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CUB SCOUT PROGRAM UPDATES

2024-25 Program Year

Beginning

June 1, 2024

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1.6�years

Average tenure of a Cub Scout

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Feedback From over 23,000 �Cub Scout Leaders and Parents

95%

Confidence level (+/- 1.7%)

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Four Areas of Improvements

AWARDS

BOBCAT

WEBELOS (4^TH/5^TH GRADE)

ADVENTURES

All of this data revealed FOUR areas of improvement and opportunities to develop and update our Cub Scout Program

*Bobcat

Leaders felt that it was ineffective having the same requirements for everyone 1st through 5th grade
The purpose of Bobcat was important: to introduce Cub Scouts to the values of Scouting; but how that was taught needed to be age-appropriate
Additionally, Den Leaders felt challenged with how to handle it when some of their den had already earned Bobcat, while others had not

*Cub Scout Adventures

Leaders indicated that they found many adventures disjointed
They felt it was not clear why certain adventures were required while others were elective
And leaders wanted more options for elective adventures

*The Webelos Rank

Overall, the Webelos program caused a lot of confusion
It doesn’t follow the same grade level specific pattern as the other ranks
And Webelos was designed to prepare Cub Scouts for Scouts, BSA, but does it take 18 months? Is the program effective?

*and Awards

As the committee was researching, a fourth topic was brought to their attention: Cub Scout Awards
Leaders indicated that they didn’t focus on awards
The awards, as well as information on earning them, was not in the direct line of sight of a Den Leader
Additionally, it was discovered that the existence of the award did not drive behavior to explore the topics of these awards

This tells us two important things:

Den Leaders that knew about the awards were already planning STEM activities, service and conservation projects, and outdoor activities. Therefore, the awards were not an incentive to plan those activities, they were just a bonus
And, Den Leaders that didn’t know about the awards indicated that even if they had known about them, they still wouldn’t have incorporated them into their planned activities

On average, only 1.5% of Cub Scouts earned an award

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FUN

Fun for Cub Scouts, leaders, and parents.

EASY

Easy to deliver the program as designed.

SIMPLE

Simple to understand, to explain, and to support.

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Bobcat

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Bobcat Adventure

The Bobcat adventure is now designed to be the first required adventure.

With each Rank, additional age appropriate requirements are added.

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Adventures

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®

TIGER

1^st Grade

WOLF

2^ND Grade

BEAR

3^RD Grade

®

2024-2025 �Cub Scout Badges of Rank

Requirements

LION

Kindergarten

WEBELOS

4^TH Grade

ARROW OF LIGHT

MY FAMILY

Family/Reverence

DUTY TO GOD

Family/Reverence

FELLOWSHIP

Family/Reverence

LION’S PRIDE

Family/Reverence

TIGER CIRCLES

Family/Reverence

FOOTSTEPS

Family/Reverence

MY COMMUNITY Citizenship

CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship

PAWS FOR ACTION

Citizenship

KING OF THE JUNGLE

Citizenship

TEAM TIGER

Citizenship

COUNCIL FIRE

Citizenship

5^TH Grade

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

WEBELOS WALKABOUT

Outdoors

OUTDOOR ADVENTURER

Outdoors

BEAR HABITAT

Outdoors

MOUNTAIN LION

Outdoors

TIGERS IN THE WILD

Outdoors

PAWS ON THE PATH

Outdoors

STRONGER, FASTER, HIGHER

Personal Fitness

PERSONAL FITNESS

Personal Fitness

BEAR STRONG Personal Fitness

FUN ON THE RUN

Personal Fitness

TIGER BITES

Personal Fitness

RUNNING WITH THE PACK Personal Fitness

MY SAFETY

Safety/First Aid

FIRST AID

Safety/First Aid

STANDING TALL

Personal Safety

LION ROAR

Personal Safety

TIGER ROAR

Personal Safety

SAFETY IN NUMBERS

Personal Safety

2 Elective Adventures

11/9/23

®

6 Required Adventures per rank

2 Elective Adventures per rank

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Required Adventures - Areas of focus

Character / Leadership
Outdoors
Personal Fitness
Citizenship
Personal Safety
Family / Reverence

