Cub Scouting membership includes a national registration fee that helps support Scouting across the country. This is paid directly to Scouting America at the time you register. You will be billed annually by Scouting America for National Membership Dues.
Annual National Fee
Cub Scouts $85
Adult Volunteers $65
(Effective as of May 1, 2024)
What This Covers
These national dues fund critical resources and protections, including:
Liability insurance for Scouting-approved activities
Youth Protection Training and safety programs
Access to online tools like Scoutbook, My.Scouting, and registration systems
Program development, training materials, and leadership support
Note: The pack does not collect National Membership Dues, and it is not included in your pack dues.
Dues for the school year are $250 per Scout. Dues cover the following:
All advancements (belt loops & pins) for the school year
Advancement books for the next school year
Neckerchiefs and slides for the next school year
Rank patches
Subsidies for camping, and food for events
Event materials
Pack & Den meeting supplies
Pack equipment purchases & maintenance
Pack administration
Uniform Pack identification patch
Dues do not include:
Uniforms
Class B shirts (purchased from the Pack)
Personal camping equipment
Food not covered by subsidies
The following supplies for first year a scout is in the pack:
Neckerchief and slide
Advancement book
Colors (if first year is 4th or 5th grade)
Dues can be offset through fundraising (addressed elsewhere in the policies)
Procuring the scout’s full uniform and class B shirts
Full uniform includes shirt, pants/shorts, socks, belt, neckerchief, slide, hat, and required patches. Unit numbers are provided by the pack.
Affixing all required patches to uniform shirts
If help is needed, check with other parents within the pack
The Houston Scout Shop offers patch sewing services
All personal/family camping equipment
Unsubsidized costs for all events - these will be announced in advance
Making on-time payments
If help or special arrangements are needed, coordinate with the Pack Treasurer
Pack dues must be paid by the end of the October Pack meeting (1st Sunday in October) each year.
Venmo: @Pack494
PayPal: pack494katytx@gmail.com; also through connection to Scout Book
Zelle: pack494katytx@gmail.com
Checks: To Pack 494 Katy Tx
Cash
The Boy Scouts of America requires a completed Annual Health and Medical Record (Part A & B) for all participants in basic Scouting activities such as local tours and weekend campouts less than 72 hours.
For Pack 494, this applies not just to scouts, but to everyone in your family unit who may attend campouts or pack activities:
Scouts
Parents and guardians
Younger or older siblings
Any other family members who join us at events
👉 No exceptions: You will be refused participation at an event if we do not have a valid, current medical form and proof of insurance on file in the pack’s medical binder.
Youth Protection is everyone’s responsibility. To keep our scouts safe, all adults age 18 and older attending a Pack 494 overnight event must complete Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) before participating. This training is required annually. If a volunteer’s Safeguarding Youth training is not current at the time of annual registration renewal, the volunteer will not be re-registered.
This applies to:
Parents and guardians
Grandparents
Any other adults staying overnight at a pack activity
Without a valid and current YPT certificate, adults will not be allowed to stay overnight at Pack 494 events.
Scoutbook is the official online tool provided by Scouting America to help families and leaders track advancement and stay connected. It’s where Pack 494 records achievements, adventures, and awards so that scouts get recognized for their progress.
With Scoutbook, parents can:
View their scout’s advancement and awards in real time
See upcoming activities and events
Stay in touch with leaders and den families
Receive reminders and announcements
It’s the central place where Pack 494 keeps track of your scout’s journey from Lion through Arrow of Light.
Wearing the Cub Scout uniform is an important part of Scouting — it shows pride in our pack, creates unity, and helps our scouts feel part of something bigger.
As of the 2025–26 Scout year, Pack 494 requires the full Cub Scout uniform (Class A) at:
Pack Meetings
Flag Ceremonies
Meals
Other special occasions
This applies to all Cub Scouts and leaders.
Class A Uniform
The Class A uniform is the official Cub Scout uniform (shirt, neckerchief, slide, belt, and appropriate insignia). Scouts should wear the correct uniform for their rank (Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, or Arrow of Light).
