In 1930, the
Boy Scouts of America launched a homeand neighborhoodcentered
program for boys 9 to 11 years of age. A key element of the program
is an emphasis on caring, nurturing relationships between boys and
their parents, adult leaders, and friends. Currently, Cub Scouting
is the largest of the BSA three membership divisions. (The others
are Boy Scouting and Venturing.)
The
Purposes of Cub Scouting
Cub
Scouting has nine purposes:
Positively
influence character development and encourage spiritual growth
Help
boys develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship
Encourage
good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body
Improve
understanding within the family
Strengthen
boys ability to get along with other boys and respect other people
Foster
a sense of personal achievement by helping boys develop new interests
and skills
Show
how to be helpful and do one's best
Provide
fun and exciting new things to do
Prepare
boys to become Boy Scouts
Volunteer
Leadership
Thousands of volunteer
leaders, both men and women, are involved in the Cub Scout program. They
serve in a variety of positions, as everything from unit leaders to pack
committee chairmen, committee members, den leaders, and chartered organization
representatives.
Like other phases of the Scouting program, Cub Scouting is made available
to groups having similar interests and goals, including professional organizations,
government bodies, and religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business,
labor, and citizens groups. These are called chartered organizations.
Each organization appoints one of its members as a chartered organization
representative. The organization, through the pack committee, is responsible
for providing leadership, the meeting place, and support materials for
pack activities. Pack 807 is sponsored by the Northeast School PTO and
the representative is the PTO President. Who Pays for It?
Groups responsible for supporting Cub Scouting are the boys and their
parents, the pack, the chartered organization, and the community. The
boy is encouraged to pay his own way by contributing dues each week. Packs
also obtain income by working on approved money-earning projects. The
community, including parents, supports Cub Scouting through the United
Way, Friends of Scouting enrollment, bequests, and special contributions
to the BSA local council. This financial support provides leadership training,
outdoor programs, council service centers and other facilities, and professional
service for units.
Cub
Scout Academics and Sports Programs
The Cub Scout Sports
and Academics program provides the opportunity for boys to learn new techniques,
develop sportsmanship, increase scholarship skills, and have fun. Participation
in the program allows boys to be recognized for physical fitness and talent-building
activities.
Camping
Age-appropriate camping programs are packed with theme-oriented action
that brings Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts into the world of imagination.
Day camping comes to the boy in neighborhoods across the country; resident
camping is at least a three-day experience in which Cub Scouts and Webelos
Scouts camp within a developed theme of adventure and excitement. "Cub
Scout Worlds" are used by many councils to carry the world of imagination
into reality with actual theme structures of castles, forts, ships, etc.
Cub Scout pack members enjoy camping in local council camps and council-approved
national, state, county, or city parks. Camping programs combine fun and
excitement with doing one's best, getting along with others, and developing
an appreciation for ecology and the world of the outdoors.
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