Cub Scouting is a values-based, family-oriented development program that is part of the Boy Scouts of America. It is designed for children who are in Kindergarten through fifth grades.
Cub Scouts is best described as “fun with a purpose.” Through positive interactions, engaging activities, achievements and recognition, and role modeling, scouts grow in character and confidence.
Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the ten purposes of cub scouting, and all the activities leaders plan and boys enjoy relate to one or more of these purposes.
The purposes of Cub Scouting
Character development
Spiritual growth
Good citizenship
Sportsmanship
Family understanding
Respectful relationships
Personal achievements
Friendly service
Fun and adventure
Preparation for Boy Scouts
The methods of Cub Scouting
Cub Scouting uses eight specific methods to achieve Scouting’s aims of helping youth build character, train in the responsibilities of citizenship, and develop personal fitness. These methods are incorporated into all aspects of the program. Through these methods, Cub Scouting happens in the lives of the youth and their families.
1. Living the Ideals
Cub Scouting’s values are embedded in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Cub Scout motto, and the Cub Scout sign, handshake, and salute. These practices help establish and reinforce the program’s values in boys and the leaders who guide them.
2. Belonging to a Den
The den—a group of six to eight boys who are about the same age—is the place where Cub Scouting starts. In the den, Cub Scouts develop new skills and interests, they practice sportsmanship and good citizenship, and they learn to do their best, not just for themselves but for the den as well.
3. Using Advancement
Recognition is important. The advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members and their den leader work with boys on advancement projects.
4. Involving Family and Home
Family involvement is an essential part of Cub Scouting. When we speak of parents or families, we are not referring to any particular family structure. Some youth live with two parents, some live with one parent, some have foster parents, and some live with other relatives or guardians. Whomever a youth calls family is their family in Cub Scouting.
5. Participating in Activities
Cub Scouts participate in a huge array of activities, including games, projects, skits, stunts, songs, outdoor activities, trips and service projects. Besides being fun, these activities offer opportunities for growth, achievement, and family involvement.
6. Serving Home and Neighborhood
Cub Scouting focuses on the home and neighborhood. It helps boys strengthen connections to their local communities, which in turn support the boys’ growth and development.
7. Wearing the Uniform
Cub Scout uniforms serve a dual purpose, demonstrating membership in the group (everyone is dressed alike) and individual achievement (boys wear the badges they’ve earned). Wearing the uniform to meetings and activities also encourages a neat appearance, a sense of belonging, and good behavior.
8. Making Character Connections
Throughout the program, leaders learn to identify and use character lessons in activities so boys and girls can learn to know, commit, and practice the 12 core values of Cub Scouting. Character Connections are included in all the methods of Cub Scouting and are the program themes for monthly pack meetings.
More information
A den includes scouts that are the same grade level
Typically has five to nine members
Meets approximately once each month in den meetings
Is led by a Den Leader (usually a parent)
Den Leader may be helped by an Assistant Den Leader or other parents who are not in official leadership roles
Meetings include games, sports, crafts, hands-on learning and occasional field trips
A pack includes all dens, from kindergarten through fifth grade
Is led by the Cubmaster
Meets once each month at the pack meeting at which all scout families are expected to participate
Pack meetings typically follow a theme that has games, skits, songs, ceremonies, and presentations of badges, belt loops, or pins that youth have earned
Cub Scout Pack 9 and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for the Cub Scout program. All parent leaders submit background checks, complete annual training, and obey guidelines to protect the safety of our youth. To learn more, please visit http://www.scouting.org/Training/youthprotection.aspx
The Cub Scouting program is designed for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. The child's grade at the time they join will determine which den they enter. Scouts transition up to the next den level in May of each year.
Kindergarten - Lion Den
Grade 1 - Tiger Den
Grade 2 - Wolf Den
Grade 3 - Bear Den
Grade 4 - Webelos Den
Grade 5 - Arrow of Light Den
Note: JBE Pack 9 is a boys only Pack. Other local Packs support family scouting in a coed environment and can be found at beascout.scouting.org.