Each rank now has 6 required adventures - one for each focus area

6

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CUB SCOUT ELECTIVE ADVENTURES

3^rd Grade

20 Electives

Build It Up, Knock It Down
Gizmos and Gadgets
I'll Do It Myself
On Your Mark
Pick My Path
Ready, Set, Grow
Count On Me
Everyday Tech
Go Fish
Let’s Camp
On a Roll
Race Time
Time to Swim
World Conservation
Archery
Slingshot

Curiosity, etc.
Floats and Boats
Good Knights
Rolling Tigers
Safe and Smart
Sky Is the Limit
Stories in Shapes
Tiger Tag
Tiger-iffic!
Designed by Tiger
Fish On
Let’s Camp
Race Time
Summertime Fun
Tech All Around
Tigers in the Water
World Conservation
Archery
BB Guns
Slingshot

Adventures in Coins
Air of the Wolf
Code of the Wolf
Cubs Who Care
Digging in the Past
Finding Your Way
Germs Alive!
Paws of Skill
Spirit of the Water
A Wolf Goes Fishing
Computing Wolves
Let’s Camp
Paws for Water
Pedal with the Pack
Race Time
Summertime Fun
World Conservation
Archery
BB Guns
Slingshot

A Bear Goes Fishing
Baloo the Builder
Critter Care
Forensics
Marble Madness
Roaring Laughter
Salmon Run
Super Science
Bears Afloat
Bears on Bikes
Balancing Bears
Let’s Camp
Race Time
Summertime Fun
Top Chef Tech
Whittling
World Conservation
Archery
BB Guns
Slingshot

Aquanaut
Art Explosion
Aware and Care
Build It
Earth Rocks!
Catch the Big One
Let’s Camp
Math on the Trail
Modular Design
Paddle Onward
Pedal Away
Race Time
Chef’s Knife
Summertime Fun
Tech on the Trail
World Conservation
Yoyo
Archery
BB Guns
Slingshot

Engineer
Into the Wild
Into the Woods
Cycling
Estimations
Fishing
High Tech Outdoors
Knife Safety
Paddle Craft
Race Time
Summertime Fun
Swimming
World Conservation
Archery
BB Guns
Slingshot

Kindergarten

16 Electives

1^st Grade

20 Electives

2^nd Grade

20 Electives

5^th Grade

16 Electives

4^th Grade

20 Electives

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Elective Adventures

Each rank has either

16 electives (Lion / AOL)

OR

20 electives (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos)

2

Each rank must complete 2 elective adventures

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®

TIGER

1^st Grade

WOLF

2^ND Grade

BEAR

3^RD Grade

®

2024-2025 �Cub Scout Badges of Rank

Requirements

LION

Kindergarten

WEBELOS

4^TH Grade

ARROW OF LIGHT

MY FAMILY

Family/Reverence

DUTY TO GOD

Family/Reverence

FELLOWSHIP

Family/Reverence

LION’S PRIDE

Family/Reverence

TIGER CIRCLES

Family/Reverence

FOOTSTEPS

Family/Reverence

MY COMMUNITY Citizenship

CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship

PAWS FOR ACTION

Citizenship

KING OF THE JUNGLE

Citizenship

TEAM TIGER

Citizenship

COUNCIL FIRE

Citizenship

5^TH Grade

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

BOBCAT

Character/Leadership

WEBELOS WALKABOUT

Outdoors

OUTDOOR ADVENTURER

Outdoors

BEAR HABITAT

Outdoors

MOUNTAIN LION

Outdoors

TIGERS IN THE WILD

Outdoors

PAWS ON THE PATH

Outdoors

STRONGER, FASTER, HIGHER

Personal Fitness

PERSONAL FITNESS

Personal Fitness

BEAR STRONG Personal Fitness

FUN ON THE RUN

Personal Fitness

TIGER BITES

Personal Fitness

RUNNING WITH THE PACK Personal Fitness

MY SAFETY

Safety/First Aid

FIRST AID

Safety/First Aid

STANDING TALL

Personal Safety

LION ROAR

Personal Safety

TIGER ROAR

Personal Safety

SAFETY IN NUMBERS

Personal Safety

2 Elective Adventures

11/9/23

®

6 Required Adventures per rank

2 Elective Adventures per rank

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elective

adventures

2

required

adventures

6

=

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Adding in more FUN!

