How Does Cub Scouting Work? 

One unique thing about Cub Scouting is that you, as his family, join in on the program with your scout, and you will help him along the way. The family is the basis of Cub Scouting. It exists to support your family and help enrich your family time together. Scouts have a different handbook at each grade level, with suggested activities that are age-appropriate for their developmental level. As your scout advances through these books by working on activities with you, he will earn badges and other recognition that he can wear on his uniform. Your scout's success in Cub Scouting depends on you! The Cub Scouting program takes place at two levels. Your scout will be a part of a den, a small group of scouts in the same grade level who usually meet weekly. All dens, from grades 1 through 5, make up a pack. Once a month, the dens, with their families, are together at the pack meeting, where scouts show off the new skills they have learned during the month and are recognized for the badges they have earned. All scouts, when they join, earn the Bobcat badge first. Your den leader will show you how. 

Dens 

The Lion Cub Scout (Kindergarten) and Tiger Cub Scout (Grade 1) Dens:  Parents are most involved at both the Lion Cub and Tiger Cub level.  The Lion and Tiger Cub and their parent or guardian join the den together and attend all meetings and activities together.  The den is made up of three to eight of these parent-child teams.  Each den also has a Lion/Tiger Cub den leader (usually one of the parents) who helps coordinate the meetings.  The parent-child teams take turns running the activities and planning meetings with the Lion/Tiger Cub den leader.  The den usually meets weekly either at the homes of host parent-child teams or at a designated facility; participates in Go See It’s (with the den, as a group, visiting a community place of interest); and attends the monthly pack meeting.  The Lion program is an introduction to Cub Scouts.  They do not earn the Bobcat rank.  This is for Tigers through Webelos II.  Something Lions get to look forward to. 

The Tiger Cub Den (Grade 1) Parents are most involved at the Tiger Cub level. The scout and his parent or guardian join the den together and attend all meetings and activities together. The den is made up of three to eight of these parent-scout teams. Each den also has a Tiger Cub den leader (usually one of the parents) who helps coordinate the meetings. The parent-scout teams take turns running the activities and planning meetings with the Tiger Cub den leader. The den usually meets weekly either at the homes of host parent-scout teams or at a designated facility; participates in Go See It’s (with the den, as a group, visiting a community place of interest); and attends the monthly pack meeting.

The Wolf Cub Scout (Grade 2) and Bear Cub Scout (Grade 3) Dens Parents are vital to the Cub Scout dens, both in the role of home support and to help the den leader, but their scouts are beginning to be more independent, and not every scout needs a parent at every meeting. The den consists of four to eight scouts, a den leader and assistant den leader (usually parents of some of the scouts), and often a den chief (an older Boy Scout or Venturer who helps the den leader). They usually meet once a week at a regularly scheduled time and place, and they also attend the pack meeting with their families. 

The Webelos Scout Den (Grades 4 and 5) The Webelos den is much like the Cub Scout dens, but there is more emphasis on the scouts learning to take leadership roles and preparing to become Boy Scouts.  The program is spread over 18 months so the 5th grade year includes an introduction to camping and establishing a link with a Boy Scout troop.

Pack Meetings 

The Cub Scout pack is made up of all the dens, which meet monthly at the pack meeting, led by the Cubmaster. This is the climax of the weekly den meetings and activities. There are games, skits, songs, ceremonies, and presentations of badges that scouts earned during that month. This is where families—not just parents, but siblings, too—can see the achievements of their Cub Scout. The pack, including families, also participates in other special events throughout the year, including: 

Pinewood Derby® —You can build and race a model car with your scout. 

Raingutter Regatta — Build boats and race them in our inflatable raingutters. 

Camping —Overnight and day camp opportunities introduce your family to the camping experience.

Arrow of Light Ceremony - Special event to recognize cub scouts who go onto join a Troop in Boy Scouts. 

Blue and Gold banquet — Cub Scouting’s graduation ceremony —for all pack members and their families.