My little 6 year old joined Cub Scouts this year, Tiger Cubs. He looks so cute in his uniform, and he's very excited about joining! Apparently, a pack leader came to his classroom and gave a talk. He mentioned there's an activity day where they use bow and arrows. The flyer has a picture of Boy Scouts doing tug of war. That was all it took to gain his interest. Little does he know all the useful life lessons, values and skills he will be learning. I thought Boy Scouts was just about learning outdoor survival skills. There's a lot more to it.
For Cub Scouts, an adult partner must attend all meetings. It's more focused on family time and doing activities together. For Tiger Cubs, the handbook has 5 achievement levels each with several activities. Once all activities for an achievement level have been completed, they can move on to the next achievement level. When all achievements and parts have been completed, a Tiger Cub badge is earned. There are also extra activities. Completing a set of 10 extra activities, earns a Tiger Cub bead. The Tiger Cub activities are fairly simple, but fun. The first activity in achievement level 1 involves doing some sort of chore around the house together, so the child understands each person in a household has a role and to pitch in and help. Great idea! I'm planning on having us clean his room together. It's a mess. He was actually cleaning it all by himself once in a while until one day when his father insisted he clean it up. My 6 year old is super stubborn, so of course, he hasn't touched it since then, since he knows a messy room is an issue. To get him to do things, you have to kind of trick him and definitely not make an issue out of it.
Other activities involve baking, planting a seed, going to a museum, visiting a train or bus station, visiting a bakery, a zoo, police/fire station.
I'm not sure yet what they do at the Tiger Cub pack/den meetings, but there are 2 den meetings a month and 1 pack meeting a month, where all the dens attend. There are also holiday parties and a banquet.
A little time consuming, but not as bad as a sport. It's also better bonding since you get to attend the meetings and do the activities together.
It's a little costly to join and get the uniform though. It was $20.50 to join, get the handbook and subscribe to Boys Life magazine. The uniform was $62.00. It included the shirt, hat, neckerchief & clasp, belt and 3 badges. Each Tiger Cub badge has it's own position on the Tiger Cub uniform shirt. Here is a link to the official Tiger Cub badge placement shown in the Tiger Cub, Wolf Cub Scout, and Bear Cub Scout Uniform Inspection Sheet.
I'm not much of a sew-er, so it took me a couple hours to sew on the badges. Came out pretty good though. The council shoulder emblem is centered on the left sleeve, aligned at the top with the seam. The pack numbers go below that. The world crest badge is centered between the top left seam and the top of the left pocket. Use tape or a needle to hold the badge in place while sewing it on.
Use thread that matches the color of the badge. Thread the string through the eye of the needle. and cut a piece of thread about 18 inches long. Double knot it at the end. Start from the inside of the shirt and make each stitch about 1/4 inch long. Work your way around the badge until you reach the first stitch. Make sure you are on the inside of the shirt. Double knot the string as close to the fabric as you can. Cut the string to remove the needle and remaining string.
I guess there is an adhesive you can buy to attach the badges to the shirt. Much easier, but I prefer the old fashioned sewing technique, so I know the badges are secure.
The Tiger Cub Scout neckerchief is also a little tricky to figure out when you are not familiar with how it is worn. Here is a diagram which shows how to fold and wear the Tiger Cub neckerchief.
I bought my son's Cub Scout uniform at a local Boy Scout store, but there is also an online Boy Scout store you can order them from.
This site is a good Boy Scout guide and includes Boy Scout requirements, Tiger Scout requirements and Boy Scout rank requirements.
More Boy Scout Resources
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