Family Resources

Everything Pack 209 families need to know, in one place.

Family is a critical part of our Pack and the Cub Scout experience — thank you to our parents, family members, and other caregivers for being part of our team!

Quick Links

Cub Scout Family Basics

As a Cub Scout parent/caregiver, your involvement is integral to your Scout having a great experience — one of the great joys of Scouting is the family-centered aspect of the program. Here’s what you can do to help your Cub Scout succeed:

  • Get your Cub Scout to events and programs on time and prepared — put Den and Pack events on your calendar. Find the Pack calendar here.
  • Ensure your Cub Scout has a uniform and gear.
  • Help your Cub Scout complete their Adventure/Rank requirements, decide what other recognition they’d like to earn, and track/report requirements to the Pack or Den. Make sure they finish any “home assignments.”
  • Offer to help out! The Pack and Dens need parent help to make events and activities happen — see Help Wanted below.
  • Ensure your Cub Scout follows Pack rules and everyone is enjoying themselves safely — see Cub Behavior below.
  • Have fun! Take part and enjoy spending time with your Cub Scout and their friends.

Click here to access Cub Scouting information from Scouting America.

Help Wanted: How to “Help the Pack Go!”

Cub Scouts is a volunteer organization and it can’t happen without the help of many parents/caregivers in many different ways. Every family is expected to help the Den and/or Pack in some capacity — special talent, relationship, or job, all effort is helpful. Even if you don’t feel you bring something “special,” just the effort and help you can give adds to the program — and you’ll get far more back than you contribute.

In addition to Den Leaders/Assistant Den Leaders, the Pack relies on volunteers for: Committee Chair, Cubmaster/Assistant Cubmaster(s), Treasurer, New Membership Coordinator, Pack Trainer, Campout Coordinator, Hikemaster, Pinewood Derby Lead, leads for other yearly Pack activities, and a Webmaster. Some positions are filled for this year, but some are open — please consider volunteering, or ask any current leader for more information.

Cub Behavior

As a parent/caregiver, you’re our partner in ensuring Cub Scouts follow the rules and behave appropriately so everyone is safe and can have fun.

Scouts are expected to:

  • Have fun, and do their best
  • Get dirty on campouts
  • Spend enjoyable time with friends and family
  • Follow the rules and directions of Leaders and parents/caregivers
  • Uphold the spirit of the Scout Oath and Scout Law
  • Behave appropriately for the setting — running outside at a campout is okay; running by the campfire or in the church hall is not

Scouts are expected NOT to:

  • Bully
  • Tease
  • Ignore Leader or parent/caregiver instructions
  • Yell and run around in the church hall

Parents/caregivers are expected to help ensure all Scouts follow these simple rules, so everyone can have fun safely and we respect our host, Silver Spring United Methodist Church.

Health & Safety

  • Please notify Pack and Den leadership of any medical requirements or allergies. Annual health/medical forms are required for campouts.
  • Youth Protection Training is required of all adult leaders, and Pack events follow BSA’s “two-deep” leadership rule — at least two trained adults present at every activity.
  • Several rank Adventures are personal-safety themed, so Scouts build these skills as part of the regular program.
  • Please follow site-specific guidelines at campouts and events, and be courteous of other families’ needs and comfort levels.

Keeping kids safe guides everything Scouting America does — as they put it, “Being a leader in Scouting America is a privilege, not a right.” Every adult leader completes youth protection training before working with Scouts and renews it annually, and background checks and BSA’s “two-deep” leadership policy add further safeguards. Read more, including how to report a concern, on Scouting America’s Youth Protection page.

Uniforms & Where to Buy

Cub Scouts wear two uniforms. “Class A” is the traditional blue Cub Scout shirt with neckerchief, slide, and hat specific to the Scout’s level — the belt displays earned “belt loop” awards. Official pants/socks are optional; dark pants or clean jeans work fine. The blue shirt purchased in a Scout’s first year can be worn through 5th grade, so size up. Gently used hand-me-downs from prior Pack families may be available in our rummage bin. “Class B” is our pack t-shirt, whose cost is included in annual dues. Read more about Cub Scout uniforms.

Any family struggling with the cost of a uniform, Scouts BSA registration, or Pack dues should speak privately with the Cubmaster — assistance may be available.

National Capital Scout Shop
9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814-3897
(301) 564-1091
Mon–Fri: 9:30am–5pm · Sat: 10am–3pm · Sun: closed

Questions? Email cubmaster@cubscoutpack209.org