The questions
we get most.
New to scouting? So is almost everyone when they start. Here's what parents typically ask us before signing up.
Short answers,
no jargon.
If you've got a question that isn't here, just ask — the contact form goes straight to the committee and someone will write back, usually the same night.
How much does it cost?
Annual BSA registration is around $85 (set nationally, changes each year). Pack 129 also collects dues that cover awards, the Pinewood Derby kit, Blue & Gold, and a handful of other pack-wide events — that number varies year to year, but we try to keep it under $150.
If cost is a problem, tell us. We have scholarships through the pack and the council — no kid gets turned away, and nobody has to explain why.
Where and when do you meet?
Pack meetings are the third Thursday of each month, 6:30 PM, at the Eagles Lodge (13140 Lake Shore Dr, Cedar Lake). Den meetings are weekly — your den leader will set the exact cadence when you join.
Summer is lighter — a few campouts and outings, no weekly meetings.
Do I have to camp?
No. Campouts are a highlight for the kids who love them, but they're optional. Plenty of Pack 129 families skip camping and still get the full scouting experience through den meetings, pack events, and day outings.
If your scout wants to camp and you're not up for a tent, we usually have cabin options — or another family who'll happily share theirs.
My kid isn't outdoorsy — is this still for us?
Yes. Cub Scouts isn't a camping club — it's a place for kids to try a lot of things. Some meetings are outside; plenty happen indoors. Some scouts go all-in on hiking; others gravitate to pinewood cars, STEM activities, or cooking. The range is wide on purpose.
My kid is too young / too old, isn't it?
Cub Scouts runs from kindergarten through fifth grade. If your kid is in that range, they fit. Older kids crossover into Scouts BSA (the program formerly known as Boy Scouts), which is open to any youth age 11–17.
What do we need to buy?
A Cub Scout uniform shirt, a neckerchief for the right rank, and the Cub Scout book for that year. That's it to start. Everything else (Pinewood Derby kit, patches, campout gear) the pack provides or loans — and we have a closet of used uniforms if a new one isn't in the budget.
How big a time commitment is this?
One den meeting a week (~45–60 minutes) plus a once-a-month pack meeting. A few bigger events a year — Pinewood Derby, Blue & Gold, one or two campouts. Miss a meeting? No one will ask where you were.
Do parents have to stay?
For Lions and Tigers, yes — an adult partner stays for the meeting. From Wolves onward, drop-off is fine, though plenty of parents stick around because, honestly, the meetings are fun.
Is Cub Scouts just for boys?
No. Cub Scouts has been fully coed since 2018. Pack 129 welcomes boys and girls, and every rank and award is available to every scout.
How do I actually join?
Click the big red button. It takes you to BeAScout.org — the BSA's official registration site — pre-filtered to Pack 129. Fill out the form, pay the registration, and we'll be in touch within a few days to get you into the right den. No paperwork by hand, no waiting for the next open house.
Join Pack 129 →