September 1, 2003

Dear Parent:

Welcome to Pack 663. We're so glad you've chosen to enroll or re-enroll your son in our Pack. I know that you and he will be so glad you did. We've planned an exciting year and your son will have a great time learning, advancing and playing.

The Pack Leaders in Pack 663 seek to provide activities which provide opportunity for physical fitness and educational value. Many of our planned activities can be enjoyed by every member of a Cub Scout's family.

This booklet will provide an overview of our program. If you have questions or concerns about our program or leaders, please call on one of us or on your son's Den Leader.

At the end of this booklet is a Parent / Boy information sheet. Please complete it and give it to your son's Den Leader at his next meeting.

Thanks again and Welcome!

In Scouting,

Keith B. Schrack, Pack Committee Chairman
Danny Hicks, Cubmaster

The Committee and Leaders of Cub Scout Pack 663 are committed to providing a quality, year-round program of Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed on character development , spiritual grown, citizenship and family.

Cub Scouts are required to memorize the following pledges and motto. We seek to make them real in their lives and hope that you will encourage your son as he strives to do so.

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

The Cub Scout follows Akela
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow
The Cub Scout gives goodwill

Do Your Best

Search, Discover, Share

The Boy Scouts of America began Cub Scouting as a program for younger boys more than 70 years ago. The purposes of Cub Scouting state that Parents, Leaders and Organizations work together to achieve the following:

1. Influence the development of character and encourage spiritual growth;
2. Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship;
3. Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body;
4. Improve understanding within the family;
5. Strengthen the ability to get along with and to respect others;
6. Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills;
7. Show how to be helpful and to do one's best;
8. Provide fun and exciting new things to do;
9. Prepare Cubs to become Boy Scouts.

Like every effective organization, Cub Scout Packs have a structure. Understanding this structure and how it works will increase your son's enjoyment of the program (and leave the parent far less confused).

Groups of 4 to 10 boys meet weekly together as a Den. Each den is led by a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader. A Boy Scout, known as a Den Chief, may also work with your son's den. Dens are organized by age groups. We have one or more Dens for each group of 1st Graders (Tiger Cubs) , 2nd Grades (Wolf) , 3rd Graders (Bear), 4th Graders (Webelos - 1st yr.) and 5th graders (Webelos - 2nd yr.).

The Pack consists of the Dens and their Families. Pack 663 meets monthly and for special activities. The Pack serves as a "parent" organization to the dens and provides direction, program support and maintenance of the budget. The Pack is led by the Cubmaster. She plans and directs monthly pack meetings and other special activities.

The Pack Committee consists of representatives from each Den and other volunteer adults who are charged with managing he pack and its programs. Parents are encouraged to volunteer to serve on the committee and attend regular meetings. Meeting dates are shown on the Pack Calendar. The Pack Committee Chairman, along with the Cubmaster, leads the group in planning and organizing the Pack program. The Committee is also responsible for maintaining Pack funds and planning its budget. A copy of the budget is available for interested parents.

Every Cub Scout Pack must have a sponsor. Pack 663's sponsor is American Legion Post #276. The Legion has been a most generous sponsor and provides not only financial support, but a terrific meeting place and additional help. All leaders are approved by the sponsor.

Registration for membership in Pack 663 is $30.00 per year for each boy in the Pack. The registration fee pays for registration with the Boy Scouts of America, unit insurance, an annual subscription to Boys Life and helps to pay for the awards and supplies for each boy. Boys must, during their first year in the Pack, complete a registration form for the Boy Scouts of America. Parents are also asked to complete a parent/boy registration blank to provide some additional information to the Den Leader.

Should fees or any costs become a problem for your family, please contact the Cubmaster or the Pack Committee Chairman. Scholarships are available and all requests will remain confidential.

