Join

Welcome to the world of Cub Scouting!

(1) Can we try it before joining?

Yes! Feel free to attend some den or pack meetings to see what it's like.

(2) Do we have to come to every meeting?

There is no expectation of perfect attendance at Cub Scouts. Many Pack 40 families are involved in other activities and cannot attend every meeting.

(3) Is this a drop-off activity?

A parent/guardian is required to accompany all Kindergarteners (Lions) and 1st graders (Tigers) to every Scouting event.

A parent/guardian is required to accompany every Cub Scout on an overnight event.

Cub Scouts may be dropped off in other cases, but many parents do stay and find Cub Scouts to be a fun family activity!

(4) How much does it cost? (2024-2025 school year)

• Fees for a youth member for 12 months are $243:

$153: (BSA) - national and council fees - covers 12 months

$90: Pack 40 dues for the school year (pro-rated)

• Estimated uniform costs (uniform is optional, these are the most common pieces that Scouts in our pack wear)*:

$33: blue/tan uniform shirt

$23: cap

$15: belt

$13: neckerchief

$17: yellow Class-B tshirt

*Pack 40 has a uniform swap bin - anyone in the pack is welcome to free hand-me-downs. A Scout is thrifty! Contact Diane at dianeorf@gmail.com if you'd like to contribute items or inquire if items you need are available.

• Each year the pack offers special events - in the past this has included a WooSox game, Snow Tubing, and a Museum overnight. These are not included in dues, and families who choose to participate pay for their admission.

(5) Registration and Renewal Instructions

• Instructions for new members to register:

Once you've decided to join, registering is a 2-step process:

(1) Register with BSA: Go to this link, and click "Apply now".

Note: if you have applied for financial assistance from Mayflower Council, this is the step where you will use the waiver/coupon code.

(2) Register with Pack 40: my.cheddarup.com/c/pack-40-registration-2024-2025

• Instructions for returning members to renew:

Renew your registration with Pack 40: my.cheddarup.com/c/pack-40-registration-2024-2025

You will receive an email from BSA (noreply@scouting.org) on the anniversary of your Scout's initial registration to renew with BSA directly. Packs no longer renew members with BSA.

(6) I registered...what's next?

1. Visit the Pack Calendar or Events page for the pack meetings schedule.

2. Contact your den leader to:

• get the den meetings schedule

• double-check that you've been added to the den's email list. This ensures that you will receive all den and pack emails.

3. Fill out the Family Involvement Survey

4. Have fun with your Cub Scout!

(7) Where can I buy uniforms and handbooks?

Shirts, hats, neckerchiefs, handbooks, etc can be purchased:

• online at www.scoutshop.org

• at the New England Scout Shop at 23 Turnpike Rd, Southborough, MA 01772

Lion / Kindergarten uniform: https://www.scoutshop.org/cub-scout-lion

Tiger / 1st grade uniform: https://www.scoutshop.org/cub-scout-tiger

Wolf / 2nd grade uniform: https://www.scoutshop.org/cub-scout-wolf

Bear / 3rd grade uniform: https://www.scoutshop.org/cub-scout-bear

Webelos / 4th grade uniform: https://www.scoutshop.org/cub-scout-webelos

AOL / 5th grade uniform: https://www.scoutshop.org/cub-scout-arrow-of-light

Tips:

• In Pack 40, many kids wear the shirt, neckerchief and cap. The belt is also great to have to display their adventure achievement loop awards. Many kids in Pack 40 do not wear the official socks, pants, or slide, so those are less important to have.

• When purchasing a blue button-down shirt, keep in mind that the Scouts will wear it through 4th grade so size up if you have a few years to go!

• Webelos/4th grade: The official Webelos uniform is the blue button-down shirt. If your scout outgrows it, or if you are purchasing the blue button-down for the first time in 4th grade, feel free to either buy blue or buy tan to prepare for 5th grade. It is ok if the webelos den is a mixture of blue and tan shirts. Talk to the Webelos den leaders if you have questions about this.

Happy Scouting!