The information on this page is available as a downloadable PDF. Download the Parents’ Guide.
Our Program
Pack 1600 has an active program focus on developing character, leadership, teamwork, and confidence. We do this by teaching Scouting skills using FUN activities while keeping safety a priority. Our Pack is part of the Lehigh District of the Minsi Trails Council in the Lehigh Valley. The Council has over 6,000 scouts in total. Here you will find some basic information to get you introduced to our Pack.
Fun Activities and Outdoor Skills
We teach Hiking, Camping, Outdoor and First Aid Skills, and host a Pinewood Derby and many other activities throughout the year. Many of these activities are conducted at our own outdoor campground called Camp Jordan. There is a complete calendar of events planned out well in advance; we encourage you to mark your calendar so that you can join us at all of them!
Some highlights include a September family campout, an October “Scout Skills” campout, community service activities such as Wreaths Across America and Scouting for Food, a February Pinewood Derby, our Blue and Gold Banquet, Ironpigs campout, and a week-long Summer Camp at Akelaland!
Grade-Based Organization
Our Pack is organized into six Dens that usually have 4-8 scouts each and are led by a volunteer adult Den Leader. All the Dens together make up the Pack. We average about 30-40 scouts in the Pack. Dens are organized into ranks based on the scouts’ school grade.
The Cub Scout Ranks are: Lion Scout (Kindergarten), Tiger Scout (1st Grade), Wolf Scout (2nd Grade), Bear Scout (3rd Grade), Webelos 1 (4th Grade), and Webelos 2 or Arrow of Light (5th Grade).
At weekly Den meetings, Den Leaders teach Scout Skills (outdoors, citizenship, crafts, hobbies, fitness, etc.) from the Cub Scout Handbook, provided by the Pack. Scouts earn required and elective awards recognizing them for their accomplishments and helping them to advance toward the next rank. Weekly meetings run from September through May with a few special events during the summer months.
Meeting Times and Locations
We typically meet each Wednesday for one hour from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Jordan UCC Church off of Walbert Avenue in Allentown. During the months with nicer weather, we meet up behind the church at Camp Jordan. We have a “No School, No Scouts” policy; should inclement weather or other issues cancel school on the day of a Scout event we also cancel our Scout meetings that day.
The first Wednesday of each month is typically our Committee Meeting for the month; there are no Den Meetings on these Wednesdays.
Dues and Fundraising
Pack 1600 annual dues are $105. This is due during the month of September. Of this amount, $75 is used to register each scout annually with the National Scouting USA organization. Additional Pack funds are raised through fall and spring fundraisers. Each scout is expected to participate in the fundraisers or exercise a “buy out” option. These fundraisers help us to keep dues low and to pay for all of our activities and recognition awards.
Uniform
A “Class A Uniform” must be purchased from the Scout Store. We recommend only buying the BLUE shirt (with associated patches) and the belt; hat and pants are optional. During their time in the Webelos rank, scouts will need to upgrade to a TAN shirt. This is our dress uniform that we wear to most Den and Pack Meetings unless specified otherwise. Cost of uniforms is approximately $50-70. Please see a leader for one of our specially-made “1600” red & white Pack number patches. All Scouting items can be purchased at the Minsi Trails Council Scout Store at 991 Postal Road, Allentown, PA 18109. (They can sew your patches on too!)
A “Class B Uniform” is our Pack 1600 orange T-shirt which is provided by the Pack. These are worn when we are doing activities that are less formal…or more messy!
Stay Connected for Information
Important!
We do most of our communication through email. Please ensure you are on our Pack email distribution list and that your scout’s Den Leader has the best contact information for you. See the web addresses at the end of this guide for our Facebook page and other helpful Scouting information.
Volunteers
The Pack cannot run without your help! We can use help in many leadership and behind-the-scenes positions. Please see one of our friendly leaders to let us know how you can help! We have a Family Talent Survey we ask that all families complete and return.
Awesome Scout Events
Some of our awesome events include:
Family Campouts, Hikes, Bowling, Pinewood Derby, Community Service, and Summer Camp!
See our calendar of events for a more complete list of what fun events we have planned for the year!