Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who can join Pack 224?
A. We are a family pack and welcome boys and girls in Kindergarten through 5th grade (age 5-10). We are not affiliated with any school or religious organization. We have scouts that attend Reed, Hacienda, Schallenberger, and some are homeschooled as well.
Q. How are dens structured?
A. We have family dens within our family pack. This means that dens for Kindergarten through 4th grade can have boys and girls in the same den. For 5th grade, boy and girl dens are separate.
Q. What about transitional kindergarten students?
A. We don’t accept students in transitional kindergarten. There is not a Cub Scout program below the age of 5. If the student changes to regular kindergarten after they are 5 years old, they are welcome to join as a Lion at that time. Otherwise, consider joining when starting kindergarten next year.
Q. When and where do you meet?
A. Our pack meetings are the second Thursday of the month from September through May, from 6:30-7:30pm. Sometimes we adjust to a different Thursday to avoid San Jose Unified School District holidays or break weeks. Dens meet 1-3 times per month. From March 2020 to June 2021 we met online through Zoom. We are currently meeting at Schallenberger Elementary for pack meetings, either outdoors or in the cafeteria depending on the month. Den meetings are usually at one of the den members houses.
Q. What other events do you do?
A. We do two campouts a year (Fall and Spring) and have various optional events on weekends like hikes, clean ups, or picnics/pool parties. We also have a Pack Pinewood Derby and Blue and Gold Banquet annually.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. There are several components to the cost. The BSA charges an annual fee of $75 for each scout and $57 for each registered adult. Our council charges $12 annually for insurance. There is a one time joining fee of $25. Additionally, Pack 224 has annual dues of $72 for each scout to cover part of our expenses. All adult leaders must be registered with the BSA. All scouts and leaders must purchase a uniform (shirt, hat, belt, pack number patch, den number patch, and optionally pants, shorts, skort, and socks). There is also a handbook for each Cub Scout rank and a guide for den leaders. We sell Pack 224 T Shirts for $14 each which are worn in more informal situations like hikes when the uniform would be too hot. Also an optional Scout Life subscription is $15. For some events such as campouts we charge a per person fee for all participating.
Q. Do you do fundraising?
A. Yes. We sell Trail’s End popcorn and Sherwood Forest Wreaths in the Fall and Scout-O-Rama tickets in the Spring. This helps support both our pack as well as our district, council, and the BSA at the national level.
Q. How much parent/adult involvement is needed?
A. For Lions and Tigers (Kindergarten and 1st Grade), there is an adult partner for each scout that attends every activity with them. Older scouts are not required to have an adult partner at all activities, however we are entirely volunteer run and we have jobs large and small available to help the pack. It is expected that each family contributes to the pack in some capacity that fits their schedule and skills.
Q. How do you track advancement?
A. Parents and leaders work together to enter all relevant information about the scouts’ activities into Scoutbook. Scoutbook is a website that allows tracking adventures and awards for all ranks in scouting. This simplifies the process of determining which belt loops, patches, and pins need to be purchased and awarded throughout the year.