FAQ & Links
Still have questions about scouting? We're here to help!
Who can join?
Which ages can join Cub Scouts?
School aged children, grades Kindergarten through 5th are eligible to join Cub Scouts. Older youth interested in scouting may join the Scouting America program which offers age-appropriate opportunities for children aged 11-18.
Can girls join Cub Scouts?
Girls are welcome to join Cub Scouts, and Pack 311 is an open and safe place for all children to express their unique gender identities.
How can I become an adult volunteer in Cub Scouting?
Pack 311 does not exist without the volunteering efforts of parents. We always welcome new talents and help with a variety of roles and responsibilities. If you'd like to help out, please get in touch with your Den Leader or contact our parent committee chair at: parentchair@cubpack311.com
The Cub Scout Program
Which organization are Cub Scouts a part of?
Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) is a national organization. Our area Council is the Western Los Angeles County Council. Within the Council, our Pack is in the Campo de Cahuenga District, along with other Packs in our immediate area.
What is a Pack?
A Cub Scout Pack is a group of scouts ages Kindergarten through 5th grade who are joined together as a unit to share in the activities that Cub Scouts has to offer. Within a Pack, kids are grouped by grade level into Ranks. Our entire Pack has one formal meeting per month and also puts on 1-2 other activities per month.
What are the Ranks?
Kindergarten = Lions
1st Grade = Tigers
2nd Grade = Wolves
4th Grade = Webelos (We Be Loyal Scouts)
5th Grade Arrow-of-Light (AOL)
What are Dens?
Each rank is further divided into one or more groups of 6-12 scouts called a Den. Pack 311 tries to keep the number of children per den at between five and twelve. We usually have more than one Den per grade level. The Dens usually meet once to twice a month, for approximately one hour at the Den Leader's house, a park, or another location, where Scouts will work on achievements and activities together.
How Does Advancement Work?
Regardless of whether they earn their rank patch, all cub scouts advance to the next level at the conclusion of the current school year. Scouts may only work on adventures for their current year.
What activities do you do?
We offer many different types of activities all year.
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Monthly hikes in the area from easy to moderate difficulty levels.
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Overnight campouts: 2 or 3 per year, with additional overnight opportunities hosted by the local Council
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Pinewood Derby and Raingutter Regatta events: Scouts build and race their own boats and cars.
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Local activities such as: sporting events, zoo trips, bike riding, stargazing, ski trips, kayaking, ropes courses, ice skating.
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Archery and BB shooting are available at many camps.
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Community service: Organized both within our pack and with our chartering organization: Temple Beth Hillel.
How much does it cost?
Dues
Dues are paid yearly, and come to about $300. Much of this goes to the National BSA organization from which we are chartered, and the remainder goes directly to our pack to support our program. The cost includes supples, awards, a pack-t-shirt, insurance & membership, and an optional subscription to Scout Life magazine.
Uniform
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The full scout “Class A” uniform costs around $175-200 and includes a hat, neckerchief, slide, shirt with patches, shorts/pants, belt, socks, and handbook. We have a legacy bin that has some items left from scouts from previous years to help offset some of the cost. Class A uniforms are worn to pack meetings and most outings where the scouts are in public. (We also have a “Class B” uniform consisting of a pack T-shirt which is worn for more casual occasions, the cost of which is included in your pack dues)
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Uniform shirt, pants, belt, and socks are carried over from year to year, with the exception of 5th grade when scouts will need a tan-colored uniform instead of the blue uniform worn from grades 1-4. 4th graders (Webelos) can wear either the blue uniform or the tan uniform.
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Uniforms can be purchased at the Valley Scout Shop: 16525 Sherman Way Van Nuys, CA 91406 (818-781-1296). They will help you get everything you need including "311" sleeve patches.
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You may also purchase a uniform online at https://www.scoutshop.org/ however you will need to include the following add-ons:
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Western Los Angeles Area Council patch
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"311" pack numerals
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World Heritage patch
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Den number patch (ask your Den Leader)
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Activities
Activities vary in cost depending on the length and nature of the activity. We aim to offer a number of free/included activities throughout the year. Additionally, the vast majority of requirements needed to earn each rank patch can be completed without any additional cost. Overnight campouts typically cost $50-100 per person (including food). The pack dues and national registration fees do not cover the cost of activities, so each family is only responsible for the costs of those events they are able to attend.
What is the Cub Scout Leadership Structure?
Cubmaster
Leader of the Cub Scout Pack. The Cubmaster is responsible for running the meetings, and coordinating with the parent committee to deliver a quality program for all scouts in the pack.
Parent Committee Chair
Coordinates the parent involvement and actively participates in all aspects of the Pack's calendar of events.
Assistant Cubmasters
Assist the Cubmaster in carrying out their responsibilities.
Den Leaders
Responsible for leading a den of scouts through each year of the program, working with them to achieve their rank patch by the end of the school year.
Pack Treasurer
Responsible for monitoring the flow of funds into and out of the pack and ensuring the pack remains solvent.
Parents
Advancement Chair
Coordinates purchasing and distribution of the awards that the scouts earn throughout the year
Fundraising Committee
Organizes our annual fundraiser selling popcorn to folks in the local community.
Events Committee
Puts on pack-wide events throughout the year.
Camping Committee
Organizes 2 to 3 overnight campouts throughout the year.
Recruitment Chair
Coordinates welcome events, outreach to schools and local organizations to help ensure a healthy influx of new scouts. Onboards new scout families into the our Pack.
What can my child do after Cub Scouts?
Youth can join Scouts BSA if they are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st; OR have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18.
There are several great troops in our local area, here are a few our scouts often graduate to:
Scouting America Troop 36 (Valley Village)
Scouting America Troop 139 (Sherman Oaks)
Scouting America Troop 18 (North Hollywood)
Helpful Links
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Pack 311 Google Group (used for regular communication)