Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Cub Scouts in general and about Pack 244. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us.
About Pack 244 | Joining Cub Scouting | Uniforms and Supplies | Advancement and Awards
About Pack 244
When do you meet?
All regularly scheduled pack meetings take place on Wednesday nights at Peace Church in Cary.
- Pack meetings occur on the first Wednesday of every month. These meetings are used to recognize scouts for awards they have earned as well as fun activities like skits, songs and jokes. Family members are encouraged to attend pack meetings.
- Den meetings for Pack 244 occur on the second and third Wednesdays of each month.
- The fourth Wednesday of each month is reserved for committee meetings where our adult volunteers plan upcoming activities for the pack. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend these committee meetings.
Dens may hold a special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum, in place of one of or in addition to the weekly meeting. Special events such as award banquets or holiday observances may sometimes be substituted for monthly pack meetings.
May parents attend den meetings?
Cub Scouting is a family-based program, and we encourage parents to be involved in all aspects of their child’s participation. Parents must be present for all Lion (kindergarten) and Tiger (first grade) meetings because so many of the activities require parental support. Cub Scout activities such as camp-outs and field trips require parental attendance.
How much does it cost?
The Scouts BSA seeks to keep Scouting affordable for all members involved. The national registration fee is $105. This includes a one-time joining fee of $25. There is an annual charge for registration with Scouts BSA (national) of $80, the Occoneechee Council fee of $70, and an optional subscription to Scout Life Magazine for $15. Pack 244 collects an additional $45 to counter the cost of supplies, rank and advancement awards, activities and ceremonies.
- Total New Scout: $220 ($235 with Scout Life)
- Total Returning Scout: $195 ($210 with Scout Life)
Our pack also participates in a yearly popcorn fundraiser or other fundraising efforts to help off-set these costs. Resources also exist to help families who may not be able to afford the cost of joining.
Joining Cub Scouting
What are the ages for Cub Scouting?
Cub Scouting is a family-oriented program designed specifically to address the needs of younger children in kindergarten through fifth grades (about 5 to 11 years of age.) Children who are older than 11 or who have completed the fifth grade can no longer join Cub Scouting, but they may be eligible to join the Boy Scouting or Venturing program.
How can I become an adult volunteer in Cub Scouting?
There are many roles to be filled in each pack, and adult help is always appreciated. Ask your pack leaders about where they could use a hand. All adult volunteers must fill out an application 
and go through a criminal background check. They must also complete a scouting youth protection training program. The safety of our scouts is our number one priority.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to join Cub Scouting?
Citizenship is not required of youth or adult members.
Uniforms and Supplies
What supplies and equipment are needed to participate in Cub Scouting?
Each child in Cub Scouting will need a uniform and a handbook. Their handbook, cap and neckerchief will change each year as he goes through the program, but other uniform parts remain the same for at least the first three years. When a child enters a Webelos den, he may need to obtain a new uniform if the parents in the den opt for the khaki-and-olive uniform. Additional supplies and equipment may be needed for certain activities such as camping trips or field days. What equipment is needed, as well as whether it will be provided by the unit, will vary from pack to pack. Den and pack leaders should provide parents with information about any supplies that will be required at the beginning of each program year.
Learn more about Cub Scout uniforms at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Uniform/Parents.aspx.
Where can I purchase BSA literature, uniforms and other program materials?
Our uniforms, literature, and other Scouting merchandise is available at the Occoneechee Council Scout Shop at 3231 Atlantic Avenue Raleigh, NC 27604. You can reach them by phone at (919) 850-0301.
What sort of camping equipment will I need to get?
Camping is a big part of the fun of Cub Scouts, but we realize that it can be a bit overwhelming to get started if you haven’t camped that much before. It doesn’t really take that much to get started with camping. To help you along, we’ve created a Camping Equipment 101 guide . We also have a lot of shared camping expertise within the Pack, so don’t be afraid to ask for advice.
How can I save money on the cost of uniforms and equipment?
Your Pack numeral patches are provided by Pack 244, so you don’t need to purchase those. We also maintain a repository of uniforms from previous Cub Scouts. Please check with us if you would like to look through what we have available.
Advancements and Awards
What is advancement?
Advancement is the process by which a boy progresses from badge to badge, learning new skills as he goes. The Cub Scout advancement program is designed to encourage the natural interests of a boy in a natural way. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As a boy advances through the ranks, requirements are progressively more challenging, matching the increased skills and abilities of a child as he grows older.
Advancement is one of the methods used to achieve Scouting’s aims—character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Everything a Cub Scout does to advance is designed to achieve these aims and aid in his personal growth. These badges are a means to an end—not an end in themselves.
What other awards or recognition can my scout earn?
In addition to working towards advancement, Cub Scouts have the opportunity to earn academic and sports belt loops and pins. These awards provide scouts with opportunities to improve scholarship, develop sportsmanship, and explore new games while collecting Cub Scout belt loops and pins. The emphasis of the program is to try new things and to put forth a best effort, not of achieving proficiency or winning.
How does a Cub Scout move up to Boy Scouts?
Boy Scouting is available to boys and girls who have earned the Arrow of Light and are at least 10-years-old, so a Webelos Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light is eligible to join a troop immediately (usually when he or she completes the fifth grade). However, many packs coordinate with a local Boy Scout troop to facilitate the transition from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting. In these instances, it is better for the child, family, and both units if all Webelos Scouts make the transition together rather than having each boy leave the pack as soon as he is eligible. These transitions are celebrated with a special Crossing Over ceremony that is normally held during our spring Blue and Gold Banquet.