Cub Scouts

When you’re a kid, fun comes first.  Cub Scouts lets kids have fun while teaching them skills that will help them later on.  From the thrill of shooting an arrow to learning how to transform a block of wood into a race car, Cub Scouts is one thrill after another.  With a program expertly tailored to match each age in a young child’s life, Cub Scouts learn that even when fun isn’t easy, it’s always an adventure.  In Scouting, everything has a purpose.  And it shows kids that doing their best is the most fun of all.

 

The Cub Scout program is centered primarily in the den, the home, and the neighborhood, but often takes place in the outdoors.  It leads to advancement through six ranks, which are grade- or age-based.

Cub Scouts do not “go back” and work on ranks designed for earlier grade levels, even if missed due to their time of joining.  Likewise, Cub Scouts do not “move ahead” to the next rank until the completion of the current school year (or until their next birthday if their chartered organization transitions by age).

Overview of the New Cub Scout program and changes

The Cub Scout program is being updated.  Over the past several years the National Cub Scouting Committee has identified four areas to improve the Cub Scout program to ensure that it is fun, simple, and easy.

The four areas of improvement are the Bobcat badge, Cub Scout Adventures, Webelos, and Cub Scout Awards. 

Bobcat will no longer be a badge that is earned once when a Cub Scout joins.  It will become a required Adventure for each rank and earned each year.  The requirements for the Bobcat Adventure are different for each grade to make them age-appropriate.

Cub Scout Adventures have been improved to make it easier to deliver the program to multi-rank dens or as a Pack.  To earn each rank in Cub Scouting will require a Cub Scout to earn the six required Adventures and two elective Adventures.   Required Adventures reflect the aims and focus areas of the BSA.  The number of elective Adventures increases.

Webelos and Arrow of Light will be separated.  Webelos becomes the 4th-grade program in Cub Scouting.  Arrow of Light becomes a stand-alone badge of rank for 5th graders and will no longer be associated with Webelos.  Arrow of Light will be the program that prepares Cub Scouts to join Scouts BSA.

Cub Scouts Awards will be reimagined as Cub Scout Adventures.  Topics like camping, STEM, and range and target sports will remain and are reimagined into elective Adventures that can be used towards earning a badge of rank.

The changes will take effect officially on June 1, 2024. 

Cub Scout Program – learn about major changes to the program and how to get more information {Article from Aaron on Scouting}

The BSA is at the very start of what will be a monthslong rollout of information about the latest Cub Scout program updates. To make sure you are getting only the most accurate information, here are four resources for you to keep your eyes on.

A. The official Cub Scout program updates rollout schedule.

We have a lot of information to share with you, which is why we’re spreading it out over several months.

Click here for the official rollout schedule.

The excitement began in November, when we presented a general overview of the program.

Each month from now until June, we’ll be discussing different aspects of the new updates, including rank advancements and Bobcat, new and improved features, Webelos and Arrow of Light updates, and much more.

B. The official BSA program updates page

This is the BSA’s official website for announcing program updates.

{UPDATED} At the link above, you can find links to the most recent updates as the new program is rolled out.  For example, rcent updates have been posted on 1) Cub Scout Elective Adventures available for all ranks {Jan update}, 2) Summertime Fun an elective adventure {Jan update}, 3) STEM elective adventures {Jan update}, 4) current 4th Grade Webelos {Jan update}, 5) Knife Safety adventures {Jan update}, and 6) Webelos and Arrow of Light at a Glance {Feb update}. Keep checking this link regularly, such as weekly for new updates during the rollout.

Here you can read the official announcement on the program updates.

Here you can also get a list of frequently asked questions.

These pages will be updated regularly over the coming months, so be sure and bookmark and check back often.

C. Keep watching #CubChatLive

#CubChatLive is our weekly Facebook live show in which we discuss all things related to Cub Scouts. A live show allows viewers the opportunity to ask questions to our expert guest of the week.

The #CubChatLive on   December 1 talked about the new Bobcat requirement and how Cub Scout leaders can best make it work for them. Here is a link to that chat: https://www.facebook.com/theboyscoutsofamerica/videos/369841078745726

D. #CubChatLive is also a podcast

If you’d prefer to get the latest Cub Scout program updates while you drive to and from work or go on your daily walk, you can subscribe to our podcast through either Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Is there one link I can bookmark to help me keep track of all these resources?

There is!  The National Cub Scouting Subcommittee has created a Linktree page to put all of these great resources together for you.

 

The Cub Scout Advancement Trail for the current program

  

Cub Scouting Adventures for the current program {Rank requirements}

BSA’s guidance to administering Cub Scout advancement can be found in the Guide to Advancement – Mechanics of Advancement: In Cub Scouting

Den Leader Resources for the current program