Our Purpose
The ten purposes of Cub Scouting:
- Character Development
- Spiritual Growth
- Good Citizenship
- Sportsmanship
- Family Understanding
- Respectful Relationships
- Personal Achievement
- Friendly Service
- Fun and Adventure
- Preparation for Boy Scouts
- Membership
Since 1930, the Boy Scouts of America has helped younger boys through Cub Scouting. It is a year-round family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (or 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting. Currently, Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's three membership divisions. (The other divisions are Boy Scouting and Venturing.)
Cub Scouting members join a Cub Scout pack and are assigned to a den. Dens are usually a neighborhood group of six to eight boys. Tiger Cubs (first-graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth graders) usually meet weekly.
Once a month, all of the dens and their family members gather for a Pack Meeting under the direction of the Cubmaster and the Pack Committee. The Committee consists of parents of boys in the Pack and members of the chartered organization.
Volunteer Leadership
Thousands of volunteer leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Cub Scout program. They serve in a variety of positions, such as Den Leaders, Pack Committee Chairpersons and members, Den Leader Coaches, and Chartered Organization Representatives.
Like other phases of the Scouting program, Cub Scouting is made available to groups having similar interests and goals, including professional organizations; government bodies; and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, labor, and citizens' groups. These "sponsors" are called chartered organizations. Each organization appoints one of its members as a Chartered Organization Representative. The organization, through the Pack Committee, is responsible for providing leadership and support for Pack activities.
Who Pays For It?
Groups responsible for supporting Cub Scouting are the boys and their parents, the Pack, the chartered organization, and the community. Often, the boys are encouraged to pay their own way by contributing dues each week. Packs also obtain income by working on approved fundraising projects. The community, including parents, supports Cub Scouting through the United Way, Friends of Scouting enrollment, bequests, and special contributions to the local BSA Council. This financial support provides leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers and other facilities, and professional service for units.
Advancement Plan
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.
Above is the Arrow of Light Award: the highest award in Cub Scouting and the only Cub Scout badge that may be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.