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Cub Scout Pack 533
(Cypress, Texas)
 
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Cub Scouting is FUN


Scouting is fun with a purpose! And that purpose is to raise boys who respect themselves, respect others, and who have strong character. There is no better youth leadership nor community service training than Scouting. Cub Scout Pack 533 is in Cypress, Texas, and we are dedicated to providing a fun Cub Scouting experience for all boys from 1st through 5th grade.

Cub Scout Pack 533 runs a year-round program uniquely designed to meet the needs of young boys and their parents. Our program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect. Family involvement is an essential part of Pack 533's Cub Scouting program, and parents are required to play an active role in our Pack as Leaders, Chairs and Event Helpers. Through interaction between parents, leaders, and friends, boys learn citizenship, compassion, and courage. This family-and community-centered approach to learning means that Cub Scouting is truly time well spent for your sons!




BSA's "Be A Scout" Videos Link

BSA's "What Is Cub Scouting?" Link

BSA's "Welcome to the Adventure of Cub
Scouting" PDF


BSA's Overview of Cub Scouting Link

BSA's Purposes and Methods of Cub
Scouting Link


BSA's Frequently Asked Questions Link

Join Pack 533!

Cub Scout Ranks


Bobcat

Starting Cub Scouts: (must be at least in the first grade or 7 years old)

Yea my first patch!

Each boy who joins the Cub Scouts will first earn the Bobcat badge. The boy must do his best to learn several things, including the Boy Scout Oath and Law, handshake, and salute to name a few. The Parents must read and discuss with the boy a pamphlet on preventing child abuse. The pamphlet can be found in the front of each Cub Scout handbook. When the boy has completed each step to the best of his ability, the parent can sign it. The scout will receive his badge at the next Awards Ceremony during one of our Pack Meetings.

Tiger

Tiger: (members of the Tiger Den)

First grade boys, or those who are at least 7 years old, will work toward the Tiger badge after first earning the Bobcat badge. The Tiger badge is for boys who have completed all required Adventures in the new Cub Scout program. An Adult Partner, usually a parent, will attend meetings and work with the Tiger to complete the corresponding handbook. Once completed, the Adult Partner will sign the handbook and receive the Tiger badge. The Adult Partner will then present the badge to the Tiger. The scout will receive his badge at an Awards Ceremony during one of our Pack Meetings or at Crossover in May.

Wolf

Cub Scouts: (members of the Wolf Den)

Second grade boys, or those who are at least 8 years old, will work toward the Wolf badge after earning the Bobcat badge (if it hasn't been earned already). All required Adventures in the new Cub Scout program must be completed. All requirements are age appropriate. When the Scout has done his best to complete each requirement, a parent or Scout Leader can sign it off. The scout will receive his badge at an Awards Ceremony during one of our Pack Meetings or at Crossover in May.

Bear

Cub Scouts: (members of the Bear Den)

Third grade boys, or those at least 9 years old, will work toward the Bear badge after earning the Bobcat badge (if it hasn't been earned already). All required Adventures in the new Cub Scout program must be completed to the best of the Scout's ability in subjects similar to the Wolf badge but slightly more challenging and varied. Again, a parent or Scout Leader can sign requirements off as they are completed. The scout will receive his badge at an Awards Ceremony during one of our Pack Meetings or at Crossover in May.

Webelos

Webelos Scouts: (members of the Webelos Patrol)

Fourth graders, or those at least 10 years old, will be Webelos Scouts. After earning the Bobcat badge (if it hasn't been done already), Webelos Scouts work on their Adventures in the new Cub Scout program. The Webelos badge is earned by completing the required Adventures.  Webelos are a transition period, preparing the boys to become more independent workers and thinkers, and eventually a Boy Scout. The scout will receive his badge at an Awards Ceremony during one of our Pack Meetings or at Crossover in May.

Arrow of Light

Transitioning from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts:

I am ready for Boy Scouts now mom...

The Arrow of Light year is for 5th graders who are prepared to become Boy Scouts.  Under the new Cub Scout program, boys can join scouts at this level, having never been a scout before.  (The Bobcat Badge must be completed first if not done already.)  Arrow of Light is the highest award a Cub Scout can earn.

BSA's The Advancement Trail Link
BSA's Mechanics of Advancement: In Cub Scouting Link

Cub Scout Ideals


What does it mean to be a Scout?  Boy Scout Oath (or Promise):
  • On my honor I will do my best
  • To do my duty to God and my country
    and to obey the Scout Law;
    To help other people at all times;
    To keep myself physically strong,
    mentally awake, and morally straight.

