Join Pack 3291
Any kid in grades K–5 — boys and girls — can join Cub Scouts, any time of year. No experience needed, no tryouts, no waiting for fall. Here's everything a new family needs to know.
Step 1: Come see a meeting (optional, but the best start)
Pack meetings are the first Monday of each month at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd, Prairie Village. Meetings are open — bring your scout-to-be and just watch, or jump into the games. You can also send us a note first and we'll look out for you at the door.
Step 2: Apply online
Registration goes through Scouting America's official online registration — about ten minutes:
What it costs
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National registration | $85 / year | Paid to Scouting America when you apply. |
| Pack dues | $30 / year | Covers awards, supplies, and pack activities. |
| Uniform & handbook | varies | See uniform basics below; gently-used uniforms often circulate in the pack — ask! |
Cost should never keep a kid out of Scouting. If registration or uniform costs are a stretch, talk to us — quietly and without fuss. There are always options.
Uniform basics
For most of the year scouts wear the Class A uniform: the official navy Cub Scout shirt, plus the neckerchief and slide for their den's rank. Pants are whatever works — nobody's checking. You'll also want the handbook for your scout's grade.
The place to go is the Kansas City Scout Shop at the council service center — 10210 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO, about 15 minutes from Prairie Village. Real humans will help you find the right size and exactly the right neckerchief. (scoutshop.org works too if you can't make the drive.) Before you buy anything, ask about hand-me-downs — kids outgrow shirts faster than they wear them out.
Questions families always ask
How much time does Cub Scouts take?
Typically two evenings a month — one den meeting (usually a Sunday) and one pack meeting (first Monday) — plus optional campouts, hikes, and events through the year. You choose your level; families with busy seasons dip in and out all the time.
Do parents have to stay?
For Lions (kindergarten) and Tigers (1st grade), yes — each scout partners with a parent or caring adult at meetings; it's part of the program. From Wolf up, parents don't have to stay, though many do. Cub Scouting works best as a family activity, and there's coffee.
Can girls join?
Yes — Pack 3291 is fully co-ed and has been welcoming boys and girls together. Dens are organized by grade.
Can we join mid-year?
Absolutely. Scouts join year-round and catch up on adventures at their own pace. The program is built for it.
My kid is shy / has never camped / isn't "outdoorsy." Will they fit in?
Cub Scouts is where kids become comfortable with new things, not where they arrive already good at them. Dens are small, activities are scaffolded by grade, and nobody camps alone — family campouts mean you're right there too.
What about younger or older siblings?
Younger siblings are a familiar sight at pack meetings and family campouts. Kids older than 5th grade can join a Scouts BSA troop — we're happy to point you to local troops our scouts cross over into.