Pack 170 Red Hill PA
About Us
How do I join?
Go to Be a Scout - Join Pack 170 and click Apply Now. ( https://beascout.scouting.org/list/?zip=18073&program%5B%5D=pack&unitID=252767&unitID=252767 )
What kind of activities do you do?
We are an active pack that enjoys adventure, camping, the outdoors, and community service. We like to hike, fish, camp, and visit the local BB and Archery Ranges at Musser Scout Reservation. To see our upcoming events check out the Pack 170 calendar.
How often do you meet?
We meet once a week on Mondays from 6:30 - 7:30pm at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Red Hill.
What if I can't make every meeting?
Many scouts have conflicts from time to time. There are no penalties, no one gets "benched", scouting is the type of program that you get out what you put in. Any requirements for advancement that get missed can be made up at home or could be covered again at another event.
Do parents need to stay for activities?
We strongly encourage parents to stick around for den meetings, especially for children in Kindergarten, 1st grade, and second grade. If a parent leaves then they must have sections A, B1, and B2 of the Informed Consent, Release Agreement, and Authorization form completed and have had a discussion / agreement with the den leader. Any overnight activitiy requires a parent or legal guardian to be present for all cub scouts.
Can I bring my other children or friends to activities?
Cub Scouts is a family activity. We welcome your entire family at every activity and event, this includes children that are too young to be in scouts, to old to be in cub scouts, or are not interested in joining. You are also welcome to bring friends to any den meeting, pack meeting, or other activity.
Camping is always a family activity, one parent or legal guardian must be present for each child, the entire family is welcome and encouraged to participate.
You do a lot of weekend activities, do I have to attend all of those?
We try to do at least one weekend activity a month. Pick and choose the ones you are interested in, there is no requirement to attend.
What do cub scouts learn about?
Cub Scouts learn life skills and what it takes to be a good citizen of their local community, state, and country. Topics are age specific and include
- First Aid
- Outdoor Skills
- Emergency Preparedness
- Woodworking
- Fire building
- Knots
- Physical Fitness
- Whittling
- American History
- Local Community History
- Community Helpers
To learn more about cub scout adventures take a look at Cub Scouting Adventures | Boy Scouts of America or the website https://scoutermom.com/ has great information.
The Program
Is there a guide for new families?
512-73523WelcomeNewCSFamily_WEB.pdf (scouting.org)
What are Dens?
A Cub Scout pack is organized into Dens by grade level in order to ensure that age appropriate activities are undertaken. Scouting BSA has published guidance on the types of activities that are appropriate based on the den. You can read the Age Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities for more details.
- Lion Den - Kindergarten
- Tiger Den - First Grade
- Wolf Den - Second Grade
- Bear Den - Third Grade
- Weblos Den - Fourth and Fifth Grade
Do I need a Scout Hand Book?
Each Den has a seperate handbook that covers the requirements for each activity at that level and provides the information necessary to complete each activity. Requirements for each rank can also be found online at Cub Scouts: Free Resources and Answers for Parents and Leaders (scoutermom.com)
In order to keep costs down we do not provide handbooks, and they are not required. If you wish to purchase a book you can find them at the scout store Handbooks - Program Literature - Literature (scoutshop.org), they are available in both paper and electronic editions.
Safety
Adult Leaders
All adult leaders that come in contact with youth are registered with the national scouting organization and undergo a background check that includes:
- PA State Police Report
- DHS Child Abuse Clearances
- Anyone living in PA for less than 10 years must submit to an FBI, fingerprint based, certification
Additionally all adult leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training that ensures that all leaders are uniformly trained on how to ensure a safe environment for youth. You can visit Youth Protection | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org) for the details of the program.
For more detailed information about the requirements for adult volunteers you can visit ( PA Law - Cradle of Liberty Council (colbsa.org) )
Cost
How much does scouts cost?
The total cost for 2023 was $160 for the year.
I want to join in the fall of 2023, how much will it cost?
The total cost for a new scout is $135 for the fall of 2023.
| Item | Cost | Description |
| New Membership Fee | $25 | The new membership fee is assessed by the national scouting organization and covers getting the new scout into the scouting system. |
| Annual National Fee | $80 | This fee is assessed once a year, if you register in September 2023 then the fee covers September 2023 - August 2024. |
| Local Pack | $30 | This is a prorated fee and covers items like awards, Pinewood Derby cars, supplies for den and pack meetings, and fees required to register and perform background checks for adult leaders. Local Pack dues run from January - December and will be communicated in November each year. |
| Uniform | $0 - $40 | Pack 170 encourages all scouts to wear a uniform shirt to once a month pack meets and for special events like Scouting for Food or visiting community leaders. More information can be found below. |
You can find more information regarding the total cost of Cub Scouting at:
Cost of Cub Scouting | Boy Scouts of America
Is there financial assistance?
Yes, Pack 170 offers financial assistance for any family in need, our goal is that every interested child has the ability to participate, no matter their financial situation. On a case by case basis we can cover all fees ( local and national ), the cost of a uniform, or any other portion of the fees listed above. Please contact the Cubmaster or the Comittee Chair if you would like to discuss financial assistance. Your inquiry will be kept discrete.
What other costs are there?
We try to keep costs as low as possible by having families volunteer to bring items that are needed for special events, such as food and drinks. There are some events that do include an additional charge, such as summer camp, Fall Fest, and some camping trips.
Uniform
Do Cub Scouts need a Uniform?
