FAQs

Getting Started & Membership

• Who can join Pack 834?

  • Any child in Kindergarten through 5th Grade (ages 5-11) in the Canton, MI area is welcome to join!

• Can my child join mid-year, or only in the fall?

  • You can join at any time during the year! While our primary recruitment happens in early fall, our adventures and rank advancements run year-round, and new scouts fit right in whenever they start.

• Which schools do your scouts attend?

  • We primarily draw children from Tonda, Miller & Gallimore Elementary schools, but we welcome families from all Canton-area public, charter, private, and homeschool communities.

Meetings & Location

• When and where does Pack 834 meet?

  • Pack 834's full pack meetings are held monthly at Tonda Elementary School (46501 Warren Road, Canton, MI 48187) during the school year. Individual dens (grouped by grade) meet separately on their own schedules — typically once a month on a weekday evening — most often at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, our chartering organization, at 44800 Warren Road in Canton. For exact upcoming dates and locations, please see our Calendar / Meetings page.

Inclusivity & Beliefs

• Do we need to be members of the church where you meet?

  • No, Pack 834 membership is open to all families regardless of religious affiliation, background, or church membership.

• Do families need to be active in a church to be considered for Cub Scouts?

  • No, while Cub Scouting emphasizes duty to God and family, it leaves the specific teaching of religious beliefs to parents and faith communities. Our membership is open to all families across Canton, regardless of where or how you worship.

Time & Financial Commitment

• How often do Cub Scouts meet?

  • Typically, scouts attend one Den meeting (smaller groups by grade level) and one Pack meeting (all grades together) per month, usually lasting about an hour.  Older scouts may have more than one den meeting per month.

• How much does it cost to join?

  • Annual dues cover National and Michigan council registration, insurance, and most pack activities. Dues are approximately $200 per year ($170 for National/Michigan & $30 in Pack dues). We also participate in annual fundraising (like popcorn sales) to help families offset these costs.

• What equipment or uniforms do we need to buy?

  • New scouts need an official uniform (called the "Class A"). Belt loops, and awards are provided by the pack as scouts earn them.  It is suggested you wait until after you decide to join to review these purchases for best practices from the pack.  

• Is financial assistance available for Cub Scouts?

  • Yes. No family should be unable to join Pack 834 because of cost. There are two main paths:

    1. Cub Scout Trial Membership - Try Cub Scouts through November 15, 2026 for just $30 up front (a discount off the $170 annual fee). Families commit to selling $470 in popcorn per Scout, and the $140 commission earned covers the balance. If the popcorn goal isn't met, the family pays the remaining balance or membership expires. Apply here.

    2. Registration Assistance / Scholarship - For families who need direct financial help rather than the popcorn-based Trial, MCC offers a confidential scholarship. Learn more or contact any Pack 834 leader and we'll help you apply.

Activities & Summer Program

• Does Cub Scouting happen during the summer?

  • Yes! While regular weekly den meetings follow the school calendar, Pack 834 hosts summer activities like family campouts, pool parties, day camps, and service projects so scouts stay connected year-round.

• What kinds of outdoor activities do Cub Scouts do?

  • Scouts participate in age-appropriate outdoor activities including hiking, camping, fishing, archery, nature conservation, and outdoor cooking under experienced adult supervision.

  • We historically have targeted at least one Fall and one Spring camping activity.

Parent Involvement & Safety

• Do parents need to attend meetings?

  • For Kindergarten (Lions) and 1st Grade (Tigers), a parent or guardian must attend all meetings with their scout. For older grades, parent attendance is highly encouraged - Cub Scouting is designed as a family-building activity!

• Is Cub Scouts Safe?  How are adult leaders screened?

  • Safety is our top priority. All registered leaders undergo official background checks and complete mandatory Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) through Scouting America (formerly known as Youth Protection Training, YPT).