1. PACK 55 OVERVIEW WELCOME TO PACK 55 Golden Arrow District Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of America

2. Who are we? Sponsored by St. John the Divine Episcopal Church Boys in 1 st through 5 th grade Usually boys in nearby schools or congregations, or who live nearby

3. Cub Scouting – Fun with a Purpose Character Development Spiritual Growth Good Citizenship Sportsmanship & Fitness Family Understanding Respectful Relationships Personal Achievements Friendly Service Fun & Adventure Preparation for Boy Scouts

4. Scouting Organization Boys form same-grade groups of 5 to 20, called a “ Den ” All the Dens together form a “ Pack ” DEN 2 nd grade Wolves 1 st grade Tigers 3 rd grade Bears 4 th grade Webelos 5 th grade Webelos PACK 55

5. What do Dens Do? 1 st grade boys ( “ Tigers Dens ” ) meet about one time per month for a parent-child activity, mostly field trips but a few home meetings 2 nd through 5 th grade boys (Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Dens) meet 2-3 times per month to work on Achievements Dens set their own schedules, as long as they meet program objectives

6. What does the Pack Do? All Dens come to the monthly Pack meeting at St. John the Divine (typically 3 rd Thursday of every month – 6:45-8:00 p.m.) Awards and recognition are given at the Pack meeting The Pack also organizes three weekend Family Campouts Special events include Pinewood Derby, Blue and Gold Banquet, Ice Cream Social and summer Pack activities

7. Summer Activities Saturday, June 20, 2009 - Swim Party at Colonial Park at West University located at 4130 Byron St. (12:00-2:00 p.m.) Phone: 713-349-2784 Thursday, July 9, 2009 - Bowling at Palace Lanes located at 4191 Bellaire Blvd. (2:30-4:30 p.m.) Phone: 713-667-6554 Saturday, August 22, 2009 - Laser Tag at Laser Quest located at 13711 Westheimer Road, #H (10:15-12 a.m.) Phone: 281-596- 9999

8. District and Council Summer Day Camp Urban hikes Urban Scouting All-District Derby Day Adult Leader Training Overnight summer camps Annual Scout Fair at Reliant Arena in April DISTRICT ADISTRICT B DISTRICT CDISTRICT D 55 SAM HOUSTON COUNCIL

9. Pack 55 Camping Three times per school year on weekends Usually November, January, and March The entire family is invited State parks or Boy Scout parks <1.5 hours away driving time from Friday evening through Sunday noon Dens cook communally Pack plans activities and a bonfire program on Saturday night from 7:00-8:00 p.m. with Dens performing a skit or song at the campfire

10. Who are the leaders? Parents volunteer to lead We recommend 3+ leaders per Den Dads or Moms, all welcome! Leader Training is one, 4-hour class All families contribute time and talent to their Den program – shared leadership model Pack leadership jobs available!

11. Costs & Time $125/ year dues to Pack 55 per boy Uniform purchased at Scout Shop located at Loop 610 and T.C. Jester (South side of feeder) Dens share additional activity and food costs (typically $30-$50/family), primarily related to campouts Annual “ Friends of Scouting ” pledge drive to support under-privileged youth in Scouts Annual popcorn sales for Pack and District Annual Scout Fair ticket sales for Pack and District Two meetings per month, one for Den and one for Pack

12. How to get started IF YOUR SON WILL BE IN 1 ST GRADE: Register today or come to Rally Day on August 15, 2009 (a Saturday) Write check to “ BSA Pack 55 ” for $125 per boy and fill out registration form Be grouped into Dens and self-organize IF YOUR SON WILL BE IN 2 ND -5 TH GRADE: Email Registrar@pack55.org - OR - Come to Rally Day to sign up and pay dues

13. Learn more on the Web WWW.SHAC.ORG Click on “ Training ”, then “ Cub Scout Leader Fast Start ” WWW.GOLDENARROW.ORG District website WWW.PACK55.ORG Our own Pack website