Baden Powell Institute – Buckeye Area Council

Cub Scout Program Changes

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will

communicate to others…

• The background and imperative for change

• The nature of the change

• The administrative and design bodies that enacted the

change

• The fundamentals of the new program

• Program resources

Select a Promise…

Decade Promise

1930s “I (name) promise to do my best to be square and to obey the Law of the Pack.”

1950s “I (name), promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to be square and to obey the Law of the Pack.”

1970s “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.”

2010s “On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times, and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

JD

Key Message

Change has been a constant throughout the 80+ year lifetime of the Cub Scout Program

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Genesis of the Changes…

We have changed our programs to reflect the

results of a thorough program review and

assessment that clearly identifies those elements

that are appealing, exciting and culturally

relevant to today’s youth and families.

The BSA’s programs match what today’s

youth both want and need.

Dynamic and Relevant Program

Task Force Structure

• Roughly Seventy-Five (75) Volunteers

• Nationally Representative

• Networked to other functions and discipline

• Religious Relations Committee

• Aquatics Task Force

• Program Impact, etc.

• Governance thru the Program Content Support Committee to the National

Board

Chair

Russ Hunsaker

Character

Betsy Eubanks

Citizenship

Al Patrick

Personal Fitness

Scott Armstrong

Outdoor Skills …

John Savage

Leadership Dev.

Brad Smith

Advancement

Diane Cannon

Program Analysis

1. Many advancement requirements support passive rather than active

behavior.

2. Leader aids are insufficient in guiding leaders on how to fulfill aims -

lack tools and resources to implement aims.

3. Youth handbooks lack breadth and frequency of activities/learning

situations that support the aims.

a) Character:

i. Cub Scout program structure does not facilitate adequate coverage of all 12 Core

Values

ii. The youth handbook activities do little to facilitate the discussions necessary to

leverage the methods and instill values.

b) Citizenship: Current activities focus primarily in the area of civics/government with less emphasis on service and stewardship

c) Personal Fitness:

i. Rank advancement activities do not build foundation for life-long positive fitness

habits.

ii. Our attention to nutrition within rank advancement is not proportionate to the need to

address nutrition instruction and practices

Organizing Principles

Example: “Webelos Walkabout”

New Program Model

Rank Advancement Thru Adventures

• For each rank, complete seven den-based adventures,

including a family-based “Duty to God” adventure, to

earn rank

• Adventures = interdisciplinary, theme-based

experiences, 3 den meetings

• Immediate recognition after each adventure (loops or

pins)

• Elective adventures available; same recognition

approach JD

How Does Advancement Vary?

Required Adventures

Elective Adventures

AdventureRecognition Device

Tiger 6 1 Belt Loops

Wolf 6 1 Belt Loops

Bear 6 1 Belt Loops

Webelos 5 2 Pins

Arrow of Light 4 3 Pins

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Impact on Pack Budget?

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Adventure loops: $1.39

Adventure pins: $1.89

Cub Scout Changes: Big Picture

1. Living the Ideals – Movement to Scout Oath and Law

2. Belonging to a Den

3. Using Advancement – Revisions to Current System

4. Involving Family and Home

5. Participating in Activities

6. Serving Home and Neighborhood

7. Wearing the Uniform

JD

Summary of Changes

NOT Changing

Five methods of seven Cub Scout methods remain the same

Family focus

Ages (or genders)

Bobcat still first rank earned (updated)

Ranks or approach

Den/pack meeting structures

Outdoor program

Delivery model

Fun – even more than before

CHANGING

Ideals-related

• Oath & Law

Advancement-related

• Tiger Cub becomes Tiger with new image

• Arrow of Light will no longer require earning Webelos

• Activities – more active, more aligned with Aims/Mission

• Advancement – simplified

• Academics and Sports program retired

• Current immediate/elective recognition devices replaced

• One Den Leader Guidebook per rank

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Program Transition

Current program – active until May 31, 2015

• All advancement until that date will use the current

materials

New program – active on June 1, 2015

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Special Transition Considerations

• Arrow of Light Options (next slide)

• Boys joining Cub Scouts after May 31, 2015 may earn

Arrow of Light using new requirements – no requirement

to earn Webelos first

• LDS transition considerations

• Details: See 2015 Cub Scout Transition Guidelines on

www.scouting.org/programupdates

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Webelos to Arrow of Light

May continue to work out of the current handbook and complete the AOL requirements as stated.

May convert to the new handbook and requirements:

• Must complete the four defined required adventures

• To satisfy the requirement for three electives may utilize either the new adventure electives or electives earned under the current program but not used to fulfill Webelos rank requirements

Boys Earning Their Webelos Badge Prior to June 1, 2015

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Joining Cub Scouts in Fifth Grade

Shall utilize the new program requirements and handbook

They may substitute any of the new program Webelos required adventures for the three required electives of Arrow of Light

Boys joining Cub Scouts after May 31, 2015 and

meeting the qualifications to join an AOL den

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Cub Scout Changes: Implementation

Putting the Program to Work

More Fun, More Engaging….

New Handbooks

Youth Handbook Information

• Title of

Adventure

• Picture of

Belt Loop

• Actual

Cubs• Ethan –

peer guide

• Inviting

summary

of

adventure

Youth Handbook Information

Snapshot

Action photos

Requirement

Helpful

knowledge

“Character

Compass”

Youth Handbook Information

Signature

Block and end

of each

requirement

section

Den Leader MaterialsBuilding Better Resources…

Den Leader Guide Information

Rationale for Adventure

Takeaways For Cub

Scouts

Requirement

Listing

Planning and

Implementation

notes to Den

Leaders

Den Leader Guide Information

Clear and Complete Meeting Plan

• Gathering

• Opening

• Talk Time

• Activities

•Explanation

•Step-by-step instructions

• Closing

• After the Meeting

Den Leader Guide Information

All meeting resources

follow the meeting plan

Everything in one book!

Den Leader Guide Information

Sample “paperwork” – can be

copied or paraphrased as

needed

Comments from PTC 2014

“It’s not that difficult!”

Transition Support

National Support

• BSA Program Updates website: • http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/programupdates.aspx

• Roundtable Commissioner Content

• Q1 2015 delivery for: • Webinars profiling new program materials

• Revised position-specific, fast start and "what's new" training.

Central Region

• Cub Adventure Guides

• PTC-trained Subject Matter Experts

Timeline

Date Action

Quarter 1 2015 • Roundtable support: first monthly session (will continue through July)

• Webinar (available for continued viewing)• STEM Nova requirements• Training materials

April • Pack meeting plans (2015-2016, 2016-2017)

May • Youth Handbooks• Den Leader Guides• Cub Scout Leader Book

June • Program active• Recognition devices• Remaining program resources

Immediate Support

Your questions….

Ongoing Support

Point of contact

• Ken King, kenneth.p.king@gmail.com, 630-391-3148