Cub Scout Pack 680

Alexandria, VA

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we join? How do we join?  Did we miss out on joining?  Do you have room?

Answered on the How to Join page.  We accept scouts year-round, and there’s almost always room.  Sometimes we have to split dens if they get too big.

What day and time are the meetings?  How often do you meet?  Will the meeting schedule fit with my work schedule?

Dens meet 1-2 times per month.  Check out the pack calendar for the current den meeting plan.

Once a month on a Saturday, all of the dens in the pack get together for a pack meeting.

For incoming Lions (kindergarteners), meeting times won’t be set until the den forms and we have a den leader.  The den leader, along with the parents, will pick a day and time that works best.

What are the dues?

Answered on the How to Join page.

May we visit a meeting?  Can my son can see what it is before we make a commitment?

Yes!  When you contact us, we will automatically invite you to our next pack and den meetings.  You can attend as a guest before making any commitment.

Is this the right pack for my school/area?

There are no assigned areas or packs.  You are free to pick any pack.  “Shop around” at http://beascout.org to find one near you.  Factors include distance from your house, does your child have friends in the pack, and affinity with the chartered organization.

Having friends in scouting is usually the #1 factor in determining whether your child will enjoy being a Cub Scout.

Pack 680 draws from Saint Louis, Good Shepherd, Saint Mary, and Saint Rita parishes, but we also have boys from nearby elementary schools like Groveton, Claremont, Cameron Run, Bush Hill, and Waynewood.  We welcome everyone.

What age do you start in Cub Scouts?

Cub Scouts starts either in kindergarten or first grade.  The kindergarten program (called Lions) is an age-appropriate junior version of Cub Scouts designed to ease families into scouting without overwhelming anybody.  The first grade program (called Tigers) is the full Cub Scout program that continues through 5th grade.

Do you have a family scouting program (mixed boys and girls)?

Pack 680 is a boy-only pack.  To find a mixed pack or girl-only pack, visit http://beascout.org and enter your zip code to find other packs.

What activities do you do?  Will you go camping?

Answered on the Pack Program page.  Spoiler alert: YES!  It’s a blast!

Do I have to be Catholic? Do you accept non-Catholics?

You do not have to be Catholic. We welcome (and have) non-Catholic families in the pack.

Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has officially recognized faith in God as a core piece of the Scouting program.  The Scouting program is non-sectarian, but units observe religious faith according to the chartering organization and their own beliefs. Pack 680 belongs to the Friends of Alexandria Catholic Scouting, and so there is a Catholic character to our activities, including prayers and participation in church services.

However, per the BSA Charter and Bylaws, no one is required to take part in distinctly Catholic ceremonies (such as a church service) or activities in conflict with their personal beliefs.

Conversely, all parents and adults associated with the pack are asked to maintain a supportive or neutral orientation towards Catholic teaching on faith and morals during official Scouting activities and interactions with the boys.

Other questions?

If your question isn’t answered here (or elsewhere on the site), contact us and ask.