Updated: July 18, 2007

Pack 251 is the one of the oldest, largest and most active Cub Scout Packs in the Temescal District.  Our Pack has been around for 40 years.  Although the number of registered scouts fluctuates annually, we normally have around 70 scouts comprising of 8 to 10 dens.  We are chartered by St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, but we meet at Prado View Elementary School on the fourth Thursday of each month.  Our Pack has earned several council and district awards including the Quality Award for the last several years.  Carl Johnson is our Cubmaster and Jeff Heger is our Committee Chairperson.

PACK LEADERSHIP HISTORY

PACK 251 ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

PACK ACTIVITIES are centered on monthly themes that originate in the Cub Scout Program Helps booklet. These themes are selected and planned to appeal to boys and to offer opportunities for you to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.   Listed below are samplings of the traditional activities we practice as a Pack.

CUB SCOUT DERBIES – (November through April) there are Cub Scout two derbies that the Pack offers to encourage family participation and boy creativity. These derbies take place as a special events offered throughout the Cub Scout calendar of events.

        PINEWOOD DERBY -- Parent/son project that builds a race car made from a block of wood. Car must weigh 5 ounces (50 grams) or less and must clear the regulation track. There are a few additional design and race day rules to ensure a fun and exciting race.  This is a derby you don’t want to miss! 

        RAINGUTTER REGATTA -- The Raingutter Regatta is similar to the Pinewood Derby except that the models are miniature sailboats. Although the seas are only 10-foot lengths of rain gutter filled with water, and the ships a mere 6 inches long, the race is a very exciting event. Each boy builds his own boat with supervision and help from parents or other family members.  He also provides the wind for the sail with his own lungpower.

BLUE AND GOLD BANQUET -- Our birthday party for Cub Scouting usually held in late February.  A potluck dinner and Parent/son cake silent auction is the highlight of this event.  This Blue and Gold is also the time we show appreciation to the leaders for their efforts and dedication to scouting.

WEBELOS II Graduation -- During our March Pack meeting, Pack 251 says farewell to the Webelos II scouts as they bridge over to Boy Scouts.  They are greeted at the other end of the bridge by their respective Boy Scout troop.

PACK FAMILY CAMPOUTS/ OVERNIGHTER (Fall & Spring) -- This event is a pack-organized, scout family overnight event. The event starts at mid-day on Friday and ends on Sunday morning. This event is focused on age-appropriate Cub Scout activities and conducted at council-approved locations.

WEBELOS OVERNIGHTER (Fall and Spring) -- Webelos Scout overnighters introduce the boy and his parent(s) to the basics of the Boy Scout camping program. These events are conducted under the leadership of a trained Webelos Den Leader.  They do injunction with a local Boy Scout Troop.

Camp Wiley Summer Camp – Pack 251 has traditionally recognized Camp Wiley as our preferred Resident Summer Camp.  Camp Wiley is a series of four-day and week-long resident camping adventures for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts at Camp Helendade.  This camp has a reputation throughout Southern California for providing a quality, fun and educational camping experience for both Cub Scouts and adults.

Klondike Derbies – The Chilling Pack 251 participates annually in Klondike Derbies at local boy Scout Camps.  The Klondike Derby is a weekend, resident winter camping experience.  Tiger Cubs may not participate in Klondike Derbies. The Penguin Patch award is not available to Wolf and Bear ranks.  Webelos Scouts may earn a Penguin Patch award only at Klondike Derbies.

WHAT WILL SCOUTING COST ME?

The Cub Scout year registration year runs from February 1^st through January 31^st.  The total cost to register with Pack 251 for the 2007 year is $38.  If you join the Pack in September, you will pay a prorated rate of the registration and the general fund fees to cover the cost from September to January 31^st.

Listed below are the 2007 fees:

        Registration & Insurance fee: $18.00/Year:

        Pack 251 General Fund Fees: The Pack will be collecting an additional $20 from all registered scouts to help defer the cost of Pack events.  The monies for 2007 include a special assessment to cover the cost of the Livescan fingerprinting for all leaders.  As part of our re-chartering organization agreement, all leaders are required to be fingerprinted.  The Pack family committee agreed, rightfully so, to pass over the cost of the fingerprinting to the Pack families rather than expecting the leaders to incur this additional cost. 

 o        Exception: The fees for the general funds do not apply to Webelos II Scouts graduating in March.

