Info for Cub Scouts

Adults plan and conduct meetings

Adults promote advancement

Scouts are in Dens, part of a Pack

Dens made of youth of the same rank

Packs are all-boy, all-girl, or a mix

Dens meet during the school year

Packs meet monthly

Youth plan and conduct meetings

Adults only step in when asked for help

Scouts are in Patrols, part of a Troop

Patrols are mixed-age

Troop meets nearly every Monday night

Patrols can meet on their own

Cubmaster (Adult)

Den Leader (Adult)

Unit Committee (Adults, planning)

Unit committee (Adults, admin)

NO EQUIVALENT TO SCOUTMASTER

Senior Patrol Leader (Youth)

Patrol Leader (Youth)

Patrol Leaders Council (Youth)

Unit Committee (Adults)

Scoutmaster (Adult)

Expected to assist the Pack with planning or helping with at least one activity or event annually.

May also take a leadership role in the Pack or Den, usually required to accompany their youth on overnight campouts.

Expected to continuously assist the Troop by supporting the Scouts and actively participating

May include transportation, shopping, chaperoning a trip, assisting with fundraisers or coordinating special events.

Not typically required to camp, although parents are encouraged to do so.

Rely on Den Leaders, Den Chiefs and parents to plan and assist with all advancement activities. requirements are signed by either the Den Leader or parent.

Ranks are based on age or grade. even if a Cub did not earn the rank for their age, the Scout moves to the next rank with the Den.

Parents can guide, but advancement is planned and assisted by youth leaders and adults

Advancement is individual

Scouts work at their own pace. A 13 year old in one Patrol might be a Life Scout, while a 14 year old in the same Patrol is a 1st Class Scout. A Scout cannot advance to the next rank until all requirements are completed.

Limited to Scout and parent weekend or day trips. May have some camping in tents or cabins. Summer camp is usually limited to two or three nights. Campouts usually have a very structured schedule.

Month camping trips, opportunity for a week of camping each summer. Additional outdoor day activities. Not every minute of the outing is scheduled. Free time is important.

Much of Scouting involves activities that can only be done in the outdoors (nature, ecology, pioneering, orienteering conservation, etc)

Cubs ask their parent, Den Leader or Cubmaster

Follow the "chain of command"

Scouts are taught to go to their Patrol Leaders, then their Senior Patrol Leaders, then finally the adults.

Where safety or health is an issues, Scouts may go straight to the adult.