Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a year round family program designed for younger boys. Parents and leaders work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.
Objective
The objectives of Scouting in America have been to teach citizenship, build character, and encourage fitness of mind and body. Scouting helps our children to become prepared for life. It teaches them how to make ethical decisions that will guide them through life. Hundreds of Eagle Scouts are leading the cities‟ top corporate and civic organizations. This did not happen by accident. It was earned by every person who has ever been a member of the scouting organization; or whose life has been touched by the values of the scouting movement. As long as there are young boys, there will be a need for the scouting movement. In order to continue this excellent program we need strong family and parental involvement. With your commitment and support, we will all share the goodness scouting has to offer.
Parent Partnership in Cub Scouts
- Encourages closeness to family.
- Opportunities to take part in activities with your son that you normally couldn’t do.
- Provides a positive way for parent and son to grow closer together.
- Encourages you to spend quality time together.
- Some specific things you can do to help your son in Cub Scouting are:
- Work with your son on projects.
- Help your Cub Scout along the advancement trail.
- Participate in monthly pack meetings.
- Attend parent-leader conferences.
- Go on family campouts with your son.
- Provide support for your son’s den and pack.
Cub Scouting’s 12 Core Values
- Citizenship
- Compassion
- Cooperation
- Courage
- Faith
- Health and fitness
- Honesty
- Perseverance
- Positive attitude
- Resourcefulness
- Respect
- Responsibility
Colors
The Cub Scout colors are blue and gold. They have a special meaning, which will help scouts see beyond the fun of Cub Scouting. The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness
Organization
Cub Scout Pack 295 is made up of first grade through fifth grade boys from Guyton. Boys meet in dens ranging from five to ten boys. Each den has an adult Den Leader and consists of boys in the same grade. First graders are Tiger Cubs, Second graders are Wolf Cubs, Third graders are Bear Cubs, and Fourth and Fifth graders are Webelos. See Ranks and Advancement for more information about each level.
The Den Leaders are the ones who do most of the work, and have the most fun. Den Leaders plan and organize den meetings, keep track of the boys‟ advancements, and attend leader meetings. Den Leaders try to encourage the parents to participate in the den meetings to the greatest extent possible, both to make the Den Leader‟s job easier and to increase the boys‟ enjoyment. The Den Leader can go to the Cubmaster for advice and assistance.
Cub Scouting is a family activity, and Den meetings are a great place for family involvement. Parents play an important role in the pack. The leaders will do their best to provide a quality program, but all the leaders of Pack 295 are volunteers and have many other obligations. We depend on parents to help so that we can continue to provide the excellent scouting program. We ask every parent to help the pack in some capacity. We encourage all parents to do their share in helping their son‟s den leader in any way possible. In addition, we require that all parents help with one pack activity a year (i.e., Popcorn Sales, Pinewood Derby, Pack Night, Kitchen help, Campout, etc.). Parents must attend the pack meetings with their Cub Scout. Every scout handbook has a parent guide at the beginning. Parents are welcome to attend organizational meetings of the pack.
Ranks and Advancement
Boys work their way through Cub Scouts doing activities that are fun and challenging. The activities are carefully chosen to be age-appropriate, and emphasize learning by doing. They cover many aspects of life, and are designed to:
- Influence a boy‟s character development and spiritual growth
- Develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship
- Encourage good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body
- Improve understanding within the family
- Strengthen a boy’s ability to get along with others
- Foster a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills
- Show a boy how to be helpful and do his best
- Provide fun and exciting new things to do.
Besides the activities that contribute to advancement in rank, the boys can earn belt loops, pins and awards. The purpose of these awards is to encourage Scouts to try new activities and learn new skills, or to improve those skills they already have. As in most activities in Cub Scouting, this is not meant to be a highly competitive program; instead the boys are encouraged to “do their best.”
Bobcat Badge: All boys earn the Bobcat badge first, by learning the Cub Scout Promise, law of the Pack, handshake, salute, sign, motto, and meaning of “Webelos.” After receiving the Bobcat badge, the scout works on his requirement based on his grade level.
Cub Scouts joining as first grade boys enter the Tiger Cub Program. Tiger Cub Scouts work toward the Tiger Cub badge by completing activities at their den meetings, with their adult partner or family, and on group outings. Tiger Cub dens meet three times a month for a den meeting and participate in all pack meetings and pack events. Tiger Cubs participate in all activities accompanied by an adult partner (usually one of the parents). Tiger Cubs introduces boys and their adult partners to the excitement of Cub Scouting as they “Search, discover and share” together. The Tiger Cub program is simple and fun.
In the second grade, Cub Scouts are called Wolf Cubs and work toward the Wolf Badge by completing 12 achievements. Then they work towards a Gold Arrow Point and one or more Silver Arrow Points. The requirements for these badges are found in the Wolf Cub Scout Book. Boys working toward their Wolf Badge are called Wolf Cubs.
In the third grade, Cub Scouts are called Bear Cubs and work toward the Bear Badge by completing 12 of 24 achievements. After which they work toward earning a Gold Arrow Point and Silver Arrow Points. 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 toward the Bear Badge.
The Webelos Program is a two-year program for fourth and fifth grade boys. When a Cub Scout has completed the third grade, he transfers to Webelos. In both years, a Webelos scout works toward earning Webelos Activity Pins in twenty different areas, arranged in five groups, and toward one of two different cloth Badges. Fourth grade boys work toward the Webelos Badge.
After earning the Webelos Badge, boys work toward Compass Point Emblem and Metal Compass Points by earning additional Activity Pins. Fifth graders, after earning the Webelos Badge may earn the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light is the highest ranked badge in Cub Scouts. It is the only Cub Scout badge that may be worn on a Boy Scout Uniform.
Uniforms
Cub Scouts purchase their own uniform, including council patch, pack and den numbers. The pack provides achievement badges. Tiger Cubs, Wolf and Bear Cubs wear the blue Cub scouts‟ shirt, neckerchiefs, a neckerchief slide, while Webelos can choose either the blue Cub Scout uniform or the tan Boy Scout uniform shirt. Pack 295 accepts any dark blue pants (e.g. school pants) with the blue Cub Scouts‟ uniform.
- The Class A Uniform is the “fancy one” with patches. Class A’s (Field Uniform) are worn to PACK meetings and other special activities of the pack.
- The Class B Uniform consists of our Pack’s T-shirt with shorts, pants or jeans. Class B’s (Activity Uniform) are worn when the occasion is not formal, the Scouts are not interfacing with the general public representing scouting, and when the Scouts are expected to engage in activities for which the full uniform would be inappropriate.
- Shoes must be closed toed.
Uniforms can be purchased at the Coastal Georgia Council Scout Shop (11900 Abercorn Expressway, Savannah, GA 31419; Phone # 912-927-7272) or online at ScoutStuff.org.
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 phsically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Cub Scout Motto
Do Your Best.