Pack 170 encourages all scouts to wear a uniform shirt to once a month pack meetings and for special events like Scouting for Food or visiting community leaders.
Where can I purchase a uniform
Army / Navy Stores
Some Army / Navy stores also sell a combination of new and used scout shirts and very good deals can be had on gently used uniforms.
- Pottstown Army & Navy Store Direct Brother ( https://goo.gl/maps/EUMpetDfr7sww5f96 )
Local Scout Shop
The local scout shops offer new uniforms and also offer a sewing service to sew on your patches. If purchased at the Valley Forge store then the Cradle of Liberty patch will be included, if purchased at Minsi Trails or another council store then the council patch will need to be purchased and sewn on seperately.
- Valley Forge Scout Shop ( https://goo.gl/maps/ypBkWaSBMHMNf7dY7 )
- Minsi Trails Scout Shop ( https://goo.gl/maps/dYPrnGctcuu9f9P49 )
What do I need to purchase?
| Item | Rank | Required / Optional | Notes |
| Shirt | Lion (Kindergarten) | Required | Lions (Kindergarten) have two uniform options: They can wear the Lion t-shirt ( Cub Scout Lion Rank Youth T-shirt, Official Uniform Shirt for Lion Rank Cub Scouts | Boy Scouts of America® (scoutshop.org) ) Lion's can also choose to wear the traditional Uniform Shirt ( Cub Scout Short Sleeve Uniform Shirt, Navy Blue, Youth Sizes XS-XL | Boy Scouts of America® (scoutshop.org) ). |
| Shirt | Tiger ( 1st grade ) through Bear ( 3rd grade ) | Required | Cub Scout Short Sleeve Uniform Shirt, Navy Blue, Youth Sizes XS-XL | Boy Scouts of America® (scoutshop.org) |
| Shirt | Weblos ( 4th and 5th grade ) | Required | Weblos have two uniform options in 4th grade, they can choose to continue wearing their navy blue cub scout shirt ( Cub Scout Short Sleeve Uniform Shirt, Navy Blue, Youth Sizes XS-XL | Boy Scouts of America® (scoutshop.org) ) Weblos can also wear the tan uniform that is worn by the older Scouting BSA scouts ( Scouts BSA Boys' Short Sleeve Uniform Shirt- Tan Stretch Poplin shirt with Hidden Button Placket, 2 Front Pockets with Hidden Buttons, and Side Vents in Back| Boy Scouts Of America® (scoutshop.org) ) Weblos in 5th grade should wear the tan uniform worn by older scouts. When Weblos cross over to the older scouting Troop of scouts BSA they will continue to wear this same shirt. |
| Belt | Lion ( Kindergarten ) - Bear ( 3rd grade ) | Required | Cub scouts earn belt loops that they will need a cub scout belt in order to wear. |
| Belt | Weblos ( 4th and 5th grade ) | Required | Weblos can continue to wear their cub scout belt in 4th grade or they can wear the same belt worn by the older Scouts BSA ( Scouts BSA® Uniform Web Belt, Cut to Size and Adjustable, Official Uniform Belt for Scouts BSA | Boy Scouts Of America® (scoutshop.org) ) |
| Neckerchief | Lion ( Kindergarten ) | Optional | |
| Neckerchief | Tiger ( 1st grade ) through Weblos ( 5th grade ) | Required | Pack 170 has a special neckerchief that will be provided to all cubs when they earn their Bobcat badge. The Bobcat badge is the first badge that every scout earns ( Tiger through Weblos ). This neckerchief is provided as a gift to all cubs upon earning Bobcat. |
| Neckerchief slide | Tiger ( 1st grade ) through Weblos ( 5th grade ) | Required | Each rank has its own Neckerchief slide: |
| Socks | All | Optional | This is a completely optional item |
| Hat | All | Optional | This is a completely optional item |
| Pants / Shorts / Skirt | All | Optional | This is a completely optional item |
I'm buying a uniform without any patches, what patches do I need?
| Item | Link | Description |
| World Crest Scout Emblem | World Crest Scout Emblem, Official Scout Crest for all Scout Members | Boy Scouts Of America (scoutshop.org) | Worn by scouts all over the world |
| World Crest Ring Emblem | 1910 World Crest Ring Emblem, Celebrating 100+ year history of BSA | Boy Scouts Of America (scoutshop.org) | Celebrates the 100 years of scouting in the United States of America |
| Cradle of Liberty Council Patch | Cradle of Liberty Council Shoulder Patch | Boy Scouts of America (scoutshop.org) | Pack 170 is part of the Cradle of Liberty Council, which includes Philadelphia and Montgomery County. |
| Pack 170 Numbers |
Where do the patches on the uniform go?
The scoutshop has a great diagram of where all of the patches on the uniform go. Take a look at the link below.
Uniform_Insignia_Diagram_CS.pdf (scoutshop.org)
Scouts and Religion
You meet in a church, do I need to be a member of the church?
Scouting is an absolutely nonsectarian organization that expresses a belief in a higher power. Scouts of all faiths and belief systems are welcome in scouting. The scout oath expresses a duty to god and the scout law stresses that a scout is reverant. Religion is deeply personal and each family and cub scout needs to decide for themselves if they have a belief system. All religous activities in Pack 170 are done within the cub scout's family and the meeting of the requirement is up to the family to determine. If you have any further questions regarding religion and scouting please reach out to the Cubmaster, Pete Wurst.
