Cub Scouts New Parent Orientation Video:
Joining Cub Scouting
How old (or young) can a boy be to join Cub Scouting?
Cub Scouting is for boys in the first through fifth grades, or 7 to 10 years of age. Boys who are older than 10, or who have completed the fifth grade, can no longer join Cub Scouting, but they may be eligible to join the Boy Scouting or Venturing program.
How can I become an adult volunteer in Cub Scouting?
Express your interest to the pack leaders—the Cubmaster, a representative from Our Lady of Hope Church, or members of the unit committee. They can help you understand the process and guide you on areas where the pack needs support. Pack 354 welcomes all involvement and parent help.
The Cub Scout Program
Are Cub Scouts the same as Boy Scouts?
Cub Scouting is a program of the Boy Scouts of America—so in that sense, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are both members of the same organization. However, they are entirely different programs: Cub Scouting is a family-oriented program designed specifically to address the needs of younger boys.
How often do Cub Scouts meet?
Cub Scouts meet in their dens once almost each week (with some exceptions), and a pack meeting is held for all Cub Scouts and their families once a month. Beyond that, it depends on the den and pack: a den may hold a special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings. Likewise, a pack may conduct a special event such as a campout or holiday party as an additional event, or as a substitute for its monthly pack meeting.
May parents attend den meetings?
Cub Scouting is open to parents at all times. Den meetings are intended to be an activity for the individual boys, and your Den Leader will be working hard to keep the Cub Scouts focused. Parents are welcomed to assist the Den Leader during meetings
Uniforms and Supplies
What supplies and equipment are needed to participate in Cub Scouting?
At minimum, each boy in Cub Scouting will need a uniform and a handbook. Each year, he will need a new handbook, neckerchief, and cap (optional); but other uniform parts remain the same for at least the first three years. When a boy enters a Webelos den, he may need to obtain a new uniform if the parents in the den opt for the khaki-and-olive uniform.
Additional supplies and equipment may be needed for certain activities such as camping trips or field days. What equipment is needed, as well as whether it will be provided by the unit, will vary from pack to pack. Den and pack leaders should provide parents with information about any supplies that will be required at the beginning of each program year.
Where can I purchase BSA literature, uniforms, and other program materials?
Our uniforms, literature, and other Scouting merchandise is available at your local council, Scout Shops, and other licensed distributors. Visit
www.scoutstuff.org to find a list of distributors in your area. If there aren't any suppliers near you, you can order directly from the Supply Division by telephone at 1-800-323-0736 or
www.scoutstuff.org.
How can I save money on the cost of uniforms and equipment?
The Cub Scout Pack may provide assistance to families. Some packs operate a uniform exchange or uniform bank, or they may hold fund-raisers to enable the boys to earn their uniforms. Depending on if you are comfortable with it, you may also purchase from second-hand stores or websites such as ebay.com.
Also, Pack 354 will award boys rank-specific uniform components (neckerchief) and the handbook that the Cub Scout needs each year—so parents should inquire as to what the pack provides before purchasing the items themselves.
Advancement and Awards
If a boy joins a Bear den, may he go back and earn the Tiger and Wolf badges?
No. In the Cub Scout program, all boys in a den work toward the same badge. If a boy joins Cub Scouting as a 9-year-old, he must earn the Bobcat badge (all boys in Cub Scouting earn this badge), and then he will begin working on the Bear badge with his fellow Cub Scouts. He is not required to have earned the Tiger or Wolf badges. Since those badges are for younger boys (7- and 8-year-olds), the requirements for those badges are not consistent with a 9-year-old's current level of ability, so "going back" to pick up those badges is not permitted.
If a boy completes the Wolf badge early, may he begin working on the Bear badge?
No. In the Cub Scout program, all boys in a den work toward a badge that is geared to their level of development. If the Wolf badge is completed before the end of the program year, a boy may work on elective adventures, but he may not begin working on the requirements for the Bear badge. His work on the Bear badge will begin the next program year, when he graduates into a Bear den.
When a Cub Scout earns the Arrow of Light, may he immediately join a Boy Scout troop?
Boy Scouting is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light and are at least ten years old—so a Webelos Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light is eligible to join a troop immediately (provided he is at least ten years old).
However, many packs coordinate with Boy Scout troop to facilitate the transition from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting. In these instances, it is better for the boy, his family, and both units if all Webelos Scouts make the transition together, in a coordinated fashion, rather than having each boy leave the pack as soon as he is eligible.