Cubs

Joining

When your child first joins Cubs, they are called a 'recruit'

It's best to give them some time to see if they like Scouting, so I would normally ask them to learn the law and Promise, and keep a 'Good Turn Diary'. This will give an indication of how enthusiastic they are, and give them the basics.

During the first weeks a recruit learns about how the movement began, they learn the ceremonies; 'The Grand Howl', Flagbreak, Salute, left Handshake, and Investiture.

It is suggested that during the weeks prior to Investiture, each Cub completes a 'Good Turn Diary' as part of their commitment to becoming a Cub Scout - 'Do a Good Turn Every Day' is part of their promise.

It's good to run through the basics of the Jungle Story, or this version here, so they become familiar with the animal names used by the leaders, and the reason why we do the Grand Howl.

Start your meeting

Having an opening is an important part of a meeting’s structure. There’s no right way to do an opening ceremony – whatever you do, an opening should welcome everyone and help them focus. Opening ceremonies help everyone in the Cub Pack bond.

Lots of groups choose to do the Grand Howl and Flag Break to begin their meeting. You can find out how you do these below – but they’re not the only option.

Grand Howl

The Grand Howl is a ceremony inspired by The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling. In the book, a wolf pack’s meetings begin with everyone circling their leader Akela (pronounces ahh-kay-lah) and howling – this is their Grand Howl.

In Cubs, the Grand Howl gathers everyone together and helps them focus. By talking about ‘doing your best’, it also helps everyone remember their Promise. Not all groups do the Grand Howl, and those that do have lots of different variations, and that’s OK.

Before you begin the Grand Howl, a Sixer is chosen to lead the call in step 9.

1. Akela calls out ‘Pack! Pack! Pack!’

2. Everyone makes a circle, standing in their Sixes (some Groups stand around the flag). Everyone stands ‘at ease’ with their feet shoulder width apart and their hands behind their back.

3. Akela calls ‘Pack! Pack alert!’

4. Everyone stands ‘alert’ with their feet together and their hands by their sides.

5. Akela moves to the centre of the circle, and raises and lowers their arms.

6. Everyone squats low on the ground with their hands between their feet.

7. Everyone calls out ‘Akela, we’ll do our best!’

8. Everyone stands up and makes the Scout sign.

9. The chosen Sixer calls out ‘Cubs, do your best’.

10. Everyone replies ‘We will do our best!’

Flag Break

Flag Break reminds everyone that they made a Promise to do their duty to the Queen or the country in which they are now living. Before you begin Flag Break, a Sixer is chosen to unfurl the flag.

1. Everyone stands around the flag in their Sixes.

2. The leader leading Flag Break calls ‘Pack! Pack alert’

3. Everyone stands ‘alert’ with their feet together and their hands by their sides.

4. The chosen Sixer comes forward and gently pulls the cord to unfurl the flag.

5. The Sixer takes a step backwards and leads everyone in saluting the flag, before returning to their Six.

6. The leader leading calls ‘Pack! Pack at ease!’

7. The leader leading the meeting may want to introduce the evening and give the first instructions, while everyone’s together and focused.

Dismissal

At the end of the meeting, it's normal to hold another Grand Howl, followed by lowering of the flag (flag down), at which the Cubs do not salute, and this can be an appropriate time to give out notices, award badges and certificates, close the meeting.

The final command would be 'Pack!', 'Pack Alert', 'Pack Dismissed', followed by a salute and 'Good Night Cubs' and a reply 'Good Night Akela'.

Reflection

Opening and closing ceremonies help you respect and trust others. How do you show respect in the ceremonies? Do they remind you that you all have some things in common (for example, being Cubs) even when you’re all individuals? Do they help you feel like you can trust the others in your Pack?

Opening and closing ceremonies also remind you that you’re a local, national, and international citizen. Do you feel part of something bigger during these ceremonies? Do these ceremonies remind you of your Cub Promise? Do you feel closer to the people around you when you share things such as ceremonies? When else do you take part in ceremonies?

What is Investiture?

An Investiture is a ceremony where someone makes their Scout Promise, is welcomed to Cubs, and becomes a member of their Pack and the worldwide Scout family. Investitures are important and special ceremonies, but this doesn’t mean they have to be strict or scary! There’s no single way to run an Investiture. As long as your ceremony covers the main components (welcome, Promise, and scarf).

Choosing a Promise

Cubs should come to a few meetings and have some time to settle in before they make their Promise. After a few weeks, they should start to complete their Membership Award by finding out about their Cub Pack, and getting to know other members.

As part of their Membership Award, Cubs will also learn and understand the Cub Scout Promise and Law (as well as any code of conduct their Pack might have).

There are different versions of the Cub Scout Promise: everyone should choose the wording that’s best for them. Volunteers should make sure that they give everyone information about the options available, so new Cubs can think about what they will Promise (and talk about it with their parents and carers). Some people like to run an activity based on the versions of the Promise, others have displays about them in their meeting places, and some talk to Cubs to tell them everything they need to know. A Cub Promise poster is available to download (for free!) or order from the Scout brand centre.

The Cub Scout Promise

The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Christian

I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Atheist or of no faith background

I promise that I will do my best
to uphold our Scout values, to do my duty to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Buddhist

I promise that I will do my best
to seek refuge in the Triple Gem, to do my duty to The King,
to act with compassion towards all life
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Hindu

I promise that I will do my best
to follow my dharma and do my duty to The King,
to act with compassion towards all life
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Humanist

I promise that I will do my best
to uphold our Scout values, to do my duty to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Jewish

I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Muslim

I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to Allah and then to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Sikh

I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to Waheguru and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.

The Cub Scout Law:

Cub Scouts always do their best,
think of others before themselves
and do a good turn every day.

As part of this requirement of the Membership Award, Cubs will also learn and understand the Motto, Sign, Salute, and Handshake. For more information on any of these, check out the ‘Prepared’ resource (available from Scout Store).

Before they make their Promise, it’s important that a Cub understands what they’re promising, and that they’re comfortable with the Promise they’re making. Visual resources can help young people with learning or communication difficulties to understand and take part in ceremonies such as Investiture. A visual story about making the Promise is available to download from the Scout website.

Cubs should also choose when and where they make their Promise. Some might do it during a regular meeting, but other people might be Invested during a trip to an unusual location, a camp, or a holiday ­for an even more unique experience.

It’s often nice to have parents and carers watch their Cub make their Promise, so you can join in celebrating this important step.

Cub Badge Placement