The Boy Scouts of America ("BSA") is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believe that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society.
Cub Scouting is part of the Boy Scouts of America program - so in that sense, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are both members of the same organization. However, they are entirely different programs: Cub Scouting is a family-oriented program designed specifically to address the needs of younger boys. Here is a quick reference for the differences between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Community service projects, craft projects, games & sports, campfires with songs & stories just to name a few. We gather both as a pack (once a month) and separately in our dens (two to three times a month). Gatherings can be geared toward community service, completing rank achievements and/or just having fun! For more info on "What Cub Scouts Do" click here.
Every Cub Scout is a member of the Cub Scout Pack, which includes boys from kindergarten through 5th grade.
The Pack is divided into smaller groups called Dens that have about six to eight boys, grouped by grade level.
Cub Scout dens typically meet weekly (determined by the members of that den) - Dens typically skip meeting during the week when there's a Pack Meeting.
Pack Meetings are held once a month, usually on the 4th Tuesday of the month.
Every month, there are other optional events and activities offered for members of our pack, some of which may involve community service and/or outdoor field trips. You can review our Pack Calendar on our home page. (Pack members are able to see the detail information about each calendar entry.)
Scout uniforms are a key aspect of the Boy Scouts of America program. The uniform creates a sense of unity and symbolizes the principles to which we are committed - character development, citizenship training, and physical and mental fitness. The scout uniform also allows each scout to display individual accomplishments and recognitions. By wearing his uniform, a Cub shows others that he is a member of the worldwide Scouting program.
"Class A" (aka "field uniform") refers specifically to the formal uniform (see here) and should be worn at all Pack Meetings and all events in the community from Labor Day through Memorial Day. Class A uniforms must be worn when traveling to and from camping trips and other Scouting events.
"Class B" (aka "activity uniform) is our pack's t-shirt and should be worn for events where the scout might get dirty (sporting/hiking events, park clean-up, etc). Typically, emails are sent out regarding each specific event and will include a note on what uniform is appropriate. Class B uniforms are worn from Memorial Day through Labor Day in place of the Class A uniform EXCEPT when traveling to and from camping trips, and during ceremonial events. Whenever possible, the Class B t-shirt should be worn under the Class A uniform.
For new Tiger Scouts (1st graders), Wolf Scouts (2nd graders) and Bear Scouts (3rd graders): You will need
Required
Optional
Provided by the Pack
For new Webelos (4th graders), Arrow of Lighters (5th graders): You will need
Required
Provided by the Pack
When you sign up ask about our uniform exchange items. The Baltimore Area Council Scout Shops are our local stores for cub scout needs or if you're online savvy, uniforms can be purchased at Scoutstuff.org. EBay can be a good source as well.
While having fun, scouts also earn badges and awards. Scouts will work on projects with their dens, the pack and their family members. Many of these achievements will be recognized during pack meetings, giving the scout the opportunity to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.
The most popular awards for Cub Scouts are the advancement awards. Boys do requirements to advance and earn their badges of rank: Bobcat, Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and the Arrow of Light Award. The Arrow of Light is the highest award in Cub Scouting, earning the recipient a special knot patch that can be work on their Class A uniform for the rest of their life (even as an adult).
Cub Scouts can earn many other awards and medals too, sometimes by themselves, sometimes as members of their pack. They can earn or help their pack earn Quality Unit awards, religious emblems, the Emergency Preparedness Award, the Outdoor Activity Award, or the World Conservation Award. Click here to learn more.
Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scouting advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.
Each boy works on an age-appropriate rank badge by fulfilling different requirements that consist of new and fun learning experiences. Each scout earns the Bobcat badge, which involves the basics of being a Cub Scout. The following are the grades of Cub Scouts and the rank they work towards:
For more information on the Cub Scout Ranks, click here.
Pack 355 has been selected to offer the Lion Program for kindergarten-age boys. Lions must be 5 years old or the year before First Grade and not yet 7 years old.
Cub Scouting is for boys in the first through fifth grades, or 7 to 10 years of age.
| Grade | Age | Membership |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 06 | Lion |
| 01 | 07 | Tiger |
| 02 | 08 | Wolf |
| 03 | 09 | Bear |
| 04 | 10 | Webelos |
| 05 | 11 | Arrow of Light |
Boys who are older than 10, or who have completed the fifth grade, can no longer join Cub Scouting, but they may be eligible to join the Boy Scouting or Venturing program.
Boys can join at any time throughout the year.
No. In the Cub Scout program, all boys in a den work toward the same badge. If a boy joins Cub Scouting as a 9-year-old, he must earn the Bobcat badge (all boys in Cub Scouting earn this badge), and then he will begin working on the Bear badge with his fellow Cub Scouts. He is not required to have earned the Tiger Cub or Wolf badges. Since those badges are for younger boys (7- and 8-year-olds), the requirements for those badges are below a 9-year-old?s current level of ability, so "going back" to pick up those badges is not permitted or required.
No. In the Cub Scout program, all boys in a den work toward a badge that is geared to their level of development. If the Wolf badge is completed before the end of the program year, a boy may work on electives or other awards, but he may not begin working on the requirements for the Bear badge. His work on the Bear badge will begin the next program year, when he graduates into a Bear den.
Boy Scouting is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light and are at least ten years old - so a Webelos Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light is eligible to join a troop immediately (provided he is at least ten years old).
However, many packs coordinate with a local Boy Scout troop to facilitate the transition from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting. In these instances, it is better for the boy, his family, and both units if all Webelos Scouts make the transition together, in a coordinated fashion, rather than having each boy leave the pack as soon as he is eligible.
You have discovered one of the beauties of the Boy Scouting program. From start to completion, it is a spiral of learning and fun that builds upon previous experience in the program. Basic skills and concepts learned at an early age are repeated and expanded upon to reinforce the knowledge. It is all age-appropriate.
Things happen. Kids get sick. Parents get sick. Schedule impacts sometimes make it impossible to be in two places at once. Please work with your the den leader. In most cases the boy will be able to complete the missed activity with his family. He will be able to receive his badge or award only after the activity has been completed. Badges and ranks are earned, not given. Again, just work with your Den Leader who will do their best to help.
YES, we are a year-round Pack. The pack offers several scout related events for each summer month so that all our boys can earn the Summertime Activity Award by simply attending at least one of the various monthly opportunities in June, July and August. Individual dens will make accomodations for family vacation shedules. We have fun all year long but no stress!
Absolutely! Cub Scouts is ALL about family. We encourage brothers, sisters, parents and even grandparents to attend pack functions!
Contact any pack leader, easily spotted at pack meetings wearing the tan adult leader uniform! Whatever level of assistance you can provide is appreciated and welcomed! The pack only succeeds when there are enough adult volunteers to make it all come together! For more information click here.
Our scouts are involved in many different activities outside of scouting. Between school plays, band, soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and swimming, it seems there is always something going on. The leaders understand this, because many of them are active in coaching these sports as well. Just follow the Cub Scout motto and "Do your best" to try to make it to the meetings. If you are coming from another event, such as a sports practice or game, do not worry about scouting attire. We would rather have the scout spend that preparation time in the den/pack meeting.