Parent Resources

The Most Important Thing

We will never turn away a child because of a family's financial situation and inability to pay for part of the financial commitment of Scouting.  Please let us know if you would like to request financial assistance to participate in Cub Scouts.

Financial Breakdown

The financial commitment of being a member of Pack 124 is $250 per Scout for the 2023/2024 year. Returning Scouts are offered a $25 discount if paid in full by August 31 to reduce the commitment to $225.

$175 of this fee covers national registration fees, local council fees, and a subscription to ScoutLife magazine.  The remaining $75, in addition to fundraising, covers the cost of our pack's programming (e.g. materials, advancement, etc.).  Please review the Fundraising section below to learn how your Scout can earn their own way through Scouting!

Let us know if you have any questions about the financial commitment or need for payment plans.  We will never turn away a child from Scouting because of a family's financial situation.  We will work with you to find a way!

We do our best to stay out of the pockets of our families as much as possible, and encourage our Scouts to participate in our fundraiser to help support the cost of Scouting.

Popcorn

Our Cub Scouts are encouraged to participate in selling popcorn to raise funds for Scouting.  On average, over 70% of popcorn sales goes to support local Scouting.  The standard commission that comes to our pack is 33% of popcorn sales.  For the 2023/2024 year, Pack 124 is allocating the standard commission of 33% of popcorn sales each Scout's individual account. This means $760 in popcorn sales will cover the financial commitment for the year.  Commissions will build for future Scouting expenses including uniforms, outings, summer camp, and other Scouting-related financial commitments.

Other Fundraising

To help reduce the financial commitment of Scouting, Pack 124 has budgets to raise additional funds throughout the year.  This will be generated through various events throughout the year including a bake sale at the Pinewood Derby race and a silent auction at our Blue & Gold Banquet.

We maintain individual Scout Accounts for members of Pack 124.  Scout accounts are funded primarily from popcorn sales commissions.  These funds can be spent on approved Scouting expenditures including the annual financial commitment, uniform, handbooks, summer camp, etc.  Think of this as a savings account for Scouts, and it is a great way for your child to earn their own way!

We are committed to the safety of Scouts and their families. Therefore, we require the completion of Part A and B of the BSA Health form for all participants. The form can be downloaded here and provided to Pack 124 leadership.

The most important help you, as a parent, can give your child is to work with them on their Cub Scouting adventures as they work toward their badge of rank.  The Cub Scout handbook is full of age-appropriate activities; some of them you can do together at home.  Den meetings are designed for Cub Scouts to complete adventures that are required for them to earn their badge of rank.  When you have completed a requirement at home, make sure your den leader is informed so they can properly record it and your child can be recognized for their achievements.  Your role as a parent is the secret to a successful Cub Scouting program!

The den and the pack rely on parent participation to run a successful program.  Cub Scouting operates through volunteer leadership.  By volunteering in Scouting, you are also giving your child and family the gift of your time.  You will have an opportunity to be a positive influence in their life and in the lives of their friends.

The BSA offers convenient training for parents who volunteer.  As a new parent, you can learn all about Cub Scouting and how quality Scouting programs are build.  Log on to my.Scouting.org and create an account to gain access to all available training content.  For more information about training at all levels of the program, go to www.scouting.org/training.

Child abuse is a serious problem in our society, and unfortunately, it can occur anywhere, even in Scouting.  Youth safety is of paramount importance to Scouting.  For that reason, the BSA continues to create barriers to abuse beyond what have previously existed in Scouting.

The BSA places the greatest importance on providing the most secure environment possible for its youth members.  To maintain such an environment, the BSA has developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with multiple online and print resources for all Scouting programs.

All leaders are required to complete Youth Protection Training.  All parents are encouraged to take the training.  Tom complete the training online, go to my.Scouting.org and establish an account using the member number you receive when you register for BSA membership.  If you take the training online before you obtain a member number, be sure to return to my.Scouting.org and enter your number for training record credit.

Youth Protection Training must be taken every two years.  For more information about Youth Protection, please see the BSA's Youth Protection website at www.scouting.org/youthprotection.aspx.

Every Cub Scout parent or guardian is invited to become a member of the pack committee.  Pack committee members perform administrative functions of the pack.  The committee meets monthly and includes the responsibilities below.

Committee Chair.  Presides at all pack committee meetings.  Helps recruit adult leaders and attends the monthly pack meeting and pack committee meeting.

Secretary.  Keeps records of the pack committee meetings and communicates with families about upcoming pack events and activities.

Treasurer. Keeps all financial records for the pack, including the pack bank account, and gives a monthly financial report to the pack committee.  Attends the monthly pack meeting and pack committee meeting.

Member Coordinator.  Manages the transition of new Scouts into the pack and coordinates orientation for new Scouting families.  Responsible for the marketing and recruiting initiatives of the pack as well as the growth and retention of the unit.

Advancement Chair.  Maintains advancement records for the pack.  Orders and obtains all badges and insignia.  Attends the monthly pack meeting and pack committee meeting.

Your den (age-specific group of youth) is in a pack (boys and girls from Kindergarten through 5th grade) that belongs to an organization chartered (Orchard Park Presbyterian Church) by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to operate a Cub Scout Pack.  The chartered organization approves leadership, helps secure a meeting place, and makes sure the pack works within the guidelines and policies of their organization as well as those of the BSA.

Pack 124 is part of the Monon District of Crossroads of America Council.  The Monon District serves Scouting units for all youth served in Northwest Marion, Southern Boone, Hamilton, and Tipton Counties.  The Crossroads of America Council, BSA serves youth and adult volunteers in 26 counties across central Indiana.