Cub Scouting is just one of the phases of the Boy Scouts of America. We have more than 4 million members, all participating in one phase of the Scouting program or another, depending upon their age group. Going beyond that, Scouting around the world has more than 17 million members. You can see that when we say "Welcome to the World Brotherhood of Scouting" we are really talking about many, many people.
This section of our site will give some basic information on Cub Scouting, but we are far from the only on-line source of Scouting information. One look at our "Links" page will give you a brief idea of how far reaching the Scouting program is.
Cub Scouting Is for Boys
Cub Scouting Is for Families
Cub Scouting Is Fun
Cub Scouting Has Ideals
Cub Scouting Provides Adventure
Cub Scouting Helps Develop Interests and Skills
Cub Scouting Has an Advancement Plan
Cub Scouts Belong
Cub Scouting Teaches Boys to "Reach Out"
Cub Scouting Teaches Duty to God and Country
Cub Scouting Provides a Year-Round Program
Cub Scouting Helps Organizations
In Summary
The Boy Scouts of
America
Cub
Scouting is for boys, and each boy is different. Cub Scouts come
in all sizes, shapes, and colors, and from a variety of different types
of backgrounds. We realize there are no "average" boys and
that's why Cub Scouting is easily adaptable to a boy with a physical,
mental, or emotional limitation, just as it is adaptable to boys who
come from low-income, inner-city, or rural areas. When a youngster with
a disability participates, there is little doubt that Cub Scouting can
be one of the most valuable aids to his physical and mental development.
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We
know that the family is an important influence on the youth of our
nation. We also know that there are many different types of family
structures in today's world. Scouting has always been a support to
families as well as to organizations to which families belong. We
believe in involving families in the training of youth and we are
sensitive to the needs of present-day families. Cub Scouting provides
opportunities for families to work and play together, to have fun
together, and to get to know each other a little better.
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Boys
join Cub Scouting because they want to have fun. However, for
boys, "fun" means a lot more than having a good time. Fun is
sort of a code word for satisfaction from meeting challenges, having
friends, feeling safe, and feeling they are important to other people.
But Cub Scouting can provide even more. While the boys are having fun,
doing things they like to do, they are also learning new things,
discovering and mastering new skills, gaining self-confidence, and
developing strong friendships. In the often confusing and troubling
world in which today's children live, Cub Scouting is even more
important as a haven—a place where a boy can find acceptance and
support from friends when he needs it.
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Cub
Scouting is full of attractions for boys in addition to the obvious ones
like fun and adventure. The Cub Scout Promise, which is a pledge of good
citizenship; the Law of the Pack, a simple formula for good Cub
Scouting; and the motto, "Do Your Best," are but a few. Such
symbols as the Cub Scout sign, salute, secret code, and living circle
all add a sense of mystery and exclusiveness which most boys enjoy and
add to the appeal of belonging to a well-known and accepted
organization.
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Cub Scouting Provides Adventure
Cub
Scouting helps fulfill a boy's desire for adventure and allows him to
use his vivid imagination while taking part in skits, games, field
trips, service projects, outdoor activities, and others. The use of a
monthly theme lets a boy play the role of an astronaut, clown, cowboy,
or other exciting character. There is adventure in exploring the
outdoors, learning about nature, and gaining a greater appreciation for
our beautiful world.
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Cub Scouting Helps Develop Interests and Skills
Cub
Scouts learn many useful things; they develop ability and dexterity,
learn to use tools and to follow directions. Badges encourage them to
qualify in subjects such as conservation, safety, physical fitness,
community awareness, sports, religious activities, and others. These
interests may become a hobby or even a career later in life.
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Cub Scouting Has an Advancement Plan
The
advancement plan encourages the natural interests of a boy in a natural
way. It provides fun for the boys, teaches them to do their best, and
helps strengthen family understanding as families work with boys on
advancement requirements. Badges are awarded to recognize advancement.
Boys like to receive and wear the badges, but the real benefit comes
from the worthwhile things they learn while they are earning the badges.
See our description of the Cub Path for more information on the advancement plan.
(Back to Top)Belonging
is important to boys. They like to be accepted as part of a group. In
Cub Scouting, boys belong to a small group called a den where they take
part in interesting and meaningful activities with worthwhile friends.
In the den they learn sportsmanship, good citizenship, and loyalty; they
learn how to get along with others, and how to do their best for
themselves and their den. Cub Scouts also belong to a pack, which is a
larger group made up of several dens.
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Cub Scouting Teaches Boys to "Reach Out"
Cub
Scouting provides opportunities for boys to "reach out" into a
wider community while still keeping a link with more secure foundations
such as the home, religious organization, and school. It helps boys
become full members of their communities as they take part in service
projects and other community-related activities. They get to know their
community better and recognize the importance of good citizenship.
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Cub Scouting Teaches Duty to God and Country
The
Boy Scouts of America believes that no member can grow into the best
kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God, and encourages
both youth and adult leaders to be faithful in their religious duties.
The Scouting movement has long been known for service to others. We
believe that patriotism plays a significant role in preparing our
nation's youth to become useful and participating citizens. A Cub Scout
learns his duty to God, country, others, and self.
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Cub Scouting Provides a Year-Round Program
Cub
Scout packs are rechartered every year and members are registered for a
year at a time. This means that boys are entitled to a full year's
program of fun and activities. Summer den and pack activities are
informal and often held outdoors. Families are called upon to help
with leadership of summer activities. Even though some families will be
on vacation at various times during the summer, there are still enough
people around to enjoy and benefit from the activities. Since the boys
have more free time during the summer, it is a great time for Cub
Scouting.
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Cub Scouting Helps Organizations
Cub
Scouting is a resource program for community organizations, not just
something they "sponsor" for the Boy Scouts of America.
The Scouting program is available to organizations with similar
interests and goals, to be used to further their outreach and help them
achieve their objectives for young people in the community.
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In Cub Scouting, a framework is provided with guidelines upon which we build. When we are satisfied that we have built a program that is rich and full, varied and exciting for the boys, that is just the beginning. All of the activities will have an effect on the growth and development of boys, and we must remember that our ultimate objectives are citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness.
Scouting, as a worldwide brotherhood, is unique and different. It is based on the principles of loving and serving God, human dignity and the rights of individuals, and recognizing the obligation of all members to develop and use their potential. It is a movement dedicated to bringing out the best in people; one of the few left in the world where the emphasis is not on winning as an end result, but on the far more demanding task of "doing one's best."
Educators tell us that an increasing number of young
people find they cannot make friends and feel lonely, even in a crowd.
They have had thousands of words spoken at them by television, and they
have never learned to play, to laugh, to develop their imaginations, and
to express their feelings. If we can help nurture courage and kindness,
allow boys to play, to laugh, to develop imaginations, and to express
their feelings, then we will have helped them grow. We want them to
become useful and stable individuals who are aware of their own worth.
Helping a boy to learn the value of his own worth is the greatest gift
we can give him.
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