The
Purposes of Cub Scouting
Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped
younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a year-round family program designed
for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (or 7, 8, 9, and 10
years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the
purposes of Cub Scouting. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's
three membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and
Venturing.)
The 10 purposes of Cub Scouting are:
1.
Character Development
2. Spiritual Growth
3. Good Citizenship
4. Sportsmanship and Fitness
5. Family Understanding
6. Respectful Relationships
7. Personal Achievement
8. Friendly Service
9. Fun and Adventure
10. Preparation for Boy
Scouts
Membership
Cub Scouting members join a Cub Scout pack
and are assigned to a den, usually a neighborhood group of six to eight boys.
Tiger Cubs (first-graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second-graders), Bear Cub Scouts
(third-graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth- and
fifth-graders) meet
bi-weekly. Once a month, all of the dens and family members gather for a pack
meeting under the direction of a Cubmaster and pack committee. The committee
includes parents of boys in the pack and members of the chartered
organization.
Advancement Plan
Recognition is important to
young boys. The Cub Scouting advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives
them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family
understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement
projects.
Tiger Cub: The Tiger Cub program is for first-grade (or
age 7) boys and their adult partners. There are five Tiger Cub achievement
areas. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements
within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub badge.
These requirements consist
of an exciting series of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in
the first grade.
Bobcat: The Bobcat rank is for all boys who join
Cub Scouting.
Wolf: The Wolf program is for boys who
have completed first grade (or are age 8). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must
pass 12 achievements involving simple physical and mental
skills.
Bear: The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second
grade (or are age 9). There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories. The Cub
Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are
somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf
rank.
Webelos: This program is for boys who have completed third
grade (or are age 10) and not yet entered the sixth grade. A boy may begin
working on the Webelos badge as soon as he joins a Webelos den. This is the
first step in his transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. As he
completes the requirements found in the Webelos Handbook, he will work on
activity badges, attend meetings led by adults, and become familiar with the Boy
Scout requirements—all leading to the Arrow of Light Award.
Cub Scout Academics and Sports
The
Cub Scout Academics and Sports program provides the opportunity for boys to
learn new techniques, increase scholarship skills, develop sportsmanship, and
have fun. Participation in the program allows boys to be recognized for physical
fitness and
talent-building activities.
Camping
Age-appropriate camping
programs are packed with theme-oriented action that brings Tiger Cubs, Cub
Scouts, and Webelos Scouts into the great out-of-doors. Day camping comes to the
boy in neighborhoods across the country; resident camping is at least a
three-day experience in which Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts camp within a
developed theme of adventure and excitement. "Cub Scout Worlds" are used by many
councils to carry the world of imagination into reality with actual theme
structures of castles, forts, ships, etc. Cub Scout pack families enjoy camping
in local council camps and other council-approved campsites. Camping programs
combine fun and excitement with doing one's best, getting along with others, and
developing an appreciation for ecology and the world of the
outdoors.
Character Development
Since its origin, the Scouting
program has been an educational experience concerned with values. In 1910, the
first activities for Scouts were designed to build character, physical fitness,
practical skills, and service. These elements were part of the original Cub
Scout program and continue to be part of Cub Scouting today.
