BSA Cub Scouts Pack 130 serves the international community in the Cantons of Geneva and Vaud as well as neighboring France and is affiliated to the Boy Scouts of America’s Transatlantic Council. The Pack has an international outlook and whilst it is affiliated with the Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts of America), we have members originating from countries all around the world. All of our meetings are in English, so a command of the language will help your son or daughter feel more involved. That said, as an international pack, we have bilingual scouts, leaders, and parents who will help to bridge any language barriers until a boy or girl can build his confidence in English.
We are a non-profit organization run entirely by trained, adult volunteers. Therefore, a parent’s involvement in our scouting community is expected and fully appreciated. The success of the Pack greatly depends upon the cooperation and resourcefulness of everyone. These are just two of our twelve core values. On behalf of Pack 130, we thank you for your interest in scouting and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Cub Scouts is guided by the ideals and principles espoused in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
“A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.”
Do Your Best! This means to try as hard as you can in everything you do.
Citizenship. Contributing service and showing responsibility to local, state and national communities.
Compassion. Being kind and considerate and showing concern for the well-being of others. Thinking about how another person would feel and then acting in a way that shows kindness toward that person.
Cooperation. Being helpful and working together toward a common goal.
Courage. Being brave and doing what is right regardless of our fears, the difficulties or the consequences.
Faith. Having inner strength and confidence based on our trust in God.
Heath and Fitness. Being personally committed to keeping our minds and bodies clean and fit.
Honesty. Always telling the truth and being worthy of trust.
Perseverance. Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it becomes difficult to finish.
Positive attitude. Being cheerful and setting our minds to look for and find the best in all situations.
Resourcefulness. Using human and other resources to their fullest.
Respect. Showing regard for the worth of something or someone.
Responsibility. Fulfilling our duty to God, country, other people, and ourselves.
I will do my best to:
Be clean in my outdoor manners. I will treat the outdoors as a heritage. I will take care of it for myself and others. I will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways.
Be careful with fire. I will prevent wildfire. I will build my fires only where they are appropriate. When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out. I will leave a clean fire ring, or remove all evidence of my fire.
Be considerate in the outdoors. I will treat public and private property with respect. I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping.
Be conservation minded. I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy. I will urge others to do the same.
Scouts
Be on time.
Wear the Scout uniform properly, as shown in each Scout book.
When the Scout Sign is up, only adult leaders speak.
Follow instructions and help others to follow them.
Take pride in yourself, your Pack and your community.
Follow the Principles of Leave No Trace.
DO YOUR BEST.
Parents
PARENTAL LEADERSHIP Cub Scouting is based on parent/child participation. The success of Pack 130’s Scouting program is based entirely on our parents – no parent involvement, no activities. Parents are expected to contribute in these ways:
Accompany your Cub Scout(s) to Pack and Den activities.
Help out during special events (e.g., Pinewood Derby, Bike Rally, Blue and Gold Dinner).
Plan and run one Den meeting (there are numerous online resources to assist with this).
Assist in maintaining order during Pack and Den functions (non-Scout siblings are welcome at functions, but parents are responsible for the conduct of their non-Scout children at all times).
Annual dues are roughly 350.-CHF/year. This includes the uniform, handbook, supplies and materials, den fees, badges, insurance, venue rentals, and other incidentals. $140 USD are paid directly to Transatlantic Council (TAC) during registration/renewal and 210 CHF are paid directly to Pack 130 prior to your the first pack meeting of the season. There are additional costs associated with activities such as the campouts, sporting events, meals, etc.
The single most important piece of equipment for every child is his handbook. Handbooks are different for each Rank (age/grade level). Your scout will also need a uniform, which consists of a shirt, kerchief, kerchief slide, hat and patches. Both the handbook and uniform are provided as part of the annual dues.
