FAQs 

Who can join Pack 4? 

We are an inclusive, family Pack, welcoming all children in grades K-5.  Pack 4 serves families in Needham, MA and surrounding towns. Our Scouts attend all 5 Needham public elementary schools, as well as several local private schools. 

When & where do we meet?

 The Pack meets one Sunday afternoon per month at Christ Episcopal Church, Needham. Each Den also meets monthly. Special events, community service projects, camping trips and other activities take place throughout the year. Please see our calendar for meeting dates and more information! 

What is the required commitment from parents? 

Pack 4 is  a family pack, and parents and silbings are welcome to participate in all of our activities and events! Meetings and events are NOT drop-off; a parent or guardian is expected to stay with their scout. The Pack is run entirely by parent volunteers. We are grateful to have many committed parents helping provide a high-quality program, and we are always in need of additional help. Please visit our Volunteer for Pack 4 page for more information! 

What are the costs associated with joining Pack 4? 

Annual Pack dues for 2024-2025 are $125. There is a $25 discount for Pack siblings. The rate for registered leaders' scouts is $60, applicable to one scout per family only. The Pack covers the annual $65 fee for leaders, reflected in this discount.  

The annual dues cover all of our Pack progamming, and Scouts receive a Pack 4 t-shirt, all advancement materials, and a Pinewood Derby car kit.  Pack overnights are an additional fee, but annual dues and the Popcorn fundraiser allow us to subsidize a portion of that cost for families. The is also an approximate $50 cost for purchasing a uniform; the Pack runs a uniform swap at the beginning of each year to help offset this cost. 

New this year, the BSA will be billing families directly for their BSA and Council dues; in past years, these dues were included in the Pack's annual fees. We expect BSA/Council dues to total ~$130 this year. All families who joined the Pack prior to March of 2024 will be billed in December 2024; families who joined after March will be billed on the anniversary of their registration. 

Pack 4 Scouts sell popcorn each fall as a fundraising activity. While popcorn selling is not required, we encourage all scouts to participate if possible. The Pack relies heavily on popcorn sales to subsidize the cost of Scouting, including required regional and national fees. 

What are the uniform requirements, and where can we purchase the items? 

All Pack 4 Scouts (with the exception of Kindergarten Lion Scouts) wear  a Class A Scout Uniform, which includes a blue or brown shirt with appropriate badges, a hat, neckerchief and neckerchief slide. The hat, neckerchief and slide are Den specific. Pack 4 may have hand-me-downs of these to share - check with your Den leader before making a purchase! Lion Scouts are required to wear a Lion t-shirt; the Lion cap is optional. Please visit our Dens pages for more specific information about each Den's uniform. 

All Pack 4 Scouts should have the following patches on their shirts: 

•  an American flag

• Spirit of Adventure Council emblem

•  number 4 (red background with a white 4)

•  a Den# patch (check with your Den leader if you're not sure what your number is!) 

• The Scout World Emblem (purple with a white fleur-di-lis) 

This website is a good resource for patch placement, and Badge Magic is a great alternative to sewing on patches! 

Uniforms can be purchased online at  https://www.scoutshop.org/, or you can visit one of the local Scout shops:  

New England Scout Shop at Base Camp Milton

New England Scout Shop - Woburn

New England Scout Shop - Southborough

Didn't see your questions answered here? Email us at committee.chair.pack4@gmail.com!