Cub Scouting: A Note to Parents

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 about to enter 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 almost a century has enabled us to make Cub Scouting 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

Cub Scouting involves a variety of family activities


"The Cub Scout program has involved my son in many things. This year, he played baseball and soccer; learned to make things with wood, leather, and clay; visited three museums; and participated in a community service project."

The Cub Scout program includes a wide range of group and individual activities your son will enjoy.  More importantly, the activities in the Cub Scout program carefully selected and administered - everything that Cub Scouts do contributes to their moral, physical, and intellectual development:

  • Sports such as baseball, soccer, and swimming—develop physical fitness, teamwork, fair play, cooperation, and good sportsmanship.

  • Hands-on learning experiences about art, science, music, and computers—inspire the imagination of youth and sharpen a boy's interest in learning.

  • Projects in woodworking, leatherworking, and sculpture—teach the value of planning and patience and give boys confidence in their abilities.

  • Outdoor adventures such as camping, hiking, and fishing—convey an appreciation for nature's majesty and teach the importance of preserving our environment.

Boys in the Cub Scout program can tell you that Cub Scouting is fun.  Parents who have seen marked improvements in their sons can tell you that Cub Scouting is fun with a purpose.

 

Cub Scouting encourages good behavior


"In the Cub Scout program, my son is surrounded by good kids and adults who are positive role models. It's comforting to know that he's fallen in with the right crowd, and has friends who will encourage him in the right way."

Boys in Cub Scouting belong to a small group where they take part in interesting and meaningful activities with their friends.  Through these activities, boys learn the value if sportsmanship, good behavior, and cooperation.  In the Cub Scout program, your son will be influenced by adults who serve as positive role models.

The adult leaders who conduct and supervise Cub Scouting activities are carefully selected.  These leaders must meet strict qualifications set by the national organization, and must be approved by the organization that sponsors the pack to ensure that they are good role models.  Individuals selected as "quality leaders" improve their skills in working with youth through training courses, workshops, and reference materials.

In addition to adult role models, fellow Cub Scouts form a peer group that provides encouragement for your son.  Being in the company of good boys and being able to turn to good friends can reinforce your son against many of the negative influences in today's society.

 

Cub Scouting teaches lifelong values

The qualities we admire in adults are often learned early in life.  The Cub Scout program helps boys to develop qualities they will carry throughout their lifetimes by focusing on 12 core values of character development:


"I believe being a Cub Scout has encouraged my son to follow his goals and strengthened his values. The positive qualities he is developing now will benefit him throughout his lifetime."

1.      Citizenship: Contributing service and showing responsibility to local, state, and national communities

2.      Compassion: Being kind and considerate, and showing concern for the well-being of others

3.      Cooperation: Being helpful and working together with others toward a common goal

4.      Courage: Being brave and doing what is right regardless of our fears, the difficulties, or the consequences

5.      Faith: Having inner strength and confidence based on our trust in God

6.      Health and Fitness: Being personally committed to keeping our minds and bodies clean and fit

7.      Honesty: Telling the truth and being worthy of trust

8.      Perseverance: Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it is difficult

9.      Positive Attitude: Being cheerful and setting our minds to look for and find the best in all situations

10.  Resourcefulness: Using human and other resources to their fullest

11.  Respect: Showing regard for the worth of something or someone

12.  Responsibility: Fulfilling our duty to God, country, other people, and ourselves

By weaving these values into fun and educational activities, Cub Scouting helps boys grow up to be self-reliant, dependable, and caring men.

 

Cub Scouting strengthens the bonds of family


"Cub Scouting has improved my personal relationship with my son. The family activities gave my son and me a lot of time to talk and share stories about my childhood, and we're a lot closer as a result."

Cub Scouting provides a positive way for parent and son to grow closer together and encourages you to spend quality time together.  The family-centered program encourages closeness to family and will give you an opportunity to participate in activities with your son that you normally couldn't do.

  • Boys often begin projects at den meetings and complete them at home with the help of a parent.  Such projects become the catalyst for parents and boys—frequently joined by siblings and friends—to interact with each other on an informal, relaxed basis.

  • The advancement plan is designed to be used by parents to create a learning environment in their home.  The plan helps parents awaken their son's curiosity, stimulate his desire to try new things, and encourage him to carry the learning process beyond the classroom.

  • If you are able to participate in the program as a leader or assistant, you can share the enjoyment of Cub Scouting and discover the satisfaction of seeing how time and planning can help boys grow in good character.

These and other elements of the Cub Scout program provide a positive way for your family to grow closer together through many opportunities to engage in one-on-one interaction and communication with your son.