The Cub Scouts Academics
and Sports Program
  
The Cub Scouts Academics and Sports
Program is one method of addressing the third aim of Scouting:
the development of physical, mental and emotional fitness.
Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind
(able to think and solve problems), and the emotions
(self-control, courage, and self-respect). As in most activities
in Cub Scouting, this is not meant to be a highly competitive
program, instead, the boys are encouraged to DO THEIR BEST.
The Academic and Sports Program is an
optional program for all Cub Scouts. It is not part of the
normal requirements towards ranks, except where used in
obtaining various Webelos activity badges and Wolf Elective 20
(Sports). Its purpose is to assist the Scouts in learning a new
skill, or improving one they already posses.
A variety of recognition items are
available for the boys (Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, or Webelos
Scouts) who participate in the program. (Adults are NOT awarded
with belt loops or pins.)
- Belt loops are awarded to boys who
complete the three belt loop requirements in an academic
subject or sport. Academic belt loops are gold, and Sports
belt loops are silver (except for the Archery and BB-gun
Shooting belt loops, which are brass colored)
- Pins are awarded to boys who choose
to continue their involvement in an Academics or Sports area
and earn the pin by meeting the appropriate requirements.
Pins are worn on the Cub Scout Academic and Sports letter
- The Academic and Sports letter
(pictured above) is available to boys for displaying
Academics and Sports pins that Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and
Webelos Scouts earn. The letter, a large Blue and Gold "C",
representing Cub Scouts can be worn on a sweater or jacket,
or displayed or framed. It does NOT go on the uniform. There
are NO specific requirements for earning the letter, as it
is designed merely to display the pins.
- There are also Pocket Certificates,
Activity Medals, and Trophies, and the Participation Emblem
(pictured above), which can be awarded as the Pack decides.
The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program is a supplemental
enrichment program that complements the existing Cub Scout
program. The Academics subjects and, Sports activities allow
boys to learn new techniques, increase scholarship skills,
develop sportsmanship - and have fun. Boys participating in
the program will be recognized for enjoying teamwork,
developing physical fitness, and discovering and building
new talents. The Academics and Sports program encourages a
boy to do his best.
Concepts and Guidelines
The Cub Scout
Academics and Sports program is based on the following concepts
and guidelines
- The program supplements the existing
advancement and recognition program for Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts,
and Webelos Scouts; it does not replace it.
- The program is one
element of Cub Scouting, as are den and pack meetings, day camp,
and other activities.
- All registered Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and
Webelos Scouts have an opportunity to participate in the
Academics and Sports program.
- Participation may take place at
home, with the family, or within a den, a pack, or the
community.
- Adult participation by a parent or adult relative, if
possible, is strongly recommended for Cub Scouts and Webelos
Scouts and is required for Tiger Cubs.
- Emphasis is placed on
introducing a boy to a sport or academic subject, allowing him
to participate in it and encouraging him to do his best. The
Academics and Sports program focuses on learning and skill
development, not winning.
- The primary focus of the program is on
scholarship and sportsmanship.
- Each Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and
Webelos Scout will be presented with the appropriate recognition
item for completing the requirements, whether he does so as an
individual Scout, with his family, with his den or pack, or in
his school or community.
- The Academics portion of the program
covers a variety of subjects, including art, chess, citizenship,
communicating, computers, geography, heritages, mathematics,
music, science, weather, and wildlife conservation.
- The Sports
portion of the program includes summer and winter sports, indoor
and outdoor sports, active and less-active sports, and team and
individual sports.
- Cub Scouts who have disabilities may select
their own activities and design their own fitness or academic
program with the help of a physician, teacher, or parent.
The
Purposes of Cub Scouting
The Cub Scout Academics and Sports
program relates directly to the nine purposes of Cub Scouting:
- Positively influencing a boy's character
development and encouraging spiritual growth
- Helping boys
develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship
- Encouraging
good sportsmanship and pride in growing strong in mind and body
Improving understanding within the family
- Strengthening the
ability to get along with other boys and to respect other people
- Fostering a sense of personal achievement by helping boys
develop new interests and skills
- Showing how to be helpful and
do one's best
- Providing fun and exciting new things to do
- Preparing boys to become Boy Scouts
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This site was last updated
09/10/08