A. It is recommended that Den meetings be held weekly, on the same day each week and preferably right after school in the home of the Den Leader. Although this is the ideal situation, it is not always feasible. Because of the changing lifestyles of the 90's (busing, the increase of working mothers, and the increase of one parent families)many options are available.

	Den meetings held in the evening at the Den Leaders home.
	Den meetings held at schools, either during lunch time or immediately after classes in the afternoon.
	Den meetings at the chartered organization.
	Den meetings held at a facility provided by a civic organization or local business.
	Den meetings held in the home of someone other than the Den Leader, but still run by the Den Leader.
	Den meetings held in a Scout room either at the school or the chartered organization.

The most important thing to remember is consistency - the same place, the same time each week as approved by the Pack Committee.

8. Q. Can I take my Den camping?

A. Any camping other than backyard camping or family camping is not advocated for Cub Scouts.

9. Q. I don't want the boys running all through my house at Den Meetings. How can I stop them?

A. Each Den needs to establish its own set of rules. This should be done as a Den project with all Den members, boys and adults alike, contributing suggestions. Don't go overboard, but be sure to include all the important items, such as: All Cub Scouts must stay in the Den Meeting area unless given permission by the Den Leader or assistant Den Leader to go to another room; no rough housing; no talking during ceremonies; each Cub Scout is responsible for returning his project materials to the proper place; each person is responsible for cleaning up after him/herself. These are suggestions. Base your rules on your Den situation.

10. Q. Who should I contact to find out about District and council Activities, and training?

A. Attend Roundtable.

11. Q. What do I do when someone breaks the rules or is disruptive? How do I discipline?

A. Be sure all your boys know the Cub Scout sign and its meaning -- "when the sign goes up the mouth goes shut." By giving the Cub Scout sign and discontinuing all activity until all the boys have stopped talking, you can often regain control. Don't speak, just give the sign and wait. The Den candle is a good idea. Select a fair sired candle.(one that will last through several meetings, but not so large that it takes months to burn down) and light it at the beginning of each meeting. Let the boys know that when it burns down there will be a special outing, treat, party or whatever the Den decides to do, as a reward for good behavior. Every time someone breaks a rule or misbehaves, the candle is blown out, and it will take that much

longer to reach their reward. The candle is not lighted again during the Den Meeting. The boy(s) who misbehaved could be responsible for blowing out the candle which then would put peer pressure on the disruptive boy(s). If they cause the candle to be blown out, thereby delaying their reward, the rest of the Den will be upset with them.

Try "3 strikes and you're out". A boy that is disruptive three times during one meeting is not invited back for the next meeting. The first time a boy is disruptive he is given a verbal warning. The second time he can blow out the conduct candle and if he continues to misbehave he should call his parents so that he can be picked up and taken away from the Den Meeting, The parents of all boys should be informed of this procedure when the Den is established.

REMEMBER

You are not permitted to strike or physically punish any boy, even if his parents give you permission.

Be fair -- treat each boy the same, show no favoritism whatsoever. Be consistent -- Don't let them get away with something one week that you will object to the next week. Don't threaten - act. Boys are testers and will continue to misbehave as long as you let them. A boy that is continuously disruptive is depriving the other boys of the program. Talk to his parents if it continues. Plan enough physical activity to allow boys to let off steam/energy. If all they do is sit, they will act up because of boredom. Try to find out why a boy misbehaves. He may be trying to tell you something!

12. Q. How much advancement work should we do in the Den Meeting?

A. Den Meetings are not "advancement factories." Cub Scouting is home-centered and family oriented. Don't deprive a family of working with their son by doing too much advancement work at the Den Meetings. A good balance of advancement projects are pre-planned for you in the Cab Scour Program Helps book. It won't overwhelm the boys with book work, but at the same time, should encourage them to work at home. If for some reason a boy is not working on any of his advancements in his home, you, as his Den Leader, can take the time and work with the boy out of his book to make sure that he also will receive recognition as the other boys do.

It is better to let boys know after the fact that they have completed a requirement while having fun or working on a project for a Pack Meeting.

13. Q. Who signs the Cub Scout's books?

A. The parents of Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts have the primary privilege of passing their son on advancement. The Den Leader may sign off achievements and electives done at Den or Pack meetings.