 In addition to Pack Registration fees, Scouts families may incur cost throughout the year for den dues and for pack sponsored and non-Pack sponsored events.  Scout families are expected to participate in fundraisers.  Below is additional about your financial contribution and commitment.

        Den Dues: The dens may collect dues to cover the cost of den expenditures.  The den leader determines the appropriate amount per week, month or quarter.   Typically, the dues may range from $3 to $5 per meeting.  Den monies are separate from Pack registration and other annual fees.

        Boys’ Life Magazine: This is a magazine for boys and adults. Boy’s Life has interesting features on Scouting, sports, hobbies, magic, science, and history. There are also jokes, comics, and short stories. Subscription is $12.00 per year for 12 issues. You will be encouraged to sign up for this magazine when you register.

        FUNDRAISERS: During the year, the Pack will organize fund-raising opportunities to offset future Pack activities and materials. All boys/parents are expected to participate in these fundraising (money earning) opportunities as part of their friendly service.

        Pack and Non-Pack Sponsored Events:  Depending on the event, the Pack may elect to 1) Cover the cost of the entire event, or 2) Require scout families to pay all or a portion of the cost.  The cost for non-Pack coordinated events, such as Camp Wiley, is up to scouts families to finance the entire cost.  The Pack may, however, elect to contribute to help defer the cost of selected non-Pack sponsored events.

Required Uniforms: Scouts are required to wear Class A uniforms to the Pack meetings and to most Pack formal events.  The Class a uniform consists of a Blue Short Sleeve Shirt (Tan Short Sleeve Shirt for Webelos); Program Specific Cap; Web Belt; Program Specific Neckerchief; Slide; World Crest; Unit Numerals (up to 3 numerals; Council Shoulder Patch.   The yellow tee-shirt is ours Pack’s Class B Uniform.  This shirt is optional.  The cost is $12 per shirt.  Scouts are required to wear their class A or class B uniforms to all non-formal Pack or den activities.

Handbooks: Scouts are expected to have the appropriate handbook for their rank. 

PACK 251 OPERATING PROCEDURES

The Pack maintains a document to define the operating procedures for Cub Scout Pack 251, Corona.  Each adult leader who volunteers his/her time with Pack 251 will be provided a copy of these procedures for reference purposes.  A copy is also available on our website in the protected area.   The procedures are subject to change under the approval of the Pack Committee.  For this reason, revisions of the procedure are tracked and provided on the revision page.   Adult Leaders should treat this document as just another resource and refer to it for information about the way Pack 251 operates.  If any discrepancy exists between this procedure and the policies of Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the BSA policies shall take precedence. 

OUR CHARTERING ORGANIZATION

The Boy Scouts of America grants charters to organizations such as churches, service clubs, and other community groups to operate Scouting groups. These organizations use the Scouting program for community outreach and to help them serve the needs of local youth. 

Chartered organizations partner with local Scout councils to provide the support necessary for Pack operations.  When an organization adopts Scouting as part of its youth and community outreach program, a committee is formed and leadership is selected to organize and operate the Pack in conjunction with the organization's special needs and desires.  Councils provide program materials and literature, outdoor camping facilities, leadership training and field support, assistance in recruiting members, liability insurance, record keeping, and supplies such as uniforms, insignia, and awards.

St Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church is our chartered organization.  St. Matthew Parish helps Pack 251 by providing the Scouting program as an integral part of their program for youth and families, adequate and safe facilities for the monthly family committee meetings, den meetings and/or events, and a place to store equipment.

Charter Organization Requirements

In accordance with our Charter Agreement, the Scouting program is conducted in conjunction with the St. Matthew’s Church own policies and guidelines as well as those of the Boy Scouts of America.   St. Matthew’s Church is requiring volunteers for all its youth-serving ministries and organizations, including Pack 251, to complete the Diocese’s Safe Environment Training as well as being fingerprinted through Livescan.  The training and fingerprinting applies to leaders who have direct contact with youth members and committee members and parent helpers who routinely work around the Scouts.   The Leaders and Parent helpers will be required to be trained and fingerprinted.   New leaders and parent helpers will be required to be fingerprinted prior to taking over a position that involves direct contact with scouts.  Subjected to availability, the training must be completed with three months from the acceptance of a leadership position.   This training is in addition to required youth protection training and any other training offered through the Boy Scouts of America.

