Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to have been a Cub Scout to join? 

No. Many youth join Troop 36 without any prior experience in Cub Scouts. The Scouting America program is designed to teach all the necessary outdoor and leadership skills from the ground up. 

What are the age requirements? 

Youth can join the troop if they are at least 11 years old, or have completed the fifth grade, and have not yet reached their 18th birthday.

When and where do you meet? 

We meet weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00pm-8:30pm at Christ the King Church  We recommend checking our calendar or contacting us before your first visit just to confirm we aren't off-site for a special activity that week.

What is the time commitment? 

In addition to weekly meetings, we generally plan one weekend campout or activity per month. While regular attendance helps Scouts advance and get the most out of the program, we understand that families balance sports, band, and other extracurriculars. Scouts can step in and out of active participation as their seasonal schedules require.

What gear do we need to buy right away? 

You do not need to buy expensive camping gear on day one. The immediate priority is the Field Uniform (the tan shirt). The troop provides shared patrol equipment, including tents, pots, Dutch ovens, and camp stoves. To get started on your first weekend trip, your Scout will really only need a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, and appropriate footwear. We provide gear guides to help families make smart choices when they are ready to purchase personal backpacking equipment.

How much does it cost? 

Costs break down into three areas: the annual national registration fee for Scouting America, local council fees, and our specific activity fees. Weekend campouts typically have a separate, smaller fee to cover food and campsite reservations. Scouts have opportunities to offset these costs by participating in fundraisers, such as our ongoing bottle and can drive at the Mashpee Transfer Station.

Do parents need to stay for meetings or go on campouts? 

Parents are always welcome to observe, but it is not required. Because we are a youth-led troop, the Scouts run the meetings while the adult leaders supervise. For campouts, we always need a baseline of registered adult volunteers to meet driving and safety requirements, but parents are not expected to attend every trip. If you do want to get involved, we are always looking for committee members and merit badge counselors.