard for the worth of something or someone
RESPONSIBILITY - Fulfilling our duty to take care of others and ourselves
Cub Scouting has followed the same path since inception by memorizing and obeying the Promise, Law of the Pack, and motto.
I promise to do my best,
To do my duty to God, and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack.
It's important not just to say the Promise, but to know what it means.
I promise - When you say "I promise," it means you will do your best to keep your word. It is very important to keep your promises and to stand by the things you say. This shows people that they can trust you and rely on you.
To do my best - Giving your best effort is right and honest. Always remember that your best is not the same as someone else's best. Doing the best you can is more important than trying to be better than someone else.
To do my duty to God - Doing what is right and not doing things we know are wrong is one way to do our duty to God. Another way is to practice our religion at home and at our place of worship. We should respect other people's religious beliefs even if they are different from our own.
And my country - Duty to country starts with being a good citizen. This means caring about the people in your community and helping people. Good citizenship also means obeying the law. It means standing up for the rights of all Americans. Good citizens also take care of America 's land, water, and natural places.
To help other people - Helping other people means doing things to help those around you, your family, friends, classmates, neighbors, and others in your community without having to be told.
And to obey the Law of the Pack - Besides obeying the Law of the Pack (below), you should obey the laws in your community and state, the rules in your school, the rules at home, and the code of conduct in your Den.
The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go.
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.
Each part of the Law of the Pack has a meaning:
The Cub Scout follows Akela - Akela means "good leader." To a Cub Scout, Akela may be a parent, a teacher, a religious leader, a Cub Scout Leader, or another Guide. A Cub Scout should choose a good leader to follow.
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go - Your Pack needs you to be a good member. A good member goes to all meetings, follows the leaders, and pitches in to make the Pack better. Being a good member of the Pack means doing your share, and sometimes a little more, to help the Pack.
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow - With the leaders and Cub Scouts all working together, the Pack helps you grow into a better person. You will learn new things and new skills. You'll learn the right way to do the right things. And along the way, you will help others.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill - Doing good things for others doesn't just make them happy. It also gives them the desire (or the "will") to do good things for others in turn. In this way, the good things you do for others make ripples that pass the goodwill from person to person. The spirit of helpfulness and good cheer spreads from you to others in your neighborhood.
“Do Your Best” - Doing his best is one of the most important things for the Cub Scout to learn. Boys often become so interested in winning that they fail to see the importance of doing the best they can at everything. One boy’s best might be quite different from another boy’s best. Cub Scouting teaches boys that no one can find fault with them if they always do their best.
The two extended fingers of the Cub Scout sign stand for the parts of the Cub Scout Promise, "to help other people" and "to obey." They also stand for the two alert ears of a wolf. The Cub Scout sign should be given when repeating the Cub Scout Promise or Law of the Pack. It is also used in ceremonies.
We also use the Cub Scout sign to gain the attention of the boys during meetings or outings. When you see the “Cub Scout Sign” raised, it is time to be quiet and listen. We ask all scouts, Scout Leaders and parents not to yell or scream out “signs up”. Simply raise your sign and wait for all to be quiet and pay attention.
Being a Scout is a special privilege and not a right. Therefore, certain things are expected from each scout. Scouts are expected to be:
Trustworthy - A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.
Loyal - A Scout is true to his family, Scout Leaders, friends, school, and nation.
Helpful - A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward.
Friendly - A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own.
Courteous - A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
Kind - A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
Obedient - A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
Cheerful - A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
Thrifty - A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
Brave - A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.
Clean - A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.
Reverent - A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
Listed below are some examples of behavior that is NOT part of the scouting tradition.
ü Pushing and shoving to be first in line
ü Saying harsh things to one another that hurt
ü Talking and being noisy when a Leader is speaking.
ü Talking and being rowdy during the posting of the colors, the pledge, and the prayer
ü Thinking only of himself and his friends instead of reaching out to help new and younger scouts
ü Playing rougher than may be safe
The need for discipline and respect in the lives of our children is more fundamental now than ever before. To reach the goals that we are all striving towards within Pack 897, please join the Scout Leaders and the other parents to help teach the scouts of Pack 897 these important lessons in character that will follow him throughout his life.
On behalf of the Pack Committee I sincerely thank you for joining us here at Pack 897. If I can ever do anything to help your son’s scouting experience, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Michael Britt
Cubmaster – Pack 897