Cub Scouting

Due to the popularity of Scouting in England younger boys were getting interested in what their friends and family were doing in Scouting. In 1916, Robert Baden-Powell implemented a program that was designed specifically for these boys who were too young to join the Boy Scouts. This program was based on the famed book The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. The Wolf Cub program, or “Cubbing,” spread as fast as Scouting did. In 1920, the Scout Executives at the first National Training Conference started to discuss the concept of Cub Scouts, but tabled it until there could be more evidence of its effectiveness. This evidence did not come to fruition until 1925 when Dr. Huber W. Hurt, a research psychologist and veteran Scouter, received permission to study other organizations like the Boy Rangers, American Eagles, and Boys' Clubs. His research showed that about 1 in 50 boys participated in clubs like these and that the boys generally responded better to a more leader-based program.

Dr. Hunt and Seton worked closely together to develop a plan to adopt a program like Cubbing. The original design of this program was to have the older, experienced Boy Scouts lead the Cubs in activities that were closer to home like Family, Church, School and of course, Boy Scouting. The National Executive Board authorized a committee to be formed to develop a plan to produce necessary materials, work with professors, psychologists and other professionals for advice on this program.

In 1929, the new “Cubbing” program was introduced as a pilot in a limited number of communities. The organization of the program is not too different from today’s Cub Scouting. Cubbing did not have the Den Mothers or Den Leaders that we have today. The dens were led by Boy Scouts who were the original Den Chiefs. Much, like today, the Pacs Committee consisted primarily of mothers who helped and encouraged the Cubs and Den Chiefs. Finally in 1930, Cub Scouts was formally announced and in 1933 it was promoted across the country by the first National Director of Cub Scouting.

The Den Mother role was an optional role in the beginning, but by 1938 there were over 1,000 den mothers registered. As the Den Mothers role became more involved, weekly meetings were becoming more popular. These meeting consisted of mostly games, crafts and preparation for future competitions. Pack meetings were often held twice a month for Den Competitions, awards, skits or other activities. At this time, Cub Scouts was organized based on ages rather than grade of School. The Cub Scout ranks at that time were the Bobcat, required for all new members, Wolf for boys 9 years of age, Bears were 10 years old and Lions were 11 years of age. The boys were not allowed to join a Boy Scout Troop until their 12^th birthday. In 1949, the ages were lowered to 8 years old for Wolf and 10 for Lions. Lions eventually developed in to what we now know as Webelos.

In 1982, Tiger Cubs was started and formed based on activities requiring both adult and boy. This also restructured the rank requirements to be based on the school calendar years rather than age. This allowed dens to remain active together for a longer period of time and would not affect the requirements being taught for that den.

The Cub Scouts of America is not like the younger-boy programs of other countries. Cub Scouts still focuses more on the home, neighborhood and family. Today’s Cub Scouts still have the influences of 1930’s. Terms like Pack, Den, Akela and even the Law of the Pack all came from The Jungle Book. The gold and silver arrow points, Webelos emblem and the Arrow of Light came from the Native American and woodsman influence.

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