Why Cub Scouts?

There is no other program quite like it. Over two million children nationwide take part in Cub Scouting, and the thing that makes it work isn’t the badges — it’s that a kid gets to try a lot of hard things in front of adults who are rooting for them.

What the program is

Cub Scouting is a family-centered, year-round program for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. It builds character, citizenship and personal fitness, and it does it through activities kids actually want to do: camping, games, swimming, archery, field trips, nature, and building and racing pinewood derby cars.

Scouts can join at any grade level. No previous scouting experience is required — and neither is a parent who was ever a scout.

What your kid gets out of it

The Cub Scout motto

Do your best.

That’s the whole standard. Not “be the best” — do your best. It shows up everywhere: at the pinewood derby, where the messy wobbly car your kid actually built beats the beautiful one you built for them; in advancement, where you sign off on a requirement when you and your child agree they’ve genuinely done it.

The Scout Oath

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;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

The Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

Cub-age children are old enough to understand a promise and the responsibility it carries. They may need your help and support when they feel unable — or unwilling — to live up to it. That, too, is the program working.