Information

What is Cub Scouting?

Cub Scouting is a program from Scouting America for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. Scouts meet regularly with a small group of kids their own age (called a “den”), go on outdoor adventures, learn new skills, earn awards, and build friendships — all with the support of parent volunteers. It’s a fun, hands-on way for kids to grow in confidence, character, and independence.

The Pack

Cub Scout Pack 850 is based at Brookside Elementary in Lake Forest Park, WA. We are currently the second largest pack in the Chief Seattle Council and welcome scouts from kindergarten through 5th grade. Scouting America welcomes boys and girls at all levels, and all dens in Pack 850 are open to scouts of any gender.

The pack is a parent-led organization sponsored by the Northwestern Youth Fund. All leadership positions are filled by volunteer parents — no professional staff.

What Scouts Do

Scouts learn by doing. Activities include hiking, camping, woodworking, cooking outdoors, community service projects, science experiments, and more. Each year brings age-appropriate adventures — younger scouts work alongside an adult partner, while older scouts take on increasing independence and leadership.

Each den follows a set of activities and electives organized by Scouting America into a handbook. Most of that content is available online, and we track it via an online app (Scoutbook). When scouts complete an activity, they earn a beltloop or pin. Kids love awards! At the end of the year, scouts who have completed the required activities earn the Rank Patch to add to their uniform.

Highlights from the year include the Pinewood Derby, family camping trips, Summer and Winter camp, conservation projects, and other pack-wide events.

Meeting Schedule

• Pack meetings: Monthly (September through June), third Tuesday of the month, 6:30–8:00 pm at Brookside Elementary
• Den meetings: Once per month plus approximately one additional activity per month (hikes, camps, sledding, etc.)

Leadership & Volunteering

Pack 850 is an all-volunteer organization. All leadership positions — from Cubmaster to den leaders to committee members — are filled by parent volunteers.

Adults, we need you! The more volunteers we have, the richer the program we can offer our scouts. See the Volunteer page for open positions.

Pack Leadership

• Organized and “chartered” through the Norwestern Youth Fund, our Chartering Organization Representative is Dale Galvin.
• Pack program is led by the Cubmaster: Kevin Swanson
• The Pack is run by the Committee, which is interested parents/guardians who volunteer. The Committee Chair position is currently open. The Committee is: the Chair, Cubmaster, Den Leaders, Treasurer and any other interested parents.
• We have focused sub-committees to organize things like the Pinewood Derby, Family Camping trips, Summer/Winter camp, conservation projects, etc.
• Dens are led by Den Leaders, who is typically a parent with a child in that den. You will get their contact info when you join. Dens also need Assistant Den Leaders!
• All volunteers receive Safeguarding Youth Training annually and are subject to background checks.

The Dens

Scouts are organized into dens by grade level. Each den is led by a parent volunteer (the Den Leader) and follows a curriculum designed for that age group. Scouts automatically advance to the next den each year. (E.g. every second grader is a Wolf, regardless of whether they earned the Tiger badge.)

Lions — Kindergarten

Lions are the youngest Cub Scouts, just starting their Scouting adventure. They do simple, fun activities alongside an adult partner, like games, crafts, and short outings, that help them learn teamwork, sharing, and trying new things.

Tigers — 1st Grade

Tigers continue the journey with their adult partner, working together on adventures that introduce them to Scouting values, outdoor activities, and community service. Tigers learn by “doing” through games, field trips, and group projects.

Wolves — 2nd Grade

Wolves begin to take more initiative and responsibility. Their activities encourage independence while still being fun, like learning about the outdoors, practicing safety, and completing projects that teach problem-solving & creativity.

Bears — 3rd Grade

Bears gain confidence as they tackle more hands-on skills, such as woodworking, knot tying, cooking outdoors, and learning about citizenship. They are encouraged to explore new challenges while working more closely with their den.

Webelos — 4th Grade

Webelos (short for “We’ll Be Loyal Scouts”) is the bridge between Cub Scouts and a Scouting Troop. They explore a variety of “adventure pins” that expose them to outdoor skills, science, first aid, and leadership. This stage focuses on growth and preparing them for the next level.

Arrow of Light — 5th Grade

The Arrow of Light is the highest Cub Scout rank and the final step before joining a Scouting Troop. Scouts at this level practice leadership, strengthen outdoor and camping skills, and learn what it means to live the Scout Oath and Law every day. Many Arrow of Light Scouts are preparing to “cross over” into a Scouting troop.

Joining Pack 850

Ready to join? Visit BeAScout.org to register your scout or contact our New Member Coordinator. Scouts can join at any time during the year.

Dues

Annual dues are approximately $165 total, broken down as:

• National Scouting America fee: ~$115
• Pack fee: ~$50
• New member fee (first year only): $25

Scholarships are available. No scout will be turned away due to financial hardship — please contact pack leadership for assistance.

Uniforms

Lions will receive a t-shirt; Scouts in grades 1-4 (Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos) use the navy cub scout top which will need to be purchased and usually a belt; Scouts in grade 5 can use the blue shirt, or can move on to the tan shirt that the older scouts use (see the online store or visit the trading post in South Seattle). Other uniform pieces are optional in our Pack.

Please visit the Cub Scout Uniform resource for additional information.

Fundraising

We have a fall Popcorn sale (info coming soon, including in-person sales in Sept/Oct) to raise money for the Pack, and a springtime drive to support “Friends of Scouting”.

Religious Content

Scouting America encourages scouts to practice their own faith and earn religious awards through their own religious institutions. Pack 850 activities are non-denominational.

Learn More

The Scouting America website has lots of good info on how Cub Scouts is set up and why, including the aims and methods of scouting, parent resources, FAQs, and other details.

Have questions not answered here? Contact us — we’re happy to help.