New to Scouts?
WHAT IS CUB SCOUTING?
Cub Scouting is a family program designed for boys and girls in Kindergarten through the 5th grades, or 5 to 10 years of age. The program emphasizes leadership, community, family, character development, and personal fitness. Not to mention, kids LOVE it!
Give your child a valuable gift by encouraging him or her to join Cub Scouting today. The time you invest in today will make a difference in the person they become tomorrow.
WHAT DOES CUB SCOUTING OFFER MY SON OR DAUGHTER?
Cub Scouting offers fun and challenging activities that promote character development and physical fitness. Service projects, ceremonies, games, and other activities guide boys and girls through the core values and give them a sense of personal achievement. Through positive peer group interaction and parental guidance, Scouts also learn honesty, courage, and respect. The more involved you become, the more you and your child will get out of the Cub Scouting experience.
HOW DOES PARTICIPATION IN CUB SCOUTING AFFECT PARTICIPATION IN OTHER ACTIVITIES?
The Cub Scout program is designed to complement many other extracurricular activities. Typical time commitment is two Den meetings and one Pack meeting per month. Scouts who participate in organized sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, etc, or academic-based extracurricular activities like music, art, science etc., can be recognized for these activities through Cub Scout belt loops and pins which are worn on their uniform.
WHAT IS A PACK? WHAT IS A DEN?
Excellent question! The larger group as a whole is known as the pack. The pack is divided into smaller groups, called dens. Den placement is determined by the grade of the Scout.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CUB SCOUT LEVELS?
Lion Scout (Kindergarten). As a Lion, your kindergartner will make friends, laugh loud, gain confidence, discover nature, and most of all… have fun! They’ll experience the Scouting concepts of character development, leadership, citizenship, and personal fitness through engaging and exciting adventures!! Kindergarteners will have a blast exploring the world around them in ways that fuel their imagination and creativity.
Tiger Cub Scout (First Graders). Cub Scouts joining as first graders (or are 7 years old) enter the Tiger Cubs. Tiger Cubs introduces boys and their adult partners to the excitement of Cub Scouting as they "Search, Discover, and Share" together. Tiger Cubs earn the Tiger Cub badge by completing 15 activities with their adult partner and den. Tiger Cubs that have earned their badge may then purse electives geared especially for younger cubs.
Wolf Cub Scout (Second Graders). In the second grade, Cub Scouts work toward the Wolf Badge. To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass twelve achievements involving simple physical and mental skills. The requirements for these badges are found in the Wolf Cub Scout Book. Boys working towards their Wolf Badge are called Wolf Cubs.
Bear Cub Scout (Third Graders). In the third grade, Cub Scouts are called Bear Cubs and work toward the Bear Badge. There are 24 Bear achievements in 4 different categories. The Cub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. The requirements for these badges are found in the Bear Cub Scout Book. Boys joining in the third grade must earn their Bobcat Badge before working towards the Bear Badge.
Webelos Scout (Fourth and Fifth Graders). The Webelos Program is a 2-year program for fourth and fifth graders. Webelos Scouts work toward earning Webelos Activity Pins in 20 different areas, arranged in 5 groups. Fourth grade boys work toward the Webelos Badge. After earning the Webelos Badge, boys work toward Compass Point emblem and compass points by earning additional Activity Pins. Fifth graders, after earning the Webelos Badge, earn the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouts, and its badge is the only Cub Scout Badge that may be worn on a Boy Scout uniform. The requirements for these badges are found in the Webelos Cub Scout Book.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PARENT?
Scouting isn’t like soccer or baseball where parents are on the sidelines cheering our kids on. Cub Scouting is hands on. Whether parents are helping them learn how to tie knots, how to use a hammer or how to cook their own breakfast, parents definitely need to be involved.
Generally speaking, here's what we expect from parents:
Provide help and support for the Den and Pack.
Work with your son or daughter on advancement projects and activities.
Attend Pack meetings with your Scout. Siblings are welcome!
Attend and assist with Den outings.
Attend Cub Scout Family campouts with your Scout.
We also encourage parents to consider becoming Den Leaders. If you're interested, or if you’d like to learn about other ways you can volunteer, let Mike Kemp (the Pack 20 leader) know or click the Contact link above to drop us a line. The Pack pays for adult leader national BSA memberships.
WHERE DO I GET MY SCOUT'S UNIFORM, HANDBOOK, AND OTHER SUPPLIES?
Check out Uniforms & Supplies.
DO CUB SCOUTS GO CAMPING?
Absolutely! But they ease into it. They go camping with a parent, or even with the entire family.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO JOIN CUB SCOUT PACK 20?
The annual Pack 20 annual membership fee for Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos is $200. The annual membership fee for Lions is $100, due to the limited scope of the program.
The members fee covers such items as the National BSA registration fee, Den dues, the handbook appropriate for your Scout's rank, the Pinewood Derby & Rain-Gutter Regatta kits, some patches and awards for the year, and venue rentals for the Derby, Regatta and year-end Blue and Gold Banquet.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COSTS?
Other costs to you include purchase of uniforms and associated accoutrements, some activity fees, including those for camping and other events that are programmed throughout the year. There may also be other den-level expenses, which are agreed-upon with your Scout's den leader.
DOES THE PACK SUBSIDIZE PART OF THE PROGRAM?
Not directly. However, Scouts participate in one fund-raising activity (popcorn sale) per year. Funds raised through the popcorn sale benefit the entire Pack. Funds raised help cover some, but not all, of the costs associated with our annual winter campout. It also helps pay for awards and other recognition the boys and girls earn.
HOW OFTEN ARE THE MEETINGS?
Cub Scouts usually meet with their Dens twice each month 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, the Pack may conduct a special event such as a campout or service activity as an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly Pack meeting. Check out the Calendar page for more information.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
The best way to learn about what a Cub Scout really does is to talk with a Cub Scout who is engaged in the program. Alternatively, you can learn more about the Cub Scout program by selecting CONTACT above and asking any question you may have.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
We thought you'd never ask! Just sign up!