Q. What is the difference between a den and a pack?
A. A den is made up of all boys of the same age or in the same grade. We have 5 dens in our Pack. The Pack consists of all of the dens. Den events your boy will be exclusively with boys in his own age group. Pack events all age boys are together (though they usually congregate with boys from thier own den).

Q. Where is the closest scout shop?
A. Doylestown Scout shop is the closest, though not technically in our district they usually have everythig you would need for your uniform.

Visit them here on the web.

Map

Q. What parts of the Uniform does Pack 229 require?
A. We require a Class "A" Cub Scout uniform which is the scout shirt, pants, belt, patches, hat, neckerchief, and neckerchief slide. It is a good idea to get your uniform shirt a little big because your boy will grow into it. Also we recommend getting a short sleeve shirt only. This way you only need to buy one shirt that can be worn all year long. During the colder months your son may wear a long sleeve shirt or sweat shirt under his shirt.

Q. Who do I contact if I want to join Pack 229?
A. Contact the cubmaster at cubmaster@pack-229.org or 215-361-7265

Q. Can you join at any time, or only at the beginning of the school year?
A. Although we recruit in the beginning of the school year, you can join Cub Scouts at any time. The later in the school year you join the more difficult it is to make that years rank, but that is not the most important thing. Join now and start having fun.

Q. What do the different ranks mean (Tiger cub, wolf cub, bear cub, and Webelos)?
A. 1st graders are tiger cubs, 2nd graders are Wolves, 3rd graders are Bears, 4th graders are Webelos1, and 5th graders are Webelos2 scouts. In February our Webelos 2 scouts cross over from Boy scouts to Cub scouts.

Q. Can I join Pack 229 even if I don't live in your school district?
A. Yes. We have some members of our Pack that have moved out of the school district but are still members of our Pack, and also some members that joined from other neighborhoods that heard what a great program we have.

Q. What age do boys move from Cub scouts to Boy scouts?
A. Boys are usually 10 or 11 when they cross over to Boy scouts. This occurs in February of their 5th grade in school.

Q. What's the Pinewood Derby?
A. The Pinewood derby is a model car race. The boys are given a kit consisting of a block of wood, some tires and axles. They design and shape a car out of the wood. Then the cars are raced. We race by den so there are more opportunities for scouts to win a prize. There is also a contest for best looking car held at the Blue and Gold dinner.

Q. What's the Blue and Gold Banquet?
A. The Blue and Gold dinner is historically the birthday party to celebrate the birth of the Cub scouting program. It's the time where we recognize the achievements of the boys for the year so far. There is normally a meal served as well as entertainment. The culmination of the recognition is the cross over ceremony for Webelos2 scouts from Cub scouts to Boy scouts.

Q. What is expected of me as a cub scout Parent?
A. The program is run by volunteers. There are no paid positions in the troop. There are many opportunities for Parents to help run the Pack. Some are leadership positions, and some are helpers. Training is available for those that want to volunteer to be leaders. All parents are expected to help out in some way whether it be as a leader for the boys, or helping to plan an event, or anything in between. After all your son is getting a lot of benefit from the program. Don't you want it to be the best it can be?

Q. How much does the annual dues cost and what is the money used for?
A. Dues are currently $75 per year. This money is collected in the beginning of the year, and is used to purchase the handbooks, awards, pinewood derby cars, raingutter regatta boats, etc.

Q. Will my boy have fun or is it all work, and service?
A. Scouting is all about having fun. If your boy is not having fun then you need to see your den leader or cub master to address the issue. The program is designed to teach good moral values, and build character through service to the community, and by working towards advancement. We like to say that they learn while having fun.

Q. I don't like to camp, can my son still go camping without me?
A. That depends on the activity, and the age and maturity of the child. For camping in a supervised setting such as day camp, or cub resident camp as long as there are two adults present with the children at all times then you can send your child without you. However for camping opportunities such as winter camping we require an adult for each child because the camp staff is not there.

Q. How do I know that my son will be safe?
A. All our leaders go through a back ground check by the Boy Scouts of America, and have to be trained in youth protection.

Q. When are the Pack and den meetings?
A. Pack meetings are typically the third Thursday of each month at 7:00PM. Den meetings vary by Den. Contact your den leader for more information:

Weblos2@pack-229.org

Weblos1@pack-229.org

Bears@pack-229.org

Wolves@pack-229.org

Tigers@pack-229.org

Q. I want to volunteer some of my time to help out with the Pack, what opportunities are available?
A. There are many ways you can help the Pack. Here are a sample of just a few: Be a den leader or assistant den leader. Be a cubmaster or assistant cubmaster. Be the treasurer, trainer, committee member, or awards chairperson. Be the web master. Additionally there are opportunities to help out with the following events: Pinewood derby, Space derby, Raingutter Regatta, Blue and Gold Banquet, Day Camp, Resident Camp, Cub Parent weekend Popcorn sales, Scouting for Food, Christmas Caroling, Picnic and Rocket Launch, Snacks OR any of the monthly activities we do as a pack. Please click here to see the calendar for events.