Tiger Cubs
Tiger Cubs, BSA is an exciting program for first-grade or 7-year old boys and adult family members. It is a program that helps a boy and his adult partner have fun together while developing closer relationships within their family. Tiger Cub dens are affiliated with a Cub Scout Pack.
Tiger Cubs: Becoming Even Better The Tiger Cub program has changed for the better - while retaining its most important elements. The changes feature a new look and program enhancements that include an advancement plan to create additional challenges and excitement for first-grade boys.
On August 1, 2004, the Tiger Cub uniform changed. The new uniform is the same blue uniform that the Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts wear! This will help the Tiger Cub boys closely integrate with the rest of the pack.
Tiger Cubs
The Tiger Cub program has recently under gone some changes to better meet the challenges for first grade boys. Here is a summary of the changes as currently presented.
Tiger Cubs are members of a den. A den consists of five to nine boy-adult partner teams. Dens meet twice a month in den meetings, there is one "Go See It" activity and they attend pack meeting. Each den meeting and activity is led by a Tiger Cub den leader and an adult partner. Each month the den leader works with a boy-adult partner team to plan the two monthly den meetings, the "Go See It" activity and the den's part in the pack meeting. (Some teams may serve more than one month depending on how big the den is.)
Den Meetings: are one hour meetings held at the host boy-adult partner's home or other location that is safe for the boys. Den meetings should be based on the monthly theme, see the Cub Scout Program Helps (No. 34304) for the monthly themes. The monthly themes are recommended only and may be changed by the pack leadership.
A "Go See It" activity is a planned field trip to a place that is interesting to the boys. It may be associated with the monthly theme.
Pack meetings: the Tiger Cub den is part of the pack and they should attend and participate in the monthly pack meeting.
Uniforms
Uniforms should be worn to all den meetings, "Go See It" activities, pack meetings and special pack activities.
On August 1, 2004, the Tiger Cub uniform changed. The new uniform is the same blue uniform that the Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts wear! This will help the Tiger Cub boys closely integrate with the rest of the pack. The Tiger Cub cap (orange and blue), blue web belt with the Tiger Cub buckle are optional.
The Tiger Cub den leader wears the official Cub Scout leader uniform and the Tiger Cub Cap and the Tiger Cub leader neckerchief.
Advancement
Tiger Cubs may earn the Tiger Cub rank
To advance, a Tiger Cub works on achievements and electives as described in the Tiger Cub Handbook (No. 34713.). As the boy completes these, his adult partner, (Akela), sign in his handbook.
As the Tigers Cubs advance they receive recognition items to mark their progress, a Tiger Cub Belt totem, totem beads and Tiger Track beads.
To earn the Tiger Cub belt totem a Tiger Cub must do these three things:
- Learn the Tiger Cub motto: Search, Discover Share.
- Learn the Cub Scout sign.
- Learn the Cub Scout salute.
The totem is awarded at a pack meeting and worn paw print side out until the Tiger Cub Badge is earned and awarded.
There are five achievements in Tiger Cubs. Each achievement has three parts: a family activity (white bead), a den activity (orange bead), and a "Go See It" activity (black bead). A boy receives totem beads as he completes each part. These activity beads are awarded in den meetings. When a boy completes all 15 parts of the five achievements, he is eligible to receive his Tiger Cub badge. The Tiger Cub badge is awarded during the monthly pack meeting and displayed on the Tiger Cub totem in the recessed area.
After a boy has earned the Tiger Cub badge, he can earn Tiger Track beads by completing elective activities in the handbook. He is awarded one bead for every 10 electives he completes. These Tiger Track beads are awarded in the monthly Pack meeting. There is no limit to the number of Tiger Track beads a boy can earn.
A boy may work concurrently on both achievements and elective projects, but cannot receive Tiger Track beads until he has earned the Tiger Cub badge.
A Tiger Cub works with his adult partner on achievements and electives but only the Tiger Cub is awarded the advancement beads/awards.
After a Tiger Cub has earned his Tiger Cub badge he may continue working on the Bobcat badge requirements. A Tiger Cub must earn the Tiger Cub badge first and then the Bobcat badge. Once he has finished the Bobcat requirements he will be awarded his Bobcat badge. The Bobcat badge is worn on the blue Cub Scout shirt after the Tiger Cub graduates into the Wolf den and it needs to be kept in a safe place until then. (The Bobcat badge placement has not changed and is located centered on the top, on the left pocket of the blue Cub Scout shirt.) The Tiger Cub Badge may be worn on the blue Cub Scout shirt immediately under the Bobcat badge on the left pocket.
Den Leaders
Each den meeting and activity is led by a Tiger Cub den leader and an adult partner. Each month the den leader works with a boy-adult partner team to plan the two monthly den meetings, the "Go See It" activity and the den's part in the pack meeting. (Some teams may have the opportunity to serve for more than one month depending on how big the den is.)
Den Meetings: are one hour meetings held at the host boy-adult partner's home or other location that is safe for the boys. Den meetings should be based on the monthly theme, see the Cub Scout Program Helps (No. 34304) for the monthly themes. The monthly themes are recommendations only and may be changed by the pack leadership.
The Tiger Cub den leader wears the official Cub Scout leader uniform and the Tiger Cub cap (orange and blue) and the Tiger Cub leader neckerchief.
Tiger Cub den leaders must be trained [fast start (see link at bottom of page) and basic training] and attend monthly roundtables and other supplemental training.
Resources
Resources that are available to help with the Tiger Cub program:
- Cub Scout Tiger Cub Handbook (No. 34713) which is required for every boy-adult partner team.
- The Cub Scout Leader Book (No. 33221) (New version coming out fall 2001.)
- Cub Scout Program Helps (No. 34304). The Cub Scout Leader How-To Book (No.33832A)
Fast Start Training for New Tiger Cub den leaders
There is a new fast start training available for Tiger Cub den leaders available on the web. You can link to the training by clicking here. This is a link to the National fast start training page which has a section for the Tiger Cub den leader. Check it out.
We are looking for volunteers to help with the our Tiger Cub program. If you are interested in becoming a member of a Tiger Cub team, contact the Council office (800) 662-7102.
For more information about Tiger Cubs, and joining a Tiger Cub den near you contact the Council office at (800) 662-7102.