Activity
Camping	Let’s Camp	Let’s Camp	Let’s Camp	Let’s Camp	Let’s Camp	Outdoor Adventurer*
Fishing	Go Fish	Fish On	A Wolf Goes Fishing	A Bear Goes Fishing	Catch the Big One	Fishing
Cycling	On a Roll	Rolling Tigers	Pedal with the Pack	Bears on Bikes	Pedal Away	Cycling
Swimming	Time to Swim	Tigers in the Water	Spirit of the Water	Salmon Run	Aquanaut	Swimming

Kindergarten

1^st Grade

2^nd Grade

3^rd Grade

4^th Grade

5^th Grade

BOLD indicates new adventure

Italics indicate existing adventure

*For Arrow of Light this is a required Adventure

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Pinewood Derby / Raingutter Regatta Adventures

Race Time	Race Time	Race Time	Race Time	Race Time	Race Time

Common Activity – Build and Race a Pinewood Derby Car OR�Build and Race a Raingutter Regatta

Kindergarten

1^st Grade

2^nd Grade

3^rd Grade

4^th Grade

5^th Grade

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Adding in more STEM!

STEM
Science	Ready Set Grow	Sky Is the Limit	Digging in the Past	Forensics	Earth Rocks	Into the Woods
Technology	Everyday Tech	Tech All Around	Coding Wolves	Top Chef Tech	Tech on the Trail	High Tech Camping
Engineering	Gizmos and Gadgets	Designed by Tiger	Air of the Wolf	Baloo the Builder	Modular Design	Engineer
Math	Count on Me	Stories in Shapes	Code of the Wolf	Balancing Bears	Math on the Trail	Estimations

Kindergarten

1^st Grade

2^nd Grade

3^rd Grade

4^th Grade

5^th Grade

BOLD indicates new adventure

Italics indicate existing adventure

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Paddle Sports

Bears Afloat	Paddle Onward	Paddle Craft

Must complete the BSA Swimmer Test to begin Adventure.�Requirements for each rank can be completed with either a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board.

3^rd Grade

4^th Grade

5^th Grade

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Knife Safety

Whittling	Chef’s Knife	Knife Safety

Whittlin’ Chip is retried�To use a knife a Cub Scout must complete the Adventure for their rank even if they completed a knife safety Adventure previously�The Adventure pocket card can be used as proof of completing the Adventure.

3^rd Grade

4^th Grade

5^th Grade

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Webelos�(4th / 5th Grade)

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Webelos and Arrow of Light

4th Grade

5th Grade

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The Arrow of Light rank is �designed to prepare for Scouts BSA

Changes are based on a collaboration with National Scouts BSA Committee

Designed to have Arrow of Light Cub Scouts joining a Scouts BSA Troop by January/February

Arrow of Light

to

Scouts BSA

The Arrow of Light rank is entirely focused on preparing our 5th grade cubs to join a Scouts BSA troop

Goodbye Cub Scout blue uniform, hello tan scout shirt
No more Cub Scout sign
We are making sure they will Be Prepared to join a troop…

These updates cause an important change in the timeline and our Troops need to be aware!

The Bobcat adventure is the first REQUIRED adventure our Arrow of Light dens should work on in the fall
Bobcat for Arrow of Lights introduces them to the patrol method and requires them to visit a Scouts BSA troop
Because Bobcat should be the first adventure AoL dens complete, Troops should be prepared to welcome visits from dens in August and September instead of later in the fall
Additionally, Arrow of Light scouts should be joining a troop by January or February

This allows them to be included in the troop's plans for Summer Camp, which is key to retaining our scouts

Please help make sure Troop leadership is aware of how the updates affect the crossover timeline.

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Awards

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What is the data behind the change?