To participate in pack events, your scout will also need to be equipped. For example, camping requires a tent and sleeping bag, hiking requires appropriate shoes, snowshoeing requires snow boots and ski clothes, ski weekend requires appropriate clothing for various activities, etc.
Lion Cubs: Lion Cubs are 5-6 years old (turning 6 during the September- August Scouting year)
Bobcat: The first rank that every boy or girl must earn, except for Lions, when entering the Cub Scouting Program (no matter the age)
Tiger Cubs: Tiger Cubs are 6-7 years old (turning 7 during the September- August Scouting year)
Wolf Cubs: Wolf Cubs are 7-8 years old or (turning 8 during the September- August Scouting year)
Bear Cubs: Bear Cubs are 8-9 years old or (turning 9 during the September- August Scouting year)
Webelos: Webelos are 9-10 years old (turning 10 during the September- August Scouting year)
Arrow of Light: AOLs are 10-11 years old (turning 11 during the September- August Scouting year)
You can find the rank advancement requirements in scouting resources. A quick useful overview is also available on https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/.
As listed above, there are 6 ranks of Cub Scouts for boys and girls aged 6 to 10. A child can enter Cub Scouts at any age and rank, though each new scout must first earn Bobcat rank.
With the help of the other children in your den, you would first earn your Bobcat rank and badge (awarded to all new scouts in November or December). Then together with all the children in your den, you would work on your requirements to earn your year’s rank and badge which is awarded in June. You also earn badges, belt loops, pins when you participate in an activity or achieve a result.
You can find the rank advancement requirements and electives in scouting resources.
Yes! Parents, family members, or close friends generally bring you to/from den meetings, participate in these meetings with other parents, go to Pack meetings with you, and go to Pack events. And if they want to get more involved, they can become a den leader, volunteer for the Pack Committee, or organise an event for your den (or the pack!). Participation of the parent is expected and appreciated.
The pack meets about once a month on Friday nights. The location for 2020-21 will be determined shortly. Each den meets throughout the year at various locations to help scouts achieve their rank and badges. Den Leaders try to organize events that are convenient for the cub scouts in their den.
Cub Scouting is designed to be a family activity. You will need to work with your Scout on progress and advancement in the program. Den Leaders will help guide parents to understand what is required.
We encourage parents to read through their Scout’s Cub Scout Book early in the year and be aware of what activities are required for the Scout to earn each rank. As an important member of the Scouting Team – Scout, Leaders, and Family – we depend on your participation, input, ideas and suggestions. Please keep in mind that Scouting is a volunteer organization and we count on everyone to lend an occasional helping hand.
With a large group, communication is always a challenge. Families are primarily kept aware of Pack 130 activities through our Pack Website and e-mail messages from the Pack and Den leaders. Please be sure that we have your correct, current e-mail address. We are happy to include more than one e-mail address for your family on our distribution list.
When asked to respond, PLEASE REPLY BY THE SPECIFIED DATE. We need to know in advance how many will attend a particular outing or event.
There are important things said and done at all of our meetings. In order to benefit, we must all LISTEN – Scouts, Leaders and parents. Please help us keep our meetings focused and productive. Keep control of your children. Scouts and families can socialize before or after the formal activities.
Cub Scouts is a parent volunteer driven organization. The quality of programs we can deliver is only as strong as the willingness of parents to participate. We need your help and participation to make this program work. You will find that the amount of enjoyment both you and your child get from the program is directly related to your participation. Get involved, it’s great!!
Teaching the Cubs leadership starts with the example you set for your child. Please show respect for the Den and Pack leaders and for other Scouts at meetings. The individual primarily responsible for working with your child is the Den Leader. All of our Leaders undergo training designed to both maintain a safe environment for children, and to provide a solid basis for planning and delivering a quality program. If at anytime you have questions about the program, please contact the Cubmaster.
Please be at meetings and outings ON TIME so that the activity is productive and ends when it should!
We need volunteers to arrive early to help set up and please stay a few minutes after the meeting to help clean up.
