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Frequently Asked Questions

Joining Cub Scouts often comes with many questions from both parents and prospective Scouts. Here are some frequently asked questions:

Time Commitment

Our Pack typically meets on the second and third Thursday of the month in Lonsdale from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm during the program year from September through May.

Outside of and during Sep-May, There will also be special events, camping trips, and service projects, and so much more. There is typically a campout scheduled on a weekend of every season, and several other group outings throughout the year scheduled by the all-parent committee.

Check out our current schedule here, or a PDF of our typical annual schedule here.

Important Note: Even if you don’t think you’ll be free every month of the school year due to other activities, please keep in mind we are an all-year program and there’s no problem with missing a few meetings, you’ll still get a lot out of the rest of the year of the program.

We understand that youth have many commitments to other seasonal activities, so there’s no penalty if a Scout misses meetings or events due to timing conflicts. Missed required activities (to earn rank) can be made up through other events or at home. Our year-round program is flexible, allowing everyone to benefit significantly even if they miss some activities at certain times of the year. This flexibility enables youth to gain experiences they might not get from other activities. Additionally, it offers a welcome reprieve from the competitiveness of other pursuits, providing a valuable perspective on teamwork and leadership without the competitive element.

One of the great parts of Cub Scouting is all the activities you get to do with your children, and all the memories made together. Our Pack’s program is built to bring families together and not only form a strong team of Scouts, but a strong team of Parents.

While there isn’t a level of contribution from Parents we have any policy around and we certainly respect the busy lives of Parents, Scouting America by policy does require parent or guardian presence at den and pack meetings, outings, events, and activities.

Scouts uses a Youth Protection policy and training program which we refer to as the buddy system and we also make sure at least two leaders are present with youth at all times.  For more information on youth protection at Scout meetings, campouts, and events, click here.

The troop level starting in grade 6 is more of a drop off program where the leaders are more in the background and the Scouts are running things on their own. Cub Scouts prepares them for that awesome journey known as the Path to Eagle.

Meeting Locations

Our charter organization is Trondhjem Lutheran Church and they provide us a safe meeting space in their fellowship room and classrooms. The church is located at 7525 Garfield Ave, Lonsdale, MN 55046

We also often have outings at the various parks around Lonsdale, and at Northern Star Council camps such as Camp Phillippo near Cannon Falls, Camp Kiwanis near Stillwater and at State Parks and other fun activity locations in the area for kids.

Uniforms

Items to purchase:

  • The Scout will need his or her family to purchase the blue Cub Scout field shirt as seen on the right.  
  • The shirt can be purchased with all the patches seen in the image at the right included at the local Scout Shop.
  • Do not buy the neckerchief, slide, rank patches or belt loops as they are provided by the Pack.

Purchase at the Local Scout Shop (at Northern Star Base Camp at Fort Snelling), via the online Scout Shop, or other online sources. 

We recommend also purchasing the Cub Scout belt for a place to put the earned belt loops, but it is not required.

The Pack does not require the hat or pants, but recommend them.  Please note that only Scouting hats can be worn with the Scout field shirt.

Note for Lions / Kindergartners: If your Scout is a Lion (kindergartner), don’t buy the field uniform yet, Lions wear a Lion shirt which the Pack provides.

Items not to purchase yourself:

  • The Pack provides all rank patches and belt loops and they are awarded after completion at Pack Meetings. 
  • The Pack will also provide the neckerchief and slide.
  • Also, do not purchase items #2 or #6 in the image on the right. They are either not applicable or provided by the Pack.
  • The Pack provides shirts and neckerchiefs for Lions (kindergartners) who do not wear the field shirts until they are Tigers (1st graders).

When to purchase by:

Field uniforms should be worn in Den and Pack Meetings or public events when noted.

Pack activity shirts will also be available from the Pack and they are often worn for service projects. 

While the uniforms are a great way to unify the Pack and groups, we don’t want it to be a barrier to joining and give families lots of flexibility on when to purchase these and we also have many families who hand their shirts down, so please ask about that.

Having a uniform by the Blue & Gold banquet in February is ideal.

Note for Lions / Kindergartners:

If your Scout is a Lion (kindergartner), don’t buy the field uniform yet, Lions wear a Lion shirt which the Pack provides.

If an emblem or badge is noted to be “earned”, it is not needed on the uniform to start with – they are only available in your local council trading post or Scout Shop with the required paperwork. All emblems and badges are purchased and presented by the Pack.

  1. US Flag Emblem: New uniforms already have this sewn on in the correct position – right sleeve, position #1.
  2. Den Number: Right sleeve, position #2. Pack 327 does not use den numbers.
  3. Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Emblem: This is an earned emblem and goes on the flap of the right pocket.
  4. Temporary Patch Position: Only one temporary patch can be worn at a time; these can be hung from the right pocket button, either by the emblem button loop or with an emblem holder. These are earned patches.
  5. World Crest Emblem and World Crest Ring: The World Crest Emblem is required for all uniforms and is worn above the left pocket. The World Crest Ring is optional but very common; the Ring is worn around the World Crest emblem above the left pocket between the left shoulder seam and the top of the left pocket, or 3/8” above the pocket seam.
  6. Cub Scout Rank: These form a diamond shape once they have all been earned.
    • The Bobcat badge is in position #1 on the left pocket, centered and directly beneath the flap.
    • The Wolf rank badge is position #2 on the left pocket, to the left, and down from the Bobcat emblem.
    • The Bear rank badge is position #3 on the left pocket, to the right, and down from the Bobcat emblem.
    • The Tiger rank badge is position #4 on the left pocket, directly underneath the Bobcat emblem.
    • The Lion rank badge goes underneath the left pocket, roughly 1.25” from the bottom of the pocket seam.
  7. Council Shoulder Patch: Left sleeve, position #1. This patch lines up perfectly with the sleeve seam because of its curved upper edge!
  8. Unit Numerals: Left sleeve, position #2. These go right under the Council Shoulder Patch (touching if a veteran unit bar is not worn).

Not into sewing? Check out the Badge Magic Kits, which are basically peel-and-stick stickers made specifically for the emblems and patches of the Cub Scout uniform.

Events & Activities

Activities include outdoor adventures, camping, community service, crafts, games, and learning new skills through earning badges and advancements.  For more detail on activities in our pack, click here.

Scouts earn patches, belt loops, and other awards by completing specific requirements outlined in their handbooks. Most badges and awards are worked on together in group den meetings, pack meetings, or at camps, but they can be worked on independently at home, especially if a meeting was missed.  Achievements are recognized in pack meetings.

 Cub Scouts use animal names for ranks to create a sense of adventure and connection to nature. Each animal represents characteristics that align with the growth and development of the Scouts:

  • Lion: Kindergarten (or 5 years old). The lion symbolizes courage and leadership.
  • Tiger: First grade (or 6 years old) The tiger symbolizes strength and enthusiasm.
  • Wolf: Second grade (or 7 years old). The wolf signifies teamwork and resourcefulness.
  • Bear: Third grade (or 8 years old). The bear denotes bravery and self-reliance.
  • Webelos: Fourth grade (or 9 years old). WEBELO is an acronym for “We’ll Be Loyal Scouts,” bridging the gap between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
  • Arrow of Light: Fifth grade (or 10 years old) AOL represents the highest honor in Cub Scouting, symbolizing wisdom and readiness for a Scout Troop where they’ll work on their path to Eagle Scout.

These animals and their traits help to engage young Scouts, making the program relatable, fun, and educational. This was inspired by The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. When Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, was developing the Cub Scout program for younger boys, he drew inspiration from the stories and characters of The Jungle Book.

Key elements inspired by The Jungle Book include:

  1. Akela: The leader of the wolf pack in the story, Akela, is used as a term for leaders in Cub Scouting.
  2. The Wolf Pack: The concept of the Cub Scout pack mirrors the wolf pack in the book.
  3. Jungle Themes: The use of animals and the jungle setting creates a sense of adventure and connection to nature for young Scouts.

This inspiration helps create an engaging and imaginative environment for Cub Scouts, encouraging them to learn and grow in a fun, story-driven context.

Program Purpose & Values

Cub Scouts is a program for boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade that aims to promote character development, good citizenship, leadership, life skills, personal fitness, and more while also having fun adventures in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments while making friends.

  • Character Development: Builds strong values such as integrity, respect, and responsibility.
  • Leadership Skills: Provides opportunities to lead projects, plan activities, and make decisions.
  • Outdoor Skills: Teaches camping, hiking, and survival skills, fostering a love for nature.
  • Teamwork: Encourages working with others, fostering collaboration and communication.
  • Self-Confidence: Boosts self-esteem through achieving goals and earning badges.
  • Life Skills: Imparts practical skills like first aid, cooking, entrepreneurship, and financial management.
  • Community Service: Instills a sense of civic duty and the importance of giving back.
  • Physical Fitness: Promotes a healthy lifestyle through physical activities and challenges.
  • Friendship: Creates a supportive community where lifelong friendships can be formed.
  • Educational Opportunities: Enhances learning through hands-on experiences and activities in a long list of various fields, likely including those they are most interested in pursuing.

Scout Oath (or Promise)

The Scout Oath is a pledge that Scouts make to commit themselves to certain ethical and moral standards. The BSA Scout Oath is:

“On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

This oath emphasizes:

  1. Obedience to the Scout Law: Following the principles outlined in the Scout Law.
  2. Helping Others: A dedication to assisting others whenever possible.
  3. Personal Development: Maintaining physical, mental, and moral well-being.
  4. Duty to God and Country: A commitment to their personal religious beliefs and their civic responsibilities.

The Scout Law is a set of twelve guiding principles that describe the desired characteristics of a Scout. The BSA Scout Law is:

“A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.”

These principles are explained as follows:

  1. Trustworthy: A Scout tells the truth and keeps promises. People can depend on them.
  2. Loyal: A Scout is true to their family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.
  3. Helpful: A Scout cares about other people and willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.
  4. Friendly: A Scout is a friend to all. They are a brother or sister to other Scouts.
  5. Courteous: A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. They understand that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
  6. Kind: A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. They treat others as they want to be treated.
  7. Obedient: A Scout follows the rules of their family, school, and troop. They obey the laws of their community and country. If they think these rules and laws are unfair, they try to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.
  8. Cheerful: A Scout looks for the bright side of life. They cheerfully do tasks that come their way and try to make others happy.
  9. Thrifty: A Scout works to pay their way and to help others. They save for unforeseen needs. They protect and conserve natural resources. They carefully use time and property.
  10. Brave: A Scout can face danger even if they are afraid. They have the courage to stand for what they think is right even if others laugh at or threaten them.
  11. Clean: A Scout keeps their body and mind fit. They choose friends who also live by high standards. They help keep their home and community clean.
  12. Reverent: A Scout is reverent toward God. They are faithful in their religious duties. They respect the beliefs of others.

Together, the Scout Oath and Scout Law form the ethical framework that Scouts around the world strive to live by, guiding their actions and interactions with others.

 The uniform, when worn fully and correctly, accomplishes four ideals of Scouting: identification, achievement, commitment, and equality within the Pack.

Fundraising, Fees & Registration

  1. There is an annual registration fee set by Northern Star Scouting, and registration is completed through Northern Star Scouting. See the registration system for current fees which can be broken into payments and can be reduced by scholarships.
  2. Our pack does not have dues in addition to that annual council registration fee, instead we fund our routine activities and operational expenses through annual fundraising.
  3. There are additional fees for uniforms, gear, camps, and some of the bigger activities. Since we do not collect dues, families only have to pay for the Camps and Activities they actually go to. The fees for those Camps and Activities can be covered by their individual Scout account which is funded by their individual annual fundraising efforts. 
  4. Many fees can also be reduced through council scholarships and camperships.

Registration may be completed online by clicking here and locating us by zip code.

We ask for a modest minimum fundraising effort starting by at least the Scout’s second year to help contribute to the Pack’s activities and operation. The nice thing about fundraising in Scouts is that the additional fundraising can go toward special Pack events and a large portion of fundraising goes toward the Scout’s personal Scout account that can be applied toward registration, camps, and Scouting gear, leaving the family with little to no cost to attend any activities if enough fundraising was done.  Even your camping gear can be covered from fundraising.

Also, we make fundraising very educational and easy for the Scouts. There are opportunities to fundraise in groups at storefronts or as a group door-to-door.  A convenient phone app is provided to make the process easy.  And there’s an online store for sharing with family and friends.

We are committed to making Scouting Available to ALL families. Families that need registration financial aid should apply at GOSCOUTING.ORG/FIN-AID There are also camperships.

  • The local council who maintain the program materials, camping properties, and so on collect between 30% and 35%. For a $20 box of popcorn, this amount would be around $6.
  • The Pack and Scout together receive between 35% and 40%. The amount that goes to the Pack is used for Pack operations and activities budget which is transparently shared in the Pack committee meetings (no amount goes to the leaders, they are unpaid volunteers). The amount that goes to the Scout’s individual Scout account can be used for Scouting registration, Camp registration, activity dues, activity gear and supplies.
  • So that leaves only around 30% going to the manufacturer, Trail’s End, for covering their operations and manufacturing costs.
  • Ultimately, around 70% of the proceeds are going to local Scouting and a portion is going into an account directly for the individual Scout to use on Scouting.
  • Our charter organization, a church, does not require Pack adults or youth to be church members. They generously provide us with a safe, quiet place for meetings and also take on a solid ownership stake and housing of all of the Pack’s assets.
  • You only need to register with Scouting America through Northern Star Council. There are no specific requirements regarding your town, school, or other affiliations. While we encourage Scouts to join Packs in their school district or local community, it is not mandatory.

Pack Policies

Cub Scouts is open to all children and their families regardless of race, gender, religion, or disability. 

Pack 327 is non-denominational and non-partisan.  The National organization, Local Scout community (council), and our Unit ensures that all decisions, public statements, relationships with third parties, activities, and events are of a consistently inclusive nature throughout the program, and we strive to always maintain the welcoming and supportive nature of Scouting. We don’t feel this is meant to be controversial, we’re just trying to make a difference for as many youth as possible.

Opinions on this matter vary widely and we respect that there are some strong opinions. We are known in Scouting as a family pack. When the national policy changed a few years ago allowing girls to earn Scout ranks, the Lonsdale community members involved in the Scout Pack voted to include girls as full members, enabling them to earn ranks and awards. Even before this change, many girl siblings were already actively participating due to their genuine interest in the activities and the program. They had participated for so long that they had their own rank, humorously named the “dragon,” because we were always “dragon” them around.

Who were we to turn them away? These are just good kids doing their best. In over 100 years of Scouting, there has never been any aspect of the Scouting activities or values that couldn’t be shared with or done in front of girls, so it’s difficult to argue against it. Several years in, we have watched many boys and girls develop strong character and form healthy, lasting friendships together within our Pack.

It was a simple policy change, nothing about the program or values changed at all.

What didn’t change:

  1. Scout Oath and Law
  2. Values of Scouting
  3. Leadership Lessons
  4. Fun and Adventure
  5. Life-Changing Experiences
  6. What It Means to be A Scout
  7. Duty to God

What did change:

  1. The name.
  • Our charter organization, a church, does not require Pack adults or youth to be church members. They generously provide us with a safe, quiet place for meetings and also take on a solid ownership stake and housing of all of the Pack’s assets.
  • You only need to register with Scouting America through Northern Star Council. There are no specific requirements regarding your town, school, or other affiliations. While we encourage Scouts to join Packs in their school district or local community, it is not mandatory.

Leaders, Training & Safety

The Pack is structured with an executive board made up of a Cubmaster, a Committee Chair, and a Charter Organization representative. 

  • The Cubmaster runs the Pack meetings, represents the Pack and ensures the leaders have everything they need to keep the Pack running smoothly.
  • The Committee Chair represents all of the Pack parents and brings them together in a monthly planning meeting
  • The Charter Org rep represents the Charter Organization and keeps them abreast of scheduling meeting space and ensuring the Pack has all the support they need. 
  • All of these positions are held by parent volunteers.

Parent Volunteers also work as event planners/coordinators, fundraising coordinators, rangemasters, camping coordinators, camping planners/safety leaders, awards coordinators, and more. 

Each Den has a parent volunteer called a Den leader who runs the Den meetings and tracks progress on required and extra achievements.  When available, we also have older youth from Troop 327 who serve as Den Chiefs who help Den Leaders carry out den meetings.

For specific contact with current leaders, visit our contact us page.

Adult volunteers must complete Youth Protection Training and any additional position-specific training.  There are additional opportunities to contribute leadership to the Pack, for example: be a trained rangemaster for leading archery/shooting events, a trained camping expert (BALOO training) to lead campouts, you can be committee leaders, event coordinators, den leaders, and more.

We typically have parents from the community with all kinds of backgrounds to lead the youth our help with Pack operations. Many were in Scouts as kids themselves, or bring their own unique professional and leadership backgrounds to the table. But ultimately they all follow a specifically prescribed Scouting program and follow the Scouting values that have been successful with youth for over 100 years.

The BSA has strict safety guidelines, including two-deep leadership, medical forms, and training for leaders on safety procedures.

Yes, in fact all of the leaders in the Pack are parent volunteers or they are youth volunteers from the troop (referred to as den chiefs). Parents are encouraged to volunteer as leaders or in other support roles such as event coordinators. Training is provided by the BSA.  This is a fun way to really become connected and involved in your community while making great memories with your children.

Go to our Contacts page for the current list of adult leaders in the Pack and the district.

Hey Parents, Here's some questions we have for YOU.

  1. What kinds of activities does your son/daughter enjoy doing in their free time? Do you know how we can help them build on those pursuits and maybe discover new paths of interest while building their character in ways they aren’t currently exposed to?
  2. Does your son/daughter like exploring nature, camping, getting out in the water, and would enjoy the great camping properties that the scouting council in Minnesota has available? 
  3. Is getting out in nature and the community with their peers in a non-competitive, safe, structured environment something you feel your son/daughter needs to do more?
  4. Have you ever thought about whether your child is getting enough emphasis on character building, life skills, survival and safety skills, and community service in other groups that they’re in?
  5. How important is it to you that your son/daughter learns values such as honesty, respect, and kindness?
  6. Would you like your child to develop leadership and teamwork skills in a fun environment?
  7. Would you say it is important for you that your son/daughter gains a sense of responsibility and self-reliance?
  8. Would you like your child to have more opportunities to socialize and interact with peers in a positive and structured setting?
  9. Are you looking for activities that you can participate in as a family, not just from the sidelines?

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Pack 327 leaders with any questions that haven’t been addressed above or that you’d like more information on.  Our contact information can be found here.

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