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About Cub Scouts
About Cub Scouts
Welcome to Pack 380!
We believe that Cub Scouting is fun with a purpose. Since 1920, we serve the Capitol Hill area in Washington, DC.
Cub Scouting is a program of Scouts BSA whose overall mission is to help young people build character, learn citizenship, and develop personal fitness and leadership. Cub Scouting focuses on children of kindergarten to fifth grade and includes both boys and girls. The Cub Scout motto is “Do Your Best”. The parents are the best gauge of what “Do Your Best’ means to their child. So, a successful program requires participation from, and a partnership with, the parents and families.
To help young people develop, the Cub Scout program is divided into age-appropriate activities, called Adventures. As the child progresses through the program, the themes of these adventures are repeated with each year becoming a bit more challenging. Children can join at any age between kindergarten and fifth grade. A child does not have to complete the previous year’s activities to join. Except for kindergarteners, all new scouts must first earn the Bobcat badge, regardless of starting grade. The Bobcat badge involves learning the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Cub Scout motto, slogan, handshake, and sign.
Scouts work towards the rank of Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos (acronym for ”We’ll Be Loyal Scouts”), and Arrow of Light. Scouts learn a variety of new skills as they advance, from outdoor skills to coding to life skills. Completing a skill results in a merit badge. Merit badges are earned both from required Adventures and elective Adventures. The Arrow of Light is the highest award that a Cub Scout can earn and one of the few Cub Scout emblems that may be worn on the Scout BSA uniform. Upon completing the Cub Scouts program in 5th grade, scouts can select any Troop to join; many Pack 380 cub scouts join Troop 380B or Troop 380G.
The Pack
The Pack
The pack is the Scouting unit that conducts the Cub Scout program with the chartered organization. As illustrated on the right, it is led by a pack committee, which oversees administrative functions, and a Cubmaster, who oversees program activities.
Our program year runs from August through July (basically following the school year). The Pack generally meets once a month. The Pack Meeting is a fun time for everyone. Dens share projects, perform skits, and Scouts receive awards. Pack Meeting is a great opportunity for the cub scout family to get information on upcoming activities and build a strong community.
In addition to Pack Meeting, Pack activities include camp outs, hikes, Pinewood Derby and the Rain Gutter Regatta. These usually occur on weekends and are an exciting part of the Cub Scout program.
For a cub scout pack to exist, it must be sponsored by an organization which has an agreement (charter) with BSA to incorporate scouting as part of its youth development program. Pack 380 is sponsored by St Peters Catholic Church on Capitol Hill. While our sponsoring organization is a Catholic church, we have members of various faiths and welcome everyone, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Pack 380 is in the Washington DC District, which in turn is part of the National Capital Area Council (NCAC). NCAC is chartered by the National Council, Scouts BSA.
Image credit: Cub Scout Leader Book
Dens
Dens
The Pack is made of Dens, one or more for each level. The Dens are:
Lions – Kindergarten.
Tigers – First Graders.
Wolfs – Second Graders.
Bears – Third Graders.
Webelos 1 - Fourth Graders.
Webelos 2 - Fifth graders.
Each den has a Den Leader and one or more Assistant Den Leaders who organize the calendar of events, meeting logistics, and plan activities for that Den. Activities include both those that fulfill Adventure requirements, as well as additional outings such as hikes and camp outs. Each den is sized for approximately 8-10 children. Presently, we maintain girl dens and boy dens as separate units. Dens meet on dates and times agreed upon by the parents and den leaders, typically once or twice a month. For our youngest youth in Lions and Tigers, the presence of a parent or guardian is required at den meetings.
Safety Policies
Safety Policies
Pack 380 is dedicated to the safety of our youth and volunteers and strictly adheres BSA’s Safe Scouting guidelines. All leaders are required to officially register with Scouts BSA, complete an adult application, and undergo a criminal background check.
Two-deep leadership: To protect the safety of youth, at least two adults, at least one of whom is a registered leader, must be present for any activity. Both leaders must be registered and have current Youth Protection Training. A registered female leader is required for all activities involving female youth, with the exception if the parent is present. Where required, additional specially trained leaders will also be included in activities.
No one-on-one contact: Adults may not be alone with youth who are not their own children during any activity. This generally means staying within view of other adults while interacting with youth. This extends to electronic and multimedia communications as well, such as email or social media.
Respect of Privacy. Adults must respect privacy of youth during changing/showering, etc., except when necessary to deal with health and safety emergencies. Appropriate attire is required for all.
Separate accommodations. Adults may not share tents/rooms with youth who are not their own children.
All registered leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training (YPT), which explains the Youth Protection standards in more depth.
Want more?
Want more?
For more information, check out our Pack 380 Parents Orientation guide or BeAScout.
For any questions, please contact us.
Interested in joining? Please check out registration.
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