Parents/FAQ's

About Joining

(a message from the Cubmaster)

Pack 203 has a lot to offer boys from first through fifth grade, but it is also a family adventure. We put a lot of emphasis on the family. Our very active Pack Committee and leaders carries out many tasks and events to make the scouting year a fun time for all. Parents or other family adults are encouraged to become involved with their son and join in the fun. Please see our mission statement and Parents guide for more information.

Pack 203 has Pack Meetings on the third Fridays of the month during the school year. We meet at the First Church in Windsor, at Nelson Hall at 7:00pm. (See our calendar for the next meeting). All interested new scouts are invited to come to a meeting with a parent. The necessary forms can be completed at that time, and new scouts and parents will have an opportunity to talk with the unit adult leaders.

We are truly blessed with a fantastic group of scouts, parents, and leaders that make cub scouting a fun and meaningful program in our town. Over the year, we will explore, share, and enjoy many new adventures with friends, both old and new. Cub scouting is the beginning of a journey that lasts throughout a young boy's childhood and into the teen years.

I am here to help you and your son get the most out this program. I will do everything, and anything I can to make this trip a fun filled, and worthwhile experience by using the time tested and proven BSA methods. Please feel free to discuss any issue regarding cub scouting and your son.

The adventure continues….
Yours in Scouting,

Steve Porcaro
Cubmaster

“Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand.”
- An American Indian Saying found in the Camp Emerald Bay Staff Manual

We would like to talk to you more about Cub Scouting in Windsor, and especially Pack 203.

Please feel free call Steve Porcaro 243-3975 or email @ sporcaro@pack203.org for more information, or come to next pack meeting!

Cub Scout Pack 203 Registration Information

Boys can join any time throughout the school year. Our chartered year runs from March 1 – February 28.

Effective January 1, 2008, the yearly registration fee is $90.00 and is due by the January Pack Meeting. We meet with the council in early February to re-charter/re-register and pay our fees.

Cubs that join in August/September will be charged $45.00 at the time of sign-up.

This is a pro-rated registration fee that covers them for the ½ year (September – February).

(Cubs will re-register in January for the next year, and will be assessed the full year registration fee of $90.00 at that time.)

The pack participates in the Trails End Popcorn Fundraiser every October. Each scout earns 1/3 of what they sell. These earnings can be used to offset the $90.00 registration fee, as well as any other activities.

Each scout has his own Personal Account, which is managed by the pack treasurer.

All registrations, activity fees, and financial transactions are recorded on his spreadsheet - except den dues. These are handled by the individual den leaders.

The registration fee covers, but is not limited to, the following:

Local, District, and National Registration
Boys Life Magazine Subscription
Pack and Den Leader Training and Resources
All Awards and Advancements - including patches, belt loops, certificates, beads, Arrow of Light, Boy Scout Crossover
Pack Meetings – awards and advancements, door prizes, special guests, Halloween haunted hallway
Pine Wood Derby – cars, track rental, awards (patches, certificates, trophies)
Rocket Launch – rockets, engines, beverages
Blue and Gold Banquet – awards and advancements, leader recognition and awards, special guests, facility rental, celebration cake
Booth Rentals – at special events such as Shad Derby
Office Supplies and Postage

The registration fee DOES NOT cover the following:

Den Dues – your den leader will collect dues to supplement den activities, crafts, etc.
Camping – a fee will be collected to cover expenses for any local outdoor camping trip, such as Winter Tadma and Tree Farm Campouts (usually $12.00 - $15.00 per person)
Optional Pack Activities – such as museum sleepovers, Wolf Pack games, Rock Cats games, museum visits, other events
Summer Camp – either resident or day camp

Questions? Please Contact:

Lisa Hazzard, Treasurer Steve Porcaro, Cubmaster

860.683.2146 860.243.3975

rlhazzard@comcast.net sporcaro@pack203.org

Fees for registration (effective January 1, 2008)

Initial year Cub Scouting Fee: September thru February = $45.00 for 6 months

Renewal Every Year Thereafter = $90.00 for 12 months

(Other sign up times will be pro-rated)

Boy's Life magazine is included in all registrations. We fundraise by selling popcorn. Most of our activities are free, however, we do have some that require a small charge. Please refer to the Calendar for other activities.

What Council are we in?	We are in the Connecticut Rivers Council.
What District are we?	We are the Matianuck District.
Where is the Scout Store?	Located at the Connecticut Rivers Council Offices.
How do I get there?	Follow these directions.
What do I put on the uniform once I have it?	The scout store is very helpful, Let them know what grade or age of your son, and they will help you pick-up the right pieces. We will assign your son to a den, and this number will go on the uniform. We are Pack 203.
What does my son need for a uniform?	At least a scout shirt, belt, and handbook. You will want to purchase your son’s shirt to allow for growth. He will wear it for 2-3 years. Tigers, Wolves, Bears (grades 1-3) wear blue uniform shirts. Webelos (grades 4-5) wear khaki uniform shirts.
I would like to Volunteer.	Volunteering is not required, but highly recommended. This is an all-volunteer organization; and we rely on the generosity of parents to make it work. You can help in many ways, please consider helping.
Why does my son need a web site permission form?	We would like to share our fun moments with everybody in the pack. To make this possible the BSA wants to make every effort to protect our children and leaders. This form has all the information regarding our policies. Cub Scout Web Consent Form Cub Scout Leader Web Consent Form
Who do I make checks out to?	Please make all checks out, for all events, to "Pack 203", unless otherwise noted.

A TRADITION TO CELEBRATE SCOUTING

In 1933 "Cub Leaders' Round Table" suggested Parent / Cub dinners. Soon thereafter, Pack 1 of Michigan City started a tradition of pot-lucks where the dads were to bring utensils made of wood; whittled by the Cub with his dad. In the 1930s father/son 'bean dinners' and 'Cub family dinners' began to become commonplace. Finally, in 1943 the name "Blue and Gold Banquet" first appeared in BSA literature, and became synonymous with "celebrating the birthday of Scouting." (Blue & Gold for the Cub Scout colors.)

Today, the Blue and Gold banquet is one of the highlights of the program year. It brings together our Pack's families for a dinner and an evening of fun. The meal is important, but even more important is the warm, congenial atmosphere created as families enjoy each other's company.

For our Pack, our Blue & Gold Banquet is one of our main social events for the year. We have lots of good food, bright decorations and special recognitions. Our Blue & Gold Banquet is usually held as our regular May Pack Meeting.

A Message by Paul Harvey

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd really like for them to know about hand-me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meatloaf sandwiches. I really would. My cherished grandson, I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen. I hope you have a job by then. It will be good if at least one time you can see a baby calf born and your old dog put to sleep. I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in. I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him. When you want to see a Disney movie and your little brother wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him. I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely. On rainy days when you have to catch a ride I hope your driver doesn't have to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your mom. If you want a slingshot, I hope your dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one. I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books. When you learn to use those newfangled computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head. I hope you get razzed by your friends when you have your first crush on a girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what Ivory soap tastes like. May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on the stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole. I hope you get sick when someone blows cigar smoke in your face. I don't care if you try beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend. I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your grandpa and go fishing with your uncle. May you feel sorrow at a funeral and the joy of holidays. I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through a neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster of Paris mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. Are we friends, or are we not? You told me once, but I forgot. So, tell me now and tell me true. So I can say....... "I'm here for you." Of all the friends I've ever met, you're the one I won't forget. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you.

By Paul Harvey