1.5%

Average utilization of Cub Scout awards

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Conservation – Champions for Nature

Champions for Nature - Lion	Champions for Nature - Tiger	Champions for Nature - Wolf	Champions for Nature - Bear	Champions for Nature - Webelos	Champions for Nature - AOL

Common Activity – Conversation Project�The World Conservation Award by the World Organization for the Scouting Movement has changed the award to Champions for Nature

Kindergarten

1^st Grade

2^nd Grade

3^rd Grade

4^th Grade

5^th Grade

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Summertime Fun

1^st Grade

3^rd Grade

4^th Grade

2^nd Grade

5^th Grade

Summertime Fun	Summertime Fun	Summertime Fun	Summertime Fun	Summertime Fun

Just one requirement to earn this adventure: Anytime during May through August participate in a total of �3 Cub Scout activities. �Earning Adventure is not dependent on other’s participation.

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Program Delivery

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Handbooks

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Scouting.org

Pick the Rank/Grade

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Scouting.org

Badge of Rank Page

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Adventure Page

Get to know the members of your den.

Activity Cards for Requirement

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Activity Cards for Requirements

Get to know the members of your den

Indoor

Outdoor

Travel

Location

Energy Level

1- Very low energy - listening

2- Low energy — crafts

3- Moderate energy — skilled crafts

4- High energy — active movements

5- Very high energy — running

Supplies

None — no supplies are needed
Very little — common household items

3- Average - low-cost craft supplies

4- Above average — common craft supplies

5- Custom —custom or uncommon

Prep Time

No prep time needed
One to three days ahead of time
Three to five days ahead of time
A week ahead of time
More than a week ahead of time

Activity cards will be an amazing resource for our busy den leaders!

At a glance, you can pick the activity that suits your needs, ability, resources, time, (and let’s be honest, patience!)

The first icon indicates if the activity is indoor, or outdoor, or if travel is required.

The second icon indicates how active Cub Scouts will be on a scale of 1 to 5.

1 indicates that the Cub Scouts will be listening and a 5 indicates they will be very active such as playing kickball.

The third icon indicates how intensive the supply list is on a scale of 1 to 5.

1 indicates that there are no supplies needed and a 5 indicates there are unique or major supplies needed.

The fourth icon indicates how long will it take to prepare for this activity on a scale of 1 to 5.

1 indicates that there is no prep needed and a 5 indicates there is something that needs to be done weeks prior to he activity. For example a trip to the fire station needs to be planned weeks ahead and would be a 5.

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December 18

Team of experts trained and

available to present to local councils

and districts.

On-line Tools

Presenters Trained

Training

Resources for councils and districts to plan for programs for the summer of 2024

Communicate with Scoutmasters and Scouts BSA leaders about changes to Webelos and Arrow of Light and the updated Arrow of Light requirements.

Scouts BSA Leaders

New Unit Development and Support

Review new unit campaigns and materials to start new Packs using the updated program.

Commissioner staff fully updated and prepared to support Cub Scout packs with updates.

Council Programs

Council Staff and Key Council Volunteer Training

New Cub Scout Adventure Loops and Pins

New Cub Scout Handbooks

Scout Executive reviews content on Teams

The council evaluates the Cub Scout program updates and their impact on council operations and develops a plan to incorporate updates to council operations and plan to support Cub Scout leaders.

CUB SCOUT PROGRAM UPDATES

ROLLOUT TIMELINE FOR COUNCILS

OCT	NOV	DEC	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN

January 16^th @

7 p.m. Central

Cub Scout Program Update Cub Chat Live!

Promote watching these special episodes of Cub Chat Live!

January 23^rd @

7 p.m. Central

January 30^th @

7 p.m. Central

Position Specific Training Updated

Updated Cub Scout Roundtable Videos

Website Pages

Council Programs

Recruitment

Grants/Foundations

Marketing

Council Resources

Identify council resources that will need to be updated to reflect program improvements

Conduct summer programs using the updated program.

Make adjustments for fall recruitment

to ensure the updated program is incorporated into marketing and program delivery.

Updates Take Effect

Scout Shops

Scouts BSA

Resources for Scouts BSA Leaders

Ensure support

staff are properly informed and prepared to

support Cub Scout volunteers and parents with the updated program.

Support Staff

Scoutbook Updated

Online Reports Updated

New Program

Takes Effect

June 1

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All changes go into effect on

June 1, 2024

Stay up to date by visiting gtcbsa.org/new-cub-scout-program

Contact

Vinnie Close

Assistant Council Commissioner for Roundtable�Great Trail Council

vclose@gtcbsa.org