Welcome to Pack 61

How does Cub Scouting work?

Our Pack is run by a committee of Volunteers – leaders and parents. Cub Scout Packs serve children who are in K-5th grade. Pack 61 is sponsored by our Chartered Organization, the Wheaton Rotary Club. Children, families, leaders, council, and chartered organizations work together to achieve the goals of Cub Scouting. 

MISSION: The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

VISION: Scouting America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law.

Scout Oath

"On my honor, I will do my best to serve God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."

Scout Law

The Scout Law has 12 points. Each is a goal for every Scout. A Scout tries to live up to the Law every day. It is not always easy to do, but a Scout always tries.

A Scout is:

TRUSTWORTHY. Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you.

LOYAL. Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.

HELPFUL. Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward.

FRIENDLY. Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you.

COURTEOUS. Be polite to everyone and always use good manners.

KIND. Treat others as you want to be treated. Never harm or kill any living thing without good reason.

OBEDIENT. Follow the rules of your family, school, and pack. Obey the laws of your community and country.

CHEERFUL. Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do tasks that come your way. Try to help others be happy.

THRIFTY. Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely.

BRAVE. Face difficult situations even when you feel afraid. Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying.

CLEAN. Keep your body and mind fit. Help keep your home and community clean.

REVERENT. Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others.

Cub Scout Motto: Do Your Best!

What is a Den?

• Age-specific group that meets about at least once a month

• Led by Den Leaders and Assistant Den Leaders who are trained parent volunteers

Lions = Kindergarten

Tigers = 1st Grade

Wolves = 2nd Grade

Bears = 3rd Grade

Webelos (We'll be loyal Scouts) = 4th Grade

Arrow of Light (AOL's) = 5th Grade

What is a Pack?

• The Pack is made up of several dens who meet once a month for games, skits, activities, etc.

• Led by the Cubmaster and assistants.

Family Pack

Not only are both boys and girls welcome to be part of our dens but we encourage family participation during meetings and on hikes, service projects, campouts, etc. Scouts in Kindergarten and 1st grade must have an adult with them at all times. We encourage all adults to share in their scout’s experience.

Families are encouraged to attend Pack Meetings, Hikes, Campouts, and Service Projects with their Scouts!

For Den Meetings, Scouts in 2nd – 5th grade can be dropped off, but the Scout needs to be escorted to the gym and then picked up in the gym after the Den Meeting. 

For all Scouting events, a parent or guardian needs to be present with Kindergarten Lions and 1st grade Tigers.

Youth Protection

Scouting America has some of the most strongest Youth Safety safeguards of all youth organizations. 

Our Cubmaster, all of our Den Leaders, and our Committee Members have up-to-date Youth Protection Training (YPT) as well as role-specific training. It is recommended that all adults associated with the pack complete the online YPT course.

For more information, visit scouting.org.

Cub Scouts leads to Scouts BSA

Boy Scouts of America is now known as Scouts BSA but it is still the same program. Most troops in our area are scout-led and have leadership levels based on experience and rank. Scouts BSA accepts everyone 11-17 years of age. Each scout works through 7 ranks while earning a minimum of 21 merit badges. Only 4% of all scouts who join earn the Eagle rank. It is quite an achievement but the experience is well worth it!

Fees

National/Council Fees: $170 ($185 with magazine subscription)

• Scouting America Annual Membership - $85

• Three Fires Council Fees - $85

• Scout Life Magazine (optional) - $15

• Paid when you register your Scout through beascout.org.

Pack Dues: $280 per Scout 

• NEW FOR 2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR - a portion of the Pack Dues will be paid for by fundraising efforts! See Fundraising.

• Payable by check made out to "Cub Scouts Pack 61"

• Due by December 1st

Pack Dues are used to fund awards, belt loops, ranks, arrows for AOL Scouts, Pinewood Derby kits (one per Scout), Den and Pack meeting supplies, most outings, the Blue and Gold celebration, Pinewood Derby, crossover ceremony, a year-end picnic, Class B t-shirts (for Scouts and Leaders), campsite reservations, camping food (dessert and breakfast) for Scouts and family, service projects, Cubscicle in early January, re-chartering fees for our pack, and Leader registration fees.

Pack Dues do not include Class A uniforms, summer camp, council events, your family dinner at campouts, and some outings like special overnights or tickets to events. 

Uniforms

Discover the fun of Cub Scouts!

Scouts participate in "adventures" to earn belt loops. Adventures are completed at Den Meetings, Pack Meetings, at various pack-led activities throughout the year, and with parents at home. Required adventures must be completed for a Scout to "earn their rank" at the end of each school year.

