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Cub Scouts is a program for boys and girls in kindergarten through 5th grade, where youth build foundations for leadership, citizenship, and personal fitness through fun activities involving parents or legal guardians. Organized by grade level, Cub Scouting encourages family fun while providing youth with a safe space to make friends and challenge themselves through age-appropriate activities. It fosters a sense of belonging for children and parents alike, reinforcing values like honesty, good conduct, and respect for others. Families participate in activities like exploring the outdoors, building projects, making friends, and fostering a lifelong love of learning. Scouts earn adventure loops and pins related to their grade as they engage in these exciting experiences.
For more information: https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/
The foundations of Scouting can be found in the Scout Oath & Law:
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 physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent
The Cub Scout Motto is "do your best" and while there are many elements to a scouting uniform, we want to remind families that you are doing your best with whatever uniform elements you can obtain.
Basic Uniform and Supplies:
Uniform Shirt: BSA uniform blue shirts are for Tigers through Webelos and tan shirts can be worn by Webelos and AOLs. Lions official uniform is a Lion t-shirt. These are available through the Scout Shop. When just starting out in the Pack, the only patches needed for a uniform are the Council patch, unit numbers (red and white 9 and 7 for Pack 97).
Uniform Pants: BSA uniform pants are available at the Scout Shop, however any dark blue pants (Lions - Webelos) and dark green pants (Webelos and AOLs) can be used at the Cub Scout level.
Neckerchief: Each den has their own neckerchief available at the Scout Shop.
Woggle: Woggles are the piece that keep the neckerchief in place. Scouts can have many different woggles. To start, the basic den woggles are appropriate and available at the Scout Shop. A tip to keep the woggles in place is to use a hair tie under the woggle, wrapped around the neckerchief ends. This keeps the Woggle from sliding.
Belt: BSA uniform belts are available at the Scout Shop and are the right size to hold adventure belt loops the scouts have earned.
Hat (optional): The Scout Shop has hats for each den available.
Socks (optional): The Scout Shop has Cub Scout uniform socks - these are not required and are completely optional.
Scout Handbook: There are Scout Handbooks for each den that layout all the required and elective adventures and are full of all sort of information about being a Cub Scout. Having a handbook as a requirement is up to individual den leaders. Even if handbooks are optional for a den, they are recommended and are available at the Scout Shop.
6 Essentials: At the start of the scouting year, cubs are encouraged to create a "6 Essentials" pack. This includes the following supplies: flashlight, water bottle, hat/sun protection, whistle, first aid kit, and a trail snack. Pocketknives are not permitted unless the scout has earned their whitling chip. 6 Essential packs need to be packed into a scout appropriately sized bag/backpack so they will be capable of carrying it on their own.
A Cub Scout Pack is organized by grade and these grade groups are called Dens.
Lions - 5 years old and/or Kindergarteners
Tigers - 6 years old and/or First Graders
Wolves - 7 years old and/or Second Graders
Bears - 8 years old and/or Third Graders
Webelos - 9 years old and/or Fourth Graders
Arrow of Light (AOLs) - 10 years old and/or Fifth Graders
Dens meet regularly to work on adventures specific for their den. Each den has a den leader and sometimes an assistant den leader. Parents are encourage to stay with their scouts and help out in the dens as well. Lion and Tiger parents are required to stay with their scouts at every meeting.
While den meetings are for individual dens, there are also monthly pack meetings. These are events where the entire pack is together and not necessarily divided into dens.
Cubs start their scouting adventure working on specific requirements designed specifically for their age group. Each den has a set of required adventures and a set of elective adventures. To earn their den rank, they must complete the required adventures plus two elective adventures. Attending den meetings will meet a lot of these requirements, however, there are elements of some adventures that must be done at home and/or with family.
Advancement through these adventures is recorded by the den leader. Lions through Bears earn belt loops for each completed adventure and Webelos and AOLs earn pins.
See all the den ranks and adventure requirements: https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/adventures/
Pack 118 brings patches into all thing's cub scouts; we will be looking in ways that our cubs can earn patches and wear them to show their achievements!
You can purchase a scout vest from the Scout Store for your scout, but it is not a requirement! You can also look at alternative things like cotton vests or backpacks!
Cub Scouts can participate in flag retirement ceremonies as a way to learn about patriotism and respect for the American flag. These ceremonies involve the dignified disposal of worn or damaged flags, often through burning, and can be a meaningful way for young Scouts to understand the symbolism of the flag and the importance of honoring it. Pack 118 hosts a flag retirement ceremony at family camp each year.
We also conduct flag ceremonies during our pack meetings and work on badges to learn the importance of flag handling.
Pack 118 incentives our cubs with earning a flag retirement rivet paracord keychain they can wear on their class A. Cub Scouts can earn in for attending and being apart of a flag retirement ceremony and charms for flag ceremonies.
AOL - Arrow of Light - Scout den of 5th graders who are preparing to join a Scout Troop.
Band - online app that Pack 118 uses for pack communications, calendar of events, and other planning. Pack members will receive a invite to Band when they join the Pack.
CC - Committee Chair - the CC is part of the Key 3 and is the head of the parent committee. This includes overseeing the finances, communications, fundraising, recruiting volunteers, leading the monthly meetings, and managing the overall logistics of the Pack.
