Lion

What are Lions

• Lion Scouts are kindergarten-age boys and girls.
• Lions join with a parent or caring adult partner.
• Lions form dens of six to eight Lion Scout pairs (youth and accompanying adult).
• Lion dens are part of a Cub Scout pack.
• Lions may wear a special Lion T-shirt to their activities.
• Lions move to the next Cub Scout level (Tigers) at the end of kindergarten.

Have Fun, Make Friends, See New Things

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!! Your kindergartner will have a blast exploring the world around him in ways that fuel his imagination and creativity. Together, you’ll take his first steps down the path to success. Adventure awaits!

This program does not change any of the current ranks and organization of other Scouting programs. It’s unique as it reaches out to a slightly younger group of boys and girls. Research shows that childhood development accelerates around ages 4 and 5, about the time youth begin formal education. That’s where Scouting comes in. Like many of the BSA’s programs which supplement the learning and growth boys and girls experience at home and in an educational environment at that age, the Boy Scouts of America has developed this program as a permanent new program.

Pack meetings and activities—Now Lion families may individually decide to participate in more (than the 2-3 required meetings) as desired. Packs should look for ways to actively involve the Lions and include them in program, skits, etc. Lions want more Pack involvement.

Pinewood Derby— Open to Lions by Pack decision. Three options are recommended.

1) Integrate Lions into Pack with Cub Scouts as Pack decides.

2) Use the wedge car from the Scout Shop to eliminate cutting.

3) Have Lions do a Veggie Car Derby.

Fundraising—This is now a family option. Fundraising and mandatory levels are not required. Some parents do want to have the individual option to fund raise. If popcorn is sold by Lions then Show and Sell with older boys and parents would be the preference, door to door selling needs the parents at the Lions’ side. Spring Fundraising is the better selection.

Camping (not a change but clarification)- Lion dens should not participate in overnight Den specific camping but Pack and Family camping are okay. Day camp and activities such as shooting sports are reserved for the older Cub Scouts. Keep the Lion dens focused on their exciting (and age-appropriate) adventures and fun family outings. Family camping with the Pack is totally welcome and encouraged!

Leadership

Den meetings and outings are facilitated by a Lion Guide and participating parents. The Lion Guide is an experienced Cub Scout Leader. He or she will lead the first den meeting of the year. The Lion Guide will help each adult partner lead one of the following meetings. The den meeting plans are provided in the Lion Parent and Leader Guidebook.

Adult Partner

The adult partner participates with the Lion in fun meetings and outings. He or she takes turns with other adult partners to lead a den meeting and/or outing. Most meetings and outings are approximately 45 minutes in length.

Lion Guide

A Lion Guide is a volunteer leader who provides direct support to your Lion Den. A Lion Guide is a unit position so the Lion Guide will be registered in the pack. The position description for the Lion Guide is:

• Has previous successful experience as den leader
• Works directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that the den is an active and successful part of the pack
• Plans and prepares for initial Lion den meeting and outings
• Mentors adult partners in the delivery of Lion den meetings
• Attends the pack leaders’ meeting
• Leads the den at the monthly outings and other pack activities
• Ensures the transition of Lion Scouts to Tigers at year-end
• Prepares the Lions for day camp at the end of the Lion year if appropriate
• Coordinates shared leadership among the Lion adult partners in the den
• Ensures that each Lion and his adult partner have the opportunity to be the host team, which plans and executes the den activities, and rotates responsibilities monthly

Adventures

The Lion program is made up of 12 adventures. Each adventure is designed to help your son have fun and learn useful things. Earning the five required adventures leads to your son achieving the Lion badge. In addition to the five required adventures, there are seven elective adventures that the boys in the den may earn for further fun and enrichment. It is not expected that boys will complete all 12 adventures. BSA suggests that dens complete the Lion’s Honor adventure first, however there is no required order for the remaining adventures.

• Lion’s Honor*
• Fun on the Run*
• Animal Kingdom*
• Mountain Lion*
• King of the Jungle*
• I’ll Do It Myself
• Pick My Path
• Gizmos and Gadgets
• On Your Mark
• Build It Up, Knock It Down
• Rumble in the Jungle
• Ready, Set, Grow

RECOGNITION

Boys and girls are recognized for their accomplishments as they work toward the Lion badge. The Lion badge is earned by completing five adventures. Adventures are completed during the den meetings and outings. When an adventure is completed, the youth receives an adventure loop to wear on his belt.