St. Matthew Parish also established the following guidelines for our Pack to follow:

• SCHEDULING -- To schedule facility use, St Matthew ask that the Pack/ Dens submit in writing a proposed calendar requesting dates needed and rooms wanted.  They will promptly review the calendar and let you know if there is availability. NO MEETINGS OR GATHERINGS SHOULD BE HELD WITHOUT BEING PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED ON THE PARISH MASTER CALENDAR. If a meeting is cancelled please leave a message on the Parish Phone at 737-1621 so the church knows that you were not on the premises.
• SCOUTS AND LEADERS ONLY – The Church restricts participation in the programs to the actual Scouts and their leaders. Additional family members should not be on the premises during these meetings. This excludes Pack/ family activities such as the Pinewood Derby and Raingutter Regatta where the scout families are present to watch over their children. 
• PROPER SUPERVISION -- Scout leaders must be present when Scouts are dropped off. An adequate number of leaders must always be in supervision and direct contact with the boys—inside and outdoors when the boys are present.  This is for the protection of the scouts, the leaders, and the parish.  The Two-Deep Leadership must be followed!
• CARE OF THE MEETING ROOMS -- No food or drinks are allowed under any circumstances in the Meeting Rooms 1-6. Snacks can be served outside.  This also applies to crafts involving paints, water, etc.
• CLEAN UP -- St Matthew Parish does not have full-time janitorial service. You must clean up after your meeting and leave the room and outside areas as you found them. The Church asks that special care be given to the white boards in the meeting rooms.  They are not for entertainment purposes with the children.  They can only be used with special erasable markers and erasers. Your leaders must supply their own supplies for their use. Please place your trash in the dumpster when you are done. The Church also asks that you not use supplies stored anywhere in the parish. Your cooperation is deeply appreciated.
• OPENING AND LOCKING UP -- The Pack Committee Chair has been issued a key to open and lock up. The parish driveway gates must be unlocked and properly relocked. The building alarms also must be unalarmed and re-alarmed. All lights and utilities must be shut off. The church needs everyone's cooperation to keep the facility in good condition. Utility costs are very high for the church.
• RESTROOMS -- The restrooms in the Parish Center may be used by the boys. They must be accompanied by an adult when they use the facilities. 

Accountability

St. Matthew Parish and the Diocese of San Bernardino holds all volunteers equally accountable for implementing Diocesan policies and procedures.  To maintain the integrity of the Safe Environment Policy for the Protection of Children, leaders and parents subjected to the charter requirements are to immediately report any suspected abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult in accordance with the reporting structures defined in Diocese of San Bernardino’s Safe Environment Policy and the Protection of Children and Boy Scouts of America policies and procedures. 

In addition to abiding to the Diocese and the BSA policies, leaders are required to notify the Pack Committee Chair and Cubmaster immediately of any alleged child or vulnerable adult abuse or any questionable or inappropriate youth or adult member behaviors. 

YOUTH PROTECTION IN SCOUTING

The Boy Scouts of America has adopted a number of policies aimed at eliminating opportunities for abuse within the Scouting program. These policies focus on leadership selection and on placing barriers to abuse within the program. 

As a unit member of the Boy Scouts of America, Pack 251 recognizes and will follow the policies and procedures for youth protection in scouting.

Leadership

The Boy Scouts of America takes great pride in the quality of our adult leadership. Being a leader in the BSA is a privilege, not a right. The quality of the program and the safety of our youth members calls for high-quality adult leaders.  We work closely with our chartered organizations to help recruit the best possible leaders for their units.

The adult application requests background information that should be checked by the unit committee or the chartered organization before accepting an applicant for unit leadership. While no current screening techniques exist that can identify every potential child molester, we can reduce the risk of accepting a child molester by learning all we can about an applicant for a leadership position—his or her experience with children, why he or she wants to be a Scout leader, and what discipline techniques he or she would use.

Barriers to Abuse within Scouting

The BSA has adopted the following policies to provide additional security for our members. These policies are primarily for the protection of our youth members; however, they also serve to protect our adult leaders from false accusations of abuse.

Note: Bold type denotes rules and policies.

