About Pack 182; The Purposes and Benefits of Scouting

Since its beginning, the Cub Scout program has been a fun and educational experience concerned with values. Besides providing a positive place where boys can enjoy safe, wholesome activities, Cub Scouting focuses on building character, improving physical fitness, teaching practical skills, and developing a spirit of community service.

Cub Scouting is a year-round family-oriented part of the Scouting America program designed for boys and girls who are in first through fifth grades (or are 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the 10 purposes of Cub Scouting:

Character Development Spiritual Growth Good Citizenship Sportsmanship and Fitness Family Understanding

Respectful Relationships Personal Achievement Friendly Service Fun and Adventure Preparation for Scouts BSA

All the activities leaders plan and Cubs enjoy should relate to one or more of these purposes. These purposes help us achieve the overall aims of Scouting America of character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

	Advancement
	Recognition is very important to young girls and boys. The Cub Scouting Advancement Plan provides fun for the scouts, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with the scouts on advancement projects. Lion: The Lion Cub Scout program is for the youngest members–those who are in kindergarten.                                                  Tiger Cub:  The Tiger Cub program is for first grade (or age 7) youth and their adult partners. There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub, working with their adult partner, completes 15 requirements within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub badge. These requirements consist of a series of indoor and outdoor activities perfect for a child in the first grade.   Wolf:  The Wolf program is for scouts who have completed first grade (or are age 8). To earn the Wolf badge, they must pass 12 achievements involving simple physical and mental skills. Bear:  The Bear rank is for youth who have completed second grade (or are age 9). There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories. The Cub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are somewhat more difficult and challenging than those for Wolf rank.   Webelos:  This program is for scouts who have completed third grade (or are age 10). A scout may begin working on this badge when he joins a Webelos den. This is the first step in his transition to the Scout troop. As they complete the requirements found in the Webelos Handbook, they will work on activity badges, attend meetings and become familiar with Scout requirements—all leading to the Arrow of Light Award.

Cub Scouting uses seven specific methods to achieve Scouting's aims of helping girls and boys and young adults build character, train in the responsibilities of citizenship, and develop personal fitness. These methods are incorporated into all aspects of the program. Through these methods, Cub Scouting happens in the lives of Cubs and their families.

1. The Ideals
The Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, the Tiger Cub motto and Promise, and the Cub Scout sign, handshake,motto, and salute all teach good citizenship and contribute to a Cub's sense of belonging.

2. The Den
Boys and girls like to belong to a group. The den is the place where cubs learn new skills and develop interests in new things. They have fun in den meetings, during indoor and outdoor activities, and on field trips. As part of a small group of six to eight scouts, they are able to learn sportsmanship and good citizenship. They learn how to get along with others. They learn how to do their best, not just for themselves but also for the den.

3. Advancement 
Recognition is important to children. The advancement plan provides fun for the scouts, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with them on advancement projects.

4. Family Involvement
Family involvement is an essential part of Cub Scouting. When we speak of parents or families, we are not referring to any particular family structure. Some cubs live with two parents, some live with one parent, some have foster parents, and some live with other relatives or guardians. Whoever a scout calls their family is their family in Cub Scouting.

5. Activities
In Cub Scouting, girls and boys participate in a wide variety of den and pack activities, such as games, projects, skits, stunts, songs, outdoor activities, and trips. Also, the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program and Cub Scouting's Family program include activities that encourage personal achievement and family involvement.

6. Home and Neighborhood Centered
Cub Scouting meetings and activities happen in urban areas, in rural communities, in large cities, in small towns—wherever children live.

7. The Uniform
The Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and AOL Scout uniforms help build pride, loyalty, and self-respect. Wearing the uniform to all den and pack meetings and activities also encourages a neat appearance, a sense of belonging, and good behavior.

Since its origin, the Scouting program has been an educational experience concerned with values. In 1910, the first activities for Scouts were designed to build character, physical fitness, practical skills, and service. These elements were part of the original Cub Scout program and continue to be part of Cub Scouting today

Character development should extend into every aspect of a cubs life. Character development should also extend into every aspect of Cub Scouting. Cub Scout leaders should strive to use Cub Scouting's 12 core values throughout all elements of the program—service projects, ceremonies, games, skits, songs, crafts, and all the other activities enjoyed at den and pack meetings

Cub Scouting's 12 Core Values
Citizenship: Contributing service and showing responsibility to local, state, and national communities.   Compassion: Being kind and considerate, and showing concern for the well-being of others.   Cooperation: Being helpful and working together with others toward a common goal   Courage: Being brave and doing what is right regardless of our fears, the difficulties, or the consequences.   Faith: Having inner strength and confidence based on our trust in God.   Health and Fitness: Being personally committed to keeping our minds and bodies clean and fit.	Honesty: Telling the truth and being worthy of trust.   Perseverance: Sticking with something and not giving up, even if it is difficult.   Positive Attitude: Being cheerful and setting our minds to look for and find the best in all situations.   Resourcefulness: Using human and other resources to their fullest.   Respect: Showing regard for the worth of something or someone.   Responsibility: Fulfilling our duty to God, country, other people, and ourselves.	12 Core Values and the Scout Law Scouts learn and strive to live by the Scout Law: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent Many of the core values of Cub Scouting relate directly to the Scout Law: Core Value Scout Law Compassion Kind Cooperation Helpful Courage Brave Health and Fitness Clean Honesty Trustworthy Positive Attitude Cheerful

As a worldwide family, Scouting is unique.  It is a movement dedicated to bringing out the best in people. Cub Scouting doesn't emphasize winning as an end result, but rather the far more demanding task of doing one's best.

