What age do you need to be to join Cub Scouting?
Cub Scouting is for boys and girls in kindergarten (or 5 years old by September 30) through fifth grade or 11 years old. Girls and boys who have completed the fifth grade, can no longer join Cub Scouting, but they may be eligible to join the Boy Scouting or Venturing program. Our Scouts come from Piney Branch, Bristow Run , T. Clay Wood and several other elementary schools. Homeschooled students are also welcome.
Yes! Pack 1343 is a family pack and open to girls and boys.
How can I become an adult volunteer in Cub Scouting?
We are always looking for volunteers! Express your interest to the pack leaders—the Cubmaster or members of the pack committee. They can help you understand the process and guide you on areas where the pack needs support.
What should my scout wear to meetings?
See our Uniforms page. Scouts must wear either a Class A or Class B uniform to all Scouting events. The class A uniform consists of a navy blue or khaki (Arrow of Light only) Cub Scout official button down shirt, neckerchief, neckerchief slide and pants or shorts. Many Scouts choose to wear rank specific baseball hats and the blue Cub Scout belt to show off their achievement belt loops. The class B uniform is worn for events that include a lot of physical activity or messy fun, like camping, hiking and Field Day. The class B uniform is a Cub Scout t-shirt, typically designed and sold by the Pack, and casual pants or shorts.
Why do Scouts wear uniforms?
The Scouts BSA uniform is one of the most recognizable articles of clothing in history!
Community: Wearing uniforms gives scouts a sense of belonging and community. We all come from different backgrounds with our own traditions and loyalties. But the uniform ties us together in spite of our differences. This creates a unique connection between scouts who may not even know each other!
Identity: When scouts wear their uniforms, they develop a sense of identity and pride in the pack they’ve helped to grow.
Equality: Uniforms remind scouts that they’re all equally deserving of respect. No matter who you are or what your family background is, when you put on your Scouting uniform, you become equal to the scouts standing beside you. No one is “better” and no one is “worse” than anyone else.
Teamwork: Everyone who is wearing a uniform is part of the same team and is working towards the same goal: to become the best scouts they can be!
Belief in Scouting’s Values: Every time a scout wears their uniform, the Cub Scout Oath, Law, and Motto are reinforced within them. The uniform serves as a great and constant reminder of a scout’s duty to do their best for themselves, their families and their communities.
How often do Cub Scouts meet?
Cub Scouts meet with their dens once or twice each month, and a pack meeting is held for all Cub Scouts and their families once a month. Beyond that, it depends on the den and pack: a den may hold a special activity, such as a service project or hike in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings. Likewise, the pack may conduct a special event such as a campout as an additional event, or as a substitute for its monthly pack meeting.
Do parents need to attend den meetings?
Yes and no. Parents must remain at the meetings for Lion, and Tiger scouts. Beyond that, it is not required, BUT, we love when parents continue to attend meetings and events. It helps the leaders out when you are there, but most importantly, it shows your Scout that YOU think Scouting is important. Scouts who have involved parents tend to succeed the most in Scouting.
Is my Scout expected to work on badge requirements at home, or will everything be done in the den?
Your Scout will need to work on some adventures at home. Many dens ask that Scouts complete certain adventures at home such as Duty to God as faith is a very personal topic. Hopefully, you can help teach your Scout to work on adventures on their own time -- not by you making them work on things. As they get older, Scouts should be expected to take initiative themselves to work on badges, loops/pins, etc.
Does my Scout have to attend all Pack activities?
No! We wish that every Scout could attend every den meeting, Pack meeting, and Pack event (Fall Hike, Blue & Gold, Pinewood Derby, Scouting for Food, etc), but we know that isn't always possible. Scouts should do their best to attend as many meetings as they can, and will need to finish any missed adventure requirements on their own time.
Can siblings participate in meetings or at events?
Yes! Any girl or boy ages 5-11 years old should register to participate in Cub Scouts. Younger/older siblings, with adult supervision, are free to attend den meetings, pack meetings, hikes, campouts and other events at the discretion of pack/den leaders. However, there may not always be enough materials for siblings to participate in crafts or activities. Siblings also will not receive patches, belt loops or other recognition for their work.
If my child joins a Bear den, can they go back and earn the Tiger or Wolf badges?
No. In the Cub Scout program, all Scouts in a den work toward the same badge. If a boy or girl joins Cub Scouting as a 9-year-old, they must earn the Bobcat badge (everyone in Cub Scouting earn this badge), and then they will begin working on the Bear badge with fellow Cub Scouts. They are not required to have earned the Tiger or Wolf badges. Since those badges are for younger Scouts, the requirements for those badges are not consistent with a 9-year-old’s current level of ability, so “going back” to pick up those badges is not permitted.
If a Scout completes the Wolf badge early, can they begin working on the Bear badge?
No. In the Cub Scout program, all Scouts in a den work toward a badge that is geared to their level of development. If the Wolf badge is completed before the end of the program year, a Scout may work on elective adventures, but they may not begin working on the requirements for the Bear badge. Work on the Bear badge will begin the next program year, when they graduate into a Bear den.
Do I have to be a member of a certain religion to join?
No. The Scouts BSA program has always held steadfastly to the principle, embodied in the Scout Oath, that a Scout has a duty to God. The BSA does not promote any specific religion, and embraces all faiths. We encourage youth members and their families to be active in their own faith.
It naturally follows that the leadership for your child’s spiritual development, both within and outside Cub Scouting, must come primarily from your home and your family’s religious leaders. Your child will look to you as the example of how to learn and perform their duty to God.
Do I have to be a US citizen to join Cub Scouts?
No. Citizenship is not required of youth or adult members.
When a Cub Scout earns the Arrow of Light, can they immediately join a Scout BSA troop?
Scouts BSA is available to boys and girls who have earned the Arrow of Light and are at least ten years old—so a Webelos Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light is eligible to join a troop immediately (provided they are at least ten years old). However, many packs coordinate with a local Scouts BSA troop to facilitate the transition from Cub Scouting to Scouts BSA. In these instances, it is better for the Scout, their family, and both units if all Webelos Scouts make the transition together, in a coordinated fashion, rather than having each scout leave the pack as soon as they are eligible.