Lions

The relatively-new Lion Cub program was a pilot program for two Scout Years (2016-17 and 2017-18). Our council (a geographical area compositing Santa Clara and most of San Benito and Monterey counties) is one of a few in which this was offered. It is now a fully-integrated part of the Cub Scout program. This page explains the Program and answer as many questions as possible ahead of time.

Schedule: Each month through May there is one or two Lion meetings per month and one activity, in addition to the Pack meeting.

Once the Lions earn their first belt loop or their neckerchief, plan to attend a Pack meeting! And be absolutely sure to attend these Pack meetings:

• December (get your Pinewood Derby kit)
• Pinewood Derby (January),
• the Blue & Gold Dinner (February),
• the Water Rockets (April), and
• May for the Bridging (into Tigers).

Please bring an completed application to the first meeting; only the Council Copy is needed.

Age requirement: In kindergarten, 5 years old by Sept. 30 but not yet 7.

The dues are the same as the Pack but include the neckerchief (something they earn) and the belt but not Boys' Life (magazine, which starts with the Tiger year).

Not covered by dues:

• youth Lion cap (optional) and $14.50 more (decide as a group whether to get it)
• Adult shirt: $12.00 Pack 794 Class B (T-shirt)

Dues cover:

• Youth registration
• belt
• Pinewood Derby car
• Lion shirt
• Lion books
• Neckerchief (which they earn)
  

Please understand these are the costs of the program (awards, shirts, and books, and registration); it is run by volunteers.

A Lion den is supposed to have between 6 and 8, but can be as few as 5 and as many as 9. Once we have at least 5 Lions and their adult partners committed to attending an opening meeting, we will call that meeting at a local park. If we get at least 5 committed to the Lion program from that meeting through May of the following year, we will register and schedule the first official meeting.

So before that, if we have between 6 and 9 seriously interested, we will have an initial, non-uniformed meeting (out at a local park) to meet the group and take care of any remaining Q&A. Please bring a checkbook to this meeting just in case we "go for it" (commit).

Because Lions do not at first regularly meet with the Pack, this link does not completely pertain to the Lions, but provides information about what's to come if they continue beyond Lions. You will notice that the www.gilroyscouting.org site covers three units, and the e-mail below is for all three. When completing the application, only the Council Copy is necessary.

Remember to

• build your race-car for Pinewood Derby in January,
• bring a cake to auction at the February Blue & Gold Dinner, and
• build your rocket for April.
• And in May, they will receive their Lion Badge (and hopefully continue on into Tigers). (If the Lion Rank requirements are finished earlier, it s possible they will receive this in March or April.)

Scouting is a program we parents put on for our sons and with our sons and daughters. (With the exception of people at the Council Office who process paperwork and offer training and help, and background-check all adults, we are all volunteers.) The Lion Program is at the beginning led by a volunteer (the Lion Den Leader) whose children are not in the Den. (Parents may not drop off Lions; at least one parent or guardian or grandparent is always with his Lion.) Thereafter, each Lion parent takes turns leading activities, and the Lion Den Leader will be available for help (such as reserving meeting rooms, etc.).

All that said, if you want to proceed, please e-mail Troop792@yahoo.com with "Lion Cub" in the subject line, stating your name and that you're interested in proceeding, and state, generally, if there are any weeknights that do not work to meet. (Feel free to ask any questions as well.) You will receive an acknowledgement.