A: You can go to beascout.org, put in your zip code and select Cub Scouts. If you put in South Riding's zip code of 20152, Pack 910 will be the first result that appears! From there, you can either choose to ask for more information, or submit an application.

Q: What is my role as a Cub Scout parent?

A: Because we have very young kids in Cub Scouts, we need parents to be actively involved to provide a good program every year. But more importantly, this is a family program and it's important to participate in Cub Scouts with your child. Cub Scouts is not a drop-off type event. You should expect to participate at every event with your child.

It is also important to make sure our kids can enjoy the program safely. All parents are encouraged to go through Safeguard Youth Training, which is available through your my.scouting.org account. All Scouting programs must have a minimum of two adults with this training present to host any event.

We need parents to assist with many of our events throughout the year, even in small ways, like helping with setup at Pack meetings, bringing food or drinks to an event, or shuttling cars back and forth at the Pinewood Derby.

You can also be a registerd leader in Scouting America. Our Pack covers the $65 cost of registering as an adult leader. Adult leaders fill leadership roles like den leaders or serve on the Pack committee to help plan and coordinate our events. 

Our Pack has subcommittees composed of both leaders and non-leader parents to help with the many moving parts of running an active Cub Scout Pack. Every Pack famliy is required to participate in at least one subcommittee.

Q: I see Pack 910 is chartered by Vine and Branches Lutheran Church. Is this a Church group or do we have to be Church members to join?

A: Every Scouting America unit (Pack, Troops, Crews, etc.) must have a sponsoring charter organization. Most often, this is a non profit like a church or community organization (like the Elks, Lions Club, VFW, etc.). While our Pack is chartered by Vine and Branches Church, membership is not restricted to church members. We have a great relationship with Vine and Branches. The current pastor is an Eagle Scout and is very supportive of the Scouting program. In addition to our Pack, Vine and Branches charters a couple of Scouts BSA Troops.

For our Pack membership, we largely recruit out of Liberty, Hutchison Farms, and Cardinal Ridge Elementary Schools, and the surrounding community. While faith and reverence is an important part of the Scouting program, Scouting America itself is non-denominational.

Q: How do fees work/How much does Cub Scouts cost?

A: The total cost for Scouting is split into a couple of categories. Scouting America is a national organization with an annual membership fee of $85. The National Capital Area Council, our regional division of Scouting America that encompasses Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and part of Maryland, has an annual fee of $80. This largely goes to the upkeep of camps and facilities that host Scouting programs. 

These fees, totaling $165, are paid online when you register your Scout. You can also choose to subscribe to Scout Life magazine for $15 a year.

Scouting units like Cub Scout Packs and Scouts BSA Troops also have their own annual dues. Units do not receive any direct financial support from Scouting America. Unit dues go towards awards for the Scouts (like their adventure belt loops and pins) and funding needs for our Pack meetings and our special events like the Pinewood Derby. Currently, Pack 910's annual dues are $135 for the year.

Q: How does membership renewal work in Cub Scouts?

A: When you register your Scout online in Scouting America, that date will also serve as the time when you will need to renew each year. Scouting America registration can be thought of as similar to any annual subscription you pay for online. There is about a three month period around your renewal date that you will have to pay for your renewal. You will receive  several email reminders from Scouting America that your Scout's membership renewal period is coming up. Don't ignore these emails. Renew as soon as you can so you don't forget.

You also have the option when you register or renew, to have your Scout's membership renew automatically each year. You can also "opt out" so that your membership will expire and not renew on its own.

You will need to renew your membership for Scouting America on your own. You do this through your my.scouting.org account, which you are required to set up when you first register with Scouting America. This membership renewal will include the $85 Scouting America fee, the $80 National Capital Area Council activity fee, and the $15 Scout Life magazine fee (if you choose). 

Pack or Troop unit dues are paid separately every year. In Pack 910, we have famlies pay Pack dues at the beginning of the school year in August/September. Pack dues must be paid no later than early October. 

Q: What if my Scout joined in the middle of the year?

A: If your Scout joins for the first time in the middle of the school year, your Scout's membership in Scouting America will still be for a full year, and available to renew at that same time the following year. In Pack 910, we rate dues based on how much program time a Scout is able to experience. If a Scout joins after the Pinewood Derby in late January, we reduce Pack dues by half. If you join after March 31st, we do not charge Pack dues for the that year and they would next be paid in September for the next school year. 

Q: My child no longer wants to/is no longer able to participate in Scouting. Can I get a refund?

A: Yes and no. Through many inquiries, we have not been able to find a way for the Scouting America or NCAC activities fees paid online to be refundable. The only thing you can do is make sure that you select "opt out" of automatic renewal in your my.scouting.org account so that you will not be charged for the next year. 

Our Pack is able to provide a refund for only dues paid directly to the Pack. If a Scout's participation ends prior to January 1st, you can get a full refund of Pack dues. If a Scout's participation ends after January 1st, only half of the Pack dues will be refunded.