Tiger Cub Program
The Tiger Cub Program
Tiger Cubs BSA gives parents an
opportunity to provide their children with a safe, structured, and
nurturing environment. Tiger Cubs and their adult partners have fun
together while developing closer family relationships. Scouting can provide
positive, enriching experiences and activities to complement a child's
formal classroom education. Scouting and education share the common goal of
helping young people grow into self-reliant, dependable, and caring adults.
Tiger Cubs BSA is a simple,
fun, easy-to-operate program that helps a boy and his adult partner gain a
better understanding of and an appreciation for the community environment
in which they live, and even the world at large.
Tiger Cubs BSA offers an
opportunity for boys to enter the Scouting family at an important age.
Research has shown that early involvement in values-based programs is vital
to strong character development. The longer a boy stays in Scouting, the
more likely he is to develop the values and skills needed to become an
ethical and productive citizen.
The Tiger Cub dens are a part
of the Pack. Tiger Cub dens meet twice a month and attendance at all pack
meetings is urged. There are Tiger Cub resource books and program helps
available for the Tiger Cub Den Leaders. Tiger Cubs are not first-grade Cub
Scouts. Tiger Cubs BSA introduces boys and their adult partners to the
excitement of Cub Scouting as they "Search, Discover, and Share"
together.
The Tiger Cub program has a
series of "Big Ideas" that are designed to fulfill many specific
purposes. The Tiger Cub program is designed for First Grade boys and the
ideas are geared to their level. They are also arranged to help the boy and
his adult partner interact together in a positive way.
As they complete their Big
Ideas, the Tiger Cubs get to have "Tiger Paw" decals ironed
onto their Tee-shirts, and they receive Beads which are worn on an Instant
Recognition Belt Fob, shown here:
Upon Graduation from Tiger
Cubs, the Scout may wear the Tiger Cub Graduate patch shown below.
Tiger Cubs have a Promise and Motto,
similar to those of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, but geared toward their age
level. The Promise and Motto articulate the fundamental ideals of
Tiger Cubs, BSA. They are as follows:
Tiger Cub Motto
Search, Discover, Share
Tiger Cub Promise
I promise to love God, my
family, and my country, and to learn about the world.
The
following is a list of the "Big Ideas" and the purpose that is
given for the idea.
1. GETTING TO
KNOW YOU
Purpose:
To provide a fun time for all Tiger Cubs and adults to get to know one
another at the first Tiger Cub group meeting. Also, to provide a meeting
format as an example of one way a future meeting can be run.
2. FAMILY
ENTERTAINMENT
Purpose:
To have fun together and in this way to help bring family closer together.
3. DISCOVER
NATURE AND ENERGY
Purpose:
To develop in your child an appreciation of the world around him, and an
awe for its Creator. Also it will provide the basis for several hobbies and
interests that may extend into the future. Perhaps most important, you are
given the opportunity through this big idea to reinforce your own values
about environment, energy, and even spirituality.
4. PREPARE FOR
EMERGENCIES
Purpose:
This activity is designed to equip the child to deal with an emergency when
there is no adult present. There are activities that will help him help
others. In the expanding world of a first-grade boy, there are times that
he is not under the immediate protection of a parent of other adult family
member. His knowledge of emergency procedures will strengthen his
self-esteem and self-confidence. In this big idea, you can discuss with
your son how to react to strangers and persons whose motives are either not
known or are unacceptable.
5. KNOW YOUR
FAMILY
Purpose:
Gives you a chance to explore your family's heritage, background, and
structure. But it also gives you an opportunity to express to one another
what makes you feel good - what makes you feel bad - all of you. It also
aids in his understanding of other family members and their feelings.
6. KNOW YOUR
COMMUNITY
Purpose:
One of the underlying purposes of the Boys Scouts of America is to develop
responsible citizenship in boys. This begins with an understanding of their
community. As you explore your community with your boy and your Tiger Cub
group, you will be giving your boy and others a better understanding of the
environment in which they live. Boys will develop a deeper appreciation of
their community and how it works.
7. HELPING OTHERS
Purpose:
Helping others should be part of anyone's life, not only because it makes
for a better world, but also because it gives good feelings to both the
helper and the one being helped. Giving your boy a chance to help others
enables him to learn that it is an important part of his life both now and
in the future. It also lets him learn that helping others can be fun and
rewarding. Helping others as a family or as a group makes the experience
all the more fun and rewarding.