Boy Scout Law:

  • A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
  • courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty,
  • brave, clean, and reverent. 

Cub Scout Motto:

  • DO YOUR BEST

Tiger Motto:

  • SEARCH, DISCOVER, SHARE

Listen up all...
The Cub Scout Sign:

The Cub Scout sign is made with the right arm held high and straight up above the shoulder, with the index and middle fingers forming a V. The other fingers are held with the thumb.

The two extended fingers stand for the parts of the Scout Oath, "to help other people" and "to obey." They also stand for the two alert ears of a wolf. This is the sign of Cub Scouts all over the world.

The Cub Scout sign should be given when repeating the Scout Oath and Law. It is also used in ceremonies to let everybody including parents, siblings and guests to quite down and pay attention.
 
The Cub Scout Handshake:trust in a Scout's handshake 

The handshake is done by putting the index and middle fingers of the right hand against the other person's wrist when shaking hands.

Cub Scouts and Cub Scout leaders use this handshake everywhere in the United States. The handshake signifies that those who use it help others and obey the Law of the Pack.

always do the "right" thingThe Cub Scout Salute:

The salute is made by joining the index and middle fingers of the right hand (holding the other fingers with the thumb) and touching the extended fingers to the cap visor or forehead. The hand is held the same as for the Cub Scout sign, except the two fingers are together.

The Cub Scout salute is used to salute the flag when in uniform and to show respect to Den and Pack Leaders. It can be used when greeting other Cub Scouts.


BSA's Cub Scout Ideals Link

BSA's Purposes and Methods of Cub Scouting Link

Cub Scouting's 12 Core Values


Scout's Advancement, Achievements and Awards


It takes the WHOLE family... The Cub Scout Advancement program follows the school grade levels and aims to introduce new skills and areas of interest as well as to build self-esteem, self-awareness and a sense of citizenship and good sportsmanship. Family involvement is crucial to achieve the advancement of the Scouts, and responsibility for advancement in rank rests with the parents; verification and assistance of the Den Leader is secondary. Parents must fill out their son's achievements in ScoutTrack (a separate website that Pack 533 uses for achievement tracking) webbased advancement program.
  • Tigers: (1st grade) work toward their Tiger Cub badge and earn belt loops by participating in adventures. Belt loops are awarded for participation to enhance the Tiger Program and ease the way into Cub Scouting.
  • All other Cub Scouts earn the Bobcat rank first and later the rank appropriate for their age level.
  • Wolves: (2nd grade) earn the Wolf rank by earning belt loops by participating in adventures.
  • Bears: (3rd grade) earn the Bear rank through earning belt loops by participating in adventures.
  • Webelos: (4th grade) earn the Webelos rank and also earn belt loops for adventures.
  • Arrow of Light: (5th grade) earn the "Arrow of Light," the highest award that can be earned by a Cub Scout.
  • The parent can sign off on Tiger, Wolf, and Bear advancements; Webelos advancements are signed by the Den Leader.

Youth Protection Training and Two-Deep Leadership


BSA (Boy Scouts of America) and Pack 533 takes Youth and Adult Safety very seriously!

  • At least one parent (preferably both parents) from each family must take YPT (Youth Protection Training) once every two years
  • Click on "Parents Page" link on the left side menu and look for "To Do Lists to Join Pack 533" for more information on how to take YPT (Youth Protection Training). 
  • All adult volunteers Pack 533 Leadership must take YPT (Youth Protection Training) first before becoming a Leader of Pack 533
  • All adult volunteers attending functions like overnight campouts must take lasting over 72 hours must take specific "In Person" YPT. Contact Big Cypress District for more details.
  • All parents must take YPT (Youth Protection Training) at least once every 2 years. Turn in the passing certification printout to our Pack 533 Membership Chair at Fall Rally Night.

BSA's Youth Protection Link

Two-Deep Leadership (YPT): is never leaving a child, girl or boy, alone with one adult at any time for any reason whatsoever!

We as Pack 533 Leaders will always interact with your kids only when there is another adult within eyesight. Even when Pack 533 Leaders take a Scout aside to talk to him privately out of hearing range, we must do so within eyesight of another adult.

