Hi, my name is John Greathouse and I'm Pack 618's Cub Scout Leader,  webmaster and my sons Den Leader. Thank you for your interest in the Santa Cruz Cub Scout Pack 618. We would like to extend an invitation for you and your future Scout to join our Pack.
 

Thanks again and please email me if you have any questions

Even 'More info' if you'd like  :)

Our meetings happen every 3rd Thursday of the month from Sept or Oct through June. Our first Pack meeting will feature the new cub scout sign-up and parent/guardian indoctrination. Usually our kick off meeting blasts off with the activity Alka-Seltzer Rockets!



Where is the Church?
Trinity Presbyterian Church ( same as last year, click link for directions )


What do the Cub Scouts do?
Besides all of the wonderful activities which include but not limited to:
 - Our World Famous Pinewood Derby, Our Locally Famous Egg Drop, Paper Airplane Derby, Cardboard Racers, Alka Selver Rockets and more. We have "Build a Car" weekend where your scout will attend our special pack meeting to build his one of kind Pinewood Derby car. Your scout will get out in the community through the various Den Meeting events he'll be apart of. He will walk with the Cub Scouts in the annual Santa Cruz Holiday Parade. You'll be apart of our Second Harvest Food Bank donation drive as well as our Toys for Tots annual Christmas toy donation drive.

Most of what I explained is at our monthly PACK meetings. When your a Scout, you will attend DEN meetings where your scout will do "tons" of activities that promote being a good neighbor,

Last year my Dens focus was on being a good neighbor to the environment, animals and to our fellow classmates. We did things that revolved those three topics.
 

Den meetings included:
Created two art projects: Our Christmas wreaths and pinecone birdfeeders, Constructed and raced in the Space derby. Built and raced out Pinewood derby cars. We had a  Trash/Recycling pickup adventure, Helped with feeding the homeless night at the church... I could list many more things we did, but you get the idea.

How much does it cost?
New Cub Scout sign ups are $10. Fill out an Application, pay your $10 and your Cub Scout is ready to go. However, Cub Scouts need that World Famous Blue uniform. Also, the Pack will ask for a $65 annual fee to cover all Pack related items. Patches, projects, food and drink at meetings, so on.

Your one year Cub Scout fee will be "around" $75 total.

The uniform costs can vary depending on where you purchase the items. Your Cub Scout will need at least: The blue Cub Scout shirt, neckerchief and Cub Scout handbook. ( discuss with your Den leader on what book to purchase )

Speaking of uniforms, click here to see our helpful Cub Scout uniform page

Added: Your payment covers BSA membership, Council Fees, Boys Life magazine, Awards and Pack Activities

What's the time commitment?
This depends on the Den leader's schedule and the time you invest in it. The Den leader will put out a schedule of meet times. The Pack meets once a month. So on average you will meet at least two times a month. However, most Dens will meet two times plus the Pack meeting. Three meetings of one hour is typical. This can be more or less... but its a good average to start.

What is my commitment to the meetings?
Unlike other organizations, the Cub Scouts of America emphases a shared leadership role for Den leaders and the parents/guardians of the scouts. You should expect to attend meetings and stay. However, if you work things out with your Cub Scouts Den leader that arranges something different... that's ok too.

What other things should I know about the Cub Scouts before signing up?
Being a parent myself, I'll list the things that seemed important for me last year.

> I noticed that the Cub Scouts are as pure an idea as you can get. We didn't discuss politics, money, government... things that might cause people to cringe if mentioned. We kept everything positive and in a learning environment.

> Respect for the Earth, animals and your fellow human being is a common theme. Cub Scouts are good kids!

> Help and respect the less fortunate. We did food drives and actually sponsored a "Help the homeless" meal at the church. Many Cub Scouts helped provides dinners for the homeless around the holidays.

> Boys LOVE the World Famous Blue Cub Scout uniform! They like earning the patches and wearing the uniform. It's fun for them and in most cases... their Fathers or Grandfathers were Cub Scouts so it's a very prideful moment to see the Cub Scouts with the old veterans. :)

> I could go on and on... but I think you get the drift. The Cub Scouts is a good thing. If you can swing it, please consider signing you boy up.

more information to come... that should you have any questions feel free to contact our Cub Scout Leader <click here>





Here's a note from our New and former Cub Master

Our 2006 / 2007 Cub Master, Eric Aasen

--------------------

Our former 9 year Cub Master, Ciro Milazzo

I was an adult leader with Pack 618 for nine years, as a Den leader from 1997 to 2006 and as Cub master from 2001 to 2006. I initially jumped at the chance to be a Den Leader because I was looking for a way to be involved in my older son's activities, but working regular business hours in San Jose meant that I couldn't do a weekly gig volunteering at school or helping to coach a soccer or Little League team.

I came because the hours worked, but I stayed because the program is great!

Great for the Cubs, great for the leaders, and great for the whole family!

The BSA provides a series of activities and advancements tailored to each grade, from 1st to 5th. The boys work together, learning to appreciate, respect and care for themselves, their families, their community, environment and world, always with an emphasis on fun to keep them coming back each week for more. The local BSA District and Council are there every step of the way, with high quality training available, and knowledgeable volunteers to help with any questions the Pack leaders can think up.

The investment is relatively small - an hour or two a week and some creative energy - but the payback is a huge for the leaders, watching and helping along the way as a group of boys transforms from energetic and creative 1st grade Tiger Cubs bouncing off the walls, into energetic and creative 5th Grade Webelo Scouts leading the younger Cubs and getting ready for the Boy Scouts and beyond. My youngest son moved on to Boy Scouts this year, and I moved with him to be an Assistant Scoutmaster at Troop 618, but I know that the Cub Pack is in good hands with John and Eric and Paul and Manny and Linda up front, and many other committed parents behind the scenes making it go. Maybe you will decide to join the fun and be an adult leader for the Cub Pack too, but either way I hope that you and your son will decide to join the Pack 618 Cub Scout Family!

--Ciro Milazzo

Here's the Cub Scout Application if you need one --> Cub Scout Application

Contact Information:
Santa Cruz Cub Scouts Pack 618 Cub Masters can be reached via email at  http://www.bspack618.org All Pack 618 official information and announcements are posted and updated.