| Cub Scouting | |||
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| Owner | Boy Scouts of America | ||
| Age range |
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| Country | United States | ||
| Founded | 1930 | ||
| Membership |
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| Website www.scouting.org/CubScouts.aspx |
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Cub Scouting is part of the Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), available to boys from first through fifth-grade, or 7 to 11½ years of age and their families. Its membership is the largest of the three BSA Scouting Divisions (Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing). Cub Scouting is part of the worldwide Scouting movement and aims to promote character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.[3]
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As early as 1911, Ernest Thompson Seton had developed a prototype program he named Cub Scouts of America that was never implemented. James E. West felt that having BSA divisions for younger boys (those under 12; the "younger boy problem") would draw away boys from the core program, which was Scout troops focused on the 12–17 year old age group; thus he opposed such a program for some time. In spite of this, unofficial programs for younger boys started around this time, under names such as Junior Troops or Cadet Corps. The BSA obtained the rights to Lord Baden-Powell's The Wolf Cub Handbook in 1916 and used it in unofficial Wolf Cub programs starting in 1918. This led to an issue with Daniel Carter Beard who felt that the use of the British book was nearly disloyal to the United States of America. West encouraged the formation of the Boy Rangers of America, a separate organization for boys eight through twelve based on an American Indian theme. The Boy Rangers used the Scout Law and their Chief Guide, Emerson Brooks, was a Boy Scout commissioner in Montclair, New Jersey. The BSA finally began some experimental Cub units in 1928 and in 1930 the BSA began registering the first Cub Scout packs, and the Boy Rangers were absorbed.[4]
The British Cubbing program used elements of Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book series, with the Cubmaster taking the role of Akela and the assistant Cubmaster the role of Baloo. The American program also syncretized American Indian elements, with all Cub Scouts belonging to the Webelos tribe, symbolized by the Arrow of Light and led by Akela. Webelos was also an acronym meaning Wolf, Bear, Lion, Scout. It has since come to mean "WE'll BE LOyal Scouts". The initial rank structure was Wolf, Bear and Lion, with ages of 9, 10 and 11. Dens of six to eight Cubs were entirely led by a Boy Scout holding the position of den chief.
The Aims of Cub Scouting are the same as the other divisions — build character, learn the responsibilities of citizenship, and develop personal fitness.
The Methods of Cub Scouting
The Purposes of Cub Scouting are
I promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack.
The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.
Do Your Best
The Cub Scout ideals are spelled out in the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto.
The Cub Scout sign identifies the youth as a Cub Scout and is used when giving the Cub Scout Promise or the Law of the Pack. The Cub Scout salute is used when saluting the flag of the United States. The handshake is used as a token of friendship and identity.
The Cub Scout pack is sponsored by a community organization such as a business, service organization, school, labor group or religious institution. The chartered organization is responsible for selecting leadership, providing a meeting place and promoting a good program. The chartered organization representative is the liaison between the pack, the chartered organization, and the BSA.
The pack meets once a month, providing a program for Cub Scouts, leaders, parents and other family members attending. The pack is led by a Cubmaster with one or more assistant Cubmasters. The pack committee is a group of adults, led by the pack committee chairman, who plan the pack program and activities and manage record keeping, finance, leadership recruitment and registration. The pack trainer is responsible for ensuring that all of the pack leaders are trained and for maintaining training records.
Cub Scouts who join a pack are assigned to dens with six to eight members, usually based on age: Tiger Cubs (first grade), Wolf Cub Scouts (second grade), Bear Cub Scouts (third grade) and Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth grades). Dens meet weekly under the direction of the adult den leader. A Cub Scout is elected to the denner position to provide basic leadership to the den. A Boy Scout, Varsity Scout or Venturer holding the den chief position may assist the den leader in activities.[5] Den meetings are planned around a monthly theme and may include games, handicrafts, hikes and other outdoor fun while preparing for the next pack meeting.
Webelos is an acronym meaning "We'll Be Loyal Scouts". Packs with a large number of Webelos Scouts sometimes divide them into Webelos I and Webelos II dens, to keep their den from previous years intact. Webelos dens spend much of their time learning about Boy Scout customs, including the Scout Law and Oath. Many packs are formally associated a Boy Scout troop for mutual support— the troop provides assistance to the pack with activities such as campouts and ceremonies and in time, the Webelos Scouts cross over to the troop.
The Lone Cub Scout program serves boys who cannot take part in a nearby Cub Scout pack on a regular basis because of such factors as distance, weather, time, disability or similar issues.[6]
The uniform gives a Cub Scout visibility and creates a level of identity within both the unit and the community. The neckerchief, the neckerchief slide and the belt buckle uniforms are similar in basic design, they do vary in color and detail to identify the different divisions of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturers. In all cases, shirts are tucked in.