Pack 533 encourages all adults to help us keep order during Pack 533's events and activities. As members of Pack 533, parents understand that other adults, not just Pack 533 Leadership, may ask their any child not just scouts to behave if it is necessary. Adults should give kids a gentle verbal warning first and inform their parents if the child does not correct his or her behavior. If the bad behavior continues, then Den Leader will be informed. The Den Leader may ask the mis-behaving child, boy or girl, to set out of Pack 533's activities in "Time Out" for a short period of time. If the bad behavior continues then it will be reported to the Cubmaster. The Cubmaster and Pack Committee may take further actions by asking the family to leave our Pack.

At no time should a child, boy or girl, be alone with any adult unless that adult is their very own parent, guardian, or family member like a grandparent. Additionally, on overnight camping trips, kids must sleep with their family in their family's own tent. Kids are not allowed to sleep in another family tent even if that family is a close friend of the child's parents.

BSA's Youth Protection, Adult Leadership and Two-Deep Leadership Link

Lord Robert Baden Powell - Founder of Boy Scouts


Lord Robert Baden PowellWhile walking the misty streets of London in 1909, American businessman William Boyce lost his way. A boy offered to guide him to his destination. Boyce wanted to pay him, but the boy explained that he was a Scout, and that Scouts do not accept money for doing good turns.  Eager to learn more, Mr. Boyce met with Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement in Great Britain. Boyce knew that boys back home would like the idea, so he brought Scouting to the United States. Papers incorporating the Boy Scouts of America were signed on February 8, 1910 - the date celebrated as the official birthday of the BSA.

BSA's Founders Link
BSA's Founders PDF

The Begining of Cub Scouting


In England, younger boys were eager to become Boy Scouts. In 1914, Baden-Powell began implementing a program for younger boys that was based on Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book. The Wolf Cub program began in 1916, and since that time, Wolf Cubbing has spread to other European countries with very little change.

In America, hundreds of Cub Scout-age boys and their families were clamoring for a program of their own. As early as 1920, Scout executives at the first national training conference discussed the needs of younger boys. The BSA, however, felt it wise to postpone any action until there was more objective evidence.
The Start of Scouting   In 1925, Dr. Huber W. Hurt, a research psychologist and veteran Scouter, was authorized to study existing organizations for younger boys, such as Boy Rangers, Boy Pioneers, American Eagles, and Boys' Clubs. He found that only one boy in 50 participated regularly in any type of organized leisure-time program. He also found that younger boys responded better to leadership and program efforts than older boys. He worked closely with Ernest Thompson Seton. Both men recommended that the BSA adopt a program for younger boys, with older Boy Scouts as leaders, to tie into home, church, school, and Boy Scouting.

The National Executive Board authorized the Chief Scout Executive to thoroughly investigate the matter. An advisory committee worked with the BSA to develop a plan and produce the necessary literature. Advice was obtained from leading psychologists, sociologists, teachers, school superintendents, professors of education, college executives, and recreation and welfare directors.

By 1929, the new Cubbing program (it wasn't called "Cub Scouting" until several years later) was taking shape and was introduced as a demonstration project in a limited number of communities. Its structure was similar to today's Cub Scouting, except that dens were led by Boy Scout den chiefs. The plan included a neighborhood mothers' committee to encourage Cubs and den chiefs.
In 1930, Cub Scouting was formally launched, with 5,102 boys registered at the end of that first year. By 1933 the time had come to promote Cub Scouting throughout the country as a part of Scouting. All experimental restrictions were removed, and the first national director of Cub Scouting was appointed.

The first dens met weekly at a member's home, where boys played games and enjoyed crafts and ceremonies. The pack met weekly or semimonthly for games, den competitions, awards, stunts, and other activities. Cubs advanced from Bobcat (for all new members) to Wolf (age 9), Bear (age 10), and Lion (age 11) and joined a Boy Scout troop at age 12.

In 1949, the age requirement was lowered to between 8 and 10 for Cub Scouts. In 1982, Tiger Cubs was started based on shared leadership of boy-adult partner teams and the school year calendar. In 1986, Cub Scouts could register as second-grade boys.
Cub Scouting in America is different from the younger-boy programs of other countries because it is centered in the home and neighborhood. With the encouragement of family and leaders, boys enjoy a program that covers a wide variety of interesting things. It suggests activities that boys enjoy doing on their own when adults are not supervising them. These activities are particularly suited to boys of Cub Scout age and are different from those they will encounter in Boy Scouting. 
 Look mom.. I am running with our Pack 533!

American Indian Heritage

A strong influence from Kipling's Jungle Book remains today. The terms "Law of the Pack," "Akela," "Wolf Cub," "grand howl," "den," and "pack" all come from the Jungle Book. At the same time, the Gold and Silver Arrow Points, Webelos emblem, and Arrow of Light emblem are taken from our American Indian heritage.
Akela Wolf  

100 Years of Scouting


100 years and counting!

