Getting Started

Uniforms

As a new cub scout, there are a few items your child will need. 

First is a uniform. Why a uniform? Wearing uniforms has been a method of scouting right from the beginning in 1910. Decades of experience show that wearing a uniform carries many benefits including fostering a sense of equality in the pack, identification, achievement recognition and commitment to the ideals of scouting including duty to God, loyalty to country, and helpfulness to others.

Cub Scout Uniform Checklist

  •  Blue Uniform Shirt or t-shirt for Lions (Kindergarten age den)
  • Crossroads of the West Council patch and Pack numbers for uniform shirt, with optional World Scout patch
  • Blue pants, shorts or skorts
  • Belt – essential for holding earned belt loops
  • Hat – optional but highly recommended for outdoor activities
  • Neckerchief – each den (grade level) has a unique animal and color
  • Neckerchief slide – official BSA slide or handmade slide
  • Blue socks with color for den (not required for Pack 1)

Webelos Uniforms

Webelos scouts (4th and 5th grade) have the option to wear the tan BSA Scout uniform and green pants/shorts instead of the blue uniform. Instead of belt loops, Webelos display adventure pins on their right sleeve using “Webelos Colors” or on their uniform hat.

Cub Scouts in Uniform

“The uniform is an important part of delivering the complete Scouting experience to your child.”

Uniforms are available from the official BSA Scout Shop. You may also purchase everything you need from the Crossroads of the West Council Utah Valley Scout Shop, which sells new uniforms pre-sewn with most of the basic patches your scout will need.

You can often save money by purchasing used uniforms from online shops like eBay or from local thrift stores like Deseret Industries and Goodwill.

Visit Scout Shop

 

Den Handbook

Each cub scout will need the Cub Scout Handbook for their den (grade level).  Handbooks have all the required and elective adventures for each rank. Handbooks also help you keep a record of your scout’s progress on the various adventures. For that reason, we recommend NOT getting a digital (ebook) version of the handbook. If you purchase a used handbook, make sure it is the 2018 edition (usually comes spiral bound). Earlier editions have outdated rank advancement requirements and adventures.

Cub Scout Unit Organization

A den is a group of scouts with the same gender and grade that meet together twice per month. Lion and Tiger scouts attend with their parent or guardian. 


Dens

Aligned by Grade Level, led by Den Leaders

The pack is made up of several dens. Each pack is identified by a number. We’re number 1!  Packs are led by the Cubmaster and meet together monthly.


Pack

All Dens within Pack 1, led by a Cubmaster

Rank Advancements and Achievements

Cub scouts do not earn merit badges like older scouts do. Instead, they complete Adventures. Adventures are activities designed to help the scout have fun while developing new skills and knowledge. Since all Adventures are cub scouts are not allowed to earn prior grade-level ranks (it would be too easy for them). An older cub scout just joining scouting would earn their Bobcat badge and then immediately begin the den rank appropriate for their grade. Rank requirements get more challenging as scouts get older to match with the new skills and abilities they have learned.

01

Bobcat Badge

Beginning with first graders (Tiger Scouts) all new cub scouts start by earning their Bobcat Badge. This is the badge that teaches scouts about the fundamentals of cub scouting, including helping them learn about the Scout Law, Oath, Motto, Sign and Handshake.

Bobcat Badge

02

Adventures 

Adventures are activities designed to help the scout have fun while developing new skills and knowledge. Most adventures can be completed in two den meetings and a den outing. Cub scouts receive adventure loops or pins (Webelos) for every adventure they complete.

Team Tiger Adventure

03

Den Rank Badge

A scout must complete all required adventures (4-6 per rank) as well as one elective adventure for their den rank. In addition, there’s a safety activity or two each scout must complete in order to earn the rank badge for their grade level. In all, there are seven rank badges – Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bobcat, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light.

04

Additional Awards

Scouting offers a vast array of additional badges and recognitions that cub scouts may earn. All of these are optional. Many may be earned simply by participating in pack activities such as the annual Popcorn fundraiser, completing educational activities at the zoo or attending cub scout day camp.

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