Since we are all guests are responsible for the places we meet, please ensure your Scout acts properly and follows the appropriate rules.
The pack is a collection of children (boys and girls) ages 5 to 10 and adults associated with a chartered organization. Adult leadership in the pack includes the Cubmaster and assistant, a pack committee chair and committee members, den leaders and assistants, a pack trainer, and the chartered organization representative. A group of up to 10 children makes up a den. The den members are in the same grade or age group and work on age-appropriate activities. Each den is required to have a den leader and an assistant den leader. Parent involvement makes the den run smoother, as the additional hands lighten the load of the volunteer leaders. Below the chart are more details.
A small group of Cub Scouts who are in the same grade. The ideal size is 6 to 8 Cub Scouts, but a new den can be started with as few as 3 to 4 children. The ranks for each den are as follows:
Bobcat: The first rank that every boy or girl must earn when entering the Cub Scouting Program (no matter the age)
Lion Cubs: Lion Cubs are 5 years old or in the last year of preschool (Swiss 2P)
Tiger Cubs: Tiger Cubs are 6 years old or in 1st grade (Swiss 3P)
Wolf Cubs: Wolf Cubs are 7 years old or in 2nd grade (Swiss 4P)
Bear Cubs: Bear Cubs are 8 years old or in 3rd grade (Swiss 5P)
Webelos: Webelos are 9 years old or in 4th grade (Swiss 6P)
Arrow of Light: AOLs are 10 years old or in 5th grade (Swiss 7P)
An adult, usually a parent, serves as a Den Leader. They carry out the activities related to adventures as they are presented in the Cub Scout’s handbook and the Den Leader Guide.
The pack is made up of several dens. The make up and size of the pack varies based on local interest and resources. Each pack is identified by a number.
The leader of the pack meeting is the Cubmaster. In addition to serving as the master of ceremonies the Cubmaster provides support to Den Leaders.
Made up of parents, leaders, and other caring adults, the pack committee works to support den leaders and the cubmaster.
Our committee meets monthly and handles the administrative side of managing the pack such as scout Enrollment, Den Leader Training, Kit & Badges, Finances, Event planning, Liaison with the Transatlantic Council and the BSA, etc.
The top volunteer in the pack is the Pack Committee Chair, who is responsible for ensuring enough qualified adult volunteers are in place to provide the program. They lead the pack committee meetings.
This is the organization that partners with Scouts BSA to deliver a Scouting program. They adopt Scouting to serve the youth in the community.
We are chartered by an association called The Friends of Scouting. Mrs. Sylvia Thullen, co-founder of Pack 130, is the chartered organization representative. This person appoints the Pack Committee Chair and approves all adult leaders. They can also provide resources from the chartered organization.
To effectively support local Scouting programs, Scouts BSA provides a charter to a community board of volunteers to be responsible for providing the Scouting program to a defined geographical area. These geographical areas are called councils. Councils have a volunteer board which employs a Scout Executive to serve as the CEO and give leadership to the day to day operation. The Scout Executive hires staff to provide direct and indirect support to local Scouting programs. In each council there are many more volunteers than staff as the organization is volunteer lead and professionally guided.Councils are different in size based on factors such as population, geography, and local markets. Most councils operate Scout Camps and local Scout Shops and have a regional office to provides administrative support and record keeping. To identify what council a Scout or an adult belongs to, an identifying patch is worn at the top of the left sleeve shoulder of the uniform.
Pack 130 is governed by the Transatlantic Council, located in Tirrenia, Italy. For more information about the TAC, visit https://tac-bsa.org/.
To provide more localized support to scouting, councils create districts. Districts are geographical areas of service. Districts have a volunteer District Committee that provides support to local programs in the areas of membership, finance, and program. Another group of volunteers called commissioners provide direct service to Scouting programs.
Pack 130 is in the Charlemagne District of the Transatlantic Council.