A New Era of Scouting: The program continues to evolve to serve today’s families

The values of Scouting, as detailed in the 12 points of the Scout Law – trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent – are relevant and important for both young men and women. Welcoming both boys and girls into the Cub Scout program is part of the BSA’s mission to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes.

The Boy Scouts of America has come a long way since it opened its first office in 1910 in the 28th Street YMCA in New York City. There was no official magazine, there was no Order of the Arrow and there was no Cub Scout program at all.

It took another 20 years before the BSA began registering the first “Cubbing” packs. Fifteen years after that, the program was renamed “Cub Scouts.”

There have been more changes along the way. As the program grew, the needs of its members changed. The Webelos rank was created in 1941. In 1978, the ranks were realigned to look similar to how they look today: Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos and Arrow of Light. Later, Tigers were added for first-graders. And now, kindergartners can join Scouts as Lions.

Today, the Cub Scout program is open to boys and girls, so even more youth have access to the character development and values-based leadership that Scouting promises. 

To learn more, visit scouting.org/familyscouting


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