Cub Scouting
While some boys find the troop through word of mouth or recruiting efforts in the local schools, many others crossover into Boy Scouting upon completion of a successful Cub Scout career. Troop 868 is proud to have good "feeder pack" relationships with several local Cub Scout units whose graduating Webelos frequently continue their scouting careers with us.
Cub Scout Pack 686 is sponsored by Cedar Grove Elementary School. Dens meet at the school on Monday nights at 7:00 PM. The Cubmaster is Mark Mitchell (mtch922@aol.com).
Cub Scout Pack 848 is sponsored by St. Aloysius Catholic Church. Dens meet on Monday nights at 6:30 PM in the school cafeteria. The Cubmaster is Patrick McClure (patrickb63@yahoo.com). Pack meetings are held on the third Monday of each month.
Cub Scout Pack 868 is sponsored by Scout Parents, Inc. and meets at 7:00 PM Thursday nights at the Shepherdsville Community Center. The pack's calendar of planned activities is posted on the pack's web site at www.cubpack868.com. Cubmaster Bob Meek can be reached by email at cm@cubpack868.com.
All of these packs welcome new members any time during the year. Cub Scouting is for boys in 1st through 5th grades (ages 6~10). Boys are grouped by age or grade into units called dens. Dens typically have 6~10 boys. Each den is led by at least two adult Den Leaders. Collectively, the whole unit is called a pack. The pack is led by a Cubmaster. Most packs also have at least one Assistant Cubmaster as well as other parents who serve in roles such as Treasurer or as members of the Pack Committee.
Boys in 1st grade are called Tiger Cubs; 2nd graders are Wolves, 3rd graders are Bears, and boys in the 4th and 5th grades are Webelos. The Boy Scouts of America publishes an age appropriate manual (called a handbook) for each rank that details the advancement requirements for that level.
The emphasis of Cub Scouting is on the family unit. Parent involvement is strongly encouraged and many Pack activities are "whole family" events. Cubs love to make things, so weekly den meetings often involve time for arts or crafts. Field trips to parks, museums, and area landmarks are also commonly incorporated. Every so often, all dens meet together as a large group in a Pack Meeting. Pack meetings are where awards are presented and boys are recognized for their achievements. Parent attendance at Pack Meetings is very important. Pack meetings often include skits, songs, and games as well as a brief "business" segment where plans for upcoming activities are explained to scouts and parents.