This page describes the types of meetings and activities we organize. For specific times and dates of planned activities, please visit the Calendar.

Den Meetings

A group of Cub Scouts is called a Den. The group gathers at a Den meeting one or two times a month for games, activities and projects geared toward completing the requirements needed to earn badges. The meeting is under the supervision of the Den Leader and one other adult (either a Co-Leader, Assistant Den Leader or a parent volunteer) and normally lasts 60-75 minutes.  Individual Den Leaders will plan the meetings and other activities for the Den.

Note: The Den meetings are NOT listed on the Calendar.  Den activities are scheduled individually by each Den Leader and communicated to the Den members via email.  

Pack Meetings

A group of Dens is called a Pack. Once a month all the Dens gather for the Pack meeting - an evening of games, awards and activities centered on a monthly theme. This meeting also serves as a showcase for Den activities. An adult family member must accompany the Scout. Siblings may attend and are encouraged under the guidance/supervision of a parent. The Pack meeting is under the leadership of the Cubmaster and normally lasts about an hour to an hour and a half.  Activities for our Pack meetings typically follow the same pattern from year to year.

Family Activities

Throughout the year, all Cub Scouts and their families participate in additional optional activities, which promote and strengthen family and Pack ties. Depending on the outing, the Pack may pay the admission charges for all attending Scouts or may ask participants to help cover the cost of the event. These activities may vary from year to year.  

Past examples have included trips to an Elmhurst University basketball game to serve as the color guard (and watch the game); museum overnights; group trips to Medieval Times for dinner and a show; decorating a tree and attending the Elmhurst Park District's tree lighting festival in Wilder Park; group outings to watch baseball or hockey games; model rocket launches for the scouts; etc.  

All events are listed on the Calendar for any given year.  Any parents with ideas about activities that the group may enjoy are encouraged to contact the Pack 24 leaders.

Community Service Activities

Pack 24 typically schedules 1-2 community service projects per year for the scouts - usually in the Fall and Spring.  Check the Calendar for listed activities.

Camping

Pack 24 typically schedules 2 "Family Overnighter" campouts every year - one in the fall and one in the spring.  Attendance is optional and registration will be coordinated through online signups. We try to stay closer to Elmhurst for the Fall campouts so there is less driving - these are usually at county forest preserve sites. We sometimes go a litter farther away for the Spring campouts to visit some more impressive Illinois State parks.  

Camping sites will be tent camping sites with a parking lot nearby for easy unloading gear. Many of our scouts (and parents) may have very limited camping experience, and these campouts are intended to be as easy as possible for new campers. We coordinate food for the group for Saturday night dinner and Sunday morning breakfast. Some campouts have families bring their own dinner on Saturday, depending on the group's preferences. We schedule a hike on Saturday evening and another hike on Sunday morning.

A parent or legal guardian must attend with each scout. Families will tent together as a family unit. Each family will need to bring a tent and basic personal supplies - sleeping bag, flashlight, etc. A basic packing list will be provided to participants.

Hiking Program and Other Annual Traditions

Some additional activities are described in full on separate pages of this site:

• Popcorn Sales

• Hiking Program

• Pinewood Derby

• Rain Gutter Regatta

Leadership Committee Meetings

Lastly, but very importantly are the meetings of our adult leaders. Parent volunteers are the key to keeping the Pack going strong. The adult volunteers holding leadership positions comprise the Pack Committee. This committee meets once a month and invites all parents to attend and participate in planning Pack activities. Time is also allocated to budget review, fundraising goals, training needs, Scout achievements and awards and special events. All types of experience can be valuable - parents do not need any specific kinds of scouting experience to be able to attend and help.