About the Cub Scout Program

The Mission and Methods of Cub Scouting

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to instill the values of the Scout Oath and Scout law into young people so they will be prepared to make moral and ethical choices throughout their lifetimes. As leaders, we are helping Scouts grow into the kind of people who will make the world a better place.

The Aims of Scouting

CHARACTER

Scouts develop character by facing challenges, working towards their goals, and having new experiences.

CITIZENSHIP

Community service and respect for country are foundational values of Scouting.

PERSONAL FITNESS

Scouts get out and play! They are physically active, learn new skills, and spend time outdoors.

LEADERSHIP

As they grow through the program, Scouts get more opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills.

Methods of Scouting

Living the Ideals

Cub Scouts are encouraged to live the ideals embedded in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, and the Cub Scout motto. The Cub Scout sign, handshake, and salute are practices that help to establish and reinforce these values for the Scouts and the leaders who guide them.

Belonging to a Den

A Cub Scout den is a group of six to eight children, who are the same age or grade level and the same gender, who work together on the same rank requirements. The den is the basic unit of Cub Scouting, and it’s the group your Scout spends most of their time with.

Advancement

Advancement in Cub Scouting helps Scouts learn to set goals and work towards them. It also helps them earn recognition in front of their den and the whole pack. The awards on a Scout’s uniform tell the story of their Scouting journey.

Family Involvement

Whatever a Scout’s family looks like, the family is an important part of Cub Scouting. Whether a Scout lives with parents, grandparents, step parents, foster parents, or someone else, all provide leadership and support for Cub Scouting.

Activities

Cub Scouts play games, build projects, perform skits, sing songs, get outdoors, take trips, and serve their communities through the Scouting program. These activities are fun, but they also offer opportunities for growth, achievement, and family involvement.

Serving the Community

The Cub Scouting program provides Scouts with the opportunity to serve their families and communities as part of their advancement. Scouts learn what it takes to help those who need it, and working in service of others establishes good character that lasts a lifetime.

Uniform

Cub Scouts wear uniforms to their meetings, and these uniforms serve two purposes. They show that the Scout is part of a team, and also display the Scout’s individual achievements in the awards they wear. The uniform also encourages a neat appearance and good behavior.

The Oath and Law

The Scout Oath and Scout Law are essential to understanding Scouting. Scouts are required to learn them in order to earn their Bobcat rank, and they are repeated at every pack and den meeting.

The Scout Oath

“On my honor I will do my best

to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;

to help other people at all times;

to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

The Scout Law

A Scout is:

Trustworthy

Loyal

Helpful

Friendly

Courteous

Kind

Obedient

Cheerful

Thrifty

Brave

Clean

Reverent

Cub Scout Ranks

Cub Scout Ranks and Uniforms

Kids can join the pack at any age from 5 to 11, and begin their Scouting journey. The den they are assigned to will depend upon their age or grade, and they will begin working on the appropriate rank. Our youngest Scouts start in kindergarten at the Lion rank, and our 5th grade Scouts are working on the Arrow of Light rank, the highest award in Cub Scouting.

Each rank has some different uniform elements to help identify which Scouts are working on which rank. There is some commonality between uniforms as well, to show that we’re all on the same team. Adult leaders also wear uniforms, to show that they are on the same team as the kids.