Cub Scout awards getting updated to match new Cub Scout program

The countdown continues to the debut of the new Cub Scout program. As of today, it’s T-minus 54 days until the June 1, 2015, launch.

News about the update seems to show up weekly as we get closer to go time.

The most recent announcement: The requirements for the National Den Award, National Summertime Pack Award, Cub Scout World Conservation Award and Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award have been revised to reflect the new program.

You can find the information at the always-helpful Scouting Wire.

Or read on to find out more about these awards.

National Den Award

What it is: The National Den Award recognizes dens that conduct a quality, year-round program. It can be earned only once in any 12 months. The 12-month period (charter year, calendar year, etc.) is determined by the pack committee.

Service projects, field trips, character development, and Cub Scout camping are areas that are emphasized. Dens earn the award as a team, not as individual den members. The recognition is a ribbon for the den flag or den doodle.

Requirements

A. Have at least 50 percent of the den’s Tigers, Cub Scouts, or Webelos Scouts attend two den meetings and one pack meeting or activity each month of the year.

B. Complete six of the following during the year:

  1. Use the denner system within the den.
  2. In a Tiger den, use shared leadership and rotate the boy/adult host team.
  3. Have 50 percent of the den go on three field trips per year. A field trip may be used in place of a den meeting.
  4. As a den, attend a Cub Scout day camp, Cub Scout or Webelos Scout resident camp, or a council family camping event with at least 50 percent of the den membership.
  5. Conduct three den projects or activities leading to a discussion of the Scout Law.
  6. Have 50 percent of the den earn at least three elective adventure loops or adventure pins.
  7. Have 50 percent of the den participate in a patriotic ceremony or parade.
  8. Have 50 percent of the den participate in a den conservation/resource project.
  9. Have 50 percent of the den participate in at least one den service project.

See page 43 of the new Cub Scout Leader Book.

National Summertime Pack Award

What it is: This award encourages packs to keep the fun going all year long. Instead of hibernating in the summer, packs who earn this award schedule activities in June, July and August (or during other school vacations if the pack is in a year-round school).

How it’s earned: Dens with an average attendance of at least half their members at the three summer pack events are eligible for a colorful den participation ribbon. Boys who participate in all three pack events are eligible to receive the National Summertime Pack Award pin, which they can wear on the right pocket flap of their uniform. This is an individual recognition for boys, not adults.

Cub Scout World Conservation Award

What it is: This award provides an opportunity for individual Wolf Scouts, Bear Scouts, Webelos Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts and Venturers to “think globally” and “act locally” to preserve and improve our environment. This program is designed to make youth members aware that all nations are related through natural resources.

Requirements for this award must be completed in addition to any similar requirements completed for rank.

Wolf Scouts must:

  1. Earn the Paws on the Path adventure.
  2. Earn the Grow Something adventure.
  3. Complete requirements 1 and 2 from the Spirit of the Water adventure.
  4. Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above.

Bear Scouts must:

  1. Earn the Fur, Feathers, and Ferns adventure.
  2. Earn either the Bear Goes Fishing or Critter Care adventure.
  3. Complete requirement 3 from the Baloo the Builder adventure by constructing a bird feeder or a bird house as one of the options.
  4. Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above.

Webelos Scouts (Including Boys Earning Arrow of Light Rank) must:

  1. Earn the Building a Better World adventure.
  2. Earn the Into the Wild adventure.
  3. Earn the Into the Woods adventure.
  4. Earn the Earth Rocks adventure.
  5. Complete requirements 1, 3a, and 3b in the Adventures in Science adventure.
  6. Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above.

Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

What it is: Cub Scouts can earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award in each of the program years as long as the requirements are completed each year. The first time the award is earned, the boy will receive the pocket flap award, which is to be worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt. Each successive time the award is earned, a Wolf Track pin may be added to the flap. Leaders should encourage boys to build on skills and experiences from previous years when working on the award for a successive year.

Requirements

All Ranks

Attend Cub Scout day camp or Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camp. Additionally, complete the rank-specific requirements as follows:

Tiger Scouts

Complete the Backyard Jungle adventure, and complete four of the outdoor activities listed below.

Wolf Scouts

Complete the Paws on the Path adventure, and complete five of the outdoor activities listed below.

Bear Scouts

Complete the “Bear Necessities” adventure, and complete six of the outdoor activities listed below.

Webelos Scouts

Complete the Webelos Walkabout adventure, and complete seven of the outdoor activities listed below.

Outdoor Activities

These activities must be in addition to any similar activities counted toward rank advancement and can be accomplished as a family, a den, or a pack.

  • Participate in a nature hike in your local area. This can be on an organized, marked trail, or just a hike to observe nature in your area.
  • Participate in an outdoor activity such as a picnic or a fun day in a park.
  • Eplain the buddy system, and tell what to do if lost. Explain the importance of cooperation.
  • Attend a pack overnighter. Be responsible by being prepared for the event.
  • Complete an outdoor service project in your community.
  • Complete a nature/conservation project in your area. This project should involve improving, beautifying, or supporting natural habitats. Discuss how this project helped you to respect nature.
  • Participate in your pack’s earning the Summertime Pack Award.
  • Participate in a nature observation activity. Describe or illustrate and display your observations at a den or pack meeting.
  • Participate in an outdoor aquatics activity. This can be an organized swim meet or just a den, pack, or family swim.
  • Participate in an outdoor campfire program. Perform in a skit, sing a song, or take part in a ceremony.
  • Participate in an outdoor sporting event.
  • Participate in an outdoor Scouts Own or other worship service.
  • Explore a local city, county, state, or national park. Discuss with your den how a good citizen obeys park rules.
  • Invent an outside game, and play it outside with friends for 30 minutes.

Need more info?

For additional information and the latest on the changes coming to Cub Scouting, head to scouting.org/programupdates. That’s where you’ll find the most recent FAQ’s, transition guidelines, presentations and other materials to support the new program launch.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.