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Dear Parent:
Welcome to Pack 121! We're so glad you've chosen to enroll your son in Pack 121. I know that you and he will be glad you did. We have an exciting year planned and believe your son will have a great time learning, advancing and having fun. The Leaders of Pack 121 seek to provide activities which provide opportunity for physical fitness and educational value. Most of our planned activities can be enjoyed by every member of a Cub Scout's family. This e-mail will provide an overview of our program. If you have questions or concerns about our program or leaders, please call on one of us or your son's Den Leader (once he’s in a Den). You can find our Pack Calendar, information about our activities, and contact information on our website: www.pack121nwa.org
Pack 121 MissionThe Committee and Leaders of Cub Scout Pack 121 are committed to providing a quality, year-round program of Cub Scouting activities. Special emphasis is placed on character development, citizenship, family, and fun. Purposes of Cub ScoutingThe Boy Scouts of America began Cub Scouting as a program for younger boys more than 50 years ago. The purposes of Cub Scouting state that Parents, Leaders and Organizations work together to achieve the following: 1. Influence the development of character and encourage spiritual growth;
MembershipBoys age 6 years (1st Grade) to 10 years are eligible to join Pack 121. Boys work toward a specific rank during each year in the Pack:
First Grade boys are Tiger Cubs
Second grade boys work toward their Wolf Rank
Third grade boys work toward their Bear Rank
 Fourth grade boys are Webelos and work on their Webelos rank  Fifth grade boys are Webelos and work on Cub Scouting's highest award, the Arrow of Light
RegistrationRegistration for membership in Pack 121 is a $35.00 annual fee each year. The registration fee pays for registration with the Boy Scouts of America, unit insurance, an annual subscription to Boys Life magazine, and helps to pay for Leader Training. This once a year fee also avoids the hassles of weekly dues. Boys must complete a registration form for the Boy Scouts of America. Parents are also asked to complete a parent and family talent survey. This Survey will help the pack leadership understand how to include your talents and interests, so that the best possible program can be developed for your son and his friends. Uniforms & HandbooksAn essential component of Cub Scouting is the uniform. Cubs are made to feel part of a group and have a place to display their awards when they wear their uniforms. The uniform for Pack 121 consists of a blue uniform shirt (Webelos may wear tan shirts with blue shoulder tabs) with all patches (council strip, pack number 121, World Scouting insignia, and Den number), appropriate neckerchief (orange for Tigers, yellow for Wolves, blue for Bears, and plaid for Webelos), and a neckerchief slide. Hats and belts are optional parts of the Pack 121 uniform. New Scouts should also purchase the appropriate Handbook for their rank. All uniform items and handbooks can be purchased at the Scout Shop (located in Springdale at the intersection of Hwys 412 & I-540, in Ozark Center Point Place)
 Parent ResponsibilitiesWhen joining Pack 121, each parent or adult family member agrees to support their son in the following ways: 1. See that he has the proper uniform and handbook;
2. Assist him in attending weekly Den meeting and monthly Pack meetings; 3. Work with him to complete achievements for his rank award; 4. Return information forms and permission slips as asked; 5. Support his Den Leader as a resource person or substitute as asked; 6. Agree to serve in some leadership capacity as called upon; 7. Provide input to the Den Leader or Pack leadership with regard to the Pack or Den program. Pack StructureLike every effective organization, Cub Scout Packs have a structure. Understanding this structure and how it works will increase your son's enjoyment of the program (and leave a parent far less confused). DensGroups of 8 to 10 boys meet each week together as a Den. Each den is led by a Den Leader and an Assistant Den Leader. Dens in Pack 121 meet on Monday evenings at Elm Tree Elementary from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. September through May. Den meetings are not held during holiday periods or may occasionally meet at a different location for a special event. You can find the Den meeting schedule on our Website event calendar, www.pack121nwa.org . PackThe “Pack” consists of all the Dens and their Families. About every 6 weeks, all the dens gather together for a family night, called a pack meeting. The pack meeting is not just for Cub Scouts, but also for parents, brothers and sisters, and even Grandpa and Grandma. At the pack meeting we recognize the boys and their parents by presenting the awards they have earned since the prior pack meeting. It also gives the boys a chance to show off what they did together during their meetings, and have fun performing skits and songs. Pack CommitteeThe Pack Committee consists of representatives from each Den and other volunteer adults who are charged with managing the pack and its programs. Parents are encouraged to volunteer to serve on the committee and attend regular meetings. Meeting dates are shown on the Pack Calendar. The committee chair leads the group in planning and organizing the Pack program. District and CouncilPack 121 is part of the Razorback District of the Boy Scouts of America. The Razorback District serves Washington, Benton and Madison Counties in Arkansas, and is part of the Westark Area Council (serving most of western Arkansas). The District and Council provide support to Pack 121 and all Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Venturing Crews in northwest Arkansas to provide leader training, camp facilities, Scout shop, organized activities and other events. Each month, the Razorback District has a “Roundtable” meeting to support leaders for the whole district. Leaders exchange ideas and receive information about upcoming District and Council events and activities. All leaders are encouraged to attend roundtables and parents are always welcome. Check our Pack calendar for the time and location of the monthly Roundtables.Fund RaisingWhile Pack 121 charges an annual registration fee, that fee only covers a small part of the Costs associated with running a Cub Scout pack. To help pay for Badges and awards, den supplies, pack activities and other pack program expenses, Pack 121 conducts an annual fundraiser in the fall. Each year, the Pack Committee determines what the fundraiser and the goal fundraising amount will be. In past years, the Pack has sold Trails End Popcorn or Frozen Cookie Dough. All boys are encouraged to participate but parents may choose otherwise. We always want to respect the wishes of the parents without making the boy feel bad for not participating. However, should we fail to meet our fundraising goals, the pack would have to cut back on activities, ask parents to cover more individual costs during the year, or hold an additional Fund Raiser in the Spring. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you have ideas or suggestions. In addition, several of our leaders who work for Walmart, participate in the “Volunteerism Always Pays” (VAP) program. Through this program, Walmart will make a donation up to $250 per volunteer each 6 months if the person has volunteered more than 25 hours of time. Any parent who works for Walmart and meets the qualifications can apply for a VAP grant. VolunteersParent volunteers are always needed. Registration and training are provided by the Pack for those who are interested in helping. If you'd like to help in any capacity, please contact the Pack Committee Chairman, Cubmaster or your son's Den Leader. All types of help are needed - assisting in the Leaders absence, lead an activity committee, assist on an activity committee, help with pack meetings, Campouts, or other events. Remember that Cub Scout Packs don't exist without volunteer leadership and we need your help!
