Nicole sent in this question
I am looking for a little bit of info. I was also “volunteered” into the den mom position (which I totally didn’t mind) but have no clue about any of this cub scout stuff. We made it through most of the year (thanks to google!) and all of my boys successfully completed all of their achievements, however, I’m not really sure what to do next? Unfortunately our pack leader is not really much help in giving direction or explaining things or pointing me in the direction of who or where to go for info. Our “blue and gold” ceremony is coming up in a few weeks and it sounded like that’s kind of the end of the year for cub scouts??? If so, are we just done doing meetings and activities for this year or do we still hold meetings to work on electives? I am trying to figure out more fun things to do with the boys since they seem to really all love getting together for this stuff….are there things we can work on as a den to have them earn more badges or belt loops or something? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks, Nicole
Nicole, I understand your confusion about the end of the year for Cub Scouts. Blue and Gold is actually a celebration of Cub Scouting. It is a “birthday party” for the program. However, many packs also use the Blue and Gold banquet as an awards ceremony and all of the rank emblems are presented there.
Cub Scouting is designed to be a year round program. The boys continue working on their program (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos) until the end of the school year. When they move to the next grade level, they move to the next level in the Cub Scout program.
So if they have not finished the requirements for their rank, they should continue working on them. Rank badges may be awarded at any time. It doesn’t have to be at Blue and Gold. If they have finished the requirements, they can work on the electives. Look in your handbook. I’m not sure which level you are working on, but there should be electives available. Or for Webelos they can work on additional activity badges.
I think the program changes which are coming next year will help clear this up. For one thing, it will be more difficult to finish the rank up by February. And if they have finished it, they can just work on additional adventures in their program until they move up in May. I hope that helps.
Readers, feel free to add your comments below.
Good information, but I think it could be simpler.
The Cub Scout program year, with the exception of LDS units, follows the local school year. A further exception to this is that Webelos who have completed the Arrow of Light and are old enough are typically expected to bridge to a troop at this time of year to allow them to get ready for summer camp.
Cub Scouts therefor may achieve rank at any time during the year but will remain at that level until the beginning of summer. During the summer, and at summer camp, they will work on rank requirements for the next year.
We use the Blue and Gold banquet as our opportunity to thank and recognize our leaders. We save rank advancement for Pack meetings and hold a bridging event at the end of the school year.
I know some units use Blue and Gold for Webelos 2s bridging into Boy Scouts that night. But as a rule, the Blue and Gold is not the “end” of anything unless that’s how the Pack runs its program. But as has been said already, that’s not how the program is designed – it IS designed to be a year-round program.
While there are still belt loops and pins, they can work on Belt Loops and electives for the rest of the year. There are also awards they can earn such as the World Conservation Award.
I agree the new program changes should help this confusion. As for the remainder of this year, we try to incorporate fun using things that are not part of the achievement program, but beneficial to any scout. Examples:
Putting up tents
Putting live worms, weights, and floats on hooks/lines
Perfecting our s’more making skills (can be done without a campfire)
Learn a new skit or song
Go geocaching
Visit the police or fire station
We do a mix of those types of items with electives. The boys have loved this and they feel like pros when we are out camping even though they are only Wolves right now.