Where to Purchase:
Online: Scout Shop Online Store
In-Person: Scout Shops listed below
Sunday: 12–5 PM
Monday: Friday: 9 AM–6 PM
Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM
Address: 6568 Farm to Market 1960 Rd W, Houston, TX 77069
Sunday 12–5 PM
Monday - Friday 10 AM–7 PM
Saturday 10 AM–5 PM
Address: 12300 Parc Crest Dr #130, Stafford, TX 77477
Sunday Closed
Monday - Friday 9 AM–5 PM
Saturday 9 AM–3 PM
Class B Uniform (Pack T-shirt)
For less formal occasions, Pack 494 also uses a Class B uniform (Pack T-shirt):
Cost: $25.00
Available for order through the pack at Pack or Den meetings
May be worn at den meetings (at the den leader’s discretion) and all other casual Scouting activities
While many Packs sell popcorn or meat sticks to raise money, we feel the amount of effort outweighs the financial gains. We understand that our annual dues may be prohibitive to some so we’ve established fundraising through flag subscriptions. You may have seen US Flags flown at people’s houses during US Holidays. Below is the policy established by this Pack for Flag sales.
$45/year per flag subscription
$20 of the subscription paid annually to the pack for a flag “kit” which contains everything needed to make the flag display. Follow on years will only receive replacement flags instead of the entire kit as the flag is the most likely part to need replacement. While the flag itself does not cost $20, the balance will be put to use by the Pack for all scouts.
The remaining $25 per subscription is controlled by the family selling them to offset the cost of annual dues, any other non-subsidized costs, uniforms, etc. As a reminder, scouting is a non-profit organization; as such, the $25 you receive for flag sales should only be used on scout related costs.
If you are not comfortable holding the $25 balance from flag sales, please work with the Pack Treasurer. There is a method within Scout Book to hold the money for use only by your child which can be authorized on a case-by-case basis.
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Flag Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Patriot Day (9/11)
Veterans Day
If your family sells a Flag subscription, you agree to :
Participate in a flag build day
Install the receiver at the customer's home
Set up and take down the flag for each holiday (no exceptions)
Set up by the Friday before the holiday
Takedown the Tuesday after the holiday
Store the flag at your house
Camping is one of the highlights of Cub Scouting. It’s a chance for scouts and families to enjoy the outdoors, build new skills, and create lasting memories together. To make sure everyone is prepared, Pack 494 provides a Gear Guide and a Cub Scout Packing List so families know exactly what to bring.
Gear Guide
Our Gear Guide explains the basic equipment needed for a safe and comfortable campout. It covers:
Tents & Shelter – what size tent to bring, ground tarps, and stakes
Sleeping Gear – sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and pillows
Cooking & Eating – mess kits, water bottles, camp stoves (if applicable)
Clothing – layers, rain gear, closed-toe shoes
Extras – flashlights, bug spray, sunscreen, chairs
Cub Scout Packing List
The Cub Scout Packing List gives families a ready-to-check list for each campout. Items include:
Scout uniform and activity clothes
Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, soap, towel)
First aid basics (band-aids, medications if needed)
Food contributions (if assigned by den or pack)
Optional extras (camera, stuffed animal for younger scouts, etc.)
📄 Download the Cub Scout Packing List
A Family-Friendly Experience
Remember — Pack 494 campouts are family events. Parents, siblings, and grandparents are welcome to join. Everyone is expected to bring a completed Health Form and (for adults staying overnight) a current Youth Protection Training (YPT) certificate.
Good communication keeps our pack running smoothly and ensures every family knows what’s going on.
Pack Announcements & Updates
We use the Band app for all pack-wide communication. This is where you’ll see announcements, reminders, photos, and discussions. Every family should have at least one parent or guardian connected to our Pack 494 Band group.
Calendar & Events
Our official pack calendar is available on Scoutbook, which lists den meetings, pack meetings, campouts, and special events.
Who to Contact
All questions should go to your Den Leader first.
If additional support is needed, the Cubmaster can be reached at:
📧 CMPack494@gmail.com
📞 713.261.9095
By following this communication flow, we make sure information is clear, consistent, and easy for everyone to find.