Cub Scouts is a great program for boys and girls from kindergarten to 5th grade to explore the outdoors, engage in the community, and develop life skills and interests, all while having FUN!

Cub Scouts earn recognition while doing activities that encourage self-responsibility and willingness to help others. They discover the satisfaction of achieving what they set out to do, and build their self-esteem and self-confidence. The Cub Scout Motto is, “Do Your Best,” and that is the standard on which projects and advancements are based. This enables all children to succeed in the program.

The Scouting program teaches values consistent with good citizenship, character development, personal fitness, and leadership. The values we seek to instil are found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Your child will learn great lessons, but they will be far too busy having fun to notice.

Cub Scouts is a grade-based program, not progression-based, so kids can join anytime in elementary school. Kids simply pick up wherever they are when they join. Kids can join anytime throughout the school year, yet most join in the fall. 

Kids do activities that are geared to developing skillsets including outdoor essentials, first aid, nature, science, hiking, sports and citizenship. After a Cub Scout completes an adventure, they receive recognition of their achievement with an adventure belt loop or pin that they wear on their uniform. They can earn a wide array of other awards, too.

In Cub Scouts, you and your family join with your child, and you help your child along the way. 

As your child grows in Cub Scouting, your role will change with them, from hands-on involvement to guiding and coaching. 

The Cub Scouting program takes place at two levels: a den and a pack. 

• Cub Scout Dens (grade-specific) typically meet once a month for about an hour. The schedule is typically set by the Den Leader. If your child misses a meeting and doesn’t get to do the activity, they are welcome to do it at home.

• Cub Scout Packs (all dens, from kindergarten through 5th grade, make up a Pack), and they are led by a Pack Leader. Packs meet once a month. There are games, skits, songs, ceremonies, and presentations of achievements and badges that Cub Scouts earned during that month. This is where families can see the achievements of their Cub Scout.

• Please refer to the 2024-2025 Pack 4 Schedule for more detail on Pack and Council event dates, times, and background info.

In addition to the monthly pack meetings, the pack, including families, also participates in other events throughout the year, including:

• Pinewood Derby®: You can build and race a model car with your child.

• Service projects: Packs participate in Scouting for Food, conservation projects and other community activities.

• Blue and gold banquet: Cub Scouting’s birthday party, for all pack members and their families.

• Camping: Overnight and day camp opportunities introduce your family to the camping experience – for example, Twilight Camp, Cub Scout Overnighter, Day Camp, and Family Camp.

• Field trips and special outings: Den outings are a great way to learn more about the people and places in your community.

• Highlander Hikes: each month, the Council also offers an activity geared towards Cub Scouts. These range from a fun local hike to an overnighter on the Chabot Space & Science Center. View 2024-2025 schedule here.

Cub Scouts is a participate-as-you-can program, yet the more kids are involved, just like any other program, the more they’ll get out of it.

We strongly suggest participating in Highlander Hikes and activities such as Pinewood Derby (February) and Scouting for Food (October). Family Camp is not a requirement for any rank adventure but it’s really important (and fun!) to do.

Scouting is generally considered less expensive than other youth programs. Costs consist of:

Annually:

• Local Pack dues: $90

• Friends of Scouting: We would love a donation of $300 per family to offset the $500 cost per Scout for the program

• National Registration: $85 annually; Register your child at my.scouting.org

One time/as needed/per involvement:

Uniform and handbook: ~ $100

Lions (Kindergarten)

•    Necessary: Lion Shirt, Cub Scout Belt

• Nice to Have: Hat, Neckerchief & Neckerchief Slide, Shorts/Pants, Socks

Tigers (1st Grade) / Wolfs (2nd Grade) / Bears (3rd Grade)

• Necessary: Blue Button-Down Shirt, Cub Scout Belt, Hat, Neckerchief & Neckerchief Slide

• Nice to Have: Shorts/Pants, Socks

Webelos (4th & 5th Grade)

• Necessary: Tan Button-Down Shirt, Cub Scout Adventures Rank Colors, Hat, Neckerchief & Neckerchief Slide

• Nice to Have: Shorts/Pants, Socks

·         Uniforms and other Cub Scouting materials can be purchased at the following locations:

• Piedmont Council Trading Post

• McCaulous in Montclair

• Online

·         Patch Placement: can be found at the following link 

·         Certain trips and activities have additional fees, for example:

·         Odyssey Overnight at Chabot Space & Science Center - ~$100 per person

·         Day Camp: ~$200 (week-long, afternoon day camp)

Progression is grade/age-based, not progression-based.

The Lion (Kindergarten) and Tiger (First Grade) Dens

Cub Scouts who join in kindergarten or first grade join with an adult partner, usually the parent or guardian.  An adult is selected to serve as the den leader (usually one of the parents) and coordinates the meetings. Each adult partner takes a turn assisting or hosting meetings or activities with the den leader. This shared leadership model is a great way to ensure the den leader has the help needed to deliver a quality program. At den meetings, Lions and Tigers work on adventures that are found in their handbooks.

The Wolf (Second Grade) and Bear (Third Grade) Dens

Children this age are becoming more independent, and activities are designed to meet their developmental needs. 

The Webelos Scout Den (Fourth and Fifth Grades)

The Webelos den is much like the Wolf and Bear dens, but there is more emphasis on learning to take leadership roles and preparing to join a Scouts BSA troop.

Youth safety is of paramount importance to Scouting. To maintain a safe environment, Scouting America has developed numerous policies and training, and provides parents and leaders with online training. If you have direct contact with/supervision of children for more than 16 hours a month or 32 hours per year, you must complete:

1. Live Scan background check: this is a digital version of inked fingerprinting, and is completed at the Piedmont Scout office.

2. Online California Mandated Reporter Training is a two-hour online course provided by the Office of Child Abuse Prevention in the California Department of Social Services. It is designed to help adults understand the requirements and responsibilities of a mandated reporter in California. It provides an overview of the significant definitions, requirements and protections of the California Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Act. 

3. Online Youth Protection Training (YPT): The Piedmont Council places the highest importance on protection of our youth. This online YPT course covers the BSA Youth Protection policies and procedures. Through simulated scenarios, adults learn how to recognize, respond and report improper activity. This course is required for every adult volunteer, and must be taken every 2 years. 

More info: www.CaliforniaScouting.org