About Pack 118
Cub Scouts Pack 118 is part of the Etowah District of the Mecklenburg County Council and serves boys and girls grades kindergarten through fifth grade. We meet at St. Stephen United Methodist Church (6800 Sardis Road) the first three Tuesdays of each month from September through May. Our Scout Room is in the rear of the church located in the building just across from the gym. Meetings begin at 6:30pm and conclude by 8:00pm. Please be on time!
What does my scout wear?
Pack 118 requires a Cub Scout uniform shirt, neckerchief, neckerchief slide, hat and belt. The Pack will provide the 118 numbering for your child’s shirt. Uniform pants are optional (jeans, khakis, and shorts are acceptable). Uniforms are available at The Scout Shop located at 1410 East 7th Street (704-333-5471) OR The Carolina Scout Shop located at 2121 Westinghouse Blvd. (704-583-2127). Please call ahead for business hours. Unless otherwise noted, scouts should wear these uniforms to Tuesday night meetings. These uniforms are called CLASS A. Pack 118 issues a Pack t-shirt with our logo for each scout. These shirts are referred to as CLASS B.
What are the different Cub Scout Ranks?
Kindergarten – Lion Cub Scouts (gold/brown uniform accessories)
1st Grade – Tiger Cub Scouts (orange uniform accessories)
2nd Grade – Wolf Cub Scouts (yellow/red uniform accessories)
3rd Grade – Bear Cub Scouts (light blue uniform accessories)
4th Grade – Webelos Scouts (Boy Scout uniforms — green/khaki)
5th Grade – Arrow of Light Scouts (Boy Scout uniforms — green/khaki)
Do I have to remain at each meeting with my scout?
All parents are encouraged to stay and offer assistance to the den leaders. For the Lion and Tiger dens (kindergarten and 1st grade) a parent must remain at the meetings with his/her scout and are involved in the activities. We encourage all parents to engage in this experience with your scouts and help provide support to the den leaders.
What does it cost?
Dues for the 2023-2024 pack year are $120 ($98 BSA dues plus $22 Pack 118 dues). If you are new to scouting a one-time fee of $25 is due upon joining Cub Scouts. This fee covers basic dues, a subscription to Scout Life Magazine, and BSA insurance. In order to keep our dues as low as possible we hold two fundraisers every year:
- Popcorn Sale – Each fall, the Pack participates in the local Scouting Council’s fundraiser with Trail’s End Popcorn. Scouts have the opportunity to sell popcorn door-to-door with an adult, at local businesses and at other preset locations. Scouts are compensated with prizes. 73% of sales goes back to support local Scouting, helping to fund Pack 118 activities.
- Friends of Scouting – Each spring, families can contribute to the local scouting council, Mecklenburg County Council, to help fund camp operations and pay the costs of operating Scouting in Mecklenburg County.
Are parents expected to help with den meetings?
Yes, every parent should be willing to volunteer some of his/her time to work with the trained den leader(s) to provide quality meetings. Den leaders generally set the schedule and are open to new ideas.
What is the difference between a Pack meeting and a Den meeting?
Each Tuesday night meeting begins with the Pack gathered together for general announcements and an opening flag ceremony, which lasts 10-15 minutes. From this point, the boys break into den meetings for about 45 minutes to an hour with their respective ranks/grade level for activities, achievements, outings, etc. We then gather together for a closing flag ceremony at the end.
On the third Tuesday of every other month, we have a formal Pack meeting, meaning we begin with a dinner followed by awards and other activities. Otherwise, we have regular den meetings.
Do we camp?
Pack 118 typically has both a spring and fall camping trip. We usually choose a fall trip that is closer to Charlotte, while the spring trip may be at a campground in the mountains or at the beach. We have been camping in Charleston, SC; Appomattox, VA; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, GA; and Myrtle Beach, SC.
All camping trips will be in campgrounds with running water, electricity, hot showers. No primitive camping for Pack 118 Cub Scouts.
Are there other trips & outings?
We offer a mid-year Super Trip to a point of interest. In February 2017, we went to “Sleep with the Sharks” at Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, SC. In 2018 and 2019, we went skiing at Winterplace Resort in West Virginia. This mid-year trip is generally an “incentive” trip toward which scouts can apply their popcorn sale credits to help cover the costs each year.
What volunteer opportunities are there for parents?
The Pack is totally volunteer led. We always need parents to become den leaders, serve as event coordinators, assist with registrations, help with Treasurer duties and more. Each October there is a parent meeting after the informal Pack meeting to acclimate parents with the jobs of the current Pack year. If you are interested in volunteering, please come to one of our Pack Committee meetings, held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm, or reach out to one of the other leaders.
Does the Pack have a Facebook/Instagram page?
Yes! Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pack118clt and Instagram is @pack118clt.
How do we get information about Pack events?
See our online calendar with details about upcoming events. We also send out emails during the week to keep parents updated on what's coming up.
What are the other special events each year?
January – Pinewood Derby
February – Scouting for Food collection
February – Blue & Gold Banquet
May – Virginia Creeper Trail Camping Trip
June – Cus Scout Day Camp
July – Webelos Adventure Camp
August/September – Recruiting Events
October – Annual Popcorn Sale Fundraiser, Corn Maze night out
Are there summer camp opportunities?
The Etowah District of the Mecklenburg County Council hosts several camps each year. They include Cub Scout Day Camp in June, which is open to all scouts, and Webelos Adventure Camp in July, an overnight camp for rising Webelos and Arrows of Light. You will be notified well in advance of these camps to give you ample time to register for these opportunities.
How much training have Pack 118 leaders received?
Every uniformed Pack 118 leader has completed at least three basic training classes from Boy Scouts of America, including (1) Youth Protection and (2) Basic Leader/Cub Scout Fast Start/Position Specific Training and from St. Stephen United Methodist Church (3) Safe Sanctuary training. We are serious about maintaining Pack 118 as a child safe environment.
Who are the leaders?
Cubmaster – Russell Smith
Asst. Cubmaster – James Scanlon
Pack Committee Chair – Jessica White
Lion Den - Josh Breehl
Tiger Den – Sarah Scanlon
Wolf Den – Susan Smith
Bear Den – Emily Breehl
Webelos Den – Eric James Scanlon
Arrow of Light Den – James Scanlon
Treasurer – Phillip Dickenson
Training Coordinator – Open
Awards Coordinator – Open
How are Pack activities determined and plans made?
The Pack leadership is made up of the Den leaders, advancements coordinator, treasurer, Asst. Cubmaster, Cubmaster and Committee Chair. The Pack Committee generally meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM for approximately one hour to set plans and make policy for the Pack. All parents are encouraged to attend.
Is Pack 118 open to families of all religious faiths?
Yes. Although Pack 118 is chartered by St. Stephen United Methodist Church, a Christian church, we invite families of all faiths to join us. Families should remember that prayers/blessings, religious activities, and God & Country programs all revolve around Christianity. St. Stephen UMC offers a wide variety of Christian Education opportunities, both modern and traditional worship services, and incredible children’s and youth programs. Please see any of the leaders for information.