We are pleased to welcome your son into our growing pack of Aurora Cub Scouts. Over the course of the year, he, and you, will have the opportunity to experience many things, from earning totally awesome badges of rank to attending informative as well as fun den meetings. As a parent, you may be wondering what is involved in Scouting. This is a brief overview of the program, giving you information about Scouting and also about your place in it.

Cub Scouts should foster self-esteem while teaching cooperation and the meaning of healthy competition through games, crafts, sport, skill building, recognition, special activities, camping and lots of fun. Cub scouting is a family activity.

Cub scouting creates a climate of cooperative and collaborative relationships between adults and children--a laboratory for adults and children to get to know one another. It provides opportunities for children to acquire the capacity for accomplishment. The program affirms to the child that the world really is an interesting place.

Cub scouting is fun! But it is fun with a purpose. Woven though all the fun is an inspired program that really works. Tried and proven methods are used that transfer traditional values, build character, and develop leadership skills -- all in the context of fun and family togetherness.

Your son is responsible for working his way through his Cub Scout Handbook. You and his den leader will judge the completeness and effort of his tasks. Perfection is not the goal, just that your son gives his best effort (the Cub Scout motto is Do your best).

Cub Scouting differs from Boy Scouting in one major way - Boy Scouts work with each other to accomplish their goals while Cub Scouts work with an adult leader and their parent/guardian to get things done. Boy scouting is all about independence and leadership. Cub scouting is very much a parent/guardian-led organization.

You are responsible for making sure your son attends den meetings, whether that means remembering to write him a note for a bus pass or getting him to the meeting yourself. You need to bring him to pack meetings. Don't think boring; pack meetings are fun. Your son will need your help with his handbook and with any outside activities he chooses to do. Please keep in mind this means letting him do most of the work, regardless of how frustrating it can be at times! Your den leader may need you to provide a snack or den dues towards a snack on occasion. They may also need you to help occasionally at meetings or outings. The den leader determines the format - they will let you know.