FAQs

Any child (boy or girl) who is in kindergarten through fifth grade can join Cub Scouts.

YES! Cub Scouts is an age appropriate organization, so rank is determined by age rather than knowledge.  All kindergartens enter as Lions, first graders as Tiger cubs, second graders as Wolves, third graders as Bears and fourth graders as Webelos, and fifth graders as Arrow of Light.  If a child first joins scouting in third grade, he/she will be placed in the Bear den and work towards the Bear badge.  He/she will not be able to go back and earn his Tiger or Wolf badges because these achievements would not be age appropriate.  So feel free to join anytime without feeling like you are behind.

Dens typically meet two times a month.  The Pack (all the Dens together) meets once a month for a Pack Meeting.  In addition, there are special events and community service projects. The Pack Committee (Scout leadership) meets once a month during the normal meeting time. There are no Den or Pack meetings on the nights when there are Committee meetings.

Meetings are 6:30-7:30p.m. on Wednesdays at the Kessler Center in Irondequoit, NY. We typically meet most weeks during the school year.

Our scouts are involved in many different activities outside of scouting. Between school plays, soccer, football, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and swimming, it seems there is always something going on. The leaders understand this, because many of them are active in coaching these sports as well. Just follow the Cub Scout motto and “Do your best” to try to make it to the meetings. If you are coming from another event, such as a sports practice or game, do not worry about scouting attire. We would rather have the scout spend that preparation time in the den/pack meeting.

Absolutely!  Cub Scouts is ALL about family.  We encourage brothers, sisters, parents and even grandparents to attend pack functions!

For Lion, Tiger, Wolf and Bear Scouts, a parent or guardian must attend all Pack events with the scout. For Den meetings for Lion and Tiger Scouts a parent or guardian must attend all meetings with their scout.  In subsequent years, parents may drop off their scout if the parent has arranged with another adult to be responsible for the scout; please arrange with someone other than the Den or activity leader because they will be busy running the event.

The Cubmaster, Den leaders, and a Committee of volunteer parents (just like you!) run the Pack. The Pack leaders meet once a month to plan events, manage the Pack records and finances, train new leaders and assist the Dens. All parents are encouraged to participate in the leadership of the Pack.

Help books, leader manuals, and training sessions are available to help new leaders step into the role as quickly as possible. It is easier than it sounds, and with all the cooperation of the other parents, stress-free! Without every parent's help and leadership, the Pack and Dens would not exist, so please find an adult leader and ask: "How can I Help?"

You can purchase all these items at the Seneca Waterways Council Scout Shop in Henrietta at 2320 Brighton-Henrietta TL Rd, Rochester, NY 14623.

Visit the Scout Shop website for up-to-date hours or call 585-244-4210.

We recommend purchasing the uniform in a larger size so it will fit longer, and with short sleeves (a long sleeve shirt can always be worn underneath if your scout is cold). While the official scout uniform includes pants, a belt, and a hat, we only request that your scout has the Class A scout shirt and appropriate neckerchief.

Cub Scouting has twelve core purposes:  character development, spiritual growth, personal achievement, promoting good citizenship, advancing sportsmanship and fitness, encouraging family understanding, supporting respectful relationships, developing friendly service, fun and adventure, and preparation for Scouts BSA.

For over a century, Scouting America has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. Scouting America believes that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.

A Den is a small group of Cub Scouts of the same rank (the same grade in school) who meet approximately once or twice a month to work on achievements, projects, learn games and songs, and make up skits. The Dens include the Lions (kindergarteners), Tigers (first graders), the Wolves (second graders), the Bears (third graders), Webelos (fourth graders) and Arrow of Light (fifth graders). The Pack is comprised of all six Dens. Cub Scout meetings are weekly with Pack meets approximately once a month. The Pack also gathers at other times for special activities, such as the Pinewood Derby and the annual Blue and Gold Celebration.

Cub Scouting is part of the Scouting America  program — so in that sense, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are both members of the same organization. However, they are entirely different programs: Cub Scouting or Cub Scouts is part of the Scouting America organization specifically geared to boys and girls in elementary school with age appropriate activities meant to help them eventually bridge to Scouts BSA. Cub Scouting was formed in 1930 as part of the Scouting America program due to an overwhelming demand for younger children to be a part of the Scouting movement.

Pack dues for Cub Scouts covers costs to pay for Pack activities and events, badges, and ancillary costs incurred by the Pack. Please note that optional events have additional costs based on number of family attendees. Some dens may also request small den fees to help defray out of pocket costs. In addition to Pack dues, Scouting America and the Seneca Waterways Council also charge annual fees.  Opportunities are available for families who cannot afford the dues or other costs; please contact the Cubmaster for details.

Registration for scouting is approximately $200 (includes Council Fees and Pack dues) with a one time joining fee of $25. There are sometimes additional fees to cover the cost of activities or for materials you might need for activities in your dens.

We have a Pack Scholarship set up to help families that need assistance in Scouting! After you join, please reach out to Pack Leadership if we can offer any assistance for Scouting expenses: PackFourTwenty@gmail.com

Your participation is completely confidential.

If you'd like to learn more about Cub Scouting with Pack 420, please view our contact info on the Join Us! page.