Cub Scouts
FAQ
Join 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 depending on their age and grade level.
How can I become an adult volunteer in Cub Scouting?
Email [email protected] We are always looking for volunteers. We need Den Leaders, Assistant Den Leaders and chairs. There are many single-instance volunteer opportunities such as popcorn chair or pinewood derby chair.
What kind of commitment is there?
We hope that you’ll join us every week as program is best when the scouts get to see each other on a regular basis. Your scout will receive a manual with everything they need to do to earn their next rank and all optional awards. It’s no problem if you miss meeting for other sports or vacations.
The Cub Scout Program
Are Cub Scouts the same as Boy Scouts?
No. 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 and girls.
How often do Cub Scouts meet?
Our Cub Scouts meet in their dens once each on Thursdays at 6:30pm for one hour, one meeting per month is dedicated as a Pack meeting. We have one or two optional weekend activities per month. 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 blue and gold banquet as an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly pack meeting.
May parents attend den meetings?
Kindergarten and First Graders are required to have parents attend. But from Second Grade on, Cub Scout den meetings are intended to be an activity for the kids. They are not a family activity, and the presence of parents can be a distraction. However, parental involvement is strongly encouraged, and all meetings are open to your participation. If you would like to be present at a den meeting, just ask the den leader in advance so that the leader can plan a way for you to observe or participate in an unobtrusive manner, or talk to the pack leaders on becoming more involved in a leadership position.
Uniform and Supplies
What supplies and equipment are needed to participate in Cub Scouting?
At minimum, each boy in Cub Scouting will need a Class B uniform and a handbook which is provided by the Pack at sign up after paying the dues. (Approximately $75) Your child will want a Class A uniform which includes a Shirt, Belt, Neckerchief, and Slide. Cub Scout uniforms are belt up, so there is no requirements for pants, shorts, socks or shoes. The entire uniform is about $70 the first year. Each year, the handbook changes, as does the cap and neckerchief, 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 will provide parents with information about any supplies that will be required at the beginning of each program year but we seek to fund most expenses through fund raising.
What other gear will my scout need?
A water bottle and a small backpack is needed for most outings. Our pack has plenty of extra camping equipment so if you don’t already own camping gear, please just ask and we can provide it for you. If you want to purchase your own gear, we recommend a fiberglass pole dome tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, flashlight and camp chair.
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 the Supply Group website at www.scoutstuff.org to find a list of distributors in your area.
How can I save money on the cost of uniforms and equipment?
Our Cub Scout pack will provide assistance to families that need additional help.
Advancement and Awards
What will my scout learn?
Scouting teaches a wide variety of skills including camping, archery, BB guns, slingshot, canoeing, kayaking, games, sportsmanship, fishing, rock climbing, swimming, hiking, animal watching, astronomy, skits, sales, public speaking, crafts, critical thinking, teamwork and more. We seek to expose the scouts to many different things to boost their confidence and make them better citizens. Cub Scouts is leader assisted as we build the kids toward independence in Boy Scouts.
If a boy joins a Bear den, may he go back and earn the Tiger Cub 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 or in the third grade, 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 Cub or Wolf badges. Since those badges are for younger boys (first grade or age 7 and second grade or age 8), the requirements for those
badges are below a third grade or 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 electives to earn Arrow Points, or Academic and Sports belt loops and pins, Nova awards, or the religious emblem of their faith. 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.
May Cub Scouts earn badges such as the 50-Miler Award or Mile Swim BSA?
No, Cub Scouts are not eligible to earn these awards, which are part of the Boy Scout program. All of the awards that Cub Scouts may earn are listed in their handbooks and on this website.
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 10 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 10 years old). A boy can join a Boy Scout troop if he is 11 years old whether he has earned the Arrow of Light or not. However, many packs coordinate with a local 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.
How does a Cub Scout earn a Nova award?
A Cub Scout, with his counselor, acquires the Cub Scout Nova Awards Guidebook. The Cub Scout decides which Nova award he wishes to work on. He will then work with his counselor to understand the procedure and begin completing the requirements. Once he has completed his first Nova award he will be presented the Nova patch for Cub Scouts. For each Nova award he completes after that he will be presented a “pi” pin to put on the Nova patch. If he chooses to work toward the Supernova award, he will need a Supernova mentor. You can contact your local council for a list of mentors in your area, or someone who is qualified can register through the council to become a Supernova mentor.
This information can be found at www.scouting.org/stem.aspx.