14. Q. As a Cubmaster, is it my responsibility to keep the record book?

A. No, that is the job of the Pack secretary, Assistant Cubmaster, or a member of the Pack Committee.

15. Q. Who signs the Webelos Scout's book when requirements are completed?

A. The Webelos Leader, or the person he/she designates, will approve the completion of requirements and sign the Webelo's Scout Book.

16. Q. Isn't it true that the boys don't have to do exactly what the requirement states as long as the "flavor" and spirit of the requirement is kept? The Leader can substitute something else right?

A. If a requirement says a boy must "show", then the boy must show; if it says to "tell", "list" or "demonstrate", then the boy must tell, list or demonstrate to pass the requirement. Remember: it is still to the best of the individual boy's ability.

17. Q. How often should a den meet?

B. An active den should meet weekly, this will keep the boys involved in the program. If the pack quits meeting during the summer months, they should plan at least one monthly activity for those in-active months. It is best to try and hold meetings at the same time, on the same day each week. This helps to build a regular routine with the boys.

18. Q. How often can we go camping?

A. Webelos Scouts do not go camping in the same way as Boy Scouts, that is, Webelos Leaders do not take the Webelos Scouts out alone to camp..."Webelos Scouts are encouraged to have parent-guardian/son overnight experiences away from home. This is an important step in the transitional period from Cub Scouting to Scouting.

Remember TWO DEEP LEADERSHIP!

Each Webelos Scout Den should have one or two overnighters each year to ensure that all Den members will have the opportunity to earn the Arrow of Light award.

19. Q. Several of my Webelos Scouts' parents are unable to go on an overnight campout. Should this experience be canceled?

A. That is a decision that will have to be made by all the fathers able to go. Don't forget: Although it is desirable to have each boy under the supervision of his own father, there are alternatives available for the boy who has no father, or whose father simply cannot go. REMEMBER: Only a parent or guardian can sleep in the same tent with their son.

	Another father may be responsible for him,
	His mother could go in his place,
	Another male relative could go on the overnighter, or
	A male member of the Pack Committee.

There shouldn't be any "loose" boys, boys who aren't the responsibility of someone other than yourself. Each temporary, or substitute dad, is responsible for his "adopted" boy just as completely as his own son.

If you and all the dads, real and substitute, feel there is enough supervision, go ahead. If the vote is no, consider a day hike instead, same alternatives applying.

The Webelos Den overnight camp must be done right or it shouldn't be done at all.

20. Q. How long should a Webelos den meeting be?

A. A well run Webelos meeting will last no longer than 1-1/4 hours.

21. Q. I'm not that handy. How can I get my boys through all 10 activity pins?

First, increase your own skills. Be sure to attend Basic Training, the Webelo training which in Mobile Area Council, is referred to as Webelos Leader Outdoor Training and is a complete instructional session which includes outdoor skills. Attend any Webelos Leaders'

workshops that are available through your Council and regularly attend POW WOW and your District Roundtable. All of these will help you gain knowledge and experience in activity pin areas.

Don't overlook the parents in the Pack as potential instructors. Boy Scouts who have gone through the Cub Scout program will be helpful as well as you and other parents of your Pack through utilization of the Parent Talent Survey. Someone may know of interested outsiders that would be willing to share their knowledge and expertise with your Den.

REMEMBER: You have two years to complete the entire Webelos' program.

22. Q. Do I have to follow the monthly themes put out by the National Scout Office?

A. There are two types of program planning materials available for use by Cub Scout Packs that you should use to make your planning and weekly Den Meetings easier and fun filled which also covers the areas of concern.

Cub Scout Program Helps: This book offers monthly plans that are broken down for weekly Den Meetings for the 8 and 9 year old boy in the Cub Scout Dens. When following the Cub Scout Program Helps book the planning of each melting is coordinated and outlined for the Den Leader according to the monthly theme. Each month follows a theme, or suggested area in history, culture, etc. around which activities, games, projects, skits, outings, and Pack

Meeting participation items are based.

Webelos Scout Helps: This is part of the Cub Scout Program Helps book and is geared to the activity pin areas the Webelos Dens will be exploring. It is coordinated with the themes the Cub Scout Dens will be working on as much as possible and provides plans for a full year of meetings for the Webelos Leader.

Following the programs outlined in the Webelos Scout Helps is the easiest way to provide a well-rounded den program for your Den that follows the purposes and objectives of Scouting and encourages advancement.

