The Purposes of Cub Scouting

The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America, as incorporated on February 8, 1910, and chartered by Congress in 1916, is to provide for boys and young adults an effective educational program designed to build desirable qualities of moral strength and character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and to develop physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Since 1930, younger boys have had the opportunity to be Cub Scouts in a year-round, home centered program that helps to strengthen the family. Cub Scouting is the largest of the BSA's three divisions (the others are Boy Scouts, which includes Varsity Scouting, and Venturing, which includes Sea Exploring).

The 10 purposes of Cub Scouting are:

 1. Character Development

 2. Spiritual Growth

 3. Good Citizenship

 4. Sportsmanship and Fitness

 5. Family Understanding 

 6. Respectful Relationships 

 7. Personal Achievement 

 8. Friendly Service 

 9. Fun and Adventure

10. Preparation for Boy Scouts

Membership

Every Cub Scout is a member of a Cub Scout pack. A pack is a large group of boys.  The pack is divided into smaller groups called dens. Each den has about six to eight boys.  Dens are made up of Tiger Cubs (first-graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second-graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third-graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth- and fifth-graders) and meet 2-3 times per month.  Once a month, all of the Dens and family members gather for a Pack meeting under the direction of a Cubmaster and Pack committee. The committee includes parents of boys in the pack and members of the chartered organization.

Character Connections ®

Cub Scouting’s Character Connections program helps scouts know, commit and practice Cub Scouting’s 12 core values while enjoying fun and adventure.

Cub Scouting's 12 Core Values

 1. Citizenship

 2. Compassion

 3. Cooperation

 4. Courage

 5. Faith

 6. Health and fitness  

 7. Honesty  

 8. Perseverance

 9. Positive attitude

10. Resourcefulness

11. Respect

12. Responsibility

The Cub Scout Promise

I ___________, promise to do my best

To do my duty to God and my country,

To help other people, and

To obey the Law of the pack.

It's important not just to say the Promise, but to know what it means. 

I promise - When you say "I promise," it means you will do your best to keep your word.

To do my best - Always remember that your best is not the same as someone else's best. Doing the best you can is more important than trying to be better than someone else.

To do my duty to God - Putting God first and doing what God wants you to do.

And my country - Be a good citizen and be proud that you are an American.

To help other people - Helping other people means doing things to help those around you—your family, friends, classmates, neighbors, and others in your community—without having to be told.

And to obey the Law of the Pack - Besides obeying the Law of the Pack, you should obey the laws in your community, the rules in your school, the rules at home, and the code of conduct in your den. 

The Law of the Pack

The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

The Cub Scout follows Akela.- In Cub Scouting, Akela (pronounced Ah-KAY-la) means "good leader." To a Cub Scout, Akela is a parent, teacher, religious leader, or Cub Scout leader.

The Cub Scout helps the pack go - Cub Scouts help the pack go by being loyal members, attending all meetings, following the leaders, and making the pack better by doing one's share.

The pack helps the Cub Scout grow - Cub Scouting helps boys grow into better people. They learn how to do new things and to reach out to others.

The Cub Scout gives goodwill - Cub Scouts should look for ways to make other people happy. The small things are just as important as the big ones. Anything that makes life a little easier or more pleasant for someone else is goodwill. 

Webelos

Webelos (pronounced WE-buh-lows) has a special meaning for Cub Scouts; it is We’ll Be Loyal Scouts.

The Cub Scout Sign

The Cub Scout sign is made with the right arm held high and straight up above the shoulder, with the index and middle fingers forming a V.  The other fingers are held with the thumb.
The two extended fingers stand for the parts of the Cub Scout Promise, "to help other people" and "to obey." They also stand for the two alert ears of a wolf.  The Cub Scout sign should be given when repeating the Cub Scout Promise or Law of the Pack. It is also used in ceremonies.

The Cub Scout Handshake

The handshake is done by putting the index and middle fingers of the right hand against the other person's wrist when shaking hands. The handshake signifies that those who use it help others and obey the Law of the Pack.

The Cub Scout Motto

Do Your Best

Doing his best is one of the most important things for the Cub Scout to learn. Boys often become so interested in winning that they fail to see the importance of doing the best they can at everything. One boy’s best might be quite different from another boy’s best.

The Cub Scout Salute

Cub Scout Colors

The Cub Scouting colors are blue and gold.

The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above.

The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.