Explanation of the Cub Scouts of America purpose and ideals of having good character. Also refer to promise, duty, God, honesty, trust, ethics, morality, attitude, reputation, courage, responsibility, reliability, truth, integrity, pride, dignity, loyalty, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Cub Scout Character Ideals
by Ron Kurtus (4 January 2003)
The Cub Scouts is a family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (7 through 10 years of age). The program has activities for the boys and promotes character values. These concepts provide a good model for other organizations concerned with the character of their members.
Questions you may have include:
- What do Cub Scouts do?
- What are the purposes of a boy belonging in the Cub Scouts?
- What are the Cub Scout ideas?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Cub Scouts
The Cub Scouts have a set of principles that promote the character of their members.
Cub Scouting members join a Cub Scout pack and are assigned to a den, usually a neighborhood group of six to eight boys. Tiger Cubs (first-graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth graders) meet weekly.
Once a month, all of the dens and family members gather for a pack meeting under the direction of a Cub Master and pack committee. The committee includes parents of boys in the pack and members of the chartered organization.
Purposes
There are 10 main purposes for Cub Scouting:
- Character Development
- Spiritual Growth
- Good Citizenship
- Sportsmanship and Fitness
- Family Understanding
- Respectful Relationships
- Personal Achievement
- Friendly Service
- Fun and Adventure
- Preparation for Boy Scouts
Character classifications
These can be divided into our character classifications.
Personal character:
- Fitness
- Personal Achievement
Social character:
- Sportsmanship
- Family Understanding
- Respectful Relationships
- Friendly Service
Rules-based character:
- Spiritual Growth
- Good Citizenship
Cub Scout ideals
Apart from the fun and excitement of Cub Scout activities, the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, the Tiger Cub motto, and the Cub Scout sign, handshake, motto, and salute all teach good citizenship and contribute to a boy's sense of belonging.
Cub Scout Promise
I, (name), promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack.
Cub Scout Motto
Do Your Best
(This is a personal character trait.)
Tiger Cub Motto
Search, Discover, Share
Law of the Pack
The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill.
(These items are rule-based character traits to fit into the Cub Scout culture.)
Colors
The Cub Scout colors are blue and gold. They have special meaning, which will help boys see beyond the fun of Cub Scouting to its ultimate goals.
Blue
The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above.
Gold
The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.
In conclusion
The Cub Scout purposes and ideals are excellent character guidelines for any group, organization or individual.
Encourage your children
Resources
The following resources provide information on this subject.
Websites
Boy Scouts of America National Council
BoyScouts.com - unofficial Boy Scout site
Books
Miscellaneous
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in understanding Character. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Where can you go from here?
Cub Scout Character Ideals