What is a Pack?

A Pack is a local group of Cub Scouts which must be chartered from the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) by a local organization. These can be churches, professional organizations, government bodies, or educational, civic, business, labor, or citizens groups. Pack 315 is chartered by the Normandy Elementary School PTO and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.

The Pack serves as a "parent" organization to the Dens and provides direction, program support and maintenance of the budget. The Pack is led by the Pack Committee that consists of a Chairman, representatives from each Den, Cubmaster, and other volunteer leaders. The leadership meets on the first Monday each month to plan and organize Pack programs.

Packs are divided into Dens of boys in the same grade and age, so they can work together to earn the appropriate Rank.

Pack Meetings and activities are typically held monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month beginning at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held at Normandy Elementary School. Special events may be held at other local venues. The Pack Meetings may include award ceremonies, Den Skits, guest speakers, activities or special outings.

The Pack meetings are intended for the entire family. It is a time for the entire unit and their families to get together to learn and celebrate each other's accomplishments over the past month. Some Pack Meetings are for special programs including the annual Blue & Gold celebrating Scouting's birthday, Pinewood Derby or Space Derby.

Pack Meetings occur during the school year. We also participate in events over the summer such as Cub Scout Day Camp, the Centerville Americana Parade, a Pack Swim Party, and Dayton Dragons Scout Night.

Tiger Dens usually meet two times a month. Their Den Meetings include the Scouts and their Adult Partners. Each Den has a volunteer Den Leader, but all Adult Partners work cooperatively to plan and host the meetings. Typically each Scout/Partner team is assigned an activity from the Tiger Cub Handbook to plan and host. These gatherings are often outings to local points of interest.

Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Den Meetings are usually held two times per month for one to 1½ hours. Although the Den Leader and Assistant Den Leaders are responsible for coordinating and running the Den Meetings, each Scout's family will play an active role in the Scout activities, at the meetings and at home. There must always be two (2) adults present at all meetings and activities. The activities at the Den Meetings vary widely from games, crafts, skills work, field trips, etc. The National organization sets a theme for each month and the Den Meetings may center on this theme or one of the achievements in the rank book.

Typically achievements towards earning the Wolf or Bear badges are done by the Scout with their family at home. The Den may do some achievements as part of their regular meeting, however most are oriented to be done with the family. Webelos Den Meetings typically involve completing the various requirements of the Webelos badge, activity badges or progress towards the Arrow of Light.

As achievements are completed the parent or Den Leader, depending on who it was completed with, will record it in the Scout's rank book. The Den Leader will periodically record the Scout's accomplishments on a record form to track progress towards rank badge or other award. Dens may formally meet only during the school year or during the entire year depending on the Den Leader's and family's schedule and preference.