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Revised Cub Scout Awards

outdoor activity award patch

Because of the upcoming new Cub Scout program updates, some of the awards that our Cub Scouts can earn also needed to be revised.  This is because some of the requirements for those awards were based on the old program, and they now need to reflect the new Cub Scout adventure program. 

The awards that required updates are:

National Den Award

National Summertime Pack Award

Cub Scout World Conservation Award

Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

The Boy Scouts of America has just released the revised requirements for these awards.  I've listed them below.  You may also download them by clicking this link:

Updated Cub Scout Awards

National Den Award

The National Den Award recognizes dens that conduct a quality, year-­‐round program. It can be earned only once in any 12 months. The 12-­‐month period (charter year, calendar year, etc.) is determined by the pack committee.

Service projects, field trips, character development, and Cub Scout camping are areas that are emphasized. Dens earn the award as a team, not as individual den members. The recognition is a ribbon for the den flag or den doodle.

Requirements:

A.  Have at least 50 percent of the den’s Tigers, Cub Scouts, or Webelos Scouts attend two den meetings and one pack meeting or activity each month of the year.

B.  Complete six of the following during the year:

  1. Use the denner system within the den.
  2. In a Tiger den, use shared leadership and rotate the boy/adult host team.
  3. Have 50 percent of the den go on three field trips per year. A field trip may be used in place of a den meeting.
  4. As a den, attend a Cub Scout day camp, Cub Scout or Webelos Scout resident camp, or a council family camping event with at least 50 percent of the den membership.
  5. Conduct three den projects or activities leading to a discussion of the Scout Law.
  6. Have 50 percent of the den earn at least three elective adventure loops or adventure pins.
  7. Have 50 percent of the den participate in a patriotic ceremony or parade.
  8. Have 50 percent of the den participate in a den conservation/resource project.
  9. Have 50 percent of the den participate in at least one den service project.

See page 43, new Cub Scout Leader Book

National Summertime Pack Award

The pack can qualify for the National Summertime Pack Award certificate and streamer by planning and conducting three pack activities—one each in June, July, and August (or during other school vacations if your pack is in a year-­‐round school).

Dens with an average attendance of at least half their members at the three summer pack events are eligible for a colorful den participation ribbon. Boys who participate in all three pack events are eligible to receive the National Summertime Pack Award pin, which they can wear on the right pocket flap of their uniform. This is an individual recognition for boys, not adults. The award application may be found at www.scouting.org.

Cub Scout World Conservation Award

The World Conservation Award provides an opportunity for individual Wolf Scouts, Bear Scouts, Webelos Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers to “think globally” and “act locally” to preserve and improve our environment. This program is designed to make youth members aware that all nations are closely related through natural resources, and that we and our world environment are interdependent.

Requirements for this award must be completed in addition to any similar requirements completed for rank.

Requirements:

Wolf Scouts
You may earn the World Conservation Award by doing the following:

  1. Earn the Paws on the Path adventure.
  2. Earn the Grow Something adventure.
  3. Complete requirements 1 and 2 from the Spirit of the Water adventure.
  4. Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above.

Bear Scouts
You may earn the World Conservation Award by doing the following:

  1. Earn the Fur, Feathers, and Ferns adventure.
  2. Earn either the Bear Goes Fishing or Critter Care adventure.
  3. Complete requirement 3 from the Baloo the Builder adventure by constructing a bird feeder or a bird house as one of the options.
  4. Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above.

Webelos Scouts (Including Boys Earning Arrow of Light Rank)
You may earn the World Conservation Award by doing the following:

  1. Earn the Building a Better World adventure.
  2. Earn the Into the Wild adventure.
  3. Earn the Into the Woods adventure.
  4. Earn the Earth Rocks adventure.
  5. Complete requirements 1, 3a, and 3b in the Adventures in Science adventure.
  6. Participate in a den or pack conservation project in addition to the above.

Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

Cub Scouts can earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award in each of the program years as long as the requirements are completed each year. The first time the award is earned, the boy will receive the pocket flap award, which is to be worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt. Each successive time the award is earned, a Wolf Track pin may be added to the flap. Leaders should encourage boys to build on skills and experiences  from previous years when working on the award for a successive year.

Requirements:
All Ranks
Attend Cub Scout day camp or Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camp. Additionally, complete the rank-­‐specific requirements as follows:

Tiger Scouts
Complete the Backyard Jungle adventure, and complete four of the outdoor activities listed below.

Wolf Scouts
Complete the Paws on the Path adventure, and complete five of the outdoor activities listed below.

Bear Scouts
Complete the “Bear Necessities” adventure, and complete six of the outdoor activities listed below.

Webelos Scouts
Complete the Webelos Walkabout adventure, and complete seven of the outdoor activities listed below.

Outdoor Activities

These activities must be in addition to any similar activities counted toward rank advancement and can be accomplished as a family, a den, or a pack.

  • Participate in a nature hike in your local area.  This can be on an organized, marked trail, or just a hike to observe nature in your area.
  • Participate in an outdoor activity such as a picnic or a fun day in a park.
  • Explain the buddy system, and tell what to do if lost.  Explain the importance of cooperation.
  • Attend a pack overnighter.  Be responsible by being prepared for the event.
  • Complete an outdoor service project in your community.
  • Complete a nature/conservation project in your area.  This project should involve improving, beautifