Joining Up

When is a good time to get started?

Pack 254 welcomes youth in Kindergarten through 5th grade any time of the year! However, most new scouts join up in September, and each den begins the work for the year in late September/early October. If you join substantially later, your den leader will help you figure out what requirements (if any) you’ll need to complete independently.

If you have an interest in learning more about our pack, if you have questions, or if you are ready to get started, please contact us via email at pack254portland@gmail.com. You can also fill out an interest form here to let us know a little bit more about you and your potential scout(s) and we’ll get back to you!

What’s the structure of Cub Scouts?

The pack includes all of our scouts, from Kindergarten – 5th grade. We are Pack 254. There are a few other packs in our area; you can join the one that is right for you and your family! (Go to www.beascout.scouting.org to see what other groups are near you). Most of our pack comes from within the Hayhurst and Maplewood school boundaries, but we have a good assortment of scouts from other schools and homeschool situations.

Each den is a grade-level group. There is normally one den per level in the pack. Dens are usually about 4-12 scouts.

The Dens

Kindergarten students are in the Lion Den.

First graders are in the Tiger Den.

Second graders are in the Wolf Den.

Third graders are in the Bear Den.

Fourth graders become Webelos (Fun fact: “Webelos” stands for We‘ll Be Loyal Scouts).

Fifth graders are Arrow of Light scouts and work toward their Arrow of Light award.

When are meetings?

The pack meets once per month on the 2nd Thursday of every month, from September to May. Pack meetings are 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Each den also meets once per month, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday on a week that is not a pack meeting week. Parents are expected to stay and participate with den meetings and most pack meetings, especially if you have a younger scout. Some of the younger dens may choose to meet earlier than 6:30.

Our Pack Events are normally held once per month and all of our scouts (K-5th grade) and their families are included. These activities include archery, service projects, hiking, fishing, and one or two family campouts in the fall and spring.

Cost for 2025-26 scouting year

Registration cost for 2025-2026 scouting year ($165-$180 per year):

  • $85 – 2024 national dues, pay online through Scouting America registration*
  • $20 – 2024 Cascade Pacific Council (local) dues, paid online when registering*
  • $60 – Pack 254 dues, paid by check or Venmo to Pack 254**
    • Includes a Pack 254 t-shirt for new Cub Scouts. Returning Scouts/adults may purchase for $15.
  • $15 – Scout Life Magazine (optional, choose when you register online)

* National and council dues are paid online through Scouting America registration. New members will register through my.Scouting. Returning members will receive a renewal email 90 days before expiration. You will be required to renew through www.my.scouting.org on their registration anniversary (which for most will be in the fall).

**$60 Pack 254 dues cover the costs for our regular pack events and meetings for the entire scouting year such as materials for pack meeting activities, Pinewood derby car kits for each scout, admission to other events, and a small budget for each den leader to use for den-specific activities. If you need financial assistance for this renewal process, DO NOT re-register through www.my.scouting.org. Instead, contact the Cascade Pacific Council 30 days BEFORE you expire by filling out the form found here.

Additional costs:

  • Uniform top and neckerchief (Pack 254 and the CPC have used uniforms to pass along). Optional pieces include pants, a belt, socks, a hat, and a neckerchief slide.
  • Some activities, such as summer camp, Webelos Woods, contributions to service activities, and new pack t-shirts, have additional costs.
  • Adults who want to register as official adults of the pack (required for leadership positions) pay a $65 yearly national registration fee.

Financial Assistance

Pack 254 and Council have funds for scholarships and assistance. We don’t want cost to be a barrier to participation in the pack or any individual activity. If you ever need financial assistance for registration, uniforms, and/or activities, please contact your den leader or send an email to Pack254Portland@gmail.com.

Scouting delivers excellent value over the entire year compared to the cost of sports and many other activities!

How to transfer from another pack

If you have been a member of another pack and wish to transfer to Pack 254, please contact our cubmaster at Pack254Portland@gmail.com for instructions.