Cub Scout Pack 9 has a school year program, with meetings and events a couple of times per month. Although scouts are not required to be at every event, they are encouraged to try to attend on a regular basis. Furthermore, as Scouting is a family experience. Because parents are very involved in the program and are a large part of what makes the program successful, at least one parent or adult is expected to accompany his or her scout(s).
Monthly meetings and events include:
Pack meetings: a 1- to 1.5-hour meeting on the third Thursday of every month, September through May (except December).
Den meetings: a 1- to 2-hour meeting approximately once per month, September through May. The meeting schedule is determined by each Den Leader.
Events: occasionally, the Pack plans extra events such as fishing trips or attends sporting events (Riverdogs baseball, Battery soccer, Stingrays hockey).
Fall and spring family camps: a 24- to 48-hour camping trip at Campsites throughout the Lowcountry, including state parks and both public and private land. Occasionally, we have unique campsites such as the USS Yorktown, zoo, or aquarium.
Council campouts: Many of our families attend campouts hosted by the Coastal Carolina Council for Packs throughout the region. These are hosted at scout camps such as Camp Ho Non Wah and Camp Moultrie. Families may register to attend these events, even if the Pack isn't attending as a group.
Answered in more detail on the Join Pack 9 page.
It's easy to join Cub Scouts. A child may join Cub Scouts at any time in their Kindergarten through 5th grade years. Although our Pack is sponsored by James B. Edwards Elementary PTA, your child does not need to attend JBE to be part of Pack 9. We always have room for one more child!
Join here
At this time, JBE Pack 9 is a boy-only Pack. Other Packs in the Mount Pleasant area are co-ed and can be found here.
For 2023-2024
New scout: Kindergarten (5K) $180, 1st-4th grade $190, 5th grade $160
Returning scout: 1st-4th grade $165, 5th grade $135
Scout Life magazine (optional): $15
Leaders: $90
New scouts will pay a portion of their costs during online registration. Registration costs are $117 for 12 months, which includes BSA insurance and a one-time $25 joining fee for new membership registration. An optional 12-month subscription to Scout Life magazine may be added for $15 at the time of registration. The remaining dues will be paid to the Pack to support programming and cover awards, recognition items, and a Pack 9 Class B t-shirt.
Returning scouts have a current membership through 2023. All dues for returning scouts should be paid to Pack 9. A $92 renewal will be paid to BSA by the Pack in January 2024. The remaining funds will support programming, cover awards and recognition items, and provide a Pack 9 Class B t-shirt. An optional 12-month subscription to Scout Life magazine for 2024 may be added for $15.
Leaders must pay $90 for a 12-month registration. New leaders will pay $72 online during the registration process. The remaining $18 for new leaders is paid to the Pack for their class B t-shirt. Returning leaders will pay dues to the Pack and the Pack will submit the payment when it is due.
No child is ever turned away from Cub Scouting due to an inability to pay. If finances are a concern, please discuss with the Cubmaster, in confidence, at cubpackno9@gmail.com.
When the Pack goes camping or visits parks or museums, we usually ask that scouts attending contribute a set amount to help defray the costs of admissions, food, and/or lodging. Typically these fees are under $25 per event. However, inability to contribute does not preclude a scout from participating. Please discuss with the Cubmaster, in confidence, any financial concerns that you may have.
Our leadership is committed to frugality and efficiency. At this time, our Pack is funded by annual dues. Our annual Pack dues allow the Pack to purchase awards, advancement supplies, and Pinewood Derby car kits, and to pay for guest speakers, needed supplies, and more.
The merits of fundraising include teaching kids personal responsibility and appreciation for earned material goods, practicing important math skills, appreciating the willingness of others to help them reach their goals, working as a team, interacting with new people, and gaining confidence. However, we understand all families have busy schedules and often times the onus of fundraising falls on the parents.
Scout Life, previously Boy's Life, magazine has been around almost as long as there have been Scouts. It is the only magazine especially designed for the Scout.
With features such as camping and hiking around the world, hobbies such as model cars and boat building, bicycling, fishing and nature, sporting, and articles on current Scouting, Scout Life has just about everything to offer your child.
Make sure to mark the Scout Life box on your application and put your correct mailing address. The cost is $15 per year. This is one step you can take to make sure your child will receive a full year of great Scouting.
BSA Youth Application (only for new Scouts - online application is preferred)
Annual Health and Medical Record (Parts A & B). Pack 9 will accept paper copies of the medical form (parts A, B1, and B2) with ink signatures or digital copies uploaded online.
Photo Release Form (completed when paying Pack dues online)
Volunteer Commitment (completed when paying Pack dues online)
No. Pack 9 will accept paper copies of the medical form (parts A, B1, and B2) with ink signatures or digital copies uploaded online. A copy of the record will be confidentially maintained with the leader of the activity. This must be updated at least annually. Pack 9 highly recommends that parents retain a copy of the Annual Health & Medical Record for their own records and in case the Pack requires additional copies for summer camp or other needs that may arise.
The scout uniform helps develop a sense of unity and pride, allows scouts to celebrate their achievements, recognizes them as good citizens, and reminds each of their commitment to the ideals of Scouting (duty to God, loyalty to country, and helpfulness to others).
We use two main uniforms for scouts in Pack 9, the Class A and B uniforms. For a full outline of the Pack 9 Uniform Requirements for all scouts, view our Uniform page. We also encourage parents to purchase and wear Class B T-Shirts when parents are attending an event alongside scouts in the community. Youth are encouraged to wear their uniforms to JBE on the day of Pack meetings.
You can find out more about the Cub Scout and Webelos uniforms here.
The uniform is an important part of the program, and it represents a significant investment on your part. Our uniforms are of very high quality and, in most cases, will last for several years. So, be sure to buy one large enough to still fit as they grow.
You may be able to find an 'experienced' uniform in good shape through our Pack Trading Post, Facebook, or local thrift shops. Many of these 'experienced' uniforms will be just like new and will be all they need at a very low cost.
If you need to buy a new uniform piece, please visit the Coastal Carolina Scout Shop. The staff there is extremely helpful in helping scouts obtain the uniform, including all of the required patches. They even offer a paid sewing services.
Coastal Carolina Scout Shop
9297 Medical Plaza Drive, North Charleston, SC 29406
843-572-7357
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-1pm 1:30pm-6pm, Sat 9am-2pm, Sun closed
The staff at the Coastal Carolina Scout Shop are extremely helpful when you go to buy your insignia. Generally, every scout uniform in our pack should have the following elements:
Left Arm:
Coastal Carolina Council Patch
Unit #9 (red/white for Tigers-Bears, red/white or khaki/green for Webelos)
Right Arm:
USA Flag (provided with uniform shirt)
Webelos Colors (optional)
Above Left Pocket:
World Crest Emblem and World Crest Ring
Shoulders:
Navy blue shoulder loops (Webelos only)
All other insignia, pins, and loops are awarded and provided by the Pack as the boy earns them.
Yes! Each child will be provided one class B t-shirt as part of their annual Pack dues. However, you may order extra for adults or youth online.
Yes, absolutely. We aim to make Cub Scouting a rewarding and positive activity for all scouts. Cub Scouting is meant to offer simple, fun, rewarding experiences to children, while teaching them strong values and positive attitudes. Please reach out to the Cubmaster at cubpackno9@gmail.com to talk about your goals with you special needs scout and how we can design a program or activity that will be positive for them.
Pack 9 understands that kids today are busier than ever and we don't want to force parents to choose between activities. We encourage you to try to attend as many events as possible to provide your son with a quality Cub Scouting experience. Should a scout need to miss meetings or events, the Pack and Den leaders will work with the scout and his family to ensure continued advancement through the program and help the scout complete what was missed.
Yes! Pack 9 tried to include siblings (all genders and ages) at every opportunity during our Pack events and outings.
Volunteering is essential to a successful Cub Scout program and Pack 9 is fortunate to have a great group of volunteer leaders and committee members. While parent involvement at all levels is key, the Pack is always looking for persons to help run the program and serve in leadership and committee roles. By doing so, parents can help to provide the best possible Cub Scouting program for our boys. If you are interested in serving Pack 9 in any capacity, please contact the Cubmaster at cubpackno9@gmail.com.
Visit our home page, Pack calendar, or one of our social media feeds (Facebook, Twitter).