Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Pack 805?

A. Information all about Pack 805 can be found here: www.pack805.com/about-pack-805

The Cub Scout program aims to prepare youth to grow into self-reliant and dependable adults through activities and adventures focused on:

• Character Development

• Good Citizenship

• Sportsmanship & Fitness

• Family Understanding

• Respectful Relationships

• Personal Achievement

• Friendly Service

• Fun & Adventure

Parents are required to be present and engaged with their children throughout their scouting years. Cub Scouting is not a babysitting program!

Cub Scouting is also not an academic program; there are no direct academic benefits or credits.

Q. Who can enroll in Pack 805?

A. Pack 805 welcomes all Kindergarten-5th grade boys and girls to join, regardless of which school they attend.

• Cub Scout Ranks by grade level:

  • Kindergarten: Lion

  • 1st Grade: Tiger

  • 2nd Grade: Wolf

  • 3rd Grade: Bear

  • 4th Grade: Webelos I

  • 5th Grade: Arrow of Light (Webelos II)
    
    

Q. What is the best age to start scouts?

A. The earlier the better, but boys and girls can join Cub Scouts at any point during their Kindergarten-5th grade years. Cub Scouting is fun for the whole family. In Scouting, boys and girls start with their best right now selves and grow into their very best future selves. It’s fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life. The Cub Scouting program is designed so that a child may jump right in at any point. There is no need to work backwards to catch up. A new Cub Scout may join in any grade (K-5) and continue through the program.

Q. Girls can be Cub Scouts? How does that work?

A. Yes, Pack 805 has girl dens and is actively forming more for all grades! During Pack activities, all scouts are together along with their leaders and parents. At the Den level, scouts are separated by grade level/rank, and Pack 805 has combined gender Dens through 4th grade/Webelos I rank. Our 5th grade/Arrow of Light (Webelos II) Dens are gender-specific to prepare them for joining a gender-specific BSA Troop.

Q. How do I sign up my son or daughter for Cub Scouts?

A. One of two ways:

Online: https://beascout.scouting.org/list/?zip=30041&unitID=145540

In Person: Pack 805 hosts an annual RoundUp event in August.
   

Q. What are Den Meetings? Pack Meetings?

A. Information all about Pack 805's meetings can be found here: www.pack805.com/meetings

Q. I keep hearing all these different terms - Den/Pack/District/Council/National - what do they all mean?

A. Great question! Hopefully this helps clear things for you:

• DEN - a group of the same rank scouts, by grade and gender, led by one or more Den Leaders. They typically consist of 2-10 scouts.

• PACK - a group of different rank Dens. In 2020-2021, Pack 805 consisted of 42 scouts. In 2021-2022, Pack 805 consisted of 53 scouts (prior to the pandemic we usually had between 60-80).

• DISTRICT - a group of Packs & Troops (6th grade +) from the local area. Pack 805 belongs to the Etowah District (Forsyth, Lumpkin, & Dawson Counties).

• COUNCIL - a group of Districts. Pack 805 belongs to the Northeast Georgia Council #101 (Apalachee, Chattahoochee, Cherokee, Currahee, Etowah, Mountain, & Sweetwater).

• TERRITORY - a group of Councils. Pack 805 belongs to Territory 14.

• NATIONAL BSA - a group of Territories; of which there are 16 total.
  
  

Q. What are the uniform requirements?

A. Information all about Pack 805's cub scout uniforms can be found here: www.pack805.com/uniforms

Q. How is Pack 805 run?

A. By parents like you! Every parent is encouraged to join as a volunteer in some capacity, whether it's taking on a bigger role such as Cubmaster or Den Leader, or just helping plan and set up for an event as they have time. We're all volunteers, doing our best to make the Cub Scouting experience the best one for our scouts!

Q. Who are Pack 805's Leaders?

A. Our Key Three Leaders are:

• Cubmaster: Jason Arnott

• Chartered Organization Representative: Julie Caesar

• Committee Chair: Rachel Coon-Arnott

We also have so many more wonderful volunteers! As part of Pack 805, you will have the opportunity to meet all our amazing Leaders who are behind the scenes running the Pack.

Q. What are the Leadership & Volunteer Positions?

A. Pack 805 has so many ways for parents to get involved! Volunteer opportunities include positions and committees such as:

• Cubmaster/Assistant Cubmaster

• Den Leaders/Assistant Den Leaders

• Committee Chair

• Secretary

• Treasurer

• Outdoor Coordinator (oversees all outdoor activities) & Committee

• Advancement Coordinator

• Popcorn Kernel

• Pinewood Derby Chair

• Blue & Gold Banquet Chair

• Training Committee

• Recruitment Committee

• T-Shirt Committee

• Social Media Coordinator

• School Liaison 

• Membership & Registration Committee

• Events Committee

• Fundraising Committee
  
  

Q. How much does it cost to join Cub Scouts?

A. Joining fees are as follows:

• New Scouts:

  • Payable online to BSA National: Registration Fee $25 + National Dues $96 (+ Optional Scout Life Magazine Subscription)

  • Pack Dues payable by cash/check to Pack 805: $70 for the 2024-2025 scouting year, paid in August

• Returning Scouts:

  • Pack Dues payable by cash/check to Pack 805: $70 for the 2024-2025 scouting year, paid in August

  • Annual national dues payable electronically directly to BSA through my.scouting.org on or before scout's individual renewal date each year; date varies depending on scout's individual registration/recharter date
    
    

Q. Why do we pay Pack Dues?

A. Pack dues go towards running and maintaining the Pack, and cover much of the year's scouting activities, including, but not limited to:

• Each scout's awards/badges/belt loops

• Class B T-shirts for Scouts and Registered Leaders

• School Auditorium/Cafeteria Reservations and Custodian Payments

• Pinewood Derby Kits

• Scouting Literature (leader guides; training materials)

• Annual National BSA Payments ($80/scout + Insurance + Recharter Fees) *for returning scouts only; policy changing after Fall 2023 for returning scouts*
  
  

Q. Does the Pack do any fundraisers?

A. Yes, for expenses beyond what Pack Dues cover. Fundraisers cover additional items such as:

• Character Counts Awards - small gift cards that are given to well-behaved and best dressed (full, neat uniform) scouts during each Pack meeting

• Sending scout popcorn & gifts of appreciation to local First Responders

• Prizes as needed throughout the year

• Pinewood Derby Trophies

• Location reservation fees for events such as Back to Pack, Rocket Launch, & more
  
  

Q. How do you raise these additional Pack funds?

A. Throughout the year we offer a few fundraising opportunities:

• Trail's End Popcorn - Pack 805's largest fundraiser. Our "popcorn season" runs from the end of August through October, though online sales may be done at any point in the year once your scout's account is set up.

• Camp Cards - scouts may sell Camp Cards (a coupon card with local store/restaurant discounts) during the Spring. Each scout's proceeds are used to to fund their summer camp fees, if they choose to attend, or used by the Pack.

• Donations by parents, who may donate their

  • Time: by volunteering within the Pack

  • Service: by taking care of items such as printing flyers, hauling our Pack trailer, providing tools and/or conducting workshops, bringing snacks/juices/waters to Den meetings, etc.
    
    

Q. How do you track scouting advancements and communicate with parents?

A. Pack 805 uses various methods of communication:

• my.scouting.org - for Scout and Leader registrations

• www.scoutbook.com - for tracking advancements, hosting the Pack calendar, and communications

• GroupMe - for text message announcements

• Facebook - a closed group for sharing information and pictures

• www.pack805.com - as a resource of scouting information for parents like you!
  
  

Q. Where can I find out even more information?

A. www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts