Cub Scouts - Anyone know anything about them?

We're looking into it for Caiden, but have found that each Pack is different? Meaning, different activities, some more stricked or laid back than others? I thought they were the same all around? I have found 2 that we would be able to do due to work schedule conflicts, but each are so different. I don't want to sign him up for the wrong one? Like one seems to have many activities already planned like a Family Picnic for this Sunday for everyone to meet each other, the other one I haven't heard from. One is so on top of the paperwork, rules, etc. the other one just said we'll see you at the first meeting? What gives? Is one setup better than the other?

Also, do the parents really have to be VERY involved with them? Volunteering and stuff? It's so hard for us to do with our jobs and stuff. I don't want them to look down on us. LOL!

I just want to know what I'm getting ourselves into before we join. Thanks!

P.S., We're in NC, but I think they're all similar.

Message edited 8/26/2010 2:49:34 PM.

Re: Cub Scouts - Anyone know anything about them?

I'm heavily involved in DS's Pack. Packs, like any other group, are made up of individuals. There are certain rules that must be followed, and certain objectives that must be met to advance, but everything in between is up to the individual leaders.

We're sort of a laid-back Pack. We do have a lot of activities scheduled throughout the year. Parades, putting flags at the military cemetery, Pinewood Derby, boat regatta, Father/Son cake competition, camping, etc, etc.

The Den has it's own subset of activities that are dependent on the Den Leader.

The fundamentals will be there, no matter which Pack DS joins. I would try to find the one that both you and DS are most comfortable in.

After Tiger Cubs, the parental involvement drops considerably. It's a volunteer organization, so there will be a need for parents to help, but again, it's up to the Pack. Even for the Tiger Cubs, it's not that much involvement. There are some activities that the have to do at home, but not that involved. For the bigger events, there are usually a bunch of parents that volunteer, and, at least in our Pack, as long as nobody actively tries to avoid ANY involvement, nobody looks down on families that are too busy to help out a lot.

Re: Cub Scouts - Anyone know anything about them?

Do you think it's a reasonable thing for us to meet with both packs and see for ourselves which one we are a better fit for before we sign up? Some packs are so demanding for us to sign up yesterday. LOL! It's just weird that one seems so much more efficient and the other one is so much more laid back. I just didn't want to join up for one if they weren't having any activities to do. I've tried contacting them but after 2 weeks I still haven't heard back from them.

I think it would be good for my son. My DH did Cub Scouts as a kid in NY and loved it. I just didn't want to sign up for a certain Pack and then find out that they don't do anything and my son be bored to death.

Thanks for the info!

Re: Cub Scouts - Anyone know anything about them?

I don't see why you shouldn't check out both packs. If they start pestering you to join, just tell them that your schedule is changing next month (work, activities, etc), so you don't know if you and DS will be available on Pack night every month....

I've been through the whole Cub Scout/Boy Scout track, and I think for Cub Scouts, it's more important for them to just have fun. In BSA, that's where they really learn a lot, learn to be leaders, etc, so that's more important to be stricter and organized, IMO.

Re: Cub Scouts - Anyone know anything about them?

Thanks so much for your responses! They really help a lot!