Cub Scouting Program Changes Overview

Introductions… Pack 41 – Ronald Reagan Elementary School, New Berlin  Shawn Anderson  Dan Kabara

Today’s Topics… By the end of this session, we’ll cover… Background and Precedent for Change Evaluation of Current Program Changes coming to Cub Scouting Ongoing Support

Nature of the Changes Cub Scouting Program Updates

Design Objectives… Program Design Den-Based Advancement Model Desire To Reduce Complexity Enhance the Program with Fun & Action More Purposeful Alignment with Mission & Aims 5

One Oath & Law Adopt the Scout Oath and Law for use in the Cub Scout & Venturing program, retiring the Cub Scout Promise, Cub Scout Law of the Pack & Venturing Oath. Mission of the BSA to instill in young people the values of the Scout Oath & Law…  Never too early to start learning…  Age-appropriate expectations  Similar to “Pledge of Allegiance”

Rank Advancement Thru “Adventures” To earn rank, complete seven adventures (6 defined / 1 elective)  Includes a family-based “Duty to God” adventure Adventures:  Interdisciplinary, theme-based experiences  Takes about 3 den meetings to earn each adventure  Immediate recognition after each adventure (belt loops / pins) Updated Advancement Model

More Choice for Webelos… Rank Defined Adventures Elective Adventures Adventure Recognition Device Tiger61Belt Loops Wolf61Belt Loops Bear61Belt Loops Webelos52Pins Arrow of Light43Pins  7 Adventures = Rank Advancement  More choice as boys age (fewer defined )  Sets the stage for the freedom of choice with merit badges  Tiger/Wolf/Bear = Belt Loops  Webelos/AOL = Pins

“Tiger Cub” becomes “Tiger”

Directly to AOL… Webelos before Arrow of Light: When joining in the 5 th grade year, a boy is no longer required to earn Webelos first before earning Arrow of Light.  Relieves burden on unit leader to deliver two tracks of program  Keeps the boy engaged with his peers – greater likelihood to stay in the program  Bobcat is still required

Academic & Sports Program Retired Retirement of the Academic & Sports Program: The Academic & Sports program has been retired, but many of the fun activities have been retained and woven into the new adventures.  Many of them didn’t support the mission and aims of the program  Layers built up over time  DID take the fun activities that supported the program and carried them over as appropriate within the new adventures

Immediate Recognition Changes…

Desired Outcomes… Character Development Participatory Citizenship Personal Fitness Outdoor Skills & Awareness Leadership & Life Skills

Program Materials Handbooks & Guides

Meet “Ethan”… Putting the Program to Work…

Youth Handbooks

Snapshot Action photos Requirement Helpful knowledge “Character Compass”

Den Leader Guide

Rationale for Adventure Takeaways For Cub Scouts Requirement Listing Planning and Implementation notes to Den Leaders

Clear and Complete Meeting Plan Gathering Opening Talk Time Activities o Explanation o Step-by-step instructions Closing After the Meeting Meeting Plans

All meeting resources follow the meeting plan. Everything in one book. Meeting Resources

Program Transition Converting to the New Program

Program Transition Current program – active until May 31, 2015 All advancement until that date will use the current materials Updated program – active on June 1, 2015 Handbooks/Den Leader Guides in Scout Shops – May 1,

Webelos to Arrow of Light May continue to work out of the current handbook and complete the AOL requirements as stated. - or - May convert to the new handbook:  Must complete the 4 defined + 3 elective adventures  To satisfy the 3 electives, they may utilize either the new adventure electives or electives earned under the current program (that weren’t already used to fulfill Webelos rank requirement) Boys Earning Their Webelos Badge Prior to June 1, 2015

Summary of Changes NOT Changing  Family focus  Ages (or genders)  Bobcat still first rank earned  Ranks or approach  Den/pack meeting structures  Outdoor program emphasis  Delivery model CHANGING  Movement to Scout Oath & Law  “Tiger Cub” becomes “Tiger” (new image)  Arrow of Light no longer requires earning Webelos  More active  More aligned with Aims/Mission  Simplified Advancement  Academics and Sports program retired, but many woven into new adventures  Current immediate/elective recognition devices replaced with belt loops  One Den Leader Guide per rank

Many Methods of Cub Scouting DO NOT CHANGE The Methods of Cub Scouting: 1. Living the Ideals – Movement to one Scout Oath and Law 2. Belonging to a Den 3. Advancement – Revisions to Current System 4. Family Involvement 5. Participating in Activities 6. Serving Home and Neighborhood 7. Wearing the Uniform 8. Character Connections – Becomes “Character Compass” with a Focus on 12 Points of the Scout Law 26

Ongoing Support Where to get help…

What Can You Do?... Help units stay focused on recruiting and implementing a great Cub Scout program in !! Help units prepare! - especially FAQs 28

What is coming?... Q Revised Leader Position-Specific Trainings What’s New In Cub Scouts (online update) Unit leader webinars New handbooks, den leader guides, etc. (English & Spanish) Official launch of new requirements 29

Synergies 30 ACTIVITYTIGERWOLFBEARWEBELOSAOL Animals Tigers in the Wild Backyard Jungle Call of the Wild Paws on the Path Council Fire Fur, Feathers, and Ferns Elective: Into the Wild Archery n/a Bicycle Elective: Rolling Tigers Elective: Fix It Campfire - Building Cast Iron Chef Elective: Castaway Elective: Castaway Campfire - Program Tigers in the Wild Call of the Wild Howling at the Moon Bear Necessities Elective: Roaring Laughter Campout - or day long outdoor activity Call of the WildBear NecessitiesElective: Castaway Camper Scouting Adventure (with scout troop) Carnival Grin and Bear It Cook Outdoors Bear Necessities Elective: Bear Picnic Basket Cast Iron Chef Elective: Castaway Elective: Castaway Fishing Elective: A Bear Goes Fishing Fitness Elective: Paws of Skill Stronger, Faster, Higher

