purposes of Cub Scouting

[Lisabob]

The discussion in another thread of how preparing cubs to become boy scouts fits into the scheme of things for Cub Scouts got me thinking.

 

Mbscoutmom indicates that this is the prime focus of her district (at least, at RT), and she doesn't sound thrilled about that - not that I blame her.

 

What's the sentiment in other places, in terms of the "purpose" of cub scouting? Around here, there are a lot of (ahem) "experienced" scouters who seem to have the view of cubs that mbscoutmom describes, but these folks are rarely seen except at RT and occasional district breakfasts, and they definitely have little influence over the way most packs actually operate. Our district does a good job of providing cub-oriented programs like day and resident camp, a winter event, district derby, etc. too.

 

In fact I'd say that our district's webelos-scout transition plan is one of our weaker areas (a topic for another thread though).

 

Lisa'bob

[mbscoutmom]

I'm not really upset about it. This district has been hurt by falling numbers this past year, so they're really pushing us to recruit more cubs and try to get Webelos into troops. I do think it's important to transition Webelos into Boy Scouts, but I think the troops should try to recruit older boys directly as well.

[Cubmaster Randy]

A lot of times we tend to focus on one of anything. There are 10 purposes of cub scouting and preparing for Boys Scouts is just one of them.

I agree that roops should be recruiting as well, but It is a lot easier to retain than to recruit. A cub going through the program is more adapt to staying on and becoming a boy scout, than a non-cub joining boy scouts.

 

The 10 purposes of Cub Scouting are:

 

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 Membership

 

[Oak Tree]

I too have experienced the case of the Scouters who view cubs as merely a prelude to Boy Scouts. I don't really like the attitude. I'd say that the Cub Scout program should stand on its own. If you focus on purposes 1-9, then #10 should just happen automatically.

 

All of our boys cross over to Boy Scouts every year, and they're very well prepared, but I'd be just as happy if purpose #10 wasn't even listed. When I'm running a good cub program, I'm not going to focus on what the boys will be doing later - I'll be focused on what they're doing now.

 

Oak Tree

[frank10]

Way I understand it is the purpose of Cub Scouting is to be sure our troops are never over loaded with boys...

 

you see, they take 40 first graders, turn them into 20 second graders

10 third graders, 5 fourth graders and then blame us for not retaining the two who cross over in fifth grade.

 

(said with a smile, but...)

 

 

[rkfrance]

Wingnut makes a great point. Cub Scout leaders do a great job preparing boys that choose to move on to Boy Scouts. But, if they've been in for several years already, how much longer will they stay with the program? Very few boy scouts I've seen end up staying active after 8th grade. That means on top of their Cub Scout career, the boys generally might be around for another 3-4 years.

 

Put it together from Tigers and you have 8-9 years of Scouts by that point.

 

The bigger point of retention needs to be addressed with parents. They need to be aware from the beginning that this program can run up to 11 years (and then the boys can become leaders). How do you maintain interest in both boys and parents for that length of time?

[Lisabob]

wingnut, as a former cub leader I would disagree with your statement. Some packs do have that kind of retention problem, no doubt. But my experience is that well-run packs do not. In fact, our pack has a recent history (last 3 years) of attracting more new boys in 4th and 5th grade than they lose. This year they picked up 4 brand new 5th graders in Sept. and all of them crossed over this last weekend.

 

Around here, what I've seen is that most cub packs do focus on #s 1-9 and they do a good job of it, for the most part. As Oak Tree says, if you nail those, #10 isn't that hard. What happens after cross over, now that's really out of the hands of the pack.

 

Lisa'bob

 

 

[Lisabob]

To follow up on mbscoutmom's comment about recruitment, do any troops in your area do direct recruiting, either through the schools (where allowed - I know it is a touchy issue in some places) or through other venues? Or do troops in your area rely primarily (entirely?) on cross overs from cub scouts?

 

To me, the latter suggests a "feeder" view of packs as discussed in other recent threads.

 

Lisa'bob

[EagleInKY]

A few troops recruit in the schools. Most rely on crossovers and individual recruitment. It's as much a measure of effectiveness than anything. You can put hours of effort into recruiting in schools or other venues, and you are probably lucky to get 2 or 3 recruits. I believe that is because scouting has a certain "nerdy" image to it by the time they get to 6th grade.

 

On the other hand, if you spend a few hours recruiting with your local pack, and you're probably going to gain many more boys for the effort involved.

 

Right now I'm not sure how many we're actually going to get in crossover. The number could be pretty small. If so, we may take a shot at recruiting next fall to pull in a few more.

