Information Concerning Cub Scouting in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has adopted the Boy Scouts of America programs for boys, which includes the cubscouting program, allong with all the acompanying procedures and policies related to it, with few exceptions. Young boys ages 8-10 of all faiths are encouraged to join our cubscout dens.
The differences in program policies are:
1) Cubs begin the program on their 8th birthday as Wolf scouts (no tiger cubs in our dens),
2) Cubs do not go out on overnight campouts (the boyscouts do),
3) Webelos work towards earning their Webelos badge and Arrow of light in 1 year starting from when they turn 10,
4) Participation in a fun raising event for camp related expenses is optional( See Red Handbook 13.6.8),
5) All registration fees for youth and adults, including those of other faiths who join Latter-day Saint units, are paid directly from Church headquarters to the BSA National Council ( See Green Handbook 8.2)
6) Awards received by all of the participating cubs (the first time received) should be covered by the budget of the sponsoring ward, as determined by local leaders (See Green Handbook 8.13) .
7) Parents should not be asked to purchase materials or pay fees in order for their cubscout to participate in activities that are part of the basic scout program (Den and Pack Meetings, including Cub Scout Derbies), because the expenses related to that participation by the boys who are registered to that pack should be covered by the ward budget (See Red Handbook 13.2.8)
In addition to implementing the full cub scout program with the few differences stated above, the leaders of LDS packs are asked to 1) start and end all cub scout meetings and activities with a prayer (See Green Handbook 6.0), and 2) encourage and support all boys of faith in earning their Religious Square Knott award and in living the principles of their faith.
If the elements stated above , along with any of the key elements of a fully functioning Cub Scouts of America Program, do not exist in an LDS pack , it is not due to church policies or procedures regarding how the program should be run.
There are many websites online intended as a resource for LDS packs that are not official church scouting websites (such as this one, which I put up on my own). Some of them have domain names that can be misinterpreted as being "official" church scouting websites, while containing statements of "fact" on their site that are not mandated or supported by official church policies or procedures. Official information regarding scouting policies and procedures which are applicable to LDS sponsored scout programs can be referenced on The Boy Scouts of America official website and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints official website , as contained in the green Scouting Handbook and the red Handbook of Instructions 2). To find out the specifics of how your local lds pack runs, you can contact the heads of lds pack's Chartered Organizations, the Bishops of the sponsoring wards.
If you need assistance in understanding official policies and procedures related to scouting in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the most qualified sources for you to contact are your local Scout Office, or the Church of Jesus Christ BSA Relations division (See resources listed on this page).
Best of Luck in this Rewarding Endeavor ,
Elizabeth Skinner
Beltloop Completion Forms:
Academics:
Science Beltloop
Wolf Cubs Achievements- 8yrs old (See link to Downloadable Wolf Handbook under "Resources" below)
Faith In God Religious Emblem
Bobcat
Wolf Rank
Arrow Points
Electives
World Conservation Award - May be earned only once as a cub scout: Info ( Look at 1st section for Wolf Cub Scout)
* See Other Awards
Bear Cub Achievements - 9 yrs old (See link to Downloadable Bear Handbook under "Useful Resources" below)
Faith In God Religious Emblem
Bobcat
Bear Rank
Arrow Points
Electives
Sports Belt Loops and Pins
Academic Belt Loops and Pins
World Conservation Award- May be earned only once as a cubscout : Info (Look at 2nd section for Bear Cub Scout)
* See Other Awards below
Webelos Cub- 10 yrs old (See Link to Downloadable Webelos Handbook under "Useful Resources" below )
*See Other Awards below
Other Awards that Apply to all Cubscouts
Sports Belt Loops and Pins
Academic Belt Loops and Pins
Leave No Trace Award
Emergency Preparedness Award
Useful Resources:
For Cubscout Leaders:
Den Leader Resources
For Cubscout Leaders and Parents :
Faith in God and Religious Knott Requirements for Boys and Frequently asked questions and changes to Faith in God and Religious Knott Requirements **Very Important to Know the Changes**
Additional Resource for Faith In God and Religious Square Knot Requirements
Cub Scouts Corresponding Achievements and Electives
Free downloadable PDF versions of the Cubscout Handbooks in Spanish and English
For Cub Scout Den Leaders
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I hold den meetings and when should they start ?
Scouting activities and meetings for Primary-age boys are preferably held in the daytime. Scouting meetings may be held at the meetinghouse, in a home, or in an outdoor setting and should open and close with prayer. (See Green Handbook 6.1) The Cub Scout Handbook which cub scouts use to learn about the cub scouting program and keep track of their progress, states that den leaders hold den meetings in their home when possible. It may be a good idea to find out the schedules of the parents who will be required to make transportation arrangements for their child before scheduling the specific day and time of the meetings, so that they interfere as little as possible with the little time families have to spend together. In order to respect the observance of the Sabbath and Family Home Evenings, den meetings and activities should not be held on Mondays or Sundays. Ward leaders should respect the decision of the den leader as to when and where the will hold their den meetings, in compliance with related church and scouting policies regarding den meetings and den activities.
Do I need to get some kind of permit to hold den meetings in my home ?
When should I report the boys progress, and to whom ?
Can I run a den meeting by myself ( as the only adult present ), and if not, who can help me?
Can I run a den activity by myself (as the only adult present), and if not who can help me ?
Do I need to have an outing form signed by parents for every outing ?
Can I run a den with both wolves and bears ?
Can I run a den with wolves, bears, and webelos ?
Do I need and assistant den leader in my den ?
How many den meetings should I hold every month ?
Should I hold den meetings in the summer when the kids are out of school ?
How many meetings do I need to attend as the den leader ?
Do the boys and leaders have to purchase and wear their uniforms at all den and pack meetings and activities ?
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