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Cub Scout Pack 416
(Pearland, Texas)		  
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Your Role as a Parent
Cub Scouting encourages closeness to family. The program will give you opportunities to take part in activities with your son that you normally could not do. It provides a positive way for parent and son to grow closer together, and encourages you to spend quality time together. In this way, Cub Scouting is a program for the entire family, and your involvement is vital to the program’s success.

Some specific things you can do to help your son in Cub Scouting are:

  • Work with your son on projects
  • Help your Cub Scout along the advancement trail
  • Participate in monthly pack meetings
  • Go camping with your son
  • Provide support for your son’s den and pack
  • Volunteer to be a leader

The Cub Scout years are developing years for young boys, falling between the dependence of early childhood and the relative independence of early adolescence. As he grows, your son will gain the ability to do more things “on his own,” but at this stage of his development, your help is critical.

Work with your son on projects
Boys often start projects at den meetings and finish them at home with the help of a parent. Such projects become the catalyst for parents and boys—often joined by siblings and friends—to interact with each other in an informal, relaxed way.

Because the purpose of projects is to teach a boy new skills, a project will challenge a boy to do tasks that he hasn’t currently mastered. It’s not uncommon, therefore, for a boy to need help from his family to do some of his projects. In Cub Scouting, boys are not expected to do things entirely on their own. So long as a boy does his best to do as much as he’s capable of, it’s perfectly acceptable for a parent or sibling to help him with the tasks he’s unable to do on his own.

Help your son along the advancement trail
The advancement plan is designed for parents to use to create a learning environment in their home. With the Cub Scout handbooks as a resource, parents and boys work together to do the achievements required for each badge. The advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.

While Cub Scouts will learn skills and begin work on projects in their weekly den meetings, the parent remains at the center of the advancement program. As each task is done or each skill is demonstrated, the parent signs the Cub Scout’s handbook to record its completion. And when the boy has completed all the requirements to earn an award, the parent are present as the award is presented at the next monthly pack meeting.

Participate in monthly pack meetings
The weekly den meetings are for Cub Scouts and their adult leader. Parents are welcome at Den meetings and required for Tigers. The pack meeting is for the entire family of every Cub Scout. At pack meetings, parents see their sons in action with their friends, meet other parents, and join with neighbors in caring and sharing. These types of opportunities are scarce, and pack meetings highlight how Cub Scouting teaches boys cooperation and collaboration.

The pack meeting is also a monthly showcase for all that the boys have worked on in their den meetings. Achievements and awards are presented, projects are on display, skills are demonstrated, and skits are performed. While boys at this age seem to be struggling toward independence, having the approval of their parents and other adults whom they admire remains important to them—so your presence at these meetings is critical to underscore the importance of the lessons your son has learned.

Go camping with your son
Besides being fun, camping is a chance for quality time together. Camping is one of the ways that scouts get the "outing" out of Scouting. Family camps are offered by the Council and are a chance to build an enriched family life. These programs are largely recreational opportunities—they're not on a tight time schedule and enjoying the time outdoors —and together— is the main objective.

Provide support for your son’s den and pack
It’s important to remember that the adult leaders of your son’s den and pack are volunteers who give their own time to provide a quality program for your son. While they have been carefully selected and extensively trained for their roles, there are always times when they could use help from parents in the pack.

Pack events such as the pinewood derby, blue and gold banquet, or field days take a lot of effort—more than the monthly meetings. The pack’s leaders welcome any help you can give. Likewise, den leaders will be grateful to parents who can lend a hand with field trips and outings. By pitching in as needed, you can show your son the importance of helping others. Be on the lookout for opportunities for you to help the den, the pack, and its leaders.

The Basics


The Cub Scout sign is made with the right arm held high and straight up above the shoulder, with the index and middle fingers forming a V. The other fingers are held with the thumb. The two extended fingers stand for the parts of the Cub Scout Promise, "to help other people" and "to obey." They also stand for the two alert ears of a wolf. This is the sign of Cub Scouts all over the world. The Cub Scout sign should be given when repeating the Cub Scout Promise or Law of the Pack. It is also used in ceremonies.



The salute is made by joining the index and middle fingers of the right hand (holding the other fingers with the thumb) and touching the extended fingers to the cap visor or forehead. The hand is held the same as for the Cub Scout sign, except the two fingers are together. The Cub Scout salute is used to salute the flag when in uniform and to show respect to den and pack leaders. It can be used when greeting other Cub Scouts.



The handshake is done by putting the index and middle fingers of the right hand against the other person's wrist when shaking hands. Cub Scouts and Cub Scout leaders use this handshake everywhere in the United States. The handshake signifies that those who use it help others and obey the Law of the Pack.

Bobcat Badge

Cub Scout Bobcat Rank

Bobcat Requirements

The first rank that EVERY boy MUST earn when entering the Cub Scouting Program is the Bobcat rank.

To earn the Bobcat rank the new Cub Scout must do the following:

  1. Learn and say the CUB SCOUT PROMISE and complete the Honesty Character Connection.
    1. Know: Discuss these questions with your family. What is a promise? What does it mean to "keep your word?" What does honesty mean? What does it mean to "do your best?"
    2. Commit: Discuss these questions with your family. Why is a promise important? Why is it important for people to trust you when you give your word? When might it be difficult to keep your word? List examples.
    3. Practice: Discuss with family members why it is important to be trustworthy and honest and how can you do your best to be honest when you are doing the activities in Cub Scouting.

    "I .....(name).... promise to do my best
    To do my duty to God and my country,
    To help other people, and
    To obey the Law of the Pack. "

  2. Say the LAW OF THE PACK.  Tell what it means.

    "The Cub Scout follows Akela.
    The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
    The pack helps the Cub Scout Grow.
    The Cub Scout gives goodwill."

  3. Tell what WEBELOS means

    "WE'll BE LOyal Scouts "

  4. Show the CUB SCOUT SIGN.  Tell what it means.
    [Webelos: Make the CUB SCOUT SIGN.  Tell what it means.]
  5. Show the CUB SCOUT HANDSHAKE. Tell what it means.
  6. Say the CUB SCOUT MOTTO. A motto is a guiding principle.

    "Do Your Best"

  7. Give the CUB SCOUT SALUTE.  Tell what it means.
  8. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the booklet,
    How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse.
    [Tiger Cub: With your adult partner, complete "A Bobcat Requirement" in front of the Contents pages of this handbook.]
    [Webelos: With your parent or guardian, complete the Bobcat Requirements section of "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide"). (The guide is a pull-out section that came in the front of this book.)]

The above items are the basic information that ALL Cub Scouts must learn, which is why EVERY boy who enters into Cub Scouting MUST earn the Bobcat Badge.
   
 
 
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