Pack Program HighlightsPack 121 plans a very busy calendar year. Although we know every boy may not be able to attend every function, we encourage him (and his parents) to be as active as he wants to be. Pack outings and special events will be led by two or more leaders and parents are expected to attend and participate.
Web Site To keep parents informed about events, Pack 121 operates a website www.pack121nwa.org . At the pack website, you can find the pack calendar of events for the current program year, as well as additional information on scouting. The website is still under construction and will be updated regularly, so please check back often! Program CalendarThe Pack Calendar shows all of the events scheduled for Pack 121. The calendar shows Pack activities as well as district events, training, and meetings. We realize that boys and families have different needs and we've attempted to plan a program that meets as many needs as possible. It is not expected that each boy will attend each and every event. Please note that dates are subject to change as we get closer to each specific event. Announcements of special events and calendar updates will come home with the boys from Den meetings or via e-mail. If you have suggestions for our program, please contact a leader and share your ideas. Scouting for Food Blue & Gold BanquetPack 121 and Cub Scout Packs all over the USA celebrate Scouting's birthday each February by hosting a Blue & Gold Banquet. Our banquet will replace our February Pack meeting and usually includes a special program. Please make plans to attend. CampingPack 121 participates in several of the Council camp activities each year. These include Family Camp, Day Camp, and Cub Adventure. Family Camp is held at the Rogers Scout Reservation (located south of Ft Smith) and provides a weekend full of Cub Scout activities at the camp, including BB guns, archery, hiking, and crafts. Day Camp provides a five-day (daytime only) program of scouting activities, including BB guns, archery, swimming, crafts, and athletics. Day Camp is usually located in Bentonville or Rogers. Cub Adventure is a fall campout for all Packs in the Razorback District and provides a weekend full of Cub Scout activities at the camp, including BB guns, archery, hiking, and crafts. Cub Adventure usually occurs in October and is located in Benton or Washington County. In addition, we will usually plan a spring camping trip just for boys and families of Pack 121. Camping Guidelines The Boy Scouts of America have established guidelines for its members’ participation in camping activities. A Cub Scout may participate in overnight camping when supervised by his mother or father. If a parent cannot attend, the boy’s family must make arrangements for another adult relative to be a substitute for a parent at the campout. It is essential that each Scout be under the supervision of an adult. Cub Scouts are limited to boy-parent excursions or program-managed family camping designed for the entire family. When staying in tents, no boy will enter the tent of an adult other than his parent or guardian. Webelos Scouts, at certain approved outings (such as Adventure Camp), may stay in a tent with other boys without a parent, but still may not stay in the tent of an adult that is not his parent or guardian.
Pinewood Derby The Pinewood Derby is one of the most popular and memorable events in Cub Scouting. Pack 121 holds its Pinewood Derby on a Saturday in March. The boys receive their kits in February and work with their parent to create a car to race. Boys are expected to do as much of the work as possible by themselves with adult guidance. Tiger Cubs may only be able to help sand and paint their car, while Webelos should be able to do almost all of the work themselves. Boys compete by rank in Speed and design categories. Special ProgramsPack 121 plans a variety of other special events throughout the year that help the boys with advancement, teach new skills, and provide an opportunity for a good time. These events may include going on hikes or tours, attending athletic events, or performing service projects. As mentioned before, a parent is expected to attend and other family members are always welcome. Summer ActivitiesWhile there are no Den Meetings or Pack Meetings during the months of June, July, and August, Pack 121 does not shut down. In addition to the camping activities already mentioned, Pack 121 runs a summertime program. Special activities and gatherings are planned, and boys are encouraged to remain active. Past activities have included Fishing, Swimming, Roller Skating, and attending Arkansas Naturals Baseball Games.
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