Skip to Content

What New Cub Scout Parents Need to Know

New Cub Scout families have a lot of things to learn, and it can be confusing! Read up on 5 important things that every Cub Scout parent should know.

new cub scout parents information

It's Cub Scout recruiting time! Your pack probably has lots of new Scouts, including girls this year. ?

Having new Scouts means having new parents too. In fact, you may be one of those new parents yourself.

That can be a little intimidating. You know there are things you should do, but you don't totally understand everything yet.

Cub Scout Ideas is here to help! These five blog posts will give you some of the information you need as you and your child kick off your Cub Scouting “career.”

25 Cub Scout Terms You Need to Know

Just like most organizations, Cub Scouting has its own terminology and acronyms. Think back to your first few meetings.

I was so lost! And I didn’t want to interrupt the meeting to ask what something meant.

That can really make people feel uncomfortable—I know that’s how I felt!

This list of of 25 terms will help parents learn the basic terms they need to know so that they won’t feel so lost.

Cub Scout Patch Placement Guide

cub scout patch placement guide

I don't know about you, but when my kids get new badges, I have to look up where those Cub Scout patches go. Every. Single. Time. You would think that eventually I would remember, but I don't.

I'll bet I'm not the only one! That's why I created the Cub Scout patch placement guide for parents. Bookmark it so you can easily find it to use yourself or send to parents who ask where the badges go.

Most Important Tip for Buying a Cub Scout Uniform

Just as my older son Parker was finishing up kindergarten, some friends told us about Cub Scout day camp. We attended and were hooked!

Later that summer, I was talking to another Cub Scout mom at our neighborhood swimming pool. She had two sons who were Cub Scouts.

cub scout uniform

She told me this important tip for buying a Cub Scout uniform shirt. I was skeptical at first, but as my son moved through the ranks in Cub Scouts, I was so happy she did!

Boy Scouts of America Medical Forms

The BSA medical forms can be really confusing to new Cub Scout families. Some of the questions I've heard about them are:

  • Why are there different parts?
  • What part do you need to fill out?
  • Why do they need to be updated every year?
  • Why do adults have to fill them out?
bsa cub scout medical form

Read this post to find out the answers to all of your questions!

What is a Unit?

What's this business about a “unit?” We're in a pack!

Read about why you'll hear a pack called a unit. Makes perfect sense after you know.

Bonus Tip: Cub Scout Rank and Adventure Requirements

You'll want to bookmark this page. It has links to all of the Cub Scout rank and adventure requirements.


If you're a seasoned Cub Scout parent, you probably know all of this information already.  Please share the link to this post with the rookie parents in your pack. They'll be happy you did.

A bonus benefit–understanding a bit more about Cub Scouting may give new parents the confidence they need to volunteer!

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. Check out this post to help you have an epic first Cub Scout den meeting!

Cub Scout Advancement: Bobcat Rank Relay Race Game

Sunday 19th of December 2021

[…] the first person on each team run to the parent for their team. The parent asks the Scout to say or demonstrate one of the […]

Cub Scout Snacks and Food Allergies

Sunday 19th of December 2021

[…] been six months since a parent has signed up, they are not likely to remember the allergy. When the snack-bearing parent realizes that one of the Cubs can't have the snack, they are always embarrassed about […]

How to Sew on Cub Scout Patches the Easy Way ~ Cub Scout Ideas

Wednesday 8th of January 2020

[…] your kids join Cub Scouts for the first time, there are lots of things that you as a new Cub Scout parent need to figure out. One of the most important is to get their unform ready for the first […]

Ultimate Cub Scout Patch & Badge Placement Guide 2020 ~ Cub Scout Ideas

Tuesday 7th of January 2020

[…] Scout patch placement can be very confusing–especially for a new Cub Scout family. In this article, we'll cover the basic Cub Scout patches and badges so that you can get your […]