Frequently Asked Questions

Volunteer!  There is no need to have previous Scouting experience, only a willingness to learn.  The Pack and Chain Bridge District provide loads of help to parents willing to become leaders.  Leaders can become fully trained via online training courses located at Scouting.org.   In addition, all adult leaders must take the online Youth Protection Training. 

Class A uniforms (blue formal Scout shirt for Cub Scouts, blue or khaki for Webelos) are worn to Pack and Den meetings.  Uniforms also are worn when performing service for others.  Class B uniforms (a Pack T-Shirt) are worn for more active events, such as camping or field day.  Class A Scout uniforms can be purchased at the official Scout Shops in Annandale and Bethesda or online.  Class B t-shirts are available through the Pack.  A checklist for purchasing uniforms can be found here.

Pack 149 is entirely run by volunteers.  The Pack Committee is the governing body of the Pack and organizes all the support mechanisms or the “back office” of the Pack.  The Den Leaders work with our youth directly. Parents fill all of these roles. Additionally, we ask each family volunteer to help with at least one Pack event or activity each scouting year. 

We work hard to make Pack 149 a safe and welcoming place for all Scouts and their families.   As a Pack, we faithfully implement all of Scouts BSA's institutional safeguards (link), including having at least two trained adult leaders present at all Scouting activities (including female leaders as necessary), providing separate overnight accommodations when camping, and requiring all adult leaders to meet Youth Protection Training (YPT) requirements (link).

Pack 149 is involved in a variety of community service projects throughout the year.  In November, we participate in Scouting for Food, a food collection drive by the 36 Scouting units (Packs & Troops) of the Chain Bridge District to support the Arlington Food Assistance Center.  In February, we join with our Chartered Organization, Cherrydale UMC, to package meals for Rise Against Hunger, 

In the fall, Pack 149 sells popcorn to raise money for our program and teach the Cub Scouts sales skills.  In the winter, we support the Friends of Scouting campaign for our National Capital Area Council. 

As a Pack, we perform community service, go on camp outs and hikes, host a Pinewood Derby, attend sporting events, climb in the trees, and stomp through creeks.  Individual dens meet at least once a month to work on advancement, including going on outings such as hikes, visiting local nature centers, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, visiting local police and fire stations, and learning camping skills like fire safety, knife safety, and knot tying. 

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.  As a Cub Scout, your child will live these ideals by belonging to a den, working on advancement, participating in activities, serving the neighborhood, and wearing the uniform -- all with the support of their family and adult leaders.

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. 

THE SCOUT LAW

A Scout is:

Trustworthy

Obedient

Loyal

Cheerful

Helpful

Thrifty

Friendly

Brave

Courteous

Clean

Kind

Reverent

National Capital Area Council

National Capital Area Council, BSA is one of nearly 300 local councils chartered by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America. It is one of the largest, and is comprised of 23 districts serving ten counties in Northern Virginia, six counties in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands. Our council number is 82.

Chain Bridge District

Chain Bridge District is the home to 78 scouting units, serving over 2,500 youth in the areas of Arlington, Falls Church and McLean in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Pack 149

Our Pack serves K-5 grade students at Taylor Elementary, though we have some students from other schools due to our inclusion of girls dens and family relationships.  We are chartered by Cherrydale United Methodist Church, which graciously allows us to use their facilities for monthly meetings.

Your Den

You will be assigned a Den based on your daughter or son’s grade in school.  The idea is to place youth into small groups with friends she or he might already know.  Ideally, dens will have 6 to 8 youth and will be led by a parent and parent helpers.  The Den Leaders will draw from the resources of the Pack, the District and the Council.  

Pinewood Derby is an event where Cub Scouts race small, driverless wooden cars down a sloped track. The cars are powered only by gravity.

With an adult’s help, each Pinewood Derby car is built by a Cub Scout using a kit that includes a wooden block, plastic wheels and metal axles. Trophies or medals are often awarded for the fastest car and the best designs.