Cub Scouts Beginners Guide

Cub Scouting provides ready-made opportunities for your family to do fun things together—because together—we can all grow into our very best future selves! We’re all about encouraging boys and girls to make friends, be helpful to others, and do their very best no matter the outcome. With the help of powerful learning projects and exciting outdoor activities, we aim to teach children that doing their best can be a fun and rewarding experience—no matter the difficulty of the challenge.

Cub Scouting provides EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES for you and your family! You won’t be watching from the bleachers, you’ll be spending quality time with your child, making memories that will last forever.

For Parents

For Kids

How Does it Work?

The unique thing about Cub Scouting is that you, as a family, join in with your children to help them along the way. Your child’s Cub Scout Handbook is your guide. This is where you’ll find everything needed to complete adventures and progress through the program.  

Your child will be part of a Den, which is a small group of Scouts in the same grade who usually meet twice a month. All Dens combine to make the Pack. The Pack will get together once a month for large activities and typically meet at church, a school, or community center. In addition to this, your Pack will participate in many fun events and campouts such as Cub Haunted Weekend at Camp Comer, Fishing Derby, Cub Scout Summer Camp and more!

Parent Responsibilities

Scouting isn’t like soccer or baseball where parents are on the sidelines cheering our kids on. Cub Scouting is hands on. Whether parents are helping them learn how to tie knots, how to use a hammer or how to cook their own breakfast, parents are involved. 

Parents:

  • Provide help and support for the Den and Pack.
  • Work with your son or daughter on advancement projects and activities.
  • Attend meetings with your Scout. Siblings are welcome!
  • Attend and assist with Den activities and outings.
  • Attend Cub Scout Family campouts with your Scout.
Grades and Dens

Your Cub Scout will progress towards a badge of rank based on their grade. They need not have earned the previous rank to earn the next.  Each of the ranks in Cub Scouting has its own requirements that are age appropriate and designed specifically for each age group. As your Cub Scout advances through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities they have learned.

Lion Scout (Kindergarten)

Lion’s will make friends, laugh loud, gain confidence, discover nature, and most of all… have fun! They’ll begin to experience the Scouting concepts of character development, leadership, citizenship, and personal fitness through engaging and exciting adventures!

Tiger Scout (1st Grade)

Tiger’s do lots of fun stuff with their adult partners. They are introduced to the excitement of Cub Scouting as they “Search, Discover, and Share” together. Tiger’s work to earn their Tiger Badge by completing adventures with their Den and at home with their family.  

Wolf Scout (2nd Grade)

Wolves go on adventures and explore the world with their Den. They’ll complete 6 exciting adventures and earn their Wolf Rank. They will play games, make fun things, learn about wildlife, and spend time outdoors.  

Bear Scout (3rd Grade)

Bears go on adventures, go camping, and build stuff. They’ll complete 6 exciting adventures and earn their Bear Rank. They will play games, make fun things, learn about wildlife, and spend time outdoors.  

Webelos Scout (4th Grade)

Webelos Scouts work toward earning their Webelos Badge and also earn Webelos Activity Pins. There are over 20 different Pins that can be earned. They will go camping, hiking, and learn how to prepare a meal for your Den.

Arrow of Light Scout (5th Grade)

The Arrow of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouts. Once a 4th grade Scout has completed the Webelos rank, they may begin work on the Arrow of Light rank. The goal of this program is to help Scouts transition and join a Scouts BSA Troop. 

Pack Leadership

Parents are the primary source of leadership in Scouting. The Cubmaster is a volunteer who plans and carries out the monthly pack meetings and overall pack program with the help of the pack committee. The Den Leader leads the den meetings by following the instructions in the Scouts Handbook. The Pack Committee is made up of parents that make the pack go and help the leaders be successful. This committee is lead by the Pack Committee Chair. There are many support materials, videos, and online trainings available for all of these roles.

Paying for Scouting

Every Pack operates slightly different but most have fundraisers that pay for the Packs program and provide families the ability to offset their personal expenses such as attending Cub Haunted or Summer Camp. All families are invited to participate in our Council’s annual popcorn and camp-card sales.  

Scouting Organization

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is the national organization that develops our programs and provides insurance. The Greater Alabama Council (GAC) consists of the local volunteer board, leaders, professional staff who provide programs, training, financial and administrative support for Scouting in 22 counties in North and Central Alabama. Our Council is divided into geographic areas known as districts. District volunteers support your pack and strive to ensure you have a great Scouting experience.