The graphic below is a helpful guide to the various adventures that your Scout will be participating in. 

Camping

Cub Scout campouts are family friendly events so a Scout's siblings and parents are all welcome and encouraged to come out and join in the fun!

Camping Rules

• Youth must be supervised at all times; parents are responsible for all of their children, including Scouts.

• A registered Female Adult Leader needs to be in attendance for Registered Female Scouts to be in attendance. 

• Please make sure your Scout knows the buddy system and has an assigned buddy. NO child should go off anywhere alone, they should each always have a same sex peer within 2 years age difference as their buddy. If the original pair for a buddy group is mixed gender, a third youth/participant must be added (for a buddy group of 3). 

• Running around the campsite - We fully expect the kids to play and have fun, however we need to use caution around the tent area where there are metal stakes, tie downs, a fire pit, etc.

• Nighttime can obviously be hazardous because of limited vision in the woods (tripping or running into a low hanging branch which could poke eyes or tripping over tent tie downs). Parents, please help the leaders with supervising the Scouts and engaging them in constructive activities (songs/stories around a campfire, card games at a table with lantern light) to avoid potential injuries. 

• Adults are permitted to sleep in the same tent as their own child/children, but may not camp with other children in their tent that are not directly related. Scouts cannot enter another Scout’s tent (to hangout, etc.) except for Webelos and above. On the same note, multiple Scouts may only tent together overnight if they are Webelos rank or higher, within 2 years of age, and the same gender in their own tent separate from adults and siblings who are not Scouts. 

• No food should be kept in your tent overnight (attracts animals) please make sure all food is thrown away or put back in your car at the end of the night.

• While cooking over the campfire is perfectly fine and encouraged, Scouts are not allowed to throw anything into the campfire, including firewood. An Adult Leader will be in charge of the campfire at all times.

The Pack Will Provide...

• Drinking water

• S'mores and/or other campfire desserts, including roasting forks

• Hot cocoa (when the weather turns cold)

• Breakfast (typically pancakes, sausages, and orange juice)

• Coffee for adults

• Handwashing station

• Camp stoves, Blackstone griddle, 

• Wipes, paper towels, and trash bags

What To Bring To The Campout

• A printed copy of medical forms & copy of insurance cards for all participants including leaders, parents, and siblings attending campout (if you have not already turned them in)

• Dinner and snacks for your family

• Tent and sleeping bags/pads 

• Tarp for under your tent if you have one

• Personal items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, any medications needed 

• The 6 essentials:

  1. Filled reusable water bottle

  2. Sun protection (sunblock/hat)

  3. Trail food (snack for hike when a hike is on the agenda) 

  4. Whistle

  5. 1st Aid kit 

  6. Flashlight 

• Closed toe shoes for playing, running and hiking (when hiking in on the agenda) 

• Chairs 

• Bug spray

• Headlamp/lanterns (Headlamps are especially helpful in using the latrines (restrooms) after dark!) 

• Yard games, sports balls, card games, jokes, riddles, skits… anything to provide safe fun for your family! 

• Appropriate clothing layers to keep warm/cool

• Any gear to aid in inclement weather as necessary (ponchos, rain boots, snow pants, gloves, hats, etc.)

What To Leave At Home

• Pocket knives for Scout usage- Bears have not learned pocket knife skills yet and due to changes in the Cub Scout program; Webelos and AOL Scouts need to complete updated knife safety training before using their pocket knives at Scout events.
  NOTE: When specific Dens are up to date with their knife safety skills, while at Pack events (all Dens present) they will be permitted to use pocket knives in an area away from the rest of the Pack under adult supervision.   

• Following National Policy, all tobacco products must be kept in vehicles and used out of view of youth. Alcohol is not allowed to be consumed during any Scouting event (not even in your own tent). Firearms are also not permitted during Scouting events and may not be carried while camp is in session.

• Please leave your fur babies at home. Dogs (and any other animals) are not permitted at Cub Scout events.

Leave No Trace

Leaders AND parents, please encourage and enforce the principles of “Leave No Trace”...

• Know Before You Go

• Choose The Right Path

• Trash Your Trash

• Leave What You Find

• Be Careful With Fire

• Respect Wildlife

• Be Kind To Other Visitors

Please especially make sure your children are throwing away all trash. When the Pack leaves the campsite we should be leaving it in better condition than we found it!

Please make sure your children are leaving what they find, for example in regards to trees, plants, and bushes;  Scouts (and siblings) should not be beating, pulling or tugging on, or picking pieces off of any living items.  

Monthly Hiking Club