One hundred years later, many events are marking the Centennial, beginning on New Year's Day with a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade. It featured Scouting's 100th anniversary theme, "Celebrating the Adventure, Continuing the Journey."

Councils, districts, and local units are marking the centennial with special events of their own.

BSA's History in Highlights Link

Scouting by the Numbers


The experiences of Scouting's first century add up to some mighty big numbers, starting with one hundred candles on a cake.

Here are Some Other Eye-Opening Sums:

  • 110 million - People registered by the BSA since 1910
  • 3 million - Youth members currently registered
  • 2.3 million - Merit badges earned each year
  • 2 million - Scouts who have earned the Eagle Scout award
  • 1.1 million - Registered adult leaders
  • 1 - You, the most important Scout today. Learn skills, have fun, work on advancement, and be the best Scout you can. That's the best birthday gift you can give the BSA.

BSA's 2011 Report to the Nation: Scouting by the (Really Big) Numbers Link

 

Glossary


Pack:  The whole group - all of our dens and families together is called a Pack. The Pack usually meets once every month.

Den:  The Den is a group of Cub Scouts who meet at regular intervals. Typically a den consists of 6 to 10 boys of the same grade who are all working toward the same rank.

Pack Meetings:  The pack meeting is a monthly gathering of all the Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear and Webelos Scout dens in the pack, along with their families, for recognition, fun, and program. It is where the rank advancement ceremonies take place. Each pack meeting follows a theme, and is tied into Cub Scout's Core Values.

Den Meeting:  Individual Den Meetings are held for each rank level of Cub Scouts. Den Leaders will set up a schedule of meetings, usually one or two a month.. Tiger, Wolf and Bear dens work on fun projects, crafts, skits, and their achievements towards earning their ranks. Webelos dens use this time to work on the various Activity Badges.

Pack Committee: 
The governing board of the Pack consisting of parents who volunteer to help make decisions on behalf of the Pack.

Pack Committee Member:  A parent who serves on the Pack Committee.

Committee Chair: 
The Committee Chair is an adult volunteer that oversees the Pack committee.

Cubmaster:  The Cubmaster is an adult volunteer leader and is responsible for monthly pack meetings, the program of the pack, and the operation of the dens.

Assistant Cubmaster:  An Assistant Cubmaster is an adult leader who assists the Cubmaster with the pack program and may run the Pack in the absence of the Cubmaster. Our Pack currently has one Assistant Cubmaster.

Den Leader:  A Cub Scout Den Leader is an adult volunteer who leads a Cub Scout den, with the help of assistant Den Leaders and parents. The Den Leader typically organizes and runs the den meetings and field trips, and also oversees the boy's advancement.

Den Chief:  A den chief is a Boy Scout who serves as an assistant, helping the Den Leader with the den and providing fun and interesting things for the boys to do.

Cub Scout:  A Boy Scout is between the ages of 7 and 10 and belongs to a Den. Cub Scouting furthers the development of the boy through camping, outdoor activities, skills development, and advancement.

Cub Scout Rank:  The Cub Scout advances through these ranks: Tiger, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos I and Webelos II.

Achievements: The required activities for earning the Wolf or Bear Badges.

Electives: The optional activities used by Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts to earn arrow points.

Webelos:
is an acronym of WE'll BE LOyal Scouts.

Webelos Activity Badge: An award for having completed the requirements for one of the twenty Webelos Activity areas.

Akela:  Akela is the Cub Scout term for a leader - any leader - including Den Leaders, Cubmasters, teachers, parents, and any other adult the Cub Scout looks up to.

Pinewood Derby:  Pinewood Derby is an activity for all Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts. Boys build wooden race cars with adult assistance and race them down pinewood tracks for prizes and trophies. This is a Scout favorite as this is one of the most exciting events of the year!

Blue and Gold Banquet:  This is an event that is held every February to celebrate Scouting Anniversary Week.  At the banquet we celebrate the Pack's anniversary, host a Friends of Scouting presentation, and have entertainment provided by the dens, as well as a theme related to the meal.

District Roundtable Meetings: The Big Cypress District holds a monthly Roundtable meeting for all of its Boy Scout and Cub Scout leaders. The purpose of Roundtable is to help units succeed by providing useful program ideas, information on policy, leadership training, and current information on upcoming Council events and training opportunities. Roundtables are where the Pack and Troop leaders find out what's going on!

BSA's Glossary of Scouting Terms PDF