The Basics of Cub Scouting

Why Join Cub Scouts?

When you sign your child up for Cub Scouts, they’ll benefit from these three key character-building attributes:

• Goal Orientation: Scouting provides a clear path for kids to succeed at making and achieving tough goals. Whether working toward achieving a new Scouting rank or striving to gain a new skill, Scouts are constantly working toward reaching measurable goals. Not only do these achievements follow a Scout throughout life, but habits are established of setting and striving for personal, academic, and professional goals as an adult.
• Leadership: Scouting provides consistent opportunities for Scouts to learn and practice leadership skills. Leading projects and peers is the norm for kids in the program. As Scouts mature in rank, their leadership abilities continue to grow and they’re offered even more opportunities to lead. This helps kids develop into adults who standout as leaders in their workplaces and communities.
• Preparedness: Scouting builds life skills (like learning to conquer hard tasks) by facing challenges head-on. The program is structured so that what once seemed impossible to a Scout becomes attainable, a positive cycle that prepares youth for the undoubted challenges they will meet in life.

Mission, Aims and Methods of Cub Scouting

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law, and this begins in Cub Scouts.

There are four aims of Scouting: citizenship, character, personal fitness, and leadership.

The methods of Cub Scouting are: living the ideals, belonging to a den, advancement, family involvement, activities, serving the community, and the uniform.

Age-Based Activities and Challenges

In Cub Scouting, kids go through different age-based ranks (Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos). Each rank challenges youth to complete milestones tailored to their specific age group, completing activities with other kids their age, experiencing a new set of challenges each year. They also have opportunities to have fun alongside older and younger Scouts. This happens in packs and dens.