Synergies 31 ACTIVITYTIGERWOLFBEARWEBELOSAOL Games (Active) Games Tigers Play Elective: Tiger Tag Running With the PackGrin and Bear It Stronger, Faster, Higher Elective: Game Design Elective: Game Design Hiking Tigers in the Wild Backyard Jungle Paws on the PathFur, Feathers, & FernsWebelos Walkabout Outdoor Code / Leave No Trace Tigers in the Wild Call of the Wild Paws on the Path Webelos Walkabout Camper Scouting Adventure Plant a Tree Backyard Jungle Elective: Into the Woods Plants / Trees Tigers in the WildCouncil Fire Fur, Feathers, and Ferns Elective: Into the Woods Service Project Team Tiger Elective: Good Knights Council FirePaws for Action Webelos Walkabout Elective: Project Family Elective: Project Family Space Derby / Rain Gutter Regatta Elective: Motor Away Elective: Air of the Wolf Sports - Attend Games Tigers PlayElective: Paws of Skill Sports - Play Running With the Pack Elective: Paws of Skill Stronger, Faster, Higher Elective: Sportsman Swimming Elective: Spirit of the Water Elective: Salmon RunElective: Aquanaut

Cub Scout Adventure Analysis Worksheet 32

Cub Scout Adventure Analysis Worksheet 33

Resources Updated to reflect the changes. Available May 1 st : Cub Scout Den Leader Guides Cub Scout Youth Handbooks Cub Scout Leader Book How To Book Ceremonies for Dens and Pack Additional resources still available with no changes made: Cub Scout Songbook Group Meeting Sparklers

Additional Planning Tools CubScouts/Leaders/ProgramPlanning.aspx

Upcoming “What’s New” Training Module on E-Learning (by end of March 2015) Updated Cub Scout Position-Specific Training on E-Learning (by end of March 2015) / NEW Pack meeting plans uploaded on scouting.org (April 1)

Frequently Asked Questions Q: What will happen to the Academics and Sports program? A: The Academics and Sports program is “going away,” and with it, the belt loops and pins. At a deeper level, the best of the Academics and Sports program has been reviewed and, where appropriate, integrated into the required and elective adventures of the new program. Each adventure will have an immediate recognition item that Cub Scouts will wear on their uniforms. A series of belt loops, similar to those used in the Academics and Sports program, are being designed to serve as recognition items. 37

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Can boys work on elective adventure loops before they advance in rank? A: Yes—and they may continue to earn additional adventure loops designed for each rank level. 38

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Do boys need to complete all requirements to earn an adventure loop? A: Yes - they will need to complete the requirements as written for each adventure. 39

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Do the adventure loops need to be earned in a specific order? A: No. Work on them when it works for the boys in the den you lead. A set of required adventures, represented by the loops, need to be earned to achieve the ranks of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scout and the Arrow of Light Award. 40

Frequently Asked Questions Q: What are the loops made of? A: The loops are metal, similar to the loops used in the Academics and Sports program. 41

Frequently Asked Questions Q: How many can a Cub Scout earn? A: A boy may earn as many as he wishes. The loops are different for each rank. 42

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Can the adventure loops all fit on the Cub Scout belt? A: Yes. They are slightly narrower than the Academics and Sports loops. 43

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Can the adventure loops be worn without a Cub Scout belt? Or worn with another belt? A: They are designed to be worn on the official Cub Scout uniform belt. 44

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Some are colored, some are not. What’s the difference? A: Core adventure loops are in several colors; elective adventure loops use a single-color design. 45

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Can boys earn them at camp? A: Yes, if your day camp or resident camp program offers them as part of the camp program. 46

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Can boys work ahead on the next rank level adventures and earn the loops while in their current rank? A: No, this is not an option. The adventure loops were developed for each level of program. 47

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Do Webelos Scouts still earn adventure loops? A: Webelos immediate recognition will make use of adventure pins. The pins may be worn on the Webelos colors or on the front of the Webelos cap. The pins will be used to recognize completion of adventures while earning the Webelos rank and Arrow of Light Award. Webelos Scouts can earn nearly 30 different adventures. 48

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Must the adventure loops only be earned at den meetings? A: No. The den meeting program materials are designed to help den leaders assist boys in delivering a program that is commemorated by awarding adventure loops. Adventure loops may also be completed by families and during day camp and resident camp. 49

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Will the STEM-based Nova program continue? A: Yes 50

Frequently Asked Questions Q: What will happen to the Core Values and the Character Connections? A: The 12 Core Values of Cub Scouting will be replaced by the 12 points of the Scout Law and will be referred to as Character Compass points in the boys’ handbooks. 51

Frequently Asked Questions Q: Will there be some sort of phone app or apps supporting the new program? A: The primary resources (boys’ handbooks, Den Leader Guides and Cub Scout Leader Book) will be available as e-books in addition to printed versions. The new advancement tool enhancement to My.Scouting Tools will support tracking and management of advancement in a similar manner to current third-party tools. Timing on this enhancement is still being finalized but is anticipated in mid The tool will be available via smart phones and tablets. 52

Cub Scouting Program Changes Overview