Cub Scouts

Parents of young boys face a lot of choices in after-school activities. Boys want to have fun, while parents want them to learn positive values and skills that will last a lifetime. If your boy is in first through fifth grade, Cub Scouting may be exactly what you are both looking for.

Generations of American men have participated in and benefited from Cub Scouting, and the experience of serving millions of participants over 75 years has enabled Cub Scouting to be one of the most exciting and rewarding programs available to your family.

As a parent, you can be assured that Cub Scouting
• involves a variety of family activities
• encourages good behavior
• teaches lifelong values
• strengthens the bonds of family

For additional information about Cub Scouting, or to find out how to join, visit the Cub Scout Pack 142 web site at www.pack142.org.

What activities does Cub Scouting include?

Pack Activities

Most packs meet once a month, usually in a meeting room provided by the chartered organization, though pack meetings and activities are often held outdoors when the weather permits. Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos Scouts, leaders, parents, and other family members attend the pack meetings. This meeting follows a program that includes opening and closing ceremonies, recognition of boys who have earned awards, presentation of skits and stunts by dens, and exhibits of things the boys have made at home and at den meetings during the month.

In addition to regular pack meetings, occasionally the pack may take field trips and conduct service projects or money-earning activities. During the summer, the pack might conduct outdoor activities such as a swimming party, a family picnic, or various outdoor sports. There may be a "pack overnighter" for boys and their families at an established campground, and the pack may participate in organized family camping.

Den Activities

A den is a group of six to eight boys within the pack that meets several times a month between pack meetings. Dens often meet at the den leader's home or another location convenient to the members of the den. The activities of each Cub Scout den will differ, based on the age of the boys.

For younger Cub Scouts (grades one through three), den meetings are planned and run by an adult den leader, with the help of an assistant den leader and den chief. These meeting activities are planned around a monthly theme and include playing games, making handicrafts, taking hikes and pursuing other outdoor fun, practicing skits and stunts in preparation for the next pack meeting, and taking part in simple ceremonies and songs. They may go to day camp and participate with their families in pack overnighters and family camping.

Older Cub Scouts (grades four and five), participate a different program. They work on activity badges at each den meeting. Their meetings also include games, songs, stunts, preparation for the den's part in the pack meeting, and work on other advancement requirements. Besides day camp, camp overnighters, and family camping, older Cub Scouts also have opportunities for overnight den campouts and joint activities with a Boy Scout troop.

What are the benefits of Cub Scouting to youth?

Character development - Cub Scouting promotes positive character attributes by teaching boys teamwork, self-reliance, and the confidence to handle challenges that cross their paths.

Spiritual growth - Cub Scouting encourages boys' spiritual growth by teaching them moral and ethical values and encouraging them to live by the spiritual values of their families.

Good citizenship - Cub Scouting helps a boy develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship by promoting interest in good government and civic affairs and teaching them to take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social, and moral welfare of the community.

Sportsmanship and fitness - Cub Scouting encourages good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body through hands-on experiences that help boys realize their own potential for developing and mastering new skills.

Family understanding - Cub Scouting helps improve understanding and cohesion within the family by delivering the message to boys and their parents that manners, ethics, caring, respect, and service to one's own family are important attributes.

Respectful relationships - Cub Scouting strengthen a boys' ability to get along with others through a strong family emphasis and by offering a structured program of learning by doing. Each member learns the value of teamwork but also takes pride in individual accomplishment.

Personal achievement - Cub Scouting fosters a sense of personal achievement by developing new interests and skills—the self-confidence, fun, and sense of accomplishment boys get from skill-building activities are life skills they will take with them into adulthood.

Friendly service - Cub Scouting instills the ideal of friendly service by showing boys how to be helpful and do their best through practice.

Fun and adventure - Cub Scouting provides fun and exciting new things to do through a variety of challenging activities that help build fitness, character, and good citizenship traits.