Who can join Pack 5?
Boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth grade, along with their families. Most of our Scouts come from Overland Elementary and St. Timothy School, and neighborhood friends and families are always welcome.
Questions
Frequently Asked
Still unsure about something? Email gregkaufman@gmail.com and a parent will get back to you.
When and where do you meet?
Dens meet twice a month (once a month for Lions) at the Riddick Youth Center, across from Overland Elementary. The whole Pack comes together six times a year for our bigger events, at the Riddick Center or St. Timothy Parish Hall, and there's a pack hike every month.
What does it cost?
Annual dues are $275 per Scout: $100 to Pack 5 and $160–$175 to Scouting America. Scout Life magazine is an optional $15 a year. Add about $105 one-time for the uniform. Scholarships are available — no family left behind.
What do the Pack 5 dues cover?
The Scouting America registration fee, a yellow Pack 5 t-shirt, pack meeting supplies, Pinewood Derby and Raingutter Regatta equipment, advancement badges, event patches and hiking sticks, food and drinks at pack events, and the general fund.
What uniform do we need?
A uniform shirt ($33, or $15 for Lions), hat ($23), neckerchief ($13) and slide ($8), belt ($15), and the handbook ($13), all from the Scout Shop at 16525 Sherman Way, Unit C-8 (rear door), Van Nuys — (818) 781-1296 — or online at scoutshop.org. Navy pants, shorts, or skorts from the Scout Shop, Target, or Old Navy are fine as long as they have belt loops.
Do parents have to stay at meetings?
Yes. One parent must attend every meeting and activity with their child — we aren't a drop-off organization. Siblings are welcome at all of our Pack events too.
What about camping?
There are three family camping trips a year, including winter camp in heated cabins. Past trips have taken us to Irvine, the Santa Barbara Zoo, Lake Arrowhead, the USS Battleship Iowa, and Catalina. Activities can include archery, shelter building, rocket launching, orienteering, zip lines, climbing walls, and mining.
How do Scouts advance?
Each den works through the 'Adventures' in its handbook at den meetings. Completing all of the required Adventures earns the rank for that year, from Lion in kindergarten to Arrow of Light in fifth grade.
Is there fundraising?
Two Scout-led fundraisers a year: Popcorn in the fall and See's Candy in the winter. Scouts learn basic business skills while helping fund the pack's adventures.
Can we try it before signing up?
Absolutely. Email Cubmaster Greg Kaufman and come along to a pack hike or event as a guest — no signup, no commitment.
What if we join mid-year?
That is common and completely fine. Scouts join in the middle of the year all the time and catch up on Adventures quickly.
How can parents help?
Pack 5 is 100% run by parent volunteers. There are plenty of ways to get involved, from helping at a den meeting to joining a Pack committee — and the parents build strong friendships and enjoy the adventures too.
Didn't find your answer?
Send us a note — we're happy to talk it through before you commit to anything.