Uniform and Supplies
What supplies and equipment are needed to participate in Cub Scouting? At minimum, each boy in CubScouting will need a uniform and a handbook. Each year, the handbook changes, as does the cap and neckerchief,but other uniform parts remain the same for at least the rst three years. When a boy enters a Webelos den, he mayneed to obtain a new uniform if the parents in the den opt for the khaki-and-olive uniform. Additional supplies andequipment may be needed for certain activities such as camping trips or eld days. What equipment is needed, aswell as whether it will be provided by the unit, will vary from pack to pack. Den and pack leaders should provideparents with information about any supplies that will be required at the beginning of each program year.
Where can I purchase BSA literature, uniforms, and other program materials? Our uniforms, literature, andother Scouting merchandise is available at your local council, Scout Shops, and other licensed distributors. Visit theSupply Group website at www.scoutstu .org to nd a list of distributors in your area. If there aren’t any suppliersnear you, you can order directly from the Supply Group by telephone.
How can I save money on the cost of uniforms and equipment? The Cub Scout pack may provide assistance tofamilies. Some packs operate a uniform exchange or uniform bank, or they may hold fundraisers to enable the boysto earn their uniforms. Also, some packs will award boys rank-speci c uniform components (hat and neckerchief)and/or the program books that the Cub Scout needs each year—so parents should inquire as to what the packprovides before purchasing the items themselves.
Advancement and Awards
If a boy joins a Bear den, may he go back and earn the Tiger Cub and Wolf badges? No. In the Cub Scoutprogram, all boys in a den work toward the same badge. If a boy joins Cub Scouting as a 9-year-old or in the thirdgrade, he must earn the Bobcat badge (all boys in Cub Scouting earn this badge), and then he will begin working onthe Bear badge with his fellow Cub Scouts. He is not required to have earned the Tiger Cub or Wolf badges. Sincethose badges are for younger boys ( rst grade or age 7 and second grade or age 8), the requirements for thosebadges are below a third grade or 9-year-old’s current level of ability, so “going back” to pick up those badges isnot permitted.
If a boy completes the Wolf badge early, may he begin working on the Bear badge? No. In the Cub Scoutprogram, all boys in a den work toward a badge that is geared to their level of development. If the Wolf badge iscompleted before the end of the program year, a boy may work on electives to earn Arrow Points, or Academic andSports belt loops and pins, Nova awards, or the religious emblem of their faith. He may not begin working on therequirements for the Bear badge. His work on the Bear badge will begin the next program year, when he graduatesinto a Bear den.
May Cub Scouts earn badges such as the 50-Miler Award or Mile Swim BSA? No, Cub Scouts are not eligible toearn these awards, which are part of the Boy Scout program. All of the awards that Cub Scouts may earn are listedin their handbooks and on this website.
When a Cub Scout earns the Arrow of Light, may he immediately join a Boy Scout troop? Boy Scouting isavailable to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light and are at least 10 years old. So a Webelos Scout who hasearned the Arrow of Light is eligible to join a troop immediately (provided he is at least 10 years old). A boy can join aBoy Scout troop if he is 11 years old whether he has earned the Arrow of Light or not.
However, many packs coordinate with a local Boy Scout troop to facilitate the transition from Cub Scouting toBoy Scouting. In these instances, it is better for the boy, his family, and both units if all Webelos Scouts make thetransition together, in a coordinated fashion, rather than having each boy leave the pack as soon as he is eligible.
How does a Cub Scout earn a Nova award? A Cub Scout, with his counselor, acquires the Cub Scout NovaAwards Guidebook. The Cub Scout decides which Nova award he wishes to work on. He will then work with hiscounselor to understand the procedure and begin completing the requirements. Once he has completed his rstNova award he will be presented the Nova patch for Cub Scouts. For each Nova award he completes after that hewill be presented a “pi” pin to put on the Nova patch.
If he chooses to work toward the Supernova award, he will need a Supernova mentor. You can contact your localcouncil for a list of mentors in your area, or someone who is quali ed can register through the council to become aSupernova mentor. This information can be found at www.scouting.org/stem.aspx.