• Two-deep leadership.
  Two registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent of a participant, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are required on all trips and outings. The chartered organization is responsible for ensuring that sufficient leadership is provided for all activities.
• No one-on-one contact.
  One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. In situations that require personal conferences, such as a Scoutmaster's conference, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and youths.
• Respect of privacy.
  Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations.
• Separate accommodations.
  When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian. Councils are strongly encouraged to have separate shower and latrine facilities for females. When separate facilities are not available, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted for showers.
• Proper preparation for high-adventure activities.
  Activities with elements of risk should never be undertaken without proper preparation, equipment, clothing, supervision, and safety measures.
• No secret organizations.
  The Boy Scouts of America does not recognize any secret organizations as part of its program. All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders.
• Appropriate attire.
  Proper clothing for activities is required. For example, skinny-dipping is not appropriate as part of Scouting.
• Constructive discipline.
  Discipline used in Scouting should be constructive and reflect Scouting's values. Corporal punishment is never permitted.
• Hazing prohibited.
  Physical hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any Scouting activity.
• Junior leader training and supervision.
  Adult leaders must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by junior leaders and ensure that BSA policies are followed.

Reporting

How an adult responds to a child when he tries to disclose abuse can influence the outcome of the child's victimization. By maintaining an apparent calm, the adult can help reassure the child that everything is going to be okay. By not criticizing the child, we counteract any statements the molester made to the victim about the child getting into trouble. Reassure the child that you are concerned about what happened to him and that you would like to get him some help. Allegations by a Scout concerning abuse in the program must be reported to the Scout Executive. Since these reports are required, the child should be told that you have to tell the proper authorities but that you will not tell anyone else. It is important that you not tell anyone other than the Scout executive or the child protective services agency about allegations of abuse—if the allegations cannot be substantiated, you could be sued for defamation of character.

Youth Member Behavior Guidelines

The Boy Scouts of America is a values-based youth development organization that helps young people learn positive attributes of character, citizenship, and personal fitness. The BSA has the expectation that all participants in the Scouting program will relate to each other in accord with the principles embodied in the Scout Oath and Law.

One of the developmental tasks of childhood is to learn appropriate behavior. Children are not born with an innate sense of propriety and they need guidance and direction. The example set by positive adult role models is a powerful tool for shaping behavior and a tool that is stressed in Scouting.

Misbehavior by a single youth member in a Scouting unit may constitute a threat to the safety of the individual who misbehaves as well as to the safety of other unit members. Such misbehavior constitutes an unreasonable burden on a Scout unit and cannot be ignored.

Member Responsibilities

All members of the Boy Scouts of America are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Law. Physical violence, hazing, bullying, theft, verbal insults, and drugs and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout's membership in the unit.

If confronted by threats of violence or other forms of bullying from other youth members, Scouts should seek help from their unit leaders or parents.

Unit Responsibilities

Adult leaders of Scouting units are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary. Parents of youth members who misbehave should be informed and asked for assistance in dealing with it.

The BSA does not permit the use of corporal punishment by unit leaders when disciplining youth members.

The unit committee should review repetitive or serious incidents of misbehavior in consultation with the parents of the child to determine a course of corrective action including possible revocation of the youth's membership in the unit.

If problem behavior persists, units may revoke a Scout's membership in that unit. When a unit revokes a Scout's membership, it should promptly notify the council of the action.

The unit should inform the Scout executive about all incidents that result in a physical injury or involve allegations of sexual misconduct by a youth member with another youth member.

Each Cub Scout den and Webelos Scout den and each chartered Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team, and Venturing crew shall have one leader, 21 years of age or older, who shall be registered and serve as the unit or den leader. A unit leader may not serve simultaneously in any other position within the same unit. The head of the chartered organization or chartered organization representative and the local council must approve the registration of the unit or den leader on the appropriate form.

