Cub Scouting in 2009

(If you're a current Pack 3 parent looking for info on the Jan. 3 ice skating or upcoming OSU hockey game, scroll past the Pinewood Derby info to the "December Pack Meeting" post -- pax, jbg)

For parents considering Cub Scouting in 2009 (you can join at any point in the year, not just in the fall), most packs are like us -- a shirt is ideal but not necessary, and is $30 with patches, the book for the grade level is $6, and national registration is $10 to which we add $30 in our pack for $40 which covers the whole year. Add in $12 if you want "Boy's Life" magazine, 12 issues, and it's $52. So less than a hundred bucks for 12 months of healthy, fun, educational activity in 9 or 10 pack meetings (once a month) and another 20 or so den meetings (twice a month with your smaller age/grade level group).

Cub Day Camp is about $50 for four days of great outdoor adventure and learning in June. Overall, this is as cost-effective a youth activity as you're going to find; most packs sell popcorn in the fall to cover the awards and activities of the pack, and in the spring there's an offer for you to give to Scouting which is voluntary.

Here's what was in the Dec. 26 Newark Advocate -- http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20081226/UPDATES01/81226008

If you're considering Scouting for your child, read on down or through the archives on the right sidebar, and click Troop 65 over there to learn about what's on offer for 11 to 18 year old young men grades 5 through 12. Scouting provides a strong foundation for building adult choices that lasts throughout your life . . . it sure has for me.