Parent volunteers are always needed. Registration and training are provided by the Pack for those who are interested in helping. If you'd like to help in any capacity, please contact the Pack Committee Chairman, Cubmaster or your son's Den Leader. All types of help are needed - driving for trips, assisting in Den Leader absence, etc. Remember that Cub Scout Packs don't exist without volunteer leadership and do your part when asked.

An essential component of Cub Scouting is the uniform. Cubs are made to feel part of a group and have a place to display their awards when they wear their uniforms. Your Den Leader can provide you with specific information about what is needed. All uniform items can be purchased at the Scout Shop located in the offices of the Baltimore Area Council (701 Wyman Park Drive). Selected uniform items are also sold at area Sunny's Surplus stores.

Pack 663 plans a very busy calendar year. Although we don't expect every boy to attend every function, we encourage him to be as active as he (and his parents') wants to be. Pack outings and special events will be led by two or more leaders and parent volunteers.

Monthly Pack Meetings are held on the third Monday evening from 7:00 to 8:30ish at the American Legion Hall. The meeting gives the boys a chance to demonstrate the skills they have learned and receive the awards they've earned. Most pack meetings are preceded by a hot dog dinner. This relieves parents from the dinner chores and proceeds help defray pack expenses. The entire family is welcomed and encouraged to attend the dinners and meetings.

Cub scouts follow the program outlined in a handbook designed for each grade level. As each task is accomplished, the parent, guardian, or scout leader will sign off the item in the scout's handbook. Upon completion of all basic requirements, the scout will be awarded a rank patch symbolizing his acheivement. Scouts who complete elective tasks beyond the basic requirement are recognized by award of gold or silver arrow points.

Several times each year Cub Scouts may participate in education activities. These activities could include information about world conservation, law enforcement, or other issues. These will typically coincide with special Pack or Den activities. These optional programs are usually recognized with a special patch or award.

Pack 663 and Cub Scout Packs all over the USA celebrate Scouting's birthday each February by hosting a Blue & Gold Banquet. Our banquet is usually held on a weekend in conjunction with special Pack Meeting. Our sponsoring organization, American Legion Post #276, provides the dinner and the boys make the decorations. Mark this special date on your calendar and make plans to attend.

The boys of Pack 663 participate in fund raising activities. Funds raised from these activities go to defray Pack program expenses and all boys are encouraged to participate. We sell Trails?End Gourmet Popcorn in the Fall. Prizes are awarded to top sellers and top selling dens. The annual Pack 663 yard sale is a late Spring event; be sure to save up any merchandise you would like to donate!

Our boys will help local food banks by distributing empty bags to neighborhood homes and collecting them filled with donated food on the following weekend. This activity is conducted as a group, under the close supervision of Pack leaders and parent volunteers, to ensure the safety of the boys.

The Pack plans a variety of other special programs that assist the boys in advancing and provide an opportunity for a good time. These events may be hikes, tours, or service projects. As mentioned before, parents and other family members are almost always invited to attend.

Several events are scheduled by the Baltimore Area Council and the Four Rivers District, to which Pack 663 belongs. Summer Day Camp, Cub Scout Olympics, Highland Games are examples of summer events sponsored by the District. Some of these events may be held at Anne Arundel County-operated recreation areas. Cub scouts also have the opportunity to attend summer camp at our Council’s well-equipped and well-staffed Camp Oest. More information and registration forms are made available as each event draws near.

Pack 663 does not close down during the summer. Special activities and meetings are planned and the boys are encouraged to remain active. Picnics, swimming, outdoor games and other activities have been held in the past and will be planned again.

When joining Pack 663, each parent or adult family member agrees to support their son in the following ways:

1. See that he has the proper uniform and handbook;
2. Assist him in attending weekly Den meeting and monthly Pack meetings;
3. Work with him to complete achievements for his rank award;
4. Return information forms and permission slips as asked;
5. Support his Den Leader as a resource person or substitute as asked;
6. Agree to serve in some leadership capacity as called upon;
7. Provide input to the Den Leader or Pack leadership with regard to Pack or Den programming.