Cub Scouting is a year-round family-oriented part of the BSA program designed for boys who are in first through fifth grades (or are 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age).

 

The qualities we admire in adults are often learned early in life. The Cub Scout program helps boys to develop qualities they will carry throughout their lifetimes by focusing on 12 core values of character development:

"I believe being a Cub Scout has encouraged my son to follow his goals and strengthened his values. The positive qualities he is developing now will benefit him throughout his lifetime."

1. Citizenship: Contributing service and showing responsibility to local, state, and national communities
2. Compassion: Being kind and considerate, and showing concern for the well-being of others
3. Cooperation: Being helpful and working together with others toward a common goal
4. Courage: Being brave and doing what is right regardless of our fears, the difficulties, or the consequences
5. Faith: Having inner strength and confidence based on our trust in God
6. Health and Fitness: Being personally committed to keeping our minds and bodies clean and fit
7. Honesty: Telling the truth and being worthy of trust
8. Perseverance: Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it is difficult
9. Positive Attitude: Being cheerful and setting our minds to look for and find the best in all situations
10. Resourcefulness: Using human and other resources to their fullest
11. Respect: Showing regard for the worth of something or someone
12. Responsibility: Fulfilling our duty to God, country, other people, and ourselves

By weaving these values into fun and educational activities, Cub Scouting helps boys grow up to be self-reliant, dependable, and caring men.

 

What are the requirements to join Cub Scouts?

Tiger Cubs (entering first grade or age 7), Cub Scouts (entering second or third grade, or age 8 or 9), Webelos Scouts (entering fourth or fifth grade, or age 10).

What does Cub Scouting offer my son?

Cub Scouting offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, boys also learn honesty, bravery, and respect.

How does participation in Cub Scouting affect participation other activities?

The Cub Scout program is designed to compliment many other extracurricular activities. Typical time commitment is two Den meetings and one Pack meeting per month. Boys who participate in organized sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, etc, or academic-based extracurricular activities like music, art, science etc., can be recognized for these activities though Cub Scout belt loops and pins which are worn on their uniform.

What are the responsibilities of a parent?

• Provide help and support for the den and pack.
• Work with your son on advancement projects and activities. 
• Attend pack meetings with your son.
• Attend and assist with den outings.
• Attend Cub Scout Family campouts with your son.

Do Cub Scouts go camping?

Yes, but they ease into it. They may go camping with a parent, or even with the entire family. More on Cub Scout camping can be found at http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/activities/outdoor/camping.y.html

What other activities are available to Cub Scouts and their families?

Pack 163 is very active, providing a rich environment for boys and their families. Typical annual events include:

• Bowling Parties 
• Holiday Party
• Blue & Gold Banquet 
• Pinewood Derby 
• Rain Gutter Regatta or Space Derby 
• Summer Day Camp 
• Summer Resident Camp 
• Fishing Derby 
• Community Service Activities
• Hiking and Biking Program w/Awards!
• Pack Family and Webelos Den Campouts
• Family Oriented Games and Pack Meeting Activities
• and much more!

How much is it going to cost?

The annual Pack 163 dues of $24 covers the National BSA registration fee. Boys' Life Magazine cost is $12.00 for the year and is highly recommended for Cub Scouts. 
You also need to purchase the handbook appropriate for your son's rank. For Tigers it is $6 all other rank books are $9. 
The rain gutter/space derby and pinewood derby kits are about $4 each if you choose to participate.
Since the Pack 163 charter begins on March 1, new Cub Scouts may pay a prorated fee for the remainder of the year, depending on when they register. Contact the Cubmaster for a prorated dues schedule.

Other costs include uniforms and some activity fees including those for the Day Camp and Resident Camps. Youth members participate in one main fund-raising activity (popcorn), which helps to cover Den supplies, equipment, and other activities.

What about Pack 163  pack meetings? Where are they and when?

       Pack meetings are a once a month meeting of all the pack's dens. There they  get program                     information, receive awards for their achievements from the past month, play games, put on a skit,          sing songs, lots of fun for the whole family. Scout's parents and siblings are welcome to join in on           the game fun too! Pack 163's pack meetings are small and well organized, never lasting more than          an hour. The public is always welcome to stop in and witness the fun.
       Pack 163's pack meetings are the third Monday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The First Presbytarian Church in Marengo.        


Are there any advantages to being in a small pack?
       Yes! A small pack is considered to be less than 40 boys. The pack meetings never last more than an
       hour, Your son won't feel lost among dozens of other scouts. Pack committee meetings rarely last
       more than an hour and a half. Parents volunteering for a special event don't feel overworked.
       Special pack events are not rushed and are more enjoyable for families of the scouts.


How do I go about signing my son up to Pack 163?

       It's Easy! Go to the top of this page and click on the "Contact our Pack" link. Enter your contact              information and send it to the Cubmaster, he will reply promptly.

Where can I buy uniforms, pack and den number patches? 

       Blackhawk Area Council BSA  map

• 1800 7th Ave.,
  Rockford, IL 61104
  Phone: 815-397-0210
  Fax: 815-397-730
• Crystal Lake Scout Shop

        600 N Route 31
        Crystal Lake, Il 60014
        815-479-0615

• Bohn's Ace Hardware   map
  150 S Eastwood Dr,
  Woodstock, IL 60098 
  Phone: (815) 338-0492
• Skoopers   map
  10321 N Main St,
  Richmond, IL 60071                                                              
  Phone: 815-678-4124
• Northwest Suburban Scout Shop map
  600 N. Wheeling Rd.,
  Mt. prospect, IL 60056
  Phone: (847) 759-9082
  Hours:
  • Mon: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Tues – Fri: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Sat: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

    

     Norris Scout Shop

        415 North Second St.  (Rt. 31)                                          MAP & LOCATION
    St. Charles, IL 60174
        P: (630) 797-4614
        F: (630) 584-8598

     Deicke Scout Shop

       155 W Roosevelt Rd. (Rt. 38)                            MAP & LOCATION

       West Chicago, IL 60185

       P: (630) 231-3192

       F: (630)231-3194

     
          

    Offical BSA Supply Catalog   (click)

Advancements by Year

Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scouting advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects. Cub Scouting extends typically over five years - from first through fifth grades - but a boy is welcome to join Cub Scouts at any time during those years. Below is a brief description of different levels of Cub Scouting: Tiger Cub. The Tiger Cub program is for first-grade (or age 7) boys and their adult partners. There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub badge. These requirements consist of an exciting series of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in the first grade. Wolf Cub. The Wolf program is for second-grade (or age 8) boys. To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass 12 achievements involving simple physical and mental skills. Bear Cub. The Bear rank is for third-grade (or age 9) boys. There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories. The Cub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank.    Webelos. This two-year program is for boys who have completed third grade (or are age 10) and continues through fifth grade. A boy may begin working on the Webelos badge as soon as he joins a Webelos den. This is the first step in his transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. As he completes the requirements found in the Webelos Handbook, he will work on activity badges, attend meetings led by adults, and become familiar with the Boy Scout requirements—all leading to the Arrow of Light Award.