Albany Cub Scouts are kids in kindergarten through fifth grade who join a den and its pack to go hiking, play games, learn skills, make friends, and much, much more.
Cub Scouting means “doing”.
You have lots to do as a Cub Scout—hiking, camping, crafts, games, sports, songs, stories, and puzzles, to name just a few things. Much of the fun happens right in the den and pack. The den usually meets once or twice a month, and the pack meets once a month all school-year long. At den meetings and pack meetings, Cub Scouts do all sorts of different things for fun and learning.
Scouts also participate in events like the annual Blue and Gold banquet, the Pinewood Derby, an Egg Drop, and the annual spring fundraiser. They go on field trips. They go camping and have other kinds of outdoor adventures. They take part in community events. Cub Scouts do all sorts of exciting stuff! Whatever it is that you enjoy, you’ll have a chance to do it in Cub Scouting.
Organization
Albany Cub Scouts Pack 3 is made up of dens organized by age group. Different grade levels work toward achieving the rank for that year as follows:
- Lion: Kindergarten
- Tiger: 1st grade
- Wolf: 2nd grade
- Bear: 3rd grade
- Webelos (We Be Loyal Scouts): 4th grade
- Arrow of Light: 5th grade
Arrow of Light Scouts transition in the spring to Scouting (Several local troops including Albany Troop 14 to explore).
Each Den has a leader who is part of the Pack Leader Committee, along with other Adult Leaders. Pack 3 is in the new combined Golden Gate District and is chartered by the American Legion Post 292 of Albany.
Activities
Achievements and advancement in Albany Pack 3 follow the Boy Scout guidebooks. Each den plans its own activities, which may include working on advancements, field trips and attending sporting events. Pack activities include:
- Hiking (local park trails)
- Community Service (Scouting for Food, Earth Day cleanup, Storm drain stewardship, Beach Cleanup, Flag Placement on holidays at Veterans’ cemetery)
- Overnight Campouts (typically one each in the spring & fall)
- Pinewood Derby (Scouts make and race model cars)
- Yearly Fundraiser–TBA
- Egg Drop
- Ice Skating, Bike Rides, Sporting Events, Water Park, etc…
Pack activities are communicated via email.
Meetings
Pack Meetings
The whole Pack (all 5 dens) meets the first Thursday of every month at the Veterans Memorial Building, usually from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The entire family (including siblings) is welcome. The goals of the Pack meetings are to celebrate scout advancements, communicate forthcoming activities and have FUN!
Den Meetings
Additionally, each den establishes its own meeting schedule, usually 1-2 times per month. At these den meetings, Scouts may work on advancements or special projects, learn skills and always, always have a great time. For Lion and Tiger Scouts, it is expected that a parent will join their Scout at these meetings. After that, parents are welcome to attend, but it is not required.
Leader Committee Meetings
The Pack Committee typically meets once each month to plan activities on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hall or online. All parents are welcome to attend and provide input.
Family Involvement
Albany Pack 3 is led by volunteers; its success is in direct proportion to the family support it receives. Because we run our own program, we require the families of all of our scouts to actively participate in our program.
The Pack 3 Registration form requires families to select their top three Family Job choices. Leader and chair positions average 1-3 volunteer hours a month and coordinator/ event committees average 4-6 volunteer hours a scouting year. Shortly after registration, you will be contacted with a complete job description and supporting documents for your position.
*All families are required to volunteer at the campouts they attend and to participate in Pack 3’s fundraiser, whatever that will be for 2022.
Uniforms and Supplies
Uniforms and supplies can be purchased at our Council Scout Store at 800 Ellinwood Way in Pleasant Hill. Phone 925-974-6100 or web at www.bsa-mdsc.org/resources/scoutshop.php).
The East Bay Scout Shop is in San Leandro at 1001 Davis Street, phone 510-633-2005 or on the web at www.sfbac.org/about/ebscoutshop.
More information on uniforms is available on the Join Albany Cub Scouts page. Our parent volunteer Stephanie Best has collected many used scout shirts, kerchiefs, and hats. She will have a table with free Scout gear available at the first meeting of the year.
Registration & Fees
Registration is easy, and the fees are reasonable. Full registration for a scout is just $150 for a year. Adult leader dues are $15. Parents are asked to make a one-time donation to ScoutingBSA for our Annual Friends of Scouting Program. The Pack gets most of its money through its spring fundraiser.