Tiger Cubs wear the Cub Scout uniform; it is accompanied by orange topped socks, orange neckerchief, neckerchief slide with the Tiger Cub logo, the cap with an orange panel and Tiger Cub emblem and the blue belt with Tiger Cub emblem on the buckle.
Wolf Cubs wear the Cub Scout uniform and the Wolf Cubs cap with yellow panel and Wolf Cub logo and the yellow neckerchief and the neckerchief slide with Wolf Cub logo. Bear Cubs wear the Cub Scout uniform and a cap with light blue panel with Bear Cub logo. The light blue neckerchief and the neckerchief slide have the Bear Cub logo.
Webelos Scouts have a choice of uniforms: the Cub Scout uniform or the Boy Scout field uniform with blue shoulder loops. The Webelos cap is green with a plaid panel and the oval Webelos emblem; the plaid is made up of the Cub Scout blue and gold and the Boy Scout red and green. The neckerchief is plaid with the Webelos logo and is worn with the slide with Webelos emblem. The blue belt is worn with the Cub Scout uniform and the green belt is worn with the Boy Scout uniform; the buckle has the Webelos logo. The Webelos den may elect to wear a den emblem in place of the den number; the patches are the same as the Boy Scout patrol patches.
Adult leaders wear the basic Boy Scout field uniform. Female leaders have the option of the classic female Cub Scouter uniform. At the pack level, blue shoulder loops are worn on the epaulets. The cap, neckerchief, slide and belt of their group are worn.
The Scouter dress uniform is appropriate for professional Scouters and all Scouting leaders on formal occasions.
| Bobcat, Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear Tiger Cub Immediate Recognition emblem Wolf and Bear Arrow Points |
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| Webelos Scout badges (diamond for blue shirt, oval for tan shirt) Webelos Scout Compass and Compass Points Webelos Scout Colors and Activity Badges |
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| Arrow of Light emblem (youth) and knot (adult) |
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Advancement is one of the methods used to promote the aims of character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Everything a Cub Scout does in the advancement program is intended to achieve these aims and aid in personal growth. The program has two tiers of advancement: the classic rank system and the newer Academics and Sports Program.
All boys will first work on their Bobcat badge to complete the Cub Scout joining requirements, which include knowing the Cub Scout motto and salute. Once the Bobcat badge requirements have been completed, the Cub Scout will continue with the age appropriate program.
Tiger Cubs complete achievements[7] to earn the Tiger Cub badge, then complete electives[8] to receive Tiger Track Beads.
First-year Cub Scouts (second grade) work toward the Wolf badge,[9] then toward Arrow Points.[10] Second year Cub Scouts (third grade) work toward the Bear badge[11] and then earn Arrow Points.[12] The Wolf badge has twelve requirements that empower basic life skills, whereas the Bear requires completing several requirements within the areas of "God", "Country", "Family" and "Self".
Wolf Cubs and Bear Cubs who have completed their respective badges may earn arrow points. Wolfs have a special section of things that can be completed for arrow points, while elective sections of the Bear badge beyond those needed for the badge can be completed for arrow points. (For example, a Bear Cub can receive an arrow point if he has completed both sections of "God", instead of just the one required for the badge)
Webelos Scouts work toward earning activity badges.[13] Initially, Webelos work toward the Webelos Badge.[14] After earning the Webelos badge (usually as Webelos I), boys work toward the Compass Point Emblem and Metal Compass Points. Finally, Webelos II work toward the Arrow of Light.[15]
The Webelos Scout badge is usually earned by Webelos I dens. It requires Scouts to earn three activity badges (see below), demonstrate religiosity, and know the basics about Boy Scouts, such as the Outdoor Code. The Webelos badge used to be the same size and shape as the Bobcat, Wolf, and Bear badges, and was placed on the uniform where the Tiger Cub badge goes now.
The Arrow of Light award is the highest award available to Cub Scouts. It requires the Scout to have earned the Webelos Scout badge and eight activity badges. In addition to the skill and activity requirements of the preceding ranks, the Arrow of Light requires Scouts to learn the Scout Promise and Scout Law, and visit one meeting and one activity of a Boy Scout troop, in preparation for advancing to the Boy Scouts. Earning the Arrow of Light will help earn many of the requirements for the lower ranks of the Boy Scouts. The Arrow of Light award is the only Cub Scout award[note 1] that can be worn on a Boy Scout uniform. Both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts wear the badge below the left pocket. Adults wear the square-knot version of the badge above the left pocket. Cub Scouts who earn the Arrow of Light are eligible to join a Boy Scout Troop prior to turning the normally-required age of eleven.
