First some Cub Scout Vocabulary!
Cub Scout: A boy or girl from Kindergarten to 5th grade
Lion: a kindergarten aged Cub Scout
Tiger: a first grade aged Cub Scout
Wolf: a second grade aged Cub Scout
Bear: a third grade aged Cub Scout
Webelos I: 4th grade aged cub scout
Webelos II: 5th grade aged cub scout
The Den: a group of 6 to 12 cub scouts all of the same grade level. There may be more than one den per grade level.
The Pack: all the dens together with their families.
The Troop: As cubs complete the 5th grade or for older siblings we have a sister organization Troop 566 (boys) and 2566 (girls) and Coed Crew 566.
Adult Partner: parent/guardian of a Lion or Tiger Cub who participates with the Cub in the program
Den Guide: an experienced adult leader who is advises the den
Cubmaster: adult leader in charge of the Pack.
Den Leader: adult in charge of a particular Den.
Den Chief: older Scout (age 11-18) who comes back to Cub Scouting to assist a Den
Denner: Cub Scout who helps lead his own den
The Committee: group of parents who plan Pack events, review the Pack budget, and set policy for the Pack
Zero: number of paid leaders in our Pack. We lead because we see the value of the program.
About our Pack
Although we our sponsored by Menlo ChurchSaratoga we are NOT religiously affiliated with them. We are multi-denominational and do our religious requirements in each home. We serve the Saratoga/Cupertino/WestSan Jose/Los Gatos/Sunnyvale area. We accept new members (Boys and Girls grades K-5) all year long. We have an active schedule meeting weekly while Cupertino Schools are in session including 3-4 Den Meetings and Pack Meetings (1 per month) , Optional Weekend Field Trips, Adventures and Overnighters (1-2 per month during the school year). It seems that most leave town when school is out so we have minimal events then.
About the Cubmaster
Jeff Yun-Nikola is the current Cubmaster. He has one daughter currently in the pack and a PreK joining next year.
About the Committee Chair
Mike Lorenzen is the current Committee Chair. Mike was a Den Leader during his son's era in the 90s. He was assistant Scoutmaster in the older age 11-18 program for 2 years before becoming Scoutmaster of Troop 566 for 14 years. By 2014 their 3 sons went through Pack, Troop, & Crew 566 and all became eagle scouts. Since Mike has maintained the infrastructure, recruited and trained the Pack Leaders and helps grows the pack.
About the Assistant Cubmasters
Teresa Lorenzen was the Cubmaster between 1995 and 2005. She then became an adviser has her sons moved to the older 566 programs. She came back to the Pack full time to help the next generation up to Covid. She acts in mostly an adviser role today.
About the Treasurer
Lisa Guo's son was a member of Pack, Troop, and Crew 566. Her son achieved Eagle Scout and is now going to school at Cornell. Lisa lived her second childhood on many 566 outings. She was treasurer of the Troop until her son graduated out. She offered to come out of retirement to be the Pack Treasurer.
What kind of Technology do you use?
We have our Public and Private Websites hosted by Scoutlander.com. Backup site bsa566.comWe use WhatsAPP for easy communications and last minute updates.
Fees are click and pay Square-Up Email Invoices.
We use PackMaster browser based app for Calendar, RSVPs, Advancement Tracking, and more.
We use Google Forms and Docs for surveys and sign-ups.
We also use good, old fashioned technology, namely access to the knowledge and experience of the previous five Cubmasters covering the last 25+ years of Pack activities.
How do we make the group safe?
We went virtual during Covid lockdown. The 2nd year of Covid we met outside at a park weekly with hand washing, temp checks, masks and all over 2 Covid vaccinated. Today with Covid mostly a bad memory we are mostly back to normal with some families continue to play it safe with masks.
Background checks have been completed by the National Boy Scout Organization on all registered adult leaders as well as the new required California fingerprinting and FBI background check. All parents must complete 76 minute free online self paced training and periodic re-training every 2 ears in youth protection. Top leadership takes additional training in weather, first aid, and specifics related to each Cub Scout rank/grade level. Every event requires 2 registered/background checked adult leaders, with one being female if a female cub is present. Most of our leaders have taken national training or are working on it.
We where our Pack T-Shirt and the official Cub Scout neckerchief (different colors for most years). This allows us to identify our cubs and if they are in the correct group even from a distance. Our sibling have their own custom neckerchief. This adds to our safety.
Our parent committee reviews policy and procedures. We subscribe to the national insurance offered by the Boy Scouts.
Are you ready to Join or Have Questions? Click Join Us in left margin.