About Our Program

About Pack 317

Cub Scout Pack 317 has been serving the community of Plano, Illinois since 1966. We are very proud of our history in the Scouting Movement for more than 55 years. We are sponsored by the American Legion Leon Burson Post 395.

Pack 317 is first and above all a "parent-run" organization. What does this mean to us? First, parents are encouraged to participate alongside their Cub Scout: attend our meetings, decide on our activities, handle training, and take care of each other on activities. The adults in our Pack are responsible to ensure that the program adheres to BSA standards, that the atmosphere is safe and constructive, and to coach and mentor the boys as needed. The best Scout program is one in which the adults appear to be doing the least.

Besides Scouting, our Scouts tend to be involved in many diverse activities ranging from sports to music. Most manage extremely busy schedules and our Pack accommodates these other interests as long as the Scout makes a good-faith effort to active and communicate any conflicts.

Pack 317 follows a ‘Scout year’ that follows the school calendar. Upon nearing the end of the school term, all the Scouts who have completed their adventure trail will ‘cross over’ into the next rank. During the summer, Den meeting work on achievements may be suspended as the Pack will meet monthly at fun activities such as a bowling derby, fishing derby, kite derby, baseball game, Pack swim, etc. that goes toward the Scouts earning their Summertime Award pin.

Local Scouting History

Cub Scout Pack 317 is currently organized in the Potawatomi District of Three Fires Council, although our geographic area has seen numerous changes over the years:

  • 2019 - Present: Potawatomi District, Three Fires Council

    • 2019: Three Fires Council consolidates from 10 districts down to three districts ... Maramech Hill & Kishwaukee districts are fused into "Potawatomi District, Keepers of the Fire".

  • 1993 - 2019: Maramech Hill District, Three Fires Council

    • 1993: Two Rivers Council and DuPage Area Council join forces to provide a stronger program to youth in DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, & Kendall counties.

  • 1968 - 1992: Maramech Hill District, Two Rivers Council

    • 1968: Kedeka Area Council and Chief Shabbona Council join forces to provide a stronger program to youth in DeKalb, Kane, & Kendall counties.

  • 1966 - 1968: Kedeka Area Council

    • 1966: Cub Scout Pack 317 is formed in Plano, Illinois to serve the outdoor and civic needs of boys throughout the community.

About the Cub Scouts of America

Scouting has been around a long time. The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910 and became federally chartered with the United States in 1916. Cub Scouting was created in 1930 to extend the Scouting experience to younger boys (and expanded to girls in 2018). It is a year-round family orientated program for children who are in elementary school (Kindergarten through 5th Grade). Millions of children have worn the uniform, cooked over an open fire at a campsite, earned their Bobcat, raced their Pinewood Derby cars, worked on service projects, and made new friends under the umbrella of Scouting. Flowing underneath all this fun and excitement is a character-building program that encourages making good ethical choices, family strengthening, physical fitness, and citizenship skills in the lives of our youth.

Scouting utilizes an advancement system that requires a child to “Do Their Best” to fulfill and complete the requirements outlined in their handbook so that they may earn their rank badge. After receiving their badge, these Scouts can go on to earn other awards by completing a series of electives. Please keep in mind that although there are lots of awards and recognitions in Scouting, Pack 317 will strive towards the end that these are earned through significant, meaningful methods that your child will remember for a long time.

The Lion program is a family-oriented program that encourages youth to learn and explore through hands-on, high-energy activities. Adult partners take turns leading a den meeting or activity during the year.

At the, Tiger, Wolf, and Bear ranks; Cub Scouting centers around monthly themes that have lots of appeal to children at this age. During den meetings, Scouts will be playing games, building craft projects, etc. relating to each theme. In doing so, these children will be improving on different skills as they learn to get along with others, become more resourceful, and participate in new activities and venues.

At the Webelos level, in lieu of the monthly theme, Scouts are introduced to several diverse Activity Pins. After earning their Webelos badge, Webelos Scouts continue to earn additional activity badges and gain new knowledge and skills in these areas.

For Arrow of Light, though maybe still earning Activity Badges, these Scouts also begin focusing on completing other requirements for their Arrow of Light award and will be conducting activities with various Scout Troops.

The Scouting Organization

One of the most difficult things for incoming parents to understand is the governance system used by the Boy Scouts of America. To best implement the Scouting program, the organization is divided into several subsections.