Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Cub Scout program.

Here is a brief overview of the history of the Cub Scout program, from its origins in 1930 to the present day.

All the activities leaders plan and boy enjoy relate to one or more of the purposes of Cub Scouting, using the seven specific methods to achieve Scouting's aims.

As a worldwide brotherhood, Scouting is a movement dedicated to bringing out the best in people. All Scouting activities benefit the growth and development of boys.

Since its origin, the Scouting program has been an educational experience concerned with values. In 1910, the first activities for Scouts were...

Excursions and field trips provide some of the most exciting parts of Scouting. Cub Scouts enjoy many outdoor experiences as they participate in the variety of activities that can be held outside, such as field trips, hikes, nature and conservation experiences, and outdoor games.

Most Cub Scouts celebrate Scouting Anniversary Week in February with a "birthday party" called the blue and gold banquet. In nearly all packs, the blue and gold banquet is the highlight of the year. It brings families together for an evening of fun and cheer. It's often the pack meeting for February.

Doing service projects together is one way that Cub Scouts keep their promise "to help other people." While a Scout should do his best to help other people every day, a group service project is a bigger way to help people. 

Boys in Cub Scouting meet regularly. Weekly den meetings are like stepping-stones; each week a boy progresses a little further toward the next rank, learning skills as he goes. The monthly pack meetings are like milestones that mark achievements along the Cub Scout trail and celebrate accomplishments along the way. 

On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As you advance through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging to match the new skills and abilities you learn as you get older. For more information on advancement, visit CubScouts.org.

Cub Scouts have the opportunity to earn both required and elective recognition devices as they work toward their ranks. They also can earn recognition for additional elective adventures they choose to complete beyond those required for their rank. Tiger, Wolf, and Bear Scouts earn adventure loops to be worn on their belt, and Webelos Scouts earn pins they can wear on their Webelos colors or Webelos cap.

Besides the advancement awards and the adventure loops and pins, Cub Scouts may earn other individual awards. 

The main types of derbies are the pinewood derby, rain gutter regatta, space derby, and Cubmobile derby.

The pinewood derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Cub Scouting. Pinewood derby cars are small wooden models that Cub Scouts make with help from their families. Then they race the cars in competition. The cars are powered by gravity and run down a track. Most packs have a pinewood derby every year. It can be run indoors or outdoors. Every boy can design and build his own "grand prix" car to enter the race.

In the rain gutter regatta, boats race down a narrow channel. There are two versions. The wind-powered version uses sailboat designs, and the boats are blown down the channel. The propeller-powered version uses motorboats driven by propeller.

Another popular family-son project is the space derby. It's like the pinewood derby except the models are miniature rockets. The rockets "fly" along a heavy line that hangs in the air. They're driven by propellers powered by rubber bands.

Each den works together to build a "Cubmobile," a pint-sized racing vehicle. Each den has one racer, and each Cub Scout in the den races in the car once. Usually, a ramp helps start the cars, and they roll downhill to the finish line. The race is held on a smooth street that slopes downhill.

Kits and supplies for the pinewood derby, raingutter regatta, and space derby are available from the national Supply Division. See their website at www.scoutstuff.org. 

Each family that competes in a Cub Scout derby follows a set of simple, easy rules. The winners get prizes, and every boy is recognized for taking part. Always remember that in Cub Scouting, it's more important to "Do Your Best" than to come in first. The big thing about a derby isn't the competition or the prizes. It's the fun you and your family will have.

You can find more about derbies in the Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Guidebook No. 33721.

Camping is fun, and it's good for your mind, body, and spirit. It helps you learn to rely on yourself - on your own skills and knowledge. When you go camping as a Cub Scout, you get skills you will learn and use more, later, as a Boy Scout.

Cub Scout camping has day camps, resident camps, Webelos den overnight campouts, family camps, and pack overnighters.

Day camp lasts for one day to five days. It's for Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos Scouts. Day camps are held during the day or early evening. Campers do not stay overnight.

At resident camps, Cub Scouts camp overnight. Every year, the resident camp has a different theme and different adventures. Examples of themes are Sea Adventure, Space Adventure, Athletes, Knights, Circus Big Top, American Indian Heritage, Folklore, and the World Around Us.

Webelos dens go on overnight campouts. Each Webelos Scout camps with his parent or guardian. The campers learn the basics of Boy Scout camping, under the direction of the Webelos den leader. Sometimes, leaders from a Boy Scout troop may join you.

Webelos dens also have joint overnight campouts with a Boy Scout troop. Each Webelos Scout has a parent or guardian with simon these joint campouts, too.

Family camps are overnight camps for more than one Cub Scout pack. You may hear these events called "parent-pal weekends" or "adventure weekends." Each Cub Scout camps with a parent or guardian.

Pack on their own can hold overnight campouts for the families in the pack. Cub Scouts' brothers and sisters can go on these pack overnighters. In most cases, each Scout will camp with a parent or guardian. Every young camper is responsible to a specific adult. 

With almost a century's experience in designing and administering youth programs, the Boy Scouts of America provides handbooks that give step-by-step guidance as well as supplemental literature and periodicals that will help you in your role as a Cub Scout parent.

Cub Scouts.org is a new online home for all things Cub Scouting. Parents can look to this exciting resource for program information, news, fun ideas, and the chance to be a part of the larger Cub Scouting community.

The BSA Guide to Awards and Insignia presents detailed information to enable our members to wear the correct complete uniform on all suitable occasions.

Cub Scout handbooks are designed for boys and their parents to use as they progress along the Cub Scout trail.

These guidelines apply to Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Venturing crews.

The Boy Scouts of America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, the BSA developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for all our programs.

The mission of Boys' Life magazine is to entertain and educate America's youth and to open their eyes to the joyous world of reading. Parents can always be confident that the content of the magazine is wholesome, entertaining, and educational.

Many parents of Scouts find Scouting magazine a valuable resource. The magazine provides a wealth of information about parenting and working with youth.