Cub Scout Pack 563

Cub Scouting means "doing." Everything in Cub Scouting is designed to have the boys doing things. Activities are used to achieve the aims of Scouting—citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness.

Many of the activities happen right in the den and pack. The most important are the weekly den meetings and the monthly pack meetings.

* Remember to visit our Gallery to view photos of our Activies.

* Make sure to view our calendar frequently, to see when activities have been scheduled.

Camping

Age-appropriate camping programs are packed with theme-oriented action that brings Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts into the great out-of-doors. Day camping comes to the boy in neighborhoods across the country; resident camping is at least a three-day experience in which Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts camp within a developed theme of adventure and excitement.

During the summer at Cub World, camping carries the world of imagination into reality with actual theme structures of castles, forts, ships, etc. Boys are able to enjoy a full week of camping fun, while swimming, hiking, wall climbing, shooting at the archery and BB range, out door cooking, and much, much more.

Cub Scout pack families enjoy camping in local council camps and other council-approved campsites, such as Camp Pouch in Staten Island. Camping programs combine fun and excitement with doing one's best, getting along with others, and developing an appreciation for ecology and the world of the outdoors

Pinewood Derby

The pinewood derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Cub Scouting. Pinewood derby cars are small wooden models that boys make with help from their families and then race in competition. The cars are powered by gravity and run down a regulation track. The pinewood derby is an annual event. Every boy can design and build his own "grand prix" car to enter in the race.

We participate in our own pack race and then try our luck racing against other packs in all of Brooklyn at the Council’s Pinewood derby race held in Kings Plaza Mall. Winners at this competition get to race against the Cub Scout winners of the other NYC boroughs.
Cub Scout derbies are valuable activities for Cub Scouts. Many men who once were Cub Scouts fondly recall their derby experiences: planning the design of their vehicle, working with a parent to build it, and seeing it perform on race day when, win or lose, they could take pride in having done their best. In this way, the three basic lessons learned by participating in a Cub Scout derby—the craft skills, the rules of fair play, and good sportsmanship—are remembered for a lifetime.

Klondike Derby

The Klondike Derby is a winter competition for Scouts during which the boys will pull their Klondike sleds, which they help build and decorate, through a straight run against other Troops/Packs. This event takes place on the beach of Coney Island (meeting by the New York Aquarium). Boys will first go through several obstacle courses, and are tested on their scouting skills and knowledge, all the while being timed. To end the all-day event, the boys participate in a grand sled race with their Klondike Derby carts on the beach (with or without snow)!

Go-Cart Derby

This spring time event has the Scouts compete in Go-Carts that they help build and decorate. The race is held in Prospect Park, down one of its slopes. Each Scout gets a turn down the slope trying to hit the fastest mark crossing the finish line.

Cub-o-Ral

The Cub-o-ral is an all day event and is filled with various skill games for the Scouts, such as: relay races, potato sack race, three legged race, balancing, mental skills and more.

Memorial Day Parade

Every year, the Scouts march in our local Memorial Day Parade. The boys proudly march along 4th Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, ending at Canon Ball Park by the Verrazano Bridge; in the longest running Memorial parade in existence in NYC honoring our Veteran heroes. Scouts earn a commemorative patch to wear on their uniform and are awarded a discount towards their summer camp fees.

Cub World

Scouts get to spend an entire week of summer fun camping in the woods of nearby Alpine, New Jersey. Scouts get to participate in many fun filled activities and get to work on their advancements as they learn new skills. Favorite events are swimming, wall climbing, outdoor cooking, archery and much, much more. For more information visit Cub World’s website at AlpineScoutCamp.org

Pancake Breakfast

One of the fund raisers that we organize in Troop/Pack 563 during the year is the Pancake Breakfast. During this event the Scouts help serve and act as hosts to our church’s parishioners, neighbors and friends, as parents and leaders prepare a delicious breakfast. The money raised goes towards paying for Scout awards, patches, supplies, and help reduce the price on trips.

Family Pack Nights

Once a month, our pack meeting is one special night. On this night all parents MUST be present because it is the night that the Scouts are presented with their awards that show their progress and achievements. The boys also present a skit or song as well as show off their completed projects. We encourage parents to bring along their cameras to photograph their proud Scout. We end the night with a small celebration as we munch on delicious snacks that have been brought in by the Scouts and their families.

Blue and Gold Dinner

Our last official gathering before the summer session begins is the Blue and Gold Dinner. At this dinner, we all bring in an international dish and dessert to share with all the scout families. At this special event, we present the Scouts with their awards and special recognitions that they have earned to finalize the year, as well as see the boys ceremoniously move up into their new ranks.