Cub Scouts is a family program for all kids interested in having fun, learning life skills, building community, exploring the outdoors, becoming leaders and good citizens, and making friends. The basic structure of the group is a "pack" – which includes the whole group of Scouts, from kindergarten through fifth grades. Each grade has one or more "dens" that meet in smaller groups to work on adventures to earn their rank. Cub Scouts complete adventures as they work to achieve their rank for that year. The adventures are different for each rank, allowing Cub Scouts to learn new age-appropriate skills and explore new topics each year. At the end of the year, if a Scout has met all of the requirements for that year, he or she will receive the rank (i.e. a first grader would receive the "Tiger" rank).

• Kindergarten = Lion • First Grade = Tiger • Second Grade = Wolf • Third Grade = Bear • Fourth Grade = Webelos (We Be Loyal Scouts) • Fifth Grade = Arrow of Light (AOL) In their fifth grade year, scouts "bridge" to Boy Scouts. This involves visiting local troops and choosing one that the scout will participate in and contribute to during their further adventures in Scouting.

Pack dues are $120 per year and include food, badges, and activities for your scout all year. This goes directly to the Albany Pack to cover activities for scouts and supplies. You must also register with the National organization which is about $230. This includes things like insurance and a magazine. Lion and Tiger Scouts also require a parent to register with Pack 3 as an adult leader for $15. The basic uniform consists of a shirt, hat, neckerchief, neckerchief slide, and the pack and council patches. This can add up to $100 or so. (Our pack re-uses shirts and gear so check with us before buying!) The hat, neckerchief and slide will change with the different grades, but the same blue shirt can be used from kindergarten through third grade. In fourth and fifth grades, Scouts switch to a tan-colored shirt. We want every family to be able to participate. If your family needs help with registration costs, please speak with our Cubmaster about financial assistance.

The Pack meets once a month on a Thursday evening from 6:30 to 7:30. Dens meet once or twice monthly on a day selected by the den. Throughout the year, families can also participate in campouts, hikes, community service projects, and other Pack traditions. We typically hold at least two family campouts each year—one in the fall and one in the spring—with additional campouts offered when possible. Other favorite activities include: Other activities include: • Pinewood Derby (January) • Pancake Breakfast (February) • Bake sale (April) • Community service projects • Fall and spring hikes Pack 3 is a volunteer-run organization, and parent participation is an important part of making our program possible. We ask each family to contribute at least 16 volunteer hours per year. There are lots of ways to help—from assisting at events and campouts to taking on small behind-the-scenes jobs—and we work with families to find opportunities that fit their schedules and interests. Parents of Lion and Tiger Scouts are also required to complete Safeguarding Youth Training online, which takes approximately one hour.