How Does Cub Scouting Work?
In Cub Scouting, you and your family join in on the program with your child, and you will help them along the way. Cub Scouts have a different handbook at each grade level, with age-appropriate adventures. As your child advances through these books by working on adventures, they will earn badges and other recognition that they wear on their uniform. As your child grows in Cub Scouting, your role will change with them, from hands-on involvement to guiding and coaching. Your child’s success in Cub Scouting depends on you! The Cub Scouting program takes place at two levels. Your child will be a part of a den, a small group of Cub Scouts in the same grade level and who are of the same gender. All dens, from kindergarten through fifth grade, make up a pack.
Pack Meetings
Once a month all Dens meet together for a “Pack Meeting" where all Cub Scouts and their families are encouraged to attend. The Pack Meeting is a fun time for everyone. Dens show off the projects they have been working on, lead songs, perform skits, and awards are presented to the Scouts. It is a time for the family to get information on upcoming activities and share in the Scouting spirit. Be sure to attend and join in the excitement while watching your scout advance! We encourage scouts to wear their Class A uniform.
Den Meetings
Den Meetings are held two or three times a month and provide your scout with opportunities to enjoy various planned activities, learn new skills, and have great fun. While parental attendance is not required at Den Meetings (except for Lions and Tigers), it is certainly encouraged! Some Dens will require parent participation at specific meetings. Please keep in touch with your scout's Den Leader so that you will know what activities are taking place and can track the progress your child is making. Meeting rooms will be assigned when the dens show up for their first meeting.
Overnight Camping
Scouting is an outdoor-based program. Camping is permitted by Cub Scouts only in an age-appropriate context. Scouts must have an adult family member with them at all times when camping. If your Scout wishes to attend only the daytime activities of a Family Camp-out you must make prior arrangements with the Cubmaster to discuss which guardian will be approved to take responsibility for your child if you cannot stay with them. You will need to fill out a permission slip for your child with all of the necessary emergency information included. Bring all the equipment you will need to enjoy the camp-out: tent, sleeping bags, lanterns, bug spray etc. The pack will provide the main meals. In the event of an overnight, your child can only tent with another child of the same age (within two-years) and gender and with permission of that child’s parent or guardian and the Cubmaster.
Blue and Gold Graduation
Each year, Cub Scouts celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the BSA, on February 8, 1910, by having a Blue and Gold Banquet. It is usually held in February. For the 2nd year AOL “Arrow of Light” WEBELOS, the final night of being a Cub Scout is at our Blue and Gold celebration. At that time, they will be invited by the Scoutmaster to join our scouts BSA Troop in a “crossing-over” ceremony. This event takes place at the Troops Court of Honor, typically held in the beginning of March. The entire family, including grandparents and other special guests are encouraged to attend. Scouts MUST wear their full uniform. All other cub scouts will attend a graduation ceremony in May to mark the completion of their experience in that year's grade and graduate into the next year. Earning rank advancement, relative to each school grade is not required (e.g. -Arrow of Light, Wolf, Bear, etc.), but is encouraged as one of the methods of the scouting experience. A scout works at their own pace at home or during Den & Pack outings and meetings, under the supervision and guidance of a parent and in coordination with the Den leader.
How Can You Help?
The most important help that you, as a parent, can give your child is to work
with them on their Cub Scouting adventures as they work toward their badge of rank. The Cub Scout handbook is full of age-appropriate activities; some of them you do together at home.
Den meetings are designed for Cub Scouts to complete
adventures that are required for them to earn their badge of rank.
Your role as a parent is the secret to a successful Cub Scouting program!
The den and the pack rely on parent participation to run a successful program.
Cub Scouting operates through volunteer leadership.
Volunteer leaders are an
example of Scouting’s principle of service to others. By volunteering in Scouting,
you are also giving your child and family the gift of your time. What could be more
valuable? You will have an opportunity to be a positive influence in their life and in
the lives of their friends. Here are some of the ways you could volunteer:
Den leader. Uses the Den Leader Guide and meeting plans to lead the scouts at
den meetings. Attends the monthly pack committee meeting.
Cubmaster. Helps plan and carry out the pack program with the help of the pack
committee.
Various Committee. positions. Running an organization takes lots of different skills, from financial to organizational.