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The Cub Scout follows Akela (say Ah-KAY-la) means: Akela is a good leader. Your mother or father is Akela. In the Pack, your Cubmaster is Akela. Your Den Leader is Akela. At school, your teacher is Akela.
As a parent, all levels of Cub Scouts require you to be actively involved in your Scouts’ cub scouting experience. In Scouting, you are known as Akela and you are responsible for helping your Scout complete requirements, achievements and signing their book.
You can become more involved in Cub Scouting by helping at Den meetings, becoming an assistant Den Leader, helping with Pack activities or even running your own Den.
A great start is to download the Parent Information Guide (Guide Coming Soon).
For more information about becoming more active as a parent in scouting, you can visit the official Scouting America Parents page at scouting.org.
Frequently Asked Questions ?
Frequently Asked Questions ?
How old (or young) can a boy or girl be to join Cub Scouting?
Cub Scouting is for boys and girls in the year before the first grade through fifth grade, or 5 to 10 years of age. Boys or Girls 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 Scouts BSA or Venturing program.
How can I become an adult volunteer in Cub Scouting?
Express your interest to the pack leaders—the Cubmaster, chartered organization representative, or members of the unit committee. There is usually some way in which you can contribute, and most units are glad for any offer of help.
Are Cub Scouts the same as Scouts BSA?
Are Cub Scouts the same as Scouts BSA?
Cub Scouts is an individual program just like Scouts BSA. Both programs are under the same organization Scouting America. However, they are entirely different programs: Cub Scouting is a family-oriented program designed specifically to address the needs of younger boys and girls.
How often do Cub Scouts meet?
How often do Cub Scouts meet?
Cub Scouts meet in their dens (see our calendar for dates), and a pack meeting is held for all Cub Scouts and their families once a month. Beyond that, it depends on the den and pack: a den may hold a special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings. Likewise, a pack may conduct a special event such as a blue and gold banquet as an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly pack meeting.
What supplies and equipment are needed to participate in Cub Scouting?
What supplies and equipment are needed to participate in Cub Scouting?
At minimum, each Scout in Cub Scouting will need a uniform and a handbook. Each year, the handbook changes, as does the cap and neckerchief, but other uniform parts remain the same for at least the first three years. When a Scout enters a Webelos den, they may need to obtain a new uniform if the parents in the den opt for the khaki-and-olive uniform.
Additional supplies and equipment may be needed for certain activities such as camping trips or field days. What equipment is needed, as well as whether it will be provided by the unit, will vary from pack to pack. Den and pack leaders should provide parents with information about any supplies that will be required at the beginning of each program year.
If my child joins a Bear den, may they go back and earn the Tiger Cub and Wolf badges?
If my child joins a Bear den, may they go back and earn the Tiger Cub and Wolf badges?
No. In the Cub Scout program, all Scouts in a den work toward the same badge. If a Scout joins Cub Scouting as a 9-year-old, they must earn the Bobcat badge (all Scouts in Cub Scouting earn this badge), and then they will begin working on the Bear badge with their fellow Cub Scouts. Scouts are not required to have earned the Tiger Cub or Wolf badges. Since those badges are for younger Scouts (7- and 8-year-old), 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.
If my child completes the Wolf badge early, may they begin working on the Bear badge?
No. In the Cub Scout program, all Scouts 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 Scout may work on electives to earn Arrow Points, but they may not begin working on the requirements for the Bear badge. Their work on the Bear badge will begin the next program year, when they graduates into a Bear den.
May Cub Scouts earn badges such as the 50-Miler Award or Mile Swim, BSA?
Cub Scouts are not eligible to earn these awards, which are part of the Scouts BSA program. All of the awards that Cub Scouts may earn are listed in their handbooks.
When a Cub Scout earns the Arrow of Light, may they immediately join a Scouts BSA troop?
Scouts BSA is available to Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light and are at least ten years old—so an Arrow of Light Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light Rank is eligible to join a troop immediately (provided they are at least 10 1/2 years old).
However, our pack has coordinated with local Scouts BSA troops to facilitate the transition from Cub Scouting to Scouts BSA at the end of February. It is better for the Scout, their family, and both units if all Arrow of Light Scouts make the transition together, in a coordinated fashion, rather than having each Scout leave the pack as soon as they are eligible.
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