23. Q. When can Webelos wear a tan shirt and/or a patrol patch instead of a den number.

1. Upon becoming a Webelos Scout, the Scout and his family have the choice as to which uniform he will wear. If the boy was a Cub Scout, he might want to wear his blue uniform until he outgrows it, then switch to the khaki and tan uniform, but that is the families decision to make. The patrol emblem is a decision for the whole den to make. While they take the name and identity of a Patrol and wear the emblem, they are still a den.

Your chartered organization is responsible for these things:

	Furnishing a SAFE meeting place for the monthly Pack Meeting.
	Selecting adults to operate the Pack according to the organization's policies.
	Appointing a Chartered Representative for the Scouting units.

50. If I can't attend the meetings, is there anything I can do to help?

A. Parental help outside the meeting is always needed. You can help with a telephone tree. Parents are always needed to help with refreshments for Den meetings and pack meetings. You could be of assistance with fundraisers such as the Popcorn drive. You could always do errands like picking up supplies from the Scout Shop ™. The Pack committee and Cubmaster always have needs that a parent can be of help with. Just ask!!!

51. Q. Who should sign the checks for Pack expenses?

A. It is a good policy to always have two signatures required on the Pack account, the treasurer's of course, and either the Cubmaster's or the Committee Chairperson.

52. Q. What kind of activities do we do at Scouts?

A. At Cub Scout meeting, there will be all type of games, crafts, skits and songs. There will be races with boats, cars and possibly rockets or turtles. You will learn many new things, they may about stuff right next door, or maybe from all around the world. There will be several opportunities for organized family camping every year. If you attend Cub Scout Day Camp, or Cub Resident Camp, you might have the opportunity to swim, shoot BB guns, shoot Bow and Arrows. You might even get the chance to do some canoeing or boat rowing. The fun is endless, and that's the key to a good program, FUN FUN FUN.

53. Q. How can Roundtables help our Pack?

A. Roundtables give your Pack leadership hands-on experience and supplemental materials to aid you in carrying out the Cub Scout program in your Pack. Each month theme reinforcements such as ceremonies, songs, crafts, games, field trips, open forum for questions/answers and program ideas are presented for you to use in your Pack.

Contact your Council office or your District Commissioner to see when and where your Roundtable s taking place for your District.

54. Q. Who will be delivering the Supplemental Training that have become available in the last year?

A. In the Baldwin District, of Mobile Area Council, it is planned to hold at least one of the Quarterly Updates segments per quarter as the theme for Roundtable. By doing this, we can get the information to more Scouters without trying to get them to come to another Saturday session.

55. Q. We often hear about ceremonies. Are they really all that important?

A. YES, THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!

They show boys and parents the proper use and respect of the American Flag. They acknowledge the boys and their parents with the purpose and meaning of the Cub Scout program. They stimulate advancements in the Pack by creating an incentive to do things not only for fun but also for the recognition. They offer an opportunity for recognition of parents. They may increase parent attendance at Pack Meetings because in many ceremonies the parents are asked to take part. They can be the vehicle for the make believe and pageantry that most boys and parents enjoy.

56. Q. Why can't Women den leaders wear the khaki uniform?

A. As of September 1996, the khaki/tan uniform is now available as an official option for all female Scouters.

57. Q. What types of recognition is appropriate for the adult leaders and when should it be given?

A. Recognition is a method that is used to motivate boys not only to acknowledge their achievements but also move them toward advancement. Adult leaders are no different. They need to be recognized for their achievements and the time and effort they have used for doing a good job. Saying "thank you" sometimes isn't enough to encourage a leader for working and accomplishing something. Here are a few ideas in addition to "thank you".

	Certificate of Appreciation: For chairing or helping with a special Pack event. Certificate of Appreciation: For service as a Leader. Can be presented at the Blue and Gold Banquet. A formal written thank you note from the Pack Committee: For additional Pack service by a Leader.
	A special gift or special award: At a Pack Meeting before they advance into a Troop. A thank you from the heart for someone who is truly doing his/her best. This can be done any time.
	Special applause: For a job well done at a Pack Meeting.

58. Q. Can a leader wear more than one Quality Unit Award on their uniform at one time?

A. No, according to the 1995 printing of the Insignia Guide it states: "Only the most recently earned Quality Unit emblem may be worn".