Primary reference: Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America

Leadership Requirements for Trips and Outings

1. Two-deep leadership:
   Two registered adult leaders, or one registered adult and a parent of a participating Scout, one of whom must be at least 21 years of age or older, are required for all trips or outings. There are a few instances, such as patrol activities, when no adult leadership is required. Coed overnight activities require male and female adult leaders, both of whom must be 21 years of age or older, and one of whom must be a registered member of the BSA.
2. During transportation to and from planned Scout outings,
   1. Meet for departure at a designated area.
   2. Prearrange a schedule for periodic checkpoint stops as a group.
   3. Plan a daily destination point.
      A common departure site and a daily destination point are a must. If you cannot provide two adults for each vehicle, the minimum required is one adult and two or more youth members—never one on one.
3. Safety rule of four: No fewer than four individuals (always with the minimum of two adults) go on any backcountry expedition or campout. If an accident occurs, one person stays with the injured, and two go for help. Additional adult leadership requirements must reflect an awareness of such factors as size and skill level of the group, anticipated environmental conditions, and overall degree of challenge.
4. Male and female leaders must have separate sleeping facilities. Married couples may share the same quarters if appropriate facilities are available.
5. Male and female youth participants will not share the same sleeping facility.
6. Single-room or dormitory-type accommodations for Scouting units: Adults and youth of the same gender may occupy dormitory or single-room accommodations, provided there is a minimum of two adults and four youth. A minimum of one of the adults is required to be youth-protection trained. Adults must establish separation barriers or privacy zones such as a temporary blanket or sheet walls in order to keep their sleeping area and dressing area separated from the youth area.
7. When staying in tents, no youth will stay in the tent of an adult other than his or her parent or guardian.
8. If separate shower and latrine facilities are not available, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted for showers. The buddy system should be used for latrines by having one person wait outside the entrance, or provide Occupied and Unoccupied signs and/or inside door latches.
   Adult leaders need to respect the privacy of youth members in situations where the youth are changing clothes or taking showers, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults also need to protect their own privacy in similar situations.
9. Two-deep adult leadership is required for flying activities. For basic orientation flights, the adult licensed pilot in control of the aircraft is sufficient for the flight, while two-deep leadership is maintained on the ground.

PACK 251 EMAIL LIST

Make sure you don’t miss out on any exciting news or last minute updates from the Pack by signing up on the Pack 251 email list.  You can do so on our homepage at www.scoutingpages.org/us/ca/pack251 clicking the “Join Our Email List” button on the bottom of the page.  

Once you sign up, you will receive an email from the Pack that gives you final instructions.  You will not be part of the email group until you respond to that email.  You will need to follow the same procedure to change or remove your email address from the list. 

After you’re done joining our email list, the webmaster will send you a welcome email with the passwords for you to access our cool website! 

PARENT (GUARDIAN) INVOLVEMENT

Pack 251 supports the BSA’s National Parent Initiative.  This initiative has been designed to increase youth and parent recruitment, retention, advancement, participation, dedication, and a passion for Scouting.  Pack 251 expects the parents (guardians) for each child to:

        Participate with them

        Go to and observe the meetings

        Be Part of their unit’s Program – both weekly meeting and outings

        Support the Program financially

        Coach them on their advancement and earnings of recognition awards

        Help in at least one support role during the year

Depending on your child’s rank, parent involvement may be mandatory as a condition for enrollment in the Pack, and/or to participate in Pack or Den sponsored events.

BE A SCOUT VOLUNTEER

Did you know Pack 251 relies solely on dedicated volunteers to provide leadership and support?  Scouting volunteers are involved in leading our youths to become responsible, caring and competent citizens.   As a volunteer, you will develop a greater level of pride in your community, have the opportunity to demonstrate moral and ethical decisions, build a closer bond with your children and become a better model image for youth in your community.  Scouting volunteering also enables you to learn new skills and build lifelong friendships while having fun.  We have volunteering opportunities from helping out at events to participating in the Pack or Den leadership.  You do not have to be a register leader to make a difference for our scouts.   Please take the next step and be a volunteer!   We could use your help!

As you learn more about how Cub Scouting works and what goes on in a Den and a Pack, you will see that the program helps your boy in the five important developmental needs. The uniqueness of Cub Scouting is that you, as his family, join the program with him. You will help him along the way. To find out how you can help your boy by becoming a Cub Scout volunteer, please fill in the Parent and Family Talent Survey Form and return it to your Cubmaster or Membership Coordinator.

SCOUT SHOPS

Knowledgeable staff, district executive offices, tour permit approvals, unit fundraising application approvals, membership and unit registration, Boys' Life processing, Eagle Scout application processing, training course registration, district and council activity registration, event sign-ups, answers to Scouting questions, and more.