A leader’s guide to Reverence in Cub Scouting

Helping Scouts talk about what they believe and how they show respect for what others believe is one of the more meaningful parts of Cub Scouting. It can also be a challenge for leaders.

That’s where #CubChatLive comes in. The show is, as always, your resource for supporting Cub Scout leaders (and making sure their volunteer roles are rewarding and fun).

Cub Scout Committee Chair Tamara Christensen and Committee Member Nilesh Shah broke down why the Reverence Adventures may feel challenging for packs and what new tools the team has introduced to make them better and easier for Scouts and leaders.

Why the Reverence Adventures called for additional resources

When the Cub Scout Committee reviewed leader feedback on the revamped program, almost everything scored really well. But the Reverence-centric adventures were outliers.

When the committee dug further, the learned many packs are assigning these adventures as at-home work, only to spend months chasing completed requirement sign-offs.

As Christensen put it:

One of the challenges was you send it home and you never hear back. It’s a required adventure, right? So you need to know that they completed it at home, but you’re having to constantly follow up all year long trying to see if they’ve done it and it becomes kind of a a headache.

To fix that, the team created the new Reverence Adventure Passport. It lays out requirements clearly, links directly to den-level resources and reassures parents they don’t need a Master’s degree in theology to help their Scouts succeed.

Making Reverence meaningful

Pack leadership should still consider completing the adventure together. Pack-wide interfaith services, cultural nights and holiday celebrations where families bring foods and traditions make these kinds of  adventures interactive and unifying, as Christensen shared.

Teaching reverence doesn’t need to be complicated (or something you only feel comfortable sending off as homework).

Let’s hear how your pack conducts the Reverence adventures. Share your ideas in the comments below, and be sure to let us know what Reverence-related wins you’re celebrating in the Cub Scout community.


About Gina Circelli 87 Articles
Gina Circelli is the senior digital editor for Scout Life. She loves sharing news about Scouts who shake up pop culture or contribute to their communities in big ways.