The Mission and Methods of Cub Scouting
The mission of the Scouting America is to instill the values of the Scout Oath and Scout law into young people so they will be prepared to make moral and ethical choices throughout their lifetimes. As leaders, we are helping Scouts grow into the kind of people who will make the world a better place.
The Aims of Scouting
- Character – Scouts develop character by facing challenges, working towards their goals, and having new experiences.
- Leadership – As they grow through the program, Scouts get more opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills.
- Citizenship – Community service and respect for country are foundational values of Scouting.
- Personal Fitness – Scouts get out and play! They are physically active, learn new skills, and spend time outdoors
Methods of Scouting
- Living the Ideals – Cub Scouts are encouraged to live the ideals embedded in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, and the Cub Scout motto. The Cub Scout sign, handshake, and salute are practices that help to establish and reinforce these values for the Scouts and the leaders who guide them.
- Belonging to a Den – A Cub Scout den is a group of six to eight children, who are the same age or grade level and the same gender, who work together on the same rank requirements. The den is the basic unit of Cub Scouting, and it’s the group your Scout spends most of their time with.
- Advancement – Advancement in Cub Scouting helps Scouts learn to set goals and work towards them. It also helps them earn recognition in front of their den and the whole pack. The awards on a Scout’s uniform tell the story of their Scouting journey.
- Family Involvement – Whatever a Scout’s family looks like, the family is an important part of Cub Scouting. Whether a Scout lives with parents, grandparents, step parents, foster parents, or someone else, all provide leadership and support for Cub Scouting.
- Activities – Cub Scouts play games, build projects, perform skits, sing songs, get outdoors, take trips, and serve their communities through the Scouting program. These activities are fun, but they also offer opportunities for growth, achievement, and family involvement.
- Serving the Community – The Cub Scouting program provides Scouts with the opportunity to serve their families and communities as part of their advancement. Scouts learn what it takes to help those who need it, and working in service of others establishes good character that lasts a lifetime.
- Uniform – Cub Scouts wear uniforms to their meetings, and these uniforms serve two purposes. They show that the Scout is part of a team, and also display the Scout’s individual achievements in the awards they wear. The uniform also encourages a neat appearance and good behavior.
The Oath and Law
The Scout Oath and Scout Law are essential to understanding Scouting. Scouts are required to learn them in order to earn their Bobcat rank, and they are repeated at every meeting.
The Scout Oath – On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
The Scout Law – A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.
Additionally, Webelos are tasked to also learn:
Outdoor Code – As an American, I will do my best to: Be clean in my outdoor manners. Be careful with fire. Be considerate in the outdoors. Be conservation minded.
Leave No Trace – Know Before You Go, Choose The Right Path, Trash Your Trash, Leave What You Find, Be Careful With Fire, Respect Wildlife and Be Kind to Other Visitors
Cub Scout Ranks and Uniforms
Kids can join the pack at any age from 5 to 11, and begin their Scouting journey. The den they are assigned to will depend upon their age or grade, and they will begin working on the appropriate rank. Our youngest Scouts start in kindergarten at the Lion rank, and our 5th grade Scouts are working on the Arrow of Light rank, the highest award in Cub Scouting.
Each rank has some different uniform elements to help identify which Scouts are working on which rank. There is some commonality between uniforms as well, to show that we’re all on the same team. Adult leaders also wear uniforms, to show that they are on the same team as the kids.
Lion – Kindergarten
Tiger – First Grade
Wolf – Second Grade
Bear – Third Grade

Webelos – Fourth Grade
Webelos Scouts are in 4th grade (9-10 years old) during the Scouting year. Scouts start the transition from the adult-led program of Cub Scouting to the Scout-led program of Scouting America. They will have more leadership opportunities, more time spent camping and hiking, and will begin to spend some time with Scouting America troops. Webelos Scouts begin wearing the tan uniform shirt that they’ll continue wear through the Scouting America program.

Arrow of Light – Fifth Grade
Arrow of Light Scouts are in 5th grade (10-11 years old) during the Scouting year. They are working to finish their rank advancement requirements so they can cross over to a Scouting America troop at the Blue & Gold banquet, usually held in February. Arrow of Light Scouts earn the Arrow of Light badge of rank, which is the highest award available in the Cub Scouting program.