Explanation of the Cub Scouts of America purpose and ideals of having good character. Also refer to promise, duty, God, honesty, trust, ethics, morality, attitude, reputation, courage, responsibility, reliability, truth, integrity, pride, dignity, loyalty, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Cub Scout Character Ideals

by Ron Kurtus (4 January 2003)

The Cub Scouts is a family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (7 through 10 years of age). The program has activities for the boys and promotes character values. These concepts provide a good model for other organizations concerned with the character of their members.

Questions you may have include:

• What do Cub Scouts do?
• What are the purposes of a boy belonging in the Cub Scouts?
• What are the Cub Scout ideas?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.

Cub Scouts

The Cub Scouts have a set of principles that promote the character of their members.

Cub Scouting members join a Cub Scout pack and are assigned to a den, usually a neighborhood group of six to eight boys. Tiger Cubs (first-graders), Wolf Cub Scouts (second graders), Bear Cub Scouts (third graders), and Webelos Scouts (fourth and fifth graders) meet weekly.

Once a month, all of the dens and family members gather for a pack meeting under the direction of a Cub Master and pack committee. The committee includes parents of boys in the pack and members of the chartered organization.

Purposes

There are 10 main purposes for Cub Scouting:

1. Character Development
2. Spiritual Growth
3. Good Citizenship
4. Sportsmanship and Fitness
5. Family Understanding
6. Respectful Relationships
7. Personal Achievement
8. Friendly Service
9. Fun and Adventure
10. Preparation for Boy Scouts

Character classifications

These can be divided into our character classifications.

Personal character:

• Fitness
• Personal Achievement

Social character:

• Sportsmanship
• Family Understanding
• Respectful Relationships
• Friendly Service

Rules-based character:

• Spiritual Growth
• Good Citizenship

Cub Scout ideals

Apart from the fun and excitement of Cub Scout activities, the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, the Tiger Cub motto, and the Cub Scout sign, handshake, motto, and salute all teach good citizenship and contribute to a boy's sense of belonging.

Cub Scout Promise

I, (name), promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack.

Cub Scout Motto

Do Your Best

(This is a personal character trait.)

Tiger Cub Motto

Search, Discover, Share

Law of the Pack

The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

(These items are rule-based character traits to fit into the Cub Scout culture.)

Colors

The Cub Scout colors are blue and gold. They have special meaning, which will help boys see beyond the fun of Cub Scouting to its ultimate goals.

Blue

The blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above.

Gold

The gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.

In conclusion

The Cub Scout purposes and ideals are excellent character guidelines for any group, organization or individual.

Reader Feedback and Questions

Encourage your children

Resources

The following resources provide information on this subject.

Websites

Boy Scouts of America National Council

BoyScouts.com - unofficial Boy Scout site

Character Resources

Books

Top-rated books on Character

Miscellaneous

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. What do Cub Scout Ideals teach?

2. What is the Cub Scout Motto?

3. How do Cub Scout Ideals improve character?

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in understanding Character. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

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Character topics

Cub Scout Character Ideals