There are 20 different activity pins that can be earned by Webelos. Most of them correspond to badges offered in the Boy Scouts or requirements for the early Boy Scout ranks. Pins in light blue are required for the Webelos badge, and pins in gold are required for the Arrow of Light.
| Pin | Corresponds to | Pin | Corresponds to |
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| Physical Skills | Technology | ||
| Aquanaut | Swimming | Craftsman | Woodwork, Metalwork |
| Athlete | Athletics, Personal Fitness | Engineer | Engineering |
| Fitness | Personal Fitness, Personal Management | Handyman | Home Repairs, Automotive Maintenance |
| Sportsman | Sports | Scientist | General Science, Weather |
| Mental Skills | Outdoor | ||
| Artist | Art | Forester | Forestry |
| Scholar | Scholarship | Geologist | Geology |
| Showman | Music, Theater | Naturalist | Nature, Environmental Science |
| Traveler | Outdoorsman | Camping, Pioneering | |
| Community | |||
| Citizen | Citizenship, American Heritage | ||
| Communicator | Communications | ||
| Family Member | Family Life | ||
| Readyman | First Aid, Safety | ||
The Cub Scouts Academics and Sports Program[16] is designed toward the third aim of Scouting: the development of physical, mental and emotional fitness. It is an optional program for all Cub Scouts and is designed to assist in learning or improving skills. Belt loops are awarded for completing standards in various academic and sport fields. Advanced skills are recognized by pins, displayed on the Cub Scout Academic and Sports letter. Some rank and activity badge requirements include earning belt loops.
Several religious emblems programs are administered by various religious institutions and recognized, but not sponsored, by the BSA. These are generally recognized by a medal and an embroidered square knot. A religious emblem of faith, or some other form of religiosity, is a requirement for the Bear and Webelos badges.
| Cubmaster Award, Cub Scout Den Leader Award, Tiger Cub Den Leader Award, Webelos Den Leader Award, Pack Trainer Award and Cub Scouter Award | |
Cub Scout leaders who complete training, tenure, and performance requirements are recognized by a system of awards. The Tiger Cub Den Leader Award, Cub Scout Den Leader Award, Webelos Den Leader Award, Pack Trainer Award and the Cubmaster Award are available to those who have held the respective positions, and the Cub Scouter Award is available to any assistants or other registered adult leaders. Also, when the position of Pack Trainer was announced in 2003, the BSA began to phase out the now-obsolete Den Leader Coach Award in favor of the current Pack Trainer Award. The Den Leader Coach Award was officially discontinued on December 31, 2008 but may still be worn by those that earned it prior to that date. These awards are recognized by a certificate and an embroidered square knot insignia.[note 2] Den Chiefs may earn the Den Chief Service Award.[17]
Each pack has a number of annual events such as the pinewood derby, raingutter regatta, the space derby, gold rush, the blue and gold banquet and Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath.
Several structured camping activities are available in the Cub Scout program. The pack overnighter is a pack-organized camping activity that provides Cub Scouts with positive outdoor experiences. Cub Scout day camp or twilight camp is an accredited, organized, one- to five-day program for Cub Scouts using trained leadership at an approved site, and is usually held during daylight or early evening hours, but not overnight. Cub Scout resident camp is an organized, accredited overnight camping program covering at least two nights and conducted under trained leadership in an established Scout camp operated by the council. The Webelos den overnight camp introduces the boy and his parent to the camping program, under the leadership of the Webelos den leader. Joint campouts with a local Boy Scout troop for second-year Webelos can help to strengthen ties between the pack and troop and facilitate the transition from Webelos to Boy Scouts.
The Soccer and Scouting[18] program is designed to involve Hispanic youth and families in the Cub scout program, instructing boys in both soccer and Cub Scout values.
Alcohol is strictly prohibited at all Cub Scout events.[19]
New leaders are encouraged to attend training for their position, and is provided for all new den chiefs.
Fast Start Training is the introduction for adult leaders new to the Cub Scout program. Fast Start is self pace and provided as a video or online.[20] Youth Protection Training[20] is required for all adult leaders and must be recertified per local council policy. Basic Leader Training consists of the online This is Scouting course and Leader Specific Training. This is Scouting is a common core program for all adult leaders in the Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, and Venturing divisions. Leader Specific Training is provided for the Tiger Cub den leader, Cub Scout den leader, Webelos den leader, Cubmaster, pack committee chairman and assistants. Once Basic Leader Training is completed, the leader is awarded a Trained emblem for uniform wear.
At least one adult on a pack overnight campout must attend the Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO) in order to properly understand camping requirements.[21] Leaders for day camp and resident camp programs must be trained and certified by the National Camping School.
Supplemental training modules are designed to provide orientation beyond Basic Leader Training. These shorter training sessions are often provided at the Roundtable, a monthly meeting of leaders from the district, at a Pow-Wow or University of Scouting program offered by the local council and at National Cub Scouting Conferences held at the Philmont Scout Ranch and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base.
Wood Badge is the advanced training program for leadership skills for all adults in all BSA programs. Wood Badge consists of six days of training (usually presented as two three-day weekends) and an application phase of several months. When training is complete, leaders are recognized with the Wood Badge beads, neckerchief and woggle.
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