When Scouting can help nurture courage and kindness and allow children to play, to laugh, to develop their imaginations, and to express their feelings, then we will have helped them grow. We want cubs to become useful and stable individuals who are aware of their own potential. Helping a child to learn the value of their own worth is the greatest gift we can give them.

Cub Scouting Is Fun

Boys and girls join Cub Scouting because they want to have fun. For children, however, fun means a lot more than just having a good time. "Fun" is a child's code word for the satisfaction they get from meeting challenges, having friends, feeling good about themself, and feeling they are important to other people. While the Cubs are having fun and doing things they like to do, they also learn new things, discover and master new skills, gain self-confidence, and develop strong friendships.

Cub Scouting Has Ideals

Cub Scouting has ideals of spiritual and character growth, citizenship training, and personal fitness. The Cub Scout Promise is a pledge of duty to God and family. The Law of the Pack is a simple formula for good Cub Scouting and good citizenship. The Cub Scout motto, "Do Your Best," is a code of excellence. The Tiger Cub motto, "Search, Discover, Share," encourages personal growth and fitness. Symbols, such as the Cub Scout sign, Cub Scout salute, and the Living Circle, help boys feel a part of a distinct group and add to the appeal of belonging to a widely respected organization.

Cub Scouting Strengthens Families

The family is an important influence on our nation's youth. There are many different types of family structures in today's world. Scouting is a support to all types of families as well as to organizations to which families belong. We believe in involving families in the training of youth, and we are sensitive to the needs of present-day families. Cub Scouting provides opportunities for family members to work and play together, to have fun together, and to get to know each other a little better.

Cub Scouting Helps Boys and Girls Develop Interests and Skills

In Cub Scouting, girls and boys participate in a broad array of activities. Cub Scouts develop ability and dexterity, and they learn to use tools and to follow directions. Recognition and awards encourage them to learn about a variety of subjects, such as conservation, safety, physical fitness, community awareness, academic subjects, sports, and religious activities. These interests might become a hobby or even a career later in life.

Cub Scouting Provides Adventure

Cub Scouting helps fulfill a youth's desire for adventure and allows them to use his vivid imagination while taking part in skits, games, field trips, service projects, outdoor activities, and more. The use of a monthly theme lets a Cub play the role of an astronaut, clown, explorer, scientist, or other exciting character. Children find adventure in exploring the outdoors, learning about nature, and gaining a greater appreciation for our beautiful world.

Cub Scouting Has an Advancement Plan

The advancement plan recognizes a child's efforts and achievements. It provides fun for the kids, teaches them to do their best, and helps strengthen understanding as family members work with boys on advancement requirements. Badges are awarded to recognize advancement, and Cubs like to receive and wear these badges. The real benefit comes from the worthwhile things the boy learns while he is earning the badges, as his self-confidence and self-esteem grow.

Cub Scouting Creates Fellowship

Children like to be accepted as part of a group. In Cub Scouting, boys belong to a small group called a den where they take part in interesting and meaningful activities with their friends. The Cub Scout den and pack are positive places where Cubs can feel emotionally secure and find support. Each scout gains status and recognition and has a sense of belonging to this group.

Cub Scouting Promotes Diversity

In Cub Scouting, Cubs may learn to interact in a group that may include children of various ethnicities, income levels, religions, and levels of physical ability. By having fun together and working as a group toward common goals, Cub Scouts learn the importance of not only getting along, but also of working side by side with other youth of different races, classes, religions, cultures, etc.

Cub Scouting Teaches Duty to God and Country

Scouting America believes that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God, and encourages both youth and adult leaders to be faithful in their religious duties. The Scouting movement has long been known for service to others. Scouting believes that patriotism plays a significant role in preparing our nation's youth to become useful and participating citizens. A Cub Scout learns duty to God, country, others, and self.

Cub Scouting Provides a Year-Round Program

Cub Scouting has no specific "season"—it's a year-round program. While spring and summer pack activities are informal and there are many activities that Cub Scouts do outdoors, there's still plenty of fun to be had in the fall and winter: the pinewood derby, blue and gold banquet, skits, stunts, craft projects, and indoor games help to round out an entire year of fun and activities.

Cub Scouting Is a Positive Place

With all the negative influences in today's society, Scouting provides your child with a positive peer group who can encourage them in all the right ways. Carefully selected leaders provide good role models and a group setting where values are taught and help to reinforce positive qualities of character.