I missed the recruitment night to sign up my child. What can I do? No worries! We accept new Scouts all year long! For more information, contact us via email pack1manville@gmail.com or text or call Amanda at 603-996-1660.
Can girls join Scouting? Yes! In 2018 The BSA (Boy Scouts of America) incorporated girls into scouting.
What does Scouting cost? Each year, the annual registration fee is $175. That averages to roughly $15 a month. Unlike other children's activities, scouts do not require new gear on a yearly basis, nor are not paying each season they participate. Payment installments are also available. In addition, fundraising opportunities take place throughout the year to help with costs. If finances are a concern for any parent who wishes to register their child, please contact the Cubmaster for more information. In addition to the registration fees, families sometimes have to pay for certain activities or trips. Once again, fundraising plays a big role in the price for attending these activities. Our committee members work diligently to find discounts and trips that are affordable for families. Typically, trips are no more than $10 per person, but more often than not, the admission is free. Last, we have den dues. These are to be paid each den meeting by the scouts. The exact amount varies, but does not exceed $2. The dues serve 2 purposes. The first is to cover supplies and materials at den meetings. The second is more significant. The dues are paid by the scouts. They learn the value of money, and how to be responsible with it.
My child has never been on a sleepover and is worried about the experience. Children in the Cub Scout Program do not attend sleepovers without a parent. Whether it is a camp out or camp in activity, parents should always accompany their child. This often relieves many fears and helps the child become more confident about being in new places. If a child or parent is too uncomfortable with an overnight activity, they are not obligated to attend the event. On many occasions, families have come for the day, and left when it was time to turn out the lights. Scouting should be fun, and our adult volunteers are here to help our scouting families when they need it.
How do I know my child is safe? Over the years, the BSA has been committed and dedicated to making scouting safe for children. Many changes have been made within the program to ensure that safety is a top priority. Each adult volunteer must submit a background check, and for our pack, that includes our state and surrounding states. In addition, Youth Protection Training is mandatory for adult volunteers, and encouraged for all parents. Each year, scouts must also complete an age-appropriate training with their parents. To ensure everyone's safety, The BSA has adapted a 2 deep rule. This means 2 adults should be present at all den meetings and on all outings. At no time should there be 1 on 1 interactions between any adult and child. The Cub Scouting Program is also centered around families. Parents are often required and always invited to attend all events and activities. In addition to these trainings, the BSA has other protocols to ensure child safety. Published guides for parents and adult volunteers ensure that the tools each den is using is age appropriate, and that children learn how to safely handle those tools. Medical forms are required and kept in a save location should a youth or adult member be subject to an injury, and a medical history is needed. The scouting adventures are filled with ways to teach kids about basic first aid, and emergency preparedness.
But what do scouts actually do? When people think of scouting, they tend to think of camping and hiking. Well, they are correct, but also, we do so much more! Here is a list of some of the events from Pack 1 Manville's past, present and future: Pinewood Derby and Raingutter Regatta races, field day, fishing tournament, marching in parades, swimming, attending sporting events, community clean ups and other service projects. Here are some of the places we've visited and some we have booked: Roger Williams Botanical Garden. Limerock Firehouse, Waste Management Recycling Plant tour, Battleship Cove, The Biomes Center, Mystic Aquarium, and other events offered by the BSA Narragansett Council. Our den meetings look a bit like this: First is the opening, where the pack gathers and practices the requirements of the Bobcat Badge. Next, we break into dens. The den leaders will then lead the scouts in a discussion about a topic from their handbooks. They complete an activity that relates that topic, then it's time to clean up, and if there's free time, the pack might engage in a game of tag while the adults discuss upcoming event and news.