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This page provides a basic overview of the Cub Scout program.
In 1930 the Boy Scouts of America launched a home- and neighborhood-centered program for boys 9 to 11 years of age. A key element of the program is an emphasis on caring, nurturing relationships between boys and their parents, adult leaders, and friends. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's three membership divisions. (The others are Boy Scouting and Venturing.)
Cub Scouting has nine purposes:
Boys in grades first through fifth can participate in the Cub Scout program. The boys are grouped by age into units called Dens. Generally there will be between four to eight boys in a Den. Dens meet weekly at a time and location selected by the Den's adult leaders. Den meeting activities may include games, stunts, songs, ceremonies and field trips.
Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scout advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.
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Tiger
Boys in first grade will be part of a Tiger Den. The Tiger Cub program is conducted on two levels. First, the Tiger Cub and his adult partner meet in the home to conduct activities for the whole family. Second, the Tiger Cub and his adult partner meet twice a month with other Tiger Cubs and adult partners in the den, using the planned "big idea" (or theme) for their activity during one of the meetings. Each den meeting is hosted by a Tiger Cub-adult partner team. Tiger Cubs BSA follows a school-year cycle. Boys remain in the Tiger Cub program until they complete first grade. At that time, they graduate into a Cub Scout den and are eligible to participate in Cub Scout summer activities, including Cub Scout day camp. Click here for more information about the Tiger rank requirements.
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Bobcat
The first rank, Bobcat, is for all boys who complete the Tiger Cub program or join Cub Scouting after first grade. Click here for more information about the Bobcat rank requirements.
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Wolf
The Wolf program is for boys who have completed first grade (or are age 8). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass twelve achievements involving simple physical and mental skills. Click here for more information about the Wolf rank requirements.
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Bear
The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade (or are age 9). There are twenty-four Bear achievements in four different categories. The Cub Scout must complete twelve of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank. Click here for more information about the Bear rank requirements.
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Webelos
This program is for boys who have completed third grade (or are age 10). A boy may begin working on the Webelos badge as soon as he joins a Webelos den. This is the first step in his transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. As he completes the requirements found in the Webelos Scout Book, he will work on activity badges, attend meetings led by adults, and become familiar with the Boy Scout requirements - all leading to the Arrow of Light Award. Click here for more information about the Webelos rank requirements.
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Collectively, the Dens from Tigers to Webelos comprise the Pack. Our Pack, Pack 876, meets once a month at Wesley United Methodist Church. The Pack meeting is the climax of the month's Den meetings and activities. Pack meetings give the boys an opportunity to share what they have been working on in their Den with the other Dens and with their families. The Pack meetings are also used a forum to recognize the boys' achievements by presenting them with rank and activity badges. Den meeting activities may include games, stunts, songs and ceremonies
Our Pack meetings are held at 7:30 PM on the third Thursday of the month from September through May. Holidays or special events may require us to move the meetings; refer to the Pack calendar for a complete listing of Pack events.
The Pack leadership is comprised of volunteers. The leaders are generally drawn from the parents of the boys in the pack. All parents are encouraged to help in some capacity. Serving in an adult leadership position not only helps ensure the continued success of the program, but also give you the chance to be a positive influence on the youth of our community.
Previous scouting experience is not required to serve as an adult leader. A wealth of information and training materials are available for volunteer leaders. Complete plans for conducting Den and Pack meetings are available, as are Scouting publications that cover every aspect of the program. The Pack conducts monthly committee meetings where the Pack leadership meet to plan Pack activities and share information. Every month the Colonial District holds a Roundtable which is a gathering of adult leaders from Scout Troops and Cub Scout Packs from the area. A Roundtable is a great place to get ideas for conducting Den and Pack meetings, ask questions, and share ideas. Training programs and special workshops are also conducted throughout the year. Committee meetings, Roundtables, and training events are listed on the Pack calendar.
There is also an abundance of resource material available on scouting related sites across the Internet. Links to some of the more useful sites have been listed on the resource page of this site.