All About Cub Scouts

Why Join Cub Scouting?

• If you could give only one gift to the young people who are most important in your life, what would it be? No matter what your family situation is, it is within your power to help these children grow into people with a good feeling about themselves and a genuine concern for others. Cub Scouting can assist you in providing this greatest gift of all.

• Cub Scout-age children benefit developmentally from belonging to a small group of peers. Your child will be a part of a den, a small group of Cub Scouts in the same grade level and who are of the same gender. Through this sense of belonging, children build self-esteem and learn to get along with others.

• As a parent, you want to be assured that the groups that your child joins will teach values consistent with good citizenship, character development, personal fitness, and leadership. The values we seek to instill are found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

How Does Cub Scouting Work?

In Cub Scouting, you and your family join in on the program with your child, and you will help them along the way. Cub Scouts have a different handbook at each grade level, with adventures that are age-appropriate for their developmental level. As your child advances through these books by working on adventures, they will earn badges and other recognition that they wear on their uniform. As your child grows in Cub Scouting, your role will change with them, from hands-on involvement to guiding and coaching. Your child’s success in Cub Scouting depends on you!

The Cub Scouting program takes place at two levels. Your child will be a part of a den, a small group of Cub Scouts in the same grade level and who are of the same gender. A den typically meets twice a month, although some may meet more often. All dens, from kindergarten through fifth grade, make up a pack. Once a month, the dens, with their families, come together at the pack meeting and Cub Scouts are recognized for the adventures and badges they have earned. 

How Can You Help?

The most important help that you, as a parent, can give your child is to work with them on their Cub Scouting adventures as they work toward their badge of rank. Your role as a parent is the secret to a successful Cub Scouting program! The den and the pack rely on parent participation to run a successful program. Cub Scouting operates through volunteer leadership. Volunteer leaders are an example of Scouting’s principle of service to others. By volunteering in Scouting, you are also giving your child and family the gift of your time. What could be more valuable? You will have an opportunity to be a positive influence in their life and in the lives of their friends. Here are some of the ways you could volunteer:

The Pack Committee

Every Cub Scout parent or guardian is invited to become a member of the pack committee. Pack committee members perform administrative functions of the pack. The committee meets monthly.

Training

The Boy Scouts of America offers convenient training for parents who volunteer. As a new parent, you can learn all about Cub Scouting and how quality Scouting programs are built.

Youth Protection

Youth safety is of paramount importance to Scouting. For that reason, the BSA continues to create barriers to abuse beyond what have previously existed in Scouting. All leaders are required to complete Youth Protection training. All parents are encouraged to take the training. 

How Much Does Cub Scouting Cost?

Registration fee + Pack dues—annual fee for youth: ........................$ 165

Boys’ Life magazine—optional: ............................$ 15 

Books—Youth handbooks (except for Lion): ............................$ 24

Uniform—TPack t-shirts (Class B uniform) is included in your dues.  The formal uniform and its cost vary by program for both youth and adults. Uniforms may also be available in our give-and-take bin, or purchased at your local Scout shop: ............................$ 25-50