8TH Pickering Scout Group

"Scouting is a game with a Purpose." (Baden Powell)

Cub Parent Handbook

Parent Handbook
We hope that your child will enjoy this year. If new to Cubs, you will want to know a bit about the program and what we do in our Pack. This handbook should give you most of the information you and your child will need to enter the exciting Scouting world. Any questions or comments can be directed to any member of the Pack Leadership team.

Introduction

Scouts Canada believes that children learn by doing. Cub activities encourage children to discover and understand their world through play and adventure.

The Mission of Scouts Canada is:  "To contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens, and as members of their local, national, and international communities through the application of our Principles and Practices".

For Cubs this is expressed in the Wolf Cub promise, law and motto.

Wolf Cub Promise, Law and Motto
Promise:

I promise to do my best
To love and serve God, to do my duty to the Queen;
To keep the law of the Wolf Cub pack,
And to do a good turn for somebody every day.

Law:
1. The Cub respects the Old Wolf
2. The Cub respects himself

An "Old Wolf" refers to a leader or any respected adult

Motto:

Do your Best

Cub Program Goals

In the Cub program, emphasis is place on activities which encourage Cubs to:

  • express and respond to God's love in their daily lives
  • do their best
  • keep fit
  • satisfy their curiosity, and need for adventure and new experiences
  • be creative and develop a sense of accomplishment
  • make choices
  • develop a sense of fair play, trust and caring
  • work together in small groups, and experience being a leader
  • participate in outdoor activities
  • learn about the natural world and their part in it

    In Wolf Cubs, "Do Your Best" nicely sums up the approach to activities described in this book. Cubs need adult support and approval as they play, learn and discover. Children need this for building self-esteem and self-confidence. It is critical for them to feel a sense of accomplishment for what they did, rather than being taught that only winning counts. Scouting believes that Cubs who "do their best" in any activity deserve equal recognition and praise.

    The Wolf Cub Program

    The Cub Book will introduce you the six activity areas of Cubbing. While your Cub will only see the fun and excitement the activities present, each area focuses on a clear purpose and goal

    The six areas are:

  • Natural World
  • Outdoors
  • Creative Expression
  • Health and Fitness
  • Home and Community
  • Canada and the World
    Stars and Badges

    For each of the activity areas Cubs can earn a Star by completing certain requirements. There are six areas so there are six stars:

  • Black Star: Natural World
  • Green Star: Outdoors
  • Tawny Star: Creative Expression
  • Red Star: Health and Fitness
  • Blue Star: Home and Community
  • Purple Star: Canada and the World

    Along with the stars there are a number of activity badges that Cubs can earn. Each badge comes with a set of requirements to be complete in order to earn the badge. The badges are grouped with the six stars depending on the focus of the badge. Many of the requirements of one badge are similar to the requirements for other badge. In this way by completing one activity you may be on your way to completing more than one badge.

    In addition, there are 7 awards that can be earned by earning a combination of stars and badges. These awards are carried through to the Scout program and are worn with the Scout uniform until the equivalent Scout level award is earned.

    Parents Role in Cubbing

    Scouting is family based. Activities offered, plus the values and skills provided, are aimed at supporting your efforts to teach your child what is needed to become a well-rounded person. Your personal involvement is important to help reinforce the lessons your Cub learns. Here are some suggestions to help you become involved:

  • Sit down with your child and look through the Cub book together. What activities do you find interesting or appealing? How can you work on these activities as a family?
  • Find out what activities leaders plan to run. See if you can help out.
  • Get to know your leaders by their real names. Leaders are truly interested in your child's welfare. Tell them what your child likes to do. This will help them plan fun activities
  • If your Cub is interested in working on an activity outside of the meeting or you want to make it a family project, talk over your plans with the leaders. They can provide useful tips and tell you how it fits into the weekly programs.
  • Your talents, hobbies, and interests are great program assets worth sharing with children. Find out how you can become a resource for the pack's program. Cubs really enjoy showing off for an adult family member that attends a meeting.
  • Become a leader. You will be with your Cub during a special time and see him/her develop and grow before your eyes.
    Organization of the Pack

    The Wolf Cub theme is based on Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. It provides a sense of outdoor adventure and fantasy that appeals to a Cub's imaginative mind. The "pack" refers to all members in your child's Cub program. Within the pack, Cubs are broken into small groups called "sixes". A Cub who is asked to lead a "six" is called a "sixer". The Sixer has an assistant called a "second". Cubs usually rotate through these early leadership roles based on age and experience.

    The primary adult leader of the pack is referred to as "Akela" - the name of the old wolf and leader of the pack in the Jungle Book. Other leaders take a "jungle name" such as Baloo (the bear), or Bagheera (the panther). The pack may also have a "Kim" - a Scout who works with the Cubs. Kim is another Kipling character. Older Cubs are sometimes invited to work with the Beaver Colony. Each Cub helper working in a colony is called "Keeo", after a character in the Beaver book Friends of the Forest.

    After learning a bit about Cubs, your child will be ready to become "invested", or formally welcomed into the pack. You will be invited to attend the "investiture ceremony" to help welcome your child into the Cub pack.

    The Wolf Cub Uniform

    The official Wolf Cub uniform consists of:
    1. Uniform Shirt (Tan, available at the Scout Shop)
    2. Cub Badge Sash (Red with Yellow Trim, available at the Scout Shop)
    3. Cub Belt and Buckle (available at the Scout Shop, note: belt and buckle sold separately)
    4. Group Scarf (presented at Investiture)
    5. Woggle (presented at Investiture )
    6. Cub Book (Current year)

    All badges, crests and epaulets necessary are supplied by the Pack

    New badges received should be securely sewn on before the next Cub meeting or activity.


    A CUB SHOULD RESPECT HIS/HER UNIFORM AND WEAR IT PROUDLY.


     

    Permission Forms

    Scouts Canada’s official policy is:  For every event held away from the regular meeting place for a Pack, a signed permission form is mandatory. This includes outdoor activities such as playing in the soccer field, going to visit a cub pack, and visiting establishments such as fire halls, etc. If a signed form has not been provided, the Cub is not allowed to participate in that particular event.

    It is also a legal requirement for Scouts Canada that the parent’s/guardian’s original signature and the Cub’s Health Card Number must be on the same document. This policy is designed to protect the Cub while under the supervision of Scouts Canada and to protect the volunteers (i.e., the leaders) in the movement.

    Ceremonies
    Opening and Closing Ceremony

    Investiture Ceremony
    When a youth joins Cubs he/she is a "Tenderpad". This is a term used to describe the soft skin on the bottom of a real wolf cub's feet. The older wolves help the Tenderpads learn about the pack, and while they learn, the cub's feet grow tough. Tenderpads may wear the Cub shirt but NOT the neckerchief or other additional badges. There are four Tenderpad requirements you must pass before you become a Wolf Cub:

  • Repeat and explain the Wolf Cub Promise and the Wolf Cub Law
  • Perform the Grand Howl with other Cubs
  • Demonstrate the Cub Salute and handshake, and repeat the Cub Motto
  • Read or listen to the story of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouts.
    Swim Up Ceremony
    This ceremony marks a special occasion in a young child’s life because this is the moment they join the Scout troop and take the first big step toward becoming a Scout. Parents are invited to attend this ceremony in the spring.