HOW CUB SCOUTING WORKS
Scouting is a year-round program uniquely designed to meet the needs of the full family. The program offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Family involvement is an essential part of the program, and parents are encouraged to play an active role in making the most of the short time they have to impact the lives of their children.
Cub Scouts have the time of their lives making new friends and learning new things in an environment designed to help them succeed. From building a Pinewood Derby® car to learning how to roast the perfect marshmallow at a family camp out, your child will LOVE being a Cub Scout. So if your child is in the kindergarten through fifth grades, or 6 to 10 years old, then it’s time to have some fun with the Cub Scouts!
YOUR CHILD IS A MEMBER OF A DEN…
- A den is made up of no more than eight children who are the same age and/or grade.
- The den meets two to three times a month. One of the den meetings each month typically is a “Go See It” or field trip.
- The den has a den leader, but the den leader shares the planning of the den meeting with the parents.
- The goal of the den meetings is to complete activities to earn awards.
Types of dens
Lion
Kids in Kindergarten or 6 years old
Tiger
Kids in 1st grade or 7 years old
Wolf
Kids in 2nd grade or 8 years old
Bear
Kids in 3rd grade or 9 years old
Webelos
Kids in 4th & 5th grade or 10 years old
THE DEN IS PART OF A PACK…
- A pack consists of several dens and meets once a month.
- The Cubmaster leads the monthly pack meeting, but each den will have a part in the pack meeting.
- Some months, the pack meeting will have special themes such as Pinewood Derby®, Blue & Gold banquet, or guest speakers. Other months may be devoted to recognizing the Scouts for the projects they have completed by the presentation of beads, belt loops, activity pins or rank advancements.
SERVICE TO COMMUNITY
Scouts are involved in their communities. When you join Scouting, you will have the opportunity to serve your community. Scouts participate in a variety of service projects, including local school beautification days, trash pickup, service to local food banks, and other valuable contributions to our community. Our Scouts feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment by being valuable and useful to their community.
CUB SCOUT ADVANCEMENT PLAN
In Scouting, advancement is the process by which a member meets certain requirements and earns recognition. The Cub Scout advancement program is a blend of activities Scouts do in their homes and activities they do in a den meeting setting. As requirements are completed, Scouts are awarded recognition items to mark their progress. Regardless of grade, all Scouts who join Cub Scouts start by earning the Bobcat badge. After receiving the Bobcat badge, a child works on the requirements based on their grade level. Earning a “rank” is similar to advancing a grade in school.
FAMILY SCOUTING
The Cub Scouts program is open to boys and girls in kindergarten through fifth-grade. By welcoming both girls and boys into the program, more youth will have access to the character development and values-based leadership that Scouting promises and be better prepared for future success.
CUB SCOUTS
Cub Scouting means “doing” – from camping to hiking to going on field trips or doing projects that help your hometown and the people who live there.
DID YOU KNOW?
Scouting provides valuable opportunities to develop leadership and experiences to build skills and character. Did you know that of 12 U.S. Presidents eligible to join Scouting America as youth, 6 were involved in Scouting – and ALL 12 have been involved with Scouting at some point during their lives.
Cub Scouting’s volunteer leaders work with Scouts and their families to improve their communities by enriching the lives of the families who live there.
OUTDOOR
ADVENTURES
Cub Scouts enjoy outdoor experiences as they participate in the variety of activities such as field trips, hikes, nature and conservation experiences, and outdoor games.
CONFIDENCE
BUILDING
Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions have to be made, peer pressure can be resisted and the right choices can be made.
CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
THE CUB SCOUT UNIFORM
The basic Cub Scout uniform has the following parts;
1. Shirt—The official uniform shirt is available with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets.
2. Pants— Shorts, long pants, skorts, and roll up pants all are in official blue.
3. Belt—Official navy-blue web belt with metal buckle.
4. Socks—Official socks are available in three lengths: ankle, crew, and knee.
5. Hat—Official hat with rank specific (grade level) emblem.
6. Neckerchief—Triangular neckerchief with rank specific (grade level) color and logo. Official BSA neckerchiefs are the only neckerchiefs that boys should wear.
7. Neckerchief slide—Official gold-tone metal slide with rank specific (grade level) emblem. Boys may wear handmade neckerchief slides.