CM - Cubmaster - the CM is part of the Key 3 and is the head of the Cub Scout program for the Pack. The CM oversees the den leaders and makes sure we are providing the best program we can.
COR - Charter Organization Representative - the COR is part of the Key 3 and is the governing voice of the Pack's charter organization.
Class A Uniform - full scouting uniforms - shirt, neckerchief, woggle, pants, belt with adventure loops, and hat.
Class B Uniform - Pack 118 or Scouting America t-shirt.
Color Guard - uniformed scouts who carry flags during opening and closing ceremonies.
Council - Scouting America level of scouting that oversees districts. They support scouting in all of their districts and host many events for Cub Scouts including Snow Capades, Day Camp, and Webelos Woods. We are part of the Mountain West Council.
Crossover - a term used when a scout advances from one den to another. Most commonly used when the AOL den advances to a troop.
Den - individual groups within the Pack, divided by age/grade. Dens in a Pack include: Lions (Kindergarteners), Tigers (1st graders), Wolves (2nd graders), Bears (3rd graders), Webelos (4th graders), and Arrows of Light or AOLs (5th graders).
District - Scouting America level of scouting that oversees local Packs; we are part of the owhyee District.
Key 3 - consists of three leadership roles, the Committee Chair (CC), the Cubmaster (CM), and the Charter Organization Representative (COR). These three meet regularly to make sure the pack is running smoothly and they address any immediate needs or issues the pack may be facing.
National - the head of all scouting.
Pack - all the members of a Cub Scout unit
Rank - the phrases "ranking" or "earned their rank" mean the scout has finished all the required adventures for a den and earns the den patch.
Safeguarding Youth - Youth Protection Training - annual training required by National and Council for all adult leaders. Training can be found here: https://www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/
Scoutbook - an online tool used to track scout progress, advancement, and awards.
Troop - all the members of a Scouting America unit
Unit - term used to refer to a scouting group, the three types of units are Pack, Troop, and Crew.
Cub Scout Day Camp is a multi-day outdoor program for Cub Scouts, typically organized by a council or district, that provides a variety of age-appropriate activities and experiences. It's a fun way for Cub Scouts to learn new skills, build friendships, and enjoy the outdoors without the commitment of an overnight camp.
Key Features of Cub Scout Day Camp:
Age-Appropriate Activities:
Day camps offer a range of activities tailored to the different age groups within Cub Scouting (Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos/AOL).
Outdoor Focus:
Activities often include nature hikes, games, crafts, STEM challenges, and opportunities to try out skills like archery or BB guns.
No Overnight Stay:
Day camps are structured so that Scouts participate during the day and return home in the evening.
Community Building:
Day camps provide opportunities for Scouts to interact with other Cub Scouts from different packs, fostering friendships and teamwork.
Learning and Growth:
Scouts can earn achievements, develop new skills, and build confidence through the various activities and challenges.
Trained Leadership:
Day camps are led by trained adults who ensure a safe and engaging experience for all participants.
Theme-Based Programs:
Many day camps incorporate a theme that is woven into the activities and crafts.
Snow Caps, also known as Snow Capades, is a winter event for Cub Scouts and their families, typically held at Camp McLoughlin near Lake of the Woods in Oregon. It's a day filled with snow-related activities like snowshoeing, sledding, and bonfires, along with a hot lunch and a patch. The event aims to provide a fun and engaging outdoor experience for Cub Scouts and their families during the winter months.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Activities:
Snow Capades includes activities like snowshoeing, saucer runs (sledding), fire building, and marshmallow roasting.
Location:
The event takes place at Camp McLoughlin, which is situated at 5,000 feet elevation near Lake of the Woods.
Family-Friendly:
All sessions are open to the whole family, including siblings and potential Cub Scouts.
Age Requirement:
Children must be at least 5 years old to participate.
Registration:
There is a fee associated with attending, with different rates depending on when you register.
Other Details:
Participants should bring appropriate winter gear like helmets, gloves, hats, and water bottles. Packs are encouraged to bring sleds.
Community:
The event provides an opportunity for Cub Scout packs to participate together, earning ribbons for their pack flags.
Webelos Woods is a Scouting event designed to bridge the gap between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, specifically for Webelos and Arrow of Light (AOL) Scouts. It's a weekend camping experience where these older Cub Scouts, along with their parents, get to learn about and experience what it's like to be in a Boy Scout troop.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Focus on BSA Transition:
Webelos Woods helps Webelos and AOL Scouts understand the structure, activities, and leadership style of a Boy Scouts of America (BSA) troop.
Patrol Method:
It introduces them to the "patrol method," where Scouts lead their own activities under the supervision of adult leaders.
Camping Skills:
Scouts learn and practice essential camping skills like setting up camp, cooking, and cleaning, fostering independence and teamwork.
Activity Stations:
Webelos Woods features various activity stations, often including archery, BB gun shooting, first aid, knot tying, and other skill-building exercises.
Meeting Troops:
It provides an opportunity for Webelos and AOL Scouts to meet and interact with older Scouts from different BSA troops, helping them choose a troop to join when they "cross over".
Parental Involvement:
Parents play an active role in Webelos Woods, camping alongside their scouts and experiencing the BSA program with them.
Age Specific:
Webelos Woods is typically for 4th and 5th graders (Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts) and their parents, with a focus on preparing them for the transition to Boy Scouts.