8. GO SEE IT
Purpose:
This big idea gives you and your boy a chance to enjoy all the special
places and activities in your area. Seeing these things as a family makes
for enjoyable times for all. It allows your family to have fun together,
and grow together as well. GO SEE IT!
9. GETTING THERE
Purpose:
Transportation is a big part of everyone's lives. We travel to work, we
travel on vacations. This big idea lets you and your Tiger Cub explore some
of the many ways man travels from one place to another. As your boy learns
about transportation, you can take the opportunity to explain how important
it is to be on time, to be courteous to others. You can also plan
activities that will help to make your family trips pleasant experiences
for everyone.
10. SOMETHING
SPECIAL, ALL YOUR OWN
Purpose:
This is your own big idea. Pick whatever big idea your group wants. Let the
boys play as big a part in this as the adults. Make it fun for everyone.
Let your imagination suggest whatever it wants to. Make it the group and
family happening of the year. What's important is that the boys and adults
plan the big idea together. That way it belongs to you and your group. Come
up with family activities and group activities, too.
11. MAKING YOUR
FAMILY SPECIAL
Purpose:
To help you and your boy explore the things that make your family unique,
special, one of a kind. Take the opportunity to let everyone talk about
those things that strengthen the family. It will help everyone develop more
of a sense of belonging and pride. And the goal of this big idea is to make
family bonds stronger.
12. MAKE YOUR OWN
Purpose:
To help your boy develop a sense of pride and satisfaction by making all
kinds of things. This big idea also will help him develop patience,
perseverance, and initiative.
13. CARING FOR
YOUR HOME AND HOUSEHOLD
Purpose:
Learning what is required to keep a home neat and clean is important for a
first-grader. Part of the goal of this big idea is to help your boy realize
that if everyone does his part to keep the home clean, neat, and fixed up
it will be a happier place to live. In addition, some of the activities in
this big idea are designed to give your boy a greater appreciation of all
things that others do to keep the home in good shape. Lastly, an objective
of this big idea is to help your boy learn to follow directions.
14. FAMILY GAMES,
TRICKS, PUZZLES
Purpose:
Part of the goal of this big idea is to have boys learn to become both good
winners and good losers as well. In addition, this big idea will teach them
how to play by the rules and how to follow instructions. It also holds the
opportunity for boys to develop patience as they work to solve a puzzle or
invent a new game.
15. FITNESS AND
SPORTS
Purpose:
Sport and physical fitness activities, even calisthenics, can be fun.
Naturally, though these activities do more than just provide fun. They can
make family members healthier as well as bring families closer together.
Learning new sports can help give a boy more self-confidence and self- esteem.
And if good sportsmanship and teamwork are emphasized, the boy will learn
some important things that extend far beyond sports. But let's not forget
what was said at the beginning. More than anything else sports and other
physical fitness activities can spell fun for the whole family.
16. TELL IT LIKE
IT IS
Purpose:
Communication is a big word to a first-grade boy, but it is an important
one. This big idea lets the boy learn some of the many ways people
communicate with each other. It also has the goal of letting him learn how
to communicate better with those around him. The activities are designed to
make it fun and interesting.
17. CUB SCOUTING,
HERE WE COME
Purpose:
Tiger Cub groups are affiliated with a Cub Scout pack, and both the Cub
Scouts and the adults who run the Cub Scout Pack are looking forward to
having your boys join the pack after their time as Tiger Cubs. Cub Scouting
will build on what your boy is learning and discovering as Tiger Cubs, BSA.
This big idea will be carried out by you and your group and by your Tiger
Cub Group Coach. Unlike the other big ideas in your Family Activity Book,
this big idea is set up on an organized basis and is designed to be held at
specified times of the year. Your Group Coach will contact you with details
at the proper times. It is asked that as you take part in the various
activities in this big idea, look over Cub Scouting. The program can do
wonderful things for you and your boy.
It
is hoped that this glimpse into the Tiger Cubs, BSA FAMILY ACTIVITY BOOK
will help you to decide to join the
Tiger Cub group at Pack 369 . It is truly a fun program and a great
experience for your first-grader and the whole family.
For
more information about Cub Scouting, or to find out how to join,
click here to email the Cubmaster.
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