Cub Scouts (The Scout Association)

History

Early in the development of the Scouting movement, there was a need for provision for those too young to join the Boy Scouts at the age of 11. Robert Baden-Powell published a first draft of a scheme for "Junior Scouts" in 1913, followed by a more detailed outline for "Wolf Cubs or Young Scouts" in January 1914. The finalised programme for 8- to 10-year-old boys was launched at a special conference on 24 June 1916, by which time it had been themed around the Jungle Book written by Baden-Powell's friend and neighbour, Rudyard Kipling; the boys representing the cubs in the Mowgli stories and the leaders being known by the names of the major characters. Each meeting was to start and finish with the "Grand Howl", a ceremony in which the Cubs greeted Akela, the Pack's leader. Baden-Powell also wrote The Wolf Cub's Handbook which was published in December of the same year.

In 1966, as part of a scheme to modernize the whole movement in the United Kingdom, The Chief Scouts' Advance Party Report recommended that the Cub section adopt the same salute as the rest of the association and a similar Promise. The name should change from "Wolf Cubs" to "Cub Scouts" and although the Jungle Book theme should be retained, less emphasis should be placed upon it, especially for older Cubs. A new progressive training scheme of Bronze, Silver and Gold Arrow awards was devised. These proposals were accepted by the association and were implemented between during the year ending October 1967.

In February 1990, it was decided in principle that the Association would become fully co-educational, leading to individual Scout Groups being able to decide to accept girls into Cubs and the other sections. A new training scheme for Cub Scouts was launched in September 1990, in which the Arrows were replaced by the Cub Scout Award, the Adventure Award and the Adventure Crest Award.

In May 2000 a new report called 'The Programme Review' was produced after extensive consultation with members of the Association and focus groups. A uniform review was conducted shortly afterwards. The new uniforms were launched in 2001; for Cubs, a redesigned green sweatshirt and navy blue cargo trousers. The implementation of the new training programmes began in 2002.

The total number of Cub Scouts in the UK Scout Association was 153,375 in 2014, up from 150,825 in 2013. The number of girls in the section in 2014 was 24,654.

Organisation

The Cub Pack forms the middle section of a Scout Group, with the Beaver Colony below and the Scout Troop above. Most Groups will have one Pack, while some others may be able to support two or even more, depending on the number of Cubs within the Group. This is quite rare, as new Groups would be created in areas of large Scouting populations.

Cub Packs have an adult leadership team, which often consists of an appointed Cub Scout Leader (CSL) and Assistant Cub Scout Leaders (ACSLs), and there may also be Section Assistants (also appointed) and often parents or other helpers who help on a semi-regular basis. Although most Packs will have an adult leader appointed as CSL, it is not actually mandatory – thus a Pack may be jointly run by ACSLs only. They can also be supported by Young Leaders. All the warranted leaders and Young Leaders are given names from The Jungle Book - the CSL is normally given the name Akela and popular names for the ACSLs include Baloo, Bagheera, Kaa, Raksha, Chil, Shere Khan, Hathi and Rama.

The Cubs within the Pack are separated into Sixes, ideally of five to seven members, with a Sixer and a Second. Also obtainable is the 'rank' of Senior Sixer, who helps the leaders and the Sixes.

Scout Membership Award

The membership award is only received by young people new to Scouting, whereas members who have joined from a Beaver Colony will undertake the Moving-On Award. However, the awards cover the same basic principles and many packs will have all new Cubs participate in the membership award regardless of how they came to join the section.

Challenge awards

There are seven Challenge awards, covering the six Programme Zones or key areas of Cub Scouting. The Zones are: Outdoor and Adventure, Beliefs and Attitudes, Community, Fitness, Creative and Global. Each Challenge involves undertaking several tasks or taking part in activities related to a particular Programme Zone. Upon completing six of the Challenge awards, a Cub will have earned the Chief Scout's Silver Award.

Activity badges

Activity badges are awarded for demonstrating skill or achievement in a particular subject which may be an existing hobby or a new area of knowledge. There are currently 34 different badges available. Six other activity badges have different levels or "stages" to recognize levels of achievement on subjects like swimming, music and information technology; these Staged Activity Badges can be gained and worn in all four of the training sections, from Beavers through to Explorers.

Promise & Law

The Cub Scout promise is very similar to the Scout promise, however a few words have been simplified:

The Cub Scout Law

Uniform

In 1916, Baden-Powell wanted to make the Wolf Cub uniform totally distinct from the older Boy Scouts; the result was a green woollen jersey, shorts, neckerchief and a green cricket cap with gold piping. Although the 1966 Advanced Party Report brought very little change in the Cub Uniform, following a uniform consultation and review in June 1989, caps were discontinued, a sweatshirt replaced the woollen jersey and black long trousers became an option to shorts.

The current Cub Scout uniform, revised in 2001, consists of a dark green sweatshirt, a neckerchief and woggle, and long navy blue activity trousers. A skirt, activity shorts, a polo shirt a Green logo Baseball Cap and a grey fleece jacket are available as options.