Cub Scouts activities happen at both the Den and Pack level. Dens hold monthly meetings where they work on completing grade-specific requirements to progress towards a badge of rank. These requirements are established by Scouting America (formerly Scouts BSA) and follow the handbook for that specific rank.
Our Pack also holds monthly meetings where our dens gather together to celebrate our hard work and share new adventures. Past Pack meetings have included a trip to the local fire station and a visit by local law enforcement including fingerprinting, a police dog, and bike safety with a motorcycle officer.
In addition to our regular monthly programming, Pack 645 hosts and participates in a number of other events throughout the school year, including:
Camping trips: Pack 645 hosts two camping trips each school year—one outdoor trip in the Fall and one indoor trip in the Spring. These local campouts are an easy, low stakes way to get kids exposed to camping, the great outdoors, and local organizations. Some of the indoor trips include overnights at local landmarks like the USS Hornet and Chabot Space & Science Center.
Operation 1031: Our largest fundraiser of the year—and also the most fun!—is Operation 1031, our annual Halloween Pumpkin Patch. Cub Scouts in Pack 645 sell pumpkins and baked goods, and host games at a pop-up pumpkin patch at the log cabin on the corner of School and First Streets in Lafayette. This fun event has become a wonderful annual tradition for our Pack and the community. Proceeds minimize annual dues and help cover Pack expenses for the year.
Scouting for Food: Each November, Scouts across the country collect food from their neighbors to benefit local food banks. Our Cub Scouts introduce our food drive by hanging door tags on houses around Burton Valley Elementary, and then return a week later to pick up items left by their neighbors for collection. In 2023, our local district collected over 20,100 pounds of food for our local food banks.
Holiday Toy Drive: For over a decade, Pack 645 has been helping less fortunate children through our Holiday Toy Drive. Each December, Pack 645 families select, purchase, and wrap gifts for local children in need, brightening the season for these deserving children. This "secret Santa" activity is a terrific way to get Cub Scouts involved in the community and excited about giving back!
Pinewood Derby: Typically held in January, this is a yearly highlight for our Cub Scouts. Each Scout receives a pinewood derby car kit, which they fashion into a car and race against their den mates for the ultimate bragging rights (or the “Turtle Award” for slowest car!).
Local Sporting Events: Pack 645 often attends local athletic events, cheering for the 49ers, Giants, and Warriors.