United States Boy Scouts: Cubbing Activities


Figure 1.-- These U.S. Cubs in the 1960s are intently focused on the upcomming Pinewood Derby. Here we see a group of 1960s Cub Scouts getting their Pinewood Derby racers ready for judging. All the boys are wearing a complete uniform as the Pinewood Derby was a high point in the Cub Scout year. Since this was a father son event, you can bet that the dads are as anxious as their Cub Scouts. Note the big sisters joining in the fun.
Cubbing focuses on home-based activities much more than Scouting which emphasizing camping and outdoor activies. A Cub den with the help of the Den Mother and Scout leader meets and plans its activities in one ofthe boy's homes. There are games and activities conducted in or near the boy's home. The younger Cubs and parents are often more comfortsble with this approasch. It is illustrated in a 1970s advertisement. Meetings normally include games, both indoor ad outdoor depending on the season. Crafts were another major activity. The Cubs also got help with the arrows and rank progression. Of course the Cub program is not limited to the home. There are field trips to interesting places like museums and zoos. There are also pack meetings and some usually short camping experiences. The boys all had their favorite activities, but the program was varied enough to attract the interest of most boys.

Arrows (Cub Merit Badges)

The Cubs also got help with the arrows and rank progression.

Camping

Cubbing focuses on home-based activities much more than Scouting which emphasizing camping and outdoor activies. While the Cub program was primarily hime based, there are also some usually short camping experiences to introduce Cubs to some of the outdoor activities in the Scouting ptogram. .

Crafts

Crafts were another major activity.

Field Trips

Of course the Cub program is not limited to the home. There are field trips to interesting places like museums and zoos. The are somewhat similar to school field trips, but rather more informal and generally done in smaller groups and have the advantage of not including those "pesky" girls.

Games

Meetings normally include games, both indoor ad outdoor depending on the season. Games are perenial favorites. All kinds of games appeal to the Cub age group. There are a wide range of cirle games tht can be selected to accomodate the meeting place and the interets of the boys. There are both indoor and outdoor deals games can be conducted in all weather. Wide area games are special favorites in the summer. There are some games specifically designed for Cubs. There are many relay games. And a variety of nature and team games. At night boys love to play with flash lights and flasgh light games have great appeal. And any competent Cub leader has some special letting off steam games.

Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is one of the most popular American Cub activities. The program was introduced in the 1950s,. Simce that time, more than 10 million have participated in the Official Cub Scout Pinewood Derby program. The Pinewood Derby was first run by Manhattan Beach, California Cub Scout Pack 280C (1953). It proved so popular that the BSA decided to promote it nationally. THE BSA published plans for the early Derby cars in Boys' Life (October 1954). The idea was an immediate success. Cub packs throughout the country enthusiastically adopted the Grand Prix of Scouting. The idea comines interests in cars, crafts, and cometition. Cub Scouts from the 2nd-5th grades work on their pinewood blocks, fashioning cars and adding wheels. The work is done with adult assistance--normlly their fathers. The Pinewood Derby cars have specified weight, length and design parameters set by the BSA. It is important tht the local Packs can compete on an equal level at district competitions. And then on the appointed date each Pack meets for the great showdown--the Pinewood Derby race. Cubbers report a NASCAR or Indinpolis 500 (Infy) atmosphere pervde the event. The race is conducted on along, graduating descent track. Here the drivers" dual with their Pinewood cars. After a formal registration, only the "drivers" (Cubs) can touch the cars. The cars must be returned to the pit after each race, with no modifications permitted.

Themes

Cub Scout Pack 193 of Spruce Elementary School in North Tonawanda, New York tells us, "Every year we march in the annual Canal Fest parade held in mid-July and follow the theme that is set for year. This year's theme is World and International Cities; so our pack decided to do "Scouting Around the World". We would like to have our boys dress in scout uniforms from other countries while carrying a sign identifying that country. We're also going to make a large paper mache globe of Earth with the words "Scouting Around the World" around it and have some of the boys pull it." [Dirmyer]

Sources

Dirmyer, Peggy S. E-mail, May 31, 2004.







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Created: 5:11 AM 11/15/2005
Last updated: 5:52 AM 1/21/2008