When properly carried out, Cub Scouting is a fun, home-centered activity program. Parental involvement and help is a key to success in this program (see Scouting Handbook, 3). The Church does not sponsor Scouting for boys younger than 8 (see Handbook 2, 11.5.3). Boys advance on their birthdays. No Scout-sponsored overnight camping should be planned for boys under age 11 (see Scouting Handbook, 3).
FAITH IN GOD AND CUB SCOUTING
Church activities should be planned to fulfill gospel-centered purposes. To maintain a gospel focus in Scout activities, leaders use the Faith in God for Boys guidebook as one of their resources (see Handbook 2, 11.5.3). The Faith in God program should be coordinated with Scouting to lay a foundation that prepares a boy to keep his baptismal covenants, better serve his family, and receive the priesthood (see Scouting Handbook, 3).
Activity Correlation Suggestions
| FAITH IN GOD | WOLF | BEAR | WEBELOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Requirements | Achievement 11> | Achievement 1 | Webelos Badge, Requirement 8 |
| Learning and Living the Gospel | |||
| Give a family home evening lesson on Joseph Smith’s First Vision . . . | Achievement 10c, 11a | Achievement 1, 10b | Webelos Badge, Requirement 8, Activity Badge: Family Member 5 |
| Give an opening and a closing prayer in family home evening or Primary... | Achievement 11b | Achievement 1b | Webelos Badge, Requirement 8 |
| Tell a story from the Book of Mormon that teaches about faith... | Achievement 10c | Achievement 1a | Webelos Badge, Requirement 8 |
| Read D&C 89. Discuss how Heavenly Father blesses us when we faithfully live the Word of Wisdom. . . | Achievement 11b, c | Achievement 9c, g | Activity Badge: Fitness |
| Prepare a pedigree chart . . . | Achievement 10, 11 | Achievement 8d | Webelos Badge, Requirement 8 or Activity Badge: Family Member 5 |
| Serving Others | |||
| Write a letter to a teacher, your parents, or your grandparents . . . | Elective 21b | Achievement 18b | Communicator 11 |
| Plan, prepare, and serve a nutritious meal. | Achievement 8c, e | Achievement 9c, g | Family Member 11, Fitness 3, Outdoorsman 8 |
| Read the twelfth article of faith. Discuss what it means to be a good citizen... | Bobcat Trail 1 or Achievement 2a | Achievement 24a | Citizen Requirement 1 |
| Developing Talents | |||
| Learn to sing, play, or lead a song from the Children’s Songbook . . . | Elective 11d, e, f | Elective 8 | Activity Badge: Showman 8, 9 |
| Visit an art museum or attend a concert, play, or other cultural event. . . | Achievement 10c, f | Achievement 10a | Activity Badge: Showman 17, Naturalist 4 |
| Write a poem, story, or short play that teaches a principle... | Elective 2a | Requirement 18g | Communicator Requirement 8 |
INFORMATION FOR SCOUT LEADERS
A successful Scout program requires leaders who have a testimony of the gospel, time to serve, tenure in their callings, and training in BSA policies and practices.
How Do I Get Trained?
- Fill out and submit a BSA registration form (this will include a criminal background check).
- Youth Protection Training is to be completed before service with youth begins.
- Fast-Start Training is to be completed within the first month of service.
- Position-Specific Training for Cub Scouts and eleven-year-old Scouts is to be completed during the first year of service.
What Is the Cub Scout Leader's Responsibility for the Faith in God Award?
Where Scouting is authorized by the Church, Scout activities take the place of activity days for boys ages 8 through 11 (see Handbook 2, 11.5.3). Find ways to combine activities in the Faith in God guidebook with Cub Scout and eleven-year old Scout activities. Many activities fulfill requirements in both programs.
How Does a Boy Earn the Religious Square Knot Patch?
- He fulfills the Basic Requirements in the Faith in God for Boys guidebook.
- He completes all seven activities marked with the square knot icon in the Faith in God for Boys guidebook. (Note: The second square knot icon on page 9 has been omitted and replaced by the activity immediately preceding it: Read the twelfth article of faith. Discuss what it means to be a good citizen and how your actions can affect others.)
- The religious square knot must be earned before a boy turns 11 years old. It is recommended that it be earned in the Bear or Webelos years.
- The square knot is usually awarded in a pack meeting.
Return to Scouting in Primary main page.
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