Youth and Volunteer Support

The second, equally important part of the BSA is made up of organizations, individuals, and Scouting units focused on delivering the Scouting program to the youth and to training and supporting the volunteer leaders who oversee the program. This is the part of the BSA organization that actually delivers the Cub Scouting program to the children we serve.

The Chartered Organization

The council and district support participants in the Cub Scouting program through the pack, but they don’t run the program. The responsibility of running units falls to the chartered organization, a local organization with interests similar to the BSA. This organization, which might be a religious organization, school-based parents’ organization, service organization, or group of interested citizens, receives a charter from the BSA to use the Scouting program as part of its service to young people. Some chartered organizations operate a single Scouting unit, while others operate several, perhaps a Cub Scout pack, a Scouts BSA troop, and a Venturing crew.

The chartered organization agrees to provide a suitable meeting place, adult leadership, and supervision for each of its units. Some provide financial support, but that’s not required.

A member of the organization, the chartered organization representative, acts as a liaison between the organization and its Scouting units and serves as a voting member of the local council. The chartered organization representative is often someone who is responsible for all of the organization’s youth programs.

The Cub Scout Pack

The pack is the Scouting unit that conducts the Cub Scout program with the chartered organization. It is led by a pack committee, which oversees administrative functions, and a Cubmaster, who oversees program activities. The pack includes all the children, leaders, and parents involved in Cub Scouting.

Most packs meet once a month, usually in a room provided by the chartered organization. The pack meeting is led by the Cubmaster with the help of other adults. It’s the pinnacle of the month’s activities and is attended by all family members.

In addition to regular pack meetings, the pack may take field trips, go camping, and conduct service projects or money-earning activities. During the summer, the pack might conduct outdoor activities such as a swimming party, pack overnighter, family picnic, or sports tournament.