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Pack Vs Den
Pack Vs Den
There is a structure to every scouting unit. Here is a quick breakdown of how Pack 493 operates:
Scouting America is the national umbrella organization. Under that, there are 272 LOCAL COUNCILS, including our National Capital Area Council (NCAC). Within each council there are several DISTRICTS. Ours is the Potomac District.
Cub Scouts units are called Packs and are operated by a Chartered Organization like UUCR. Each Pack is then divided into smaller units called Dens. Each Den is made up of about four to ten children of the same age and rank.
As a family pack, we only separate dens by grade and/or age. We do not separate children into dens based on sex or gender. We encourage all members of the family to participate in den meetings and pack events to help their scout grow and succeed.
Lions is for kindergarten aged children as an introduction into scouting and its activities. The requirements are low, but fun is high.
Tigers is the rank for youths who have completed kindergarten or are 7-years-old. They work with their adult partners on adventures, and complete achievements together.
Wolves is the rank for youths who have completed first grade or are 8-yeasr-old. At this rank the scouts are more involved in pack meetings and participate in more activities like camping and hiking.
Bears is the rank for children who have completed second grade or are 9-years-old. Bears learn skills such as setting up a camp, cooking and whittling.
Webelos are scouts who have completed third grade or are 10 years old.
Arrow of Light is for scouts who have completed fourth grade and are ready for the transition into Scouts BSA.
Den Adventures
Den Adventures
Throughout the program year, our cub scouts participate in various activities called Adventures. Based on different themes such as Character/Leadership, Outdoors, Personal Fitness, Citizenship, and more, adventures are earned as a Cub Scout advances toward their badge of rank.
These adventures cover a wide array of activities, including games, projects, skits, stunts, songs, outdoor activities, trips, and service projects. Besides being fun, these activities offer opportunities for growth, achievement, and family involvement.
Special Events
Special Events
Pack 493 holds many events that help meet adventure requirements in fun and unique ways.
We explore the outdoors!
Our Cubs love the outdoors! Through the Leave No Trace program we teach our Cubs to protect and preserve nature. We have two overnight camping trips a year, and several hiking and outdoor adventures.
On our camping trips, we enjoy classic activities like hiking, cooking, campfires, s’mores, singing, and skits, as well as incorporating different activities into every trip like tie-dying, geocaching, or fishing.
We experiment and learn!
Our Cubs love STEAM! We provide opportunities to experience science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a way that’s fun and memorable.
Some of the things we did this year:
Making our own mini-greenhouses and growing plants
Making and testing our bottle rockets
Building and flying kites
Designing and testing games with our dens
Building our own cars and race them in the Pinewood Derby
Making ciphers and writing in code to our dens
Building boats and racing them in the Rain Gutter Regatta
Designing and constructing wagon floats for the Memorial Day Parade
We help others at all times.
Our Cubs love helping others. We get involved in the community by leading food drives, cleaning up nature, and helping those in need.
Some of the service projects we participate in are:
Scouting For Food — Scouting America's largest annual community service project helps feed families in need. Scouts collect non-perishable food and distribute it to local food pantries and food banks like Manna Food Center.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service — Cubs in our pack spend this day completing acts of service like assembling and decorating winter kits with words of hope for unsheltered individuals; making rope dog toys for foster pups and assembling Care Bear washcloths for those suffering from cancer.
C&O Canal Cleanup — Our Scouts help Leave No Trace by working with other Packs from the District to clean up trash and debris around the C&O Canal.
Volunteering with Community Organizations — We work with community partners like Comfort Cases for special projects like processing donations, counting inventory, and assembling backpacks for foster kids.
We have FUN!
One of the best things about being a Scout is that we get to have fun, foster new friendships, and learn through new experiences.
Some of our FUN activities we've done:
Fall Carnival
Pinewood Derby Competition
Blue & Gold Banquet celebrating the anniversary of Scouts BSA
Tour the USS Cutter Ship 37 in Baltimore
Frederick Keys Scouts Night
Visit MoCo Ag Fair
Summer Kickoff Pool Party
March in the Takoma Park 4th of July Parade
Dig into our past adventures in our newsletter:
Dig into our past adventures in our newsletter:
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