• About Pack 117
• Responsibilities of Scout, Parent and Pack
• History of Scouting
• Nine Principles of Scouting

About Pack 117

Pack 117 serves 1st through 5th grade boys in the Shingle Springs and Latrobe area in northern California.  The Chartered Organization for Pack 117 is the B.P.O.E. - Placerville Elks Lodge 1712.

We offer a high quality program to all boys in grades one through five. Our sons advance in rank each year, beginning with Tiger Cubs and continuing through the Arrow of Light in fifth grade. We encourage our boys to continue the fun, adventure and development of Scouting by graduating into a Boy Scout Troop. We hope each of our Scouts will continue to advance in the Scouting program, not because of the badge of rank they will earn but because of what they will learn about themselves, their families, others, God and their country.

The primary values we seek to instill are contained in the Cub Scout Promise--to do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the law of the pack. Our Scouts, families, adult leaders and volunteers work together to teach these values by:

• Influencing each Scout's character development and spiritual growth
• Developing habits and attitudes of good citizenship
• Encouraging good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body
• Improving understanding and communication within the family
• Strengthening skills in getting along with and respecting others
• Fostering a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills
• Providing fun and exciting things to do
• Showing each Scout how to "do your best"
• Preparing each Cub Scout to become a Boy Scout

Responsibilities

The Scouts, the families and the Pack must work together to make a solid Scouting program for your sons. The Scouting program is an exercise in cooperation between all three of these parts. The Pack cannot give your son a good program if the Pack doesn't get the support of the parents and volunteers and your sons will suffer because of it. The following is what is expected each part of the triad. 

The Scout's Obligations to the Pack

• Do My Best in everything I do.
• Obey the rules and regulations set down by the Pack.
• Obey the Den Leader(s) and Assistant Den Leader(s) and follow their rules and regulations.
• Work on my achievements and electives and advance in a timely manner.
• Participate in Scout activities whenever possible.
• Respect others, their rights and their property at all times.
• Show respect for the BSA.
• Be on time for all meetings and functions. It is not fair for the others to have to wait for me.
• Call my Den Leader(s) or ask my parent to if I cannot attend a meeting or function.
• Keep my uniform clean and in good repair with all my insignia properly placed.
• Wear my uniform proudly to all events and functions unless told otherwise by my Den Leader(s).
• Do a chore or chores in order to earn the money needed for my Den dues.

Parental Obligations to the Pack

• Work with your son on his achievements and electives. Scouting is a "Family Affair" and he cannot do it alone. If assistance is needed, ask your son's Den Leader(s).
• Accompany your son to the monthly Pack meeting. One parent is required but the entire family is welcome.
• Volunteer and become involved. When we ask for parental assistance there's a reason for it. The more you are involved the more you will both enjoy the Cub Scout experience.
• Voice your opinions, thoughts and comments. The only way we can improve the program is to know what it is you and your son want.
• Let us know of any problems as soon as they occur - don't wait. We don't know about something that is upsetting you unless we are told. Contact the Cubmaster or the Committee Chair directly if you don't feel comfortable going to your Den Leader(s). 

The Pack's Obligations to You and Your Son

• Provide a solid Scouting program that you can both be proud of.
• Provide the means of advancement in a timely manner for the Scouts.
• Provide quality trained Den Leaders.
• Provide the opportunity to participate in various outings and activities.
• Provide a safe Scouting environment and meeting place.
• Communicate news and current Scout events to you in a timely manner.

History of Scouting

The Scouting movement was started by a British Army Officer, Robert S. S. Baden-Powell. While stationed in India, Baden-Powell found that his men didn't know basic first aid or outdoor survival skills. They couldn't follow a trail, tell directions, read danger signs, or find food and water. In 1896, Baden-Powell drew upon his background as an army scout to write a small handbook Aids to Scouting. He hoped to teach his men resourcefulness, adaptability and the leadership qualities demanded by frontier conditions. 

When he returned to England, Baden-Powell found that his little handbook had captured the imagination of English boys and was widely read. In August of 1907, he began a test of an idea that he had been thinking about for years. He gathered 22 boys from all parts of England. Some were from exclusive schools, others from the slums, shops or farms. 

He took them to Brownsea Island in a sheltered bay off England's southern coast. Along the shore they set-up a camp which was their home for the next 12 days. The boys had a great time! They were organized into patrols. They played games, took hikes, cooked without utensils, learned stalking and pioneering skills. In the evenings, around the magic of a campfire, they were spellbound by Baden-Powell's stories of his adventures.

 This was the beginning of scouting. Baden-Powell rewrote the scouting handbook with an orientation for young boys and created a weekly magazine called The Scout. He also published a booklet for Scoutmasters. That same year, 10,000 boys attended the first Scout gathering at the Crystal Palace!

One day in 1909 in London, a businessman from the United States, William D. Boyce, lost his way in a dense fog. He stopped under a street lamp and tried to figure out where he was. A boy approached him and asked if he could be of help. He told the boy that he wanted to find a certain business office in the center of the city. The boy took him there. 

When they got to the destination, Mr. Boyce reached into his pocket for a tip. But the boy stopped him and would not accept it saying that he was a “Scout”.  Boyce asked the boy to explain upon which the boy told the story about scouting. Boyce became very interested and after finishing his errand, he had the boy take him to the British Scouting office.

At the office, Boyce met Baden-Powell and spent the evening with him. Boyce was so impressed with what he learned that he decided to bring Scouting home with him. When he boarded the steamer to return to the United States, he carried a suitcase filled with information and uniforms. On February 8, 1910, Boyce and a group of outstanding leaders founded the Boy Scouts of America.

Cub Scouting was added in 1930 for younger boys. Initially it was set up for boys aged 9-11. The age requirement was dropped to 8 in 1949 and to again to 7 in 1982. Cub Scouting in the United States has drawn on the adventure and lore of the American Indian and is also strongly influenced by Kipling’s Jungle Book.

The Nine Principles of Scouting

1. Positively influence character development and encourage spiritual growth
2. Help boys develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship
3. Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body
4. Improve understanding within the family
5. Strengthen boys' ability to get along with other boys and respect other people
6. Foster a sense of personal achievement by helping boys develop new interests and skills
7. Show how to be helpful and do one's best
8. Provide fun and exciting new things to do
9. Prepare boys to become Boy Scouts

Contact a Pack Leader for more information.