The Cub Scout program is undergoing significant changes that take effect June 1. The Northeast Illinois Council hosted a town hall recently, where a BSA representative previewed the changes and answered questions. Here are some of the highlights.
What’s changing: Each rank will include six required adventures and two elective adventures, which are aligned across all ranks. Each rank now has a requirement for character/leadership, outdoors, personal fitness, citizenship, personal safety and family/reverence.
Why: Requirements for each rank now better align with the aims and methods of Scouting. Also, pack activities can touch on requirements for every rank, not just some ranks. For example, a pack going on a hike (now called a “walk”) could satisfy a requirement for Lion through Webelos.
What’s changing: The Bobcat rank will be replaced with an adventure for each rank.
Why: Because it now is earned each year, the Bobcat adventure will teach Scouts age-appropriate information about Scouting instead of a one-time lesson when they join.
What’s changing: The Webelos (fourth grade) and Arrow of Light (fifth grade) programs are becoming distinct ranks with no shared elective adventures.
Why: Parents were saying that it shouldn’t take two years for a Scout to get ready for Scouts BSA. With these changes, there is a more distinct program shift for fifth graders to transition to Scouts BSA.
What’s changing: The Summertime Pack Award, Shooting Sports Award, National Outdoor Activity Award and World Conservation Award will be replaced with elective adventures for most ranks.
Why: Only about 2 in 100 Scouts earned the previous awards. With them now integrated into the program, more Scouts are encouraged to participate in these activities.
What’s changing: The Whittling Chip will be replaced with an elective adventure on knife safety for Bear, Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks.
Note: A Scout must earn the elective adventure for their rank to carry and use a pocketknife that year.
What’s changing: Arrow of Light Scouts (fifth graders) will now work more closely with a troop for their advancement. Specifically, the first adventure, Bobcat, requires Scouts to form a patrol and attend a troop meeting. BSA recommends this be done near the beginning of the fifth grade school year, in September or October.
What’s changing: Webelos Scouts (fourth graders) will continue to wear the blue button-up uniform top with blue bottoms and the plaid Webelos neckerchief. Arrow of Light Scouts (fifth graders) will switch to the tan button-up uniform top with green bottoms and no neckerchief.
What’s changing: Scouts will begin earning adventures for their new rank in September, and the previous summer will be spent earning adventures for the previous rank. For example, Bear Scouts who receive their Bear rank in June will continue to earn Bear electives through that summer, and they will begin working on the Webelos rank in September.
Have questions about the Cub Scout changes? visit these links from BSA.