Thursday, November 13, 2014

Cub Corner November 2014

For those who don’t know, there are changes coming to the Cub Scout program. Beginning in June 2015, all cubs will begin using a new program designed to bring out the adventures in scouting. I know, a lot of people hate changes. It isn’t fun to change. Why do we need to change this program? Membership in the Boy Scouts of America is down nationwide. Here in Salt Lake, things are a little brighter as we are growing, but we need to capture the attention of boys in a world where there are a lot of distractions.

Did you know that there have been changes to the Cub Scouts about every 10 years since the program was introduced? In 1930, the Cub Scout program started with 9 year-old Wolves, 10 year-old Bears, and 11 year-old Lions. Women were only allowed to serve as “Den Mothers” and the Cub Promise included the phrase “to be square.” In the 1940’s, we changed ages, allowing 8 year-olds to join. In the 1950’s, the Webelos rank was added (for Wolf, Bear, Lion, and Scout), as was the pinewood derby. In the 1960’s, the Lion rank disappeared and was replaced by a new Webelos program. The 1970’s added the Arrow of Light rank. The 1980’s added the Tiger Cubs, drastically changed the Bear rank, and introduced knots for the leaders. In the 1990’s the Academic and Sports Belt Loop Program was added. The 2000’s brought the latest batch of changes introducing the books that we use now in Cubs.


So what is my point? Change is a regular thing in an evolving world. Our cubs don’t enjoy doing the same things that cubs did 85 years ago when the program was introduced. They don’t even do the same things that they did 10 years ago when I started as a leader. We need to stay relevant and get the boys doing things in scouting, so that they can learn the “values and stuff” that will help them develop into good men.

I plan to highlight parts of the changes each month in my Cub Corner. This is going to be a fun new adventure for all of us. Let’s get on board!

Upcoming Events
·       11/13/14 Roundtable @ 12242 S 2700 W
·       11/21/14 Holiday Auction
·       12/11/14 Roundtable @ 12242 S 2700 W – Cookie Exchange
·       1/8/2015 Roundtable @ 12345 S 2700 W – Blue and Gold (Dinner Provided)

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