The mission of Scouting America, the program administering cub scouts, 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. Cub scouts are scouts that are in K-5.

The Aims of Scouting are:

Character, Citizenship, Personal Fitness, and Leadership

Pack 12 is organized by an all-volunteer group of parents, as well as volunteers from Pine United Methodist Church / the SF Council of Japanese Christian Churches, the chartered organization for the pack. 

Scouting America's program helps Scouts to promote developmental assets: in other words, the program is tailored to help promote kids to grow up supported, empowered, engaged in learning, and socially connected - while encouraging a healthy understanding their boundaries and what is expected of them.

Who can join?

Pack 12 welcomes all children from Kindergarten to 5th grade regardless of race, gender, ability, ethnic status, economic ability, religion, or citizenship status.

For some grades/dens, Pack 12 is currently not accepting new members without a parental commitment to join the leadership of the pack. To join those dens, please be prepared to take a den leader, assistant den leader, treasurer, or chairperson open role in pack leadership.

Pack leadership volunteers must be over 21 years old, willing to submit to fingerprinting, receive a background check, and take youth protection training every two years.

What are the dues, fees, and program costs?

Pack dues depend on the number of scouts and the planned activities of the pack. Generally it's around $100-$150 per year per scout. In addition, national and council fees apply for scouts and adult volunteers.

Pack dues cover monthly pack-wide meetings, tours, yearly camp out, some snacks, and a class B T-shirt.

Other costs of scouting include:

• Council/Scouting camp fees (overnights or other programs, these can range from $20-$125, depending on length of event)

• Uniform ($45-$100 depending on year and pack availability in the uniform bank)

• Handbook ($15-$45)

• Den Adventure activity materials (a scout is thrifty- we make every effort to keep activities inexpensive) 

• Camping gear (gear can be rented or borrowed - ask us for more information)

No scout is turned away for lack of financial resources. Please contact us for more information. If you are already a member, please contact the Cubmaster or Pack Treasurer. 

Where do I get a uniform and/or handbook?

Pack 12 maintains a uniform bank for hand-me-downs. In addition, the Scout Shop is the official retailer of Scouting America. You can also visit a local scout shop in the bay area, although the closest shop may be 20-40 minutes away.

How busy is the calendar? How often do you meet?

Our scouting year is most busy in October, but we have monthly meetings starting in August and ending in May. We typically meet as a pack (all grades), one Sunday per month, from 3-4:30pm. Dens occasionally have a second meeting during a month.

For the scouting year Autumn 2025 to Summer 2026, every family is expected to at a minimum, have a parent either:

A) in the leadership of the pack as a registered Den/Pack leader, or

B)  be a Registered Adult Volunteer in a leadership position, or

C) join a volunteer committee, which will meet on average once per month. Committees meet to help organize the events and outings of the pack.

What do I, the parent, do at meetings?

You may be asked to:

• Prepare a snack or drinks

• Take attendance

• Do or prepare a craft for/with your scout

• Set up or clean up after activities

• Tell silly jokes between Pinewood Derby races

• Help cook a meal at a camp fire

• Store/bring materials for meetings

Pack 12 encourages all parents to stay and be engaged with their scout and the group, but parents of Lions (Kindergarten) and Tigers (1st grade) are required by Scouting America to stay with their scout at every Scouting activity.

How does the pack communicate?

Pack 12 uses a combination of email (monthly/larger updates), Google docs/sheets/forms (sign ups, calendars, interest questions), and Whatsapp (off the cuff/quick messages and weekly reminders).

When can we join?

Pack 12 accepts applications through the summer and into the first few weeks of school. During the school year, we close enrollment to focus on our program of activities and offerings. If you would like to join, please use the join links below and we will reach out with more information as soon as we can.

If your child is entering kindergarten, please ask around in your friend group to see if anyone else would like to join with you. We try our best to form a den for each year, but we require at least one parent leader and a minimum of 3-4 scouts to start a new den.  

Can I attend a meeting or visit with other scouts? How do I join?

Pack 12 goes into activity mode in the summer: camps, vacations, and family time! We do not hold pack-wide meetings until August. If you have questions, please use our contact form through the summer.  Our next planned informational meeting times are:

• Sunday, August 17, 2025 - 3pm - Parent Info Meeting on Zoom 

• Sunday, August 24, 2025 - 3pm  - Back to Pack (B2P) - Rob Hill Campground, The Presidio