59. Q. A boy with disabilities has applied for membership in our Pack. Shouldn't be in a special Pack?

A. Not necessarily. The decision to accept this child into your Pack would depend on the extent of his disabilities. Consult with the boy, his parents, teachers, and his proposed Den Leader to help you determine his expected level of participation and the advisability of his membership. Most boys with disabilities will benefit greatly from membership in your Pack and can actually contribute much to the personal growth of the other boys and leaders.

Because of special classes and schools for the disabled, there often is little social interaction between youth without disabilities and disabled boys at this age. Working, playing and sharing together in Den situations can increase the confidence and capabilities of the special boy and contribute to the understanding and compassion of the regular Cub Scout.

Mainstreaming, or the placement of disabled boys into Packs with boys without disabilities, is encouraged by the Boy Scouts of America.

The program does not need to be altered, but certain considerations may be extended to the handicapped Scout, such as registration beyond the regular age requirement and the substitution of electives for physical feats outside the realm of the child's capabilities. There are specific procedures to follow when doing this.

As with any of the boys in the Pack, they should always be encouraged to "DO YOUR BEST".

60. Q. Can a Cub Scout leader earn two awards at the same time, if he has served in two positions simultaneously?

A. According to BSA publication #34169 Leadership Training Committee Guide: Plans, Procedures, Materials:

Tenure used to earn one key or award cannot be used earn another key or award.

The only exception to this is in the case of the Boy Scout Leader Training Award, which can be earned in conjunction with the Scoutmaster's Key.

61. Q. Our last Pack Meeting of the year is in May. We have a hard time rounding up all the Cub Scouts when we start up again in the lad. Are there any suggestions for making this easier?

A. Offer a year-round program that will keep the Pack together throughout the summer. Keep the Dens together over the summer. Each Den can meet just once a month for either a regular Den Meeting or an outing. This will keep the boys interested, advancing and in the program in the fall, because they never left the program.

Plan and carry out one Pack activity each month during the summer. Baseball games, picnics, backyard barbecues or Pack volleyball games are just some ideas that can be enjoyed by the Cub Scouts and their families. It keeps everyone in touch, is fun and can help your Pack earn the National Summertime Pack Award. Don't forget to include Cub Scout day camp, Resident Camp or other type of Cub Scout sponsored camping in your summer plans.

Remember to have adequate leadership for the whole year. Eliminate possible program gaps by recruiting Leaders in the spring to replace those that are advancing into Boy Scouts with their sons.

62. Q. When are Cub Scout Leader awards presented?

A. It is important to the recognition plan that all awards be presented in a dignified manner, at an occasion befitting the achievement.

Immediate recognition of achievement should be given by presentation of the award in the presence of the unit membership and representatives of the chartered organization. Announcement in the council newsletter and in other news media is recommended. In addition, announcement at a major event in the district or council is desirable.

63. Q. Who can wear the Trained Leader emblem?

A. The trained emblem is for all leaders who have completed the Fast Start and basic training programs appropriate to their positions.

64. Q. Why should I have to pay an annual registration fee when I volunteer so much of my time?

A. The $ 7.00 annual registration fee really isn't very much when you consider all that leaders receive in return. Your National Fee provides for Local Council Assistance, program research and development, program materials including Scouting Magazine, and local Council insurance and benefits.

Once a year adults in Scouting are asked to also financially support their local Council through the Friends of Scouting campaign (FOS). This support provides for maintaining local camps, training, local communications, a service center operation for maintaining records and information, a Scout Shop, a professional and clerical staff to support unit Leaders, and health and accident insurance for all members.

65. Q. How do you keep records?

A. An Assistant Cubmaster or pack secretary could be given the task of keeping the Pack Record Book up to date. Den leaders are responsible for keeping accurate up-to-date den records.

More information on this is available in the Cub Scout Leader Book, under Den and Pack Management- Chapter 10.

66. Q. My son is friends with a group of boys in the second grade. My son is only in the first grade, why can't my son be in the den with his friends?

A. Because the joining requirements for joining a Wolf den are: must be in the Second grade or be 8 years old. So, I guess if the youth is an 8 year old first grader he could join with his friends, if not he belongs in the Tiger Cubs with the boys his own age. Hopefully he will make new friends there. And he will be around his older friends at Pack functions.

67. Q. Do we get to go camping?

A. Overnight camping by second- and third-grade Cub Scout dens or Cub Scout packs other than at an approved camping facility operated by the local council is not approved, and certificates of liability insurance will not be provided by the Boy Scouts of America.

68. Q. Why is training so important?

A. Leadership training for the adults in the Cub Scout program is important for one simple reason: BECAUSE 7-, 8-, 9- AND 10-YEAR OLD BOYS ARE IMPORTANT Not only now, but to the future of all of us. You cannot be expected to adequately provide a complex program of citizenship development, character building, and physical and mental development for boys without the benefit of instruction.

Everything we have learned to do in our lives is the result of some sort of training, be it feeding and dressing ourselves, driving a car, or reading this page. Each new task we take on in life requires training. The Boy Scouts of America recognizes this fact and has set forth training programs appropriate for every phase of Scouting.

Some of the ways training will make your job easier and help you:

Understanding your job responsibilities and the responsibilities of the others with which you serve.

Understanding boys of Cub Scout age.

Understanding the policies and procedures of the Boy Scouts of America.

Locating and using resources.

Introducing you to other Cub Scout Leaders interested in providing a great experience for the youth of your community.

Answering your questions about things that concern you.

69. Q. One of my Den members if new to scouting and wane to go back sad earn his Wolf and Bear badges. Should I encourage him to do so?

A. NO !!! Keep him in the Webelos Scout program which is geared for his age and abilities. The first thing that this boy must earn is his Bobcat badge. Then he should continue to earn activity pins. No boy is allowed to go back and earn the Wolf or Bear badge once he is no longer of that age group or in the appropriate school grade class for that rank.

70. Q. What is Arrow of Light?

A. The Arrow of Light is the highest award in Cub Scouting. May be earned by Webelos Scouts. The only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.

71. Q. What is a den?

A. A neighborhood group of 6-8 Cub Scouts or Webelos Scouts who usually meet once a week.

72. Q. What is the difference between Tigers, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos.

A. The different rank programs are set to be age specific. By doing so, the boys will be working on things that are more likely to at their level. If you had 7-11 year old all thrown together (as in Boy Scouts) the maturity levels would make activities almost impossible to achieve as a group.

73. Q. What are Tiger Cubs?

A. A Tiger Cub is a boy who is in the first grade (or is 7 years old) and registered, with an adult partner, as a member of a Tiger Cub group.

74. Q. What is the Bobcat?

A. The first rank for all boys who join Cub Scouting (after Tigers).

75. Q. What are Wolf Cub Scouts?

A. The Cub Scout rank designated for a second-grade Cub Scout (or one who is 8). Wolf rank is earned by completing 12 achievements.

76. Q. What are Bear Cub Scouts?

A. The Cub Scout rank designated for a third-grade Cub Scout (or one who is 9).

77. Q. What are Webelos Scouts?

A. A Cub Scout who has completed third grade (or is 10) and is a member of a Webelos den. Webelos Scouts wear a distinctive uniform.

78. Q. Do I have to attend the entire Training session if I have already been trained in another position?

A. No, all you have to attend is the split session for the position you are being re-trained for.

79. Q. Why can't the Cub Scout uniform be worn for fundraisers other than Council events such as popcorn?

A. The selling of any product must be done on its own merits. The official uniforms are intended primarily for use in connection with activities of the Scouting movement, but their use may be authorized by local councils under conditions and for purposes not inconsistent with the principles of Scouting and the Scouting program.

80. Q. Why can't my son wear his Cub Day Camp and Resident Camp patches on my uniform?

A. The Uniform guide states that only one temporary patch can be worn on the uniform at a time. It will be worn centered on the right pocket. BSA has available, a nice red brag vest that is a perfect place for the scout to display and wear all the patches earned and awarded at different Scouting Activities.

81. Q. What is a Pack meeting?

A. A monthly meeting of all the dens and pack families for games, skits, presentation of advancement awards, and other recognition's.

82. Q. How long is the pack meeting?

A. A well planned Pack meeting lasts on longer than 1 ½ hours.

83. Q. What are Arrow points?

A. An arrow point is an award for earning 10 elective credits in WOLF or BEAR books. The first 10 electives earned in either rank represent a Gold Arrow Point. Subsequent groups of 10 earn Silver Arrow Points.

84. Q. What is an elective

A. A part of the Cub Scouting advancement program. There are 22 electives in the Wolf book and 24 in the Bear book.

85. Q. As a parent, do I need to attend the Pack meetings?

A. Yes, pack meeting are meant to be enjoyed by the entire family.

86. Q What is Pow Wow?

1. A training course for Cub Scout Leaders conducted by the District or Council. It is usually held annually.