[funscout]

Most of the scout "drop-outs" that I know did not drop out voluntarily. They wanted to continue with Cub scouts, but their parents made them choose between sports and scouts. Some families in my community have decided to allow their child to participate in only ONE extra curricular activity at a time. So, if the boy really wants to participate in a sport, they can't also be in scouts. I volunteer at my younger son's school, and it breaks my heart when his former scout buddies come up to me and say, "I wish I could still be in Cub Scouts."

 

All of the Packs that I am familiar with stress the values 1-9, and any boy who doesn't go on to Boy Scouts is usually one who is over-involved in other activities. I've seen sad faces on some Webelos 2 boys at the Blue and Gold, because their PARENTS have decided that they are done with scouts.

[fgoodwin]

Wingnut, would you share with us how much direct recruiting your troop does?

 

By that I mean, how much recruiting of middle school boys (who were not Cub Scouts) does your troop do?

[John-in-KC]

To me, you have to look at the three aims of the Scouting movement:

 

Character Development

Citizenship Training

Personal Fitness

 

before you look at the 10 purposes of Cub Scouting.

 

From my own experience, Cub Scouting never was designed to fit in a vacuum and be a be-all/end all program. It starts a process. Properly done, it meets all 10 purposes. Eight of those purposes feed from "Family Understanding." (Parents are the first Akela, if the Den and Pack are BabySitters of America and first Akela, there are deeper problems).

 

Now, as to the tenth purpose, I bring my own experience as a Cub, my days as a Den Chief, and my experience as a Scouter to the table. A maturing young man being entrusted to develop and execute specific events within a Dens program helps HIS growth and development, shifts burden from the Den Leader, and should help the Cubs have fun. Who is this maturing young man? The Den Chief. What is the obligation of the Den Leader to this young man? MENTORSHIP.

 

Notice above I said burden SHIFT, not burden RELEASE, at least not intially. The DL has to invest time with his/her Den Chief, away from the Den meeting. The classic 4 box model of leadership applies. Over time, as the Den Chief learns and grows, the DL will be able to release burden.

 

The Den Chief, should participate fully in the life of his Den. This includes Day Camp, family overnights, and Webelos Camp. Employed properly, he is the best single tool in the box to achieve that 10th purpose of Cubbing.

 

One last point: I was at a B/G last Sunday. I saw a Tiger with 8 belt loops already. While recognition is essential, the advancement program is, in and of itself, a retention tool. Leaders need to look at all the opportunities of Cubbing across the (now) 4 year program, and not spend the advancement resources before the young man has completed Bear. Of course, there is always going from the "belt loop" to the "activity pin," and the difference in levels of effort to achieve those!

[frank10]

fgoodwin,

I'd say we do at least half our recruting from "Bring a friend" events.

we're doing ok, it's just hard when you try to invite a family to look at the troop and they let you know they already tried scouting in 3rd grade and it wasn't for them.

At that time I turn on the charm and try to explaine that the Boy scouts are diferant than the cubs but in most cases it's too late.

 

I'm glad to hear other packs are doing it right but as it says on the post card "Wish you were here!"

[gwd-scouter]

John-in-KC.

 

I'm glad you brought up the use of Den Chiefs. It is, unfortunately, an overlooked resource. At least it is in our District.

 

For a Scout, being a Den Chief and working with other adults and with younger boys, can be the most rewarding and educational experience for a Scout. My oldest son served as a Webelos Den Chief for 2 years. He still talks about it now as the best POR he had (and he held them all over the years).

 

Youngest son has just signed on as a Den Chief for a new Pack. We were invited to their Blue and Gold last night in the hopes that we could meet their one Webelos Scout and talk to him about visiting our Troop. Unfortunately, he was not there. But, youngest son got to play the big Boy Scout and lead a few games for the younger guys after the B&G was over and the adults were chatting. Couple of those Cub Scouts sure were impressed with all his merit badges too.

 

So, youngest son asked the Cubmaster who he needed to talk to be be a Den Chief. CM directed him to a DL and youngest starts next Monday. On the ride home from teh B&G he asked if I still had any of my resource books from when I was a DL and Cubmaster. Gotta love that enthusiasm!

 

To me, the Den Chief fits so perfectly in both worlds. Helps the Den Leader and gives the Cub Scouts an example of what being a Boy Scout is all about. Helps the Scouts by giving him a sense of responsibility and leadership in working with the Cubs.

[fgoodwin]

wingnut, I'm glad to hear your troop is relying on more than just Webelos for recruiting purposes.

 

Of the boys who were not Cub Scouts, do you find the retention rate any better or worse than Cubs who cross over?