Parent Information
Joining
If you are a boy in first grade through fifth grade — or you’re 7 to 10 years
old — then Cub Scouting is for you. We always have spots available, and
our pack is growing.
What Do We Do?
- Fun activities like rocket launches, swim party, airport tours,
orienteering hikes
- Camping
- Learn skills like fire building, archery, cooking, woodworking
- Games
- Skits
- Citizenship
- Community Service
How Do I Join?
How Much Does It Cost?
Dues are $75 for the first boy in a family, and $65
for each sibling thereafter (Webelos 2's fees are also only $65). Additionally, Pack 557 has a sliding scale
scholarship program for families with a proven need -- no boy will be turned
away over the cost of membership. Dues are paid every year and cover
costs for the full 12 month cub scout program. Fees include:
- Annual BSA registration
- Advancements & awards
- Boys Life subscription
- Pinewood Derby Car Kit
- Program Handbook (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos)
- Uniform insignia
Uniforms must be purchased separately.
If you have any further questions, please check out our
FAQ, or contact one of the pack leaders.
Uniforms
Our pack uniform consists of shirt, neckerchief and belt. If they are in
Kindergarten through 3rd grade, they will get the Cub Scout shirt, and 4th
grade and beyond, they have the choice between the Cub Scout shirt (blue)
and the Boy Scout shirt (khaki). Hats and pants are optional. To purchase
the shirt and patches costs approximately $50.
Here is a list of all the items you need to purchase to get your son’s
uniform going:
| Item |
|
Cost |
Qty |
| Shirt |
|
$22.99 |
1 |
| World Scout Crest patch |
|
$1.49 |
1 |
| Seattle Council round patch |
|
~$2.00 |
1 |
| Red/white numerals (5, 5, 7) |
|
$3.57 |
3 |
| Chief Seattle Council shoulder patch |
|
$2.05 |
1 |
| Cub Scout belt |
|
$7.99-$9.99 |
1 |
| Badge Magic |
|
$8.99 |
1 |
You can get uniforms the following sources:
- On-line at
http://www.scoutstuff.org/bsasupply/. Their prices are the
same as the local Scout shop.
- The local Chief Seattle Council Scout shop has a complete selection
of uniforms. They are located at: 3120 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA
98114. Phone: 206 721-5945. Their hours are: Mon. - Fri. 9:00 AM - 6:00
PM , Sat. 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.
- The Mount Baker Council – Scout Shop also has a complete selection
of uniforms (might not have Chief Seattle Shoulder patch). They are
located at: 1715 100th Place SE, Everett, WA 98208 Phone: (425)
338-0380. Their hours are Mon – Fri 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Sat. 9:00 AM
to 12:30 PM.
For advice on patch placement and uniform inspection guidelines, please
look at the Uniform Inspection Sheet
(PDF).
Badges, Loops, and Advancement
Cub scouts earn their way through their rank by doing scouting-related
activities, most of which are described in their handbooks. Some
activites are done at den meetings or pack meetings, and some are done at
home under the supervision of Akela. Optional activities give cub
scouts the opportunity to earn badges, loops, and other awards.
To see if your scout has earned a belt loop through extra curricular
activities, check out the online site:
http://usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/cubscout/academics.asp.
Microsoft Matching Gifts
If you are a cub scout parent working for Microsoft, please be aware of
Microsoft's Matching Gifts program. Your time spent volunteering
at cub scouts is eligible for Microsoft's match. Note that your time with
your cub scout at den and pack meetings counts as volunteer time, so please
consider filing for the Microsoft match for all the time spent with the pack.
The Microsoft Matching program helps keep our fees and dues low so that boys
from all family income levels can enjoy scouting.
Here are the instructions for how to do the Microsoft Matching funds:
- Go to
http://give/givetime/Pages/GiveTime_TimeMatching.aspx and click
"Volunteer Connection System.
- First time givers will need to establish a login name and password.
- After they sign-in with login name and password, click Record Volunteer
Hours.
- Select/Find an organization: Cub Scout Pack 557, Sammamish Trails
District, Chief Seattle Council (Redmond, WA)
- Enter in the hours and make sure to select "Request Match" on the
homepage. Because once you submit your hours, you MUST click "request
match" next to the hours listed before it's official entered into the system
as a request.
Adult Opportunities
Scouting is a volunteer-run organization with many opportunities available
for ever family and person to help. We may also ask that you help with
refreshments for a meeting or transportation to a specific event. You
don’t need to be a “Leader”; however, we can always use your help! Just ask a
leader (or someone who looks like they are) what you can do.
We can always use Den Leaders and Assistants for some of the newer and/or
larger dens. There are many ways to be a Den Leader; a group of parents can
“co-op” the den, or can share the Leader responsibilities. We provide lots
of free training and support and it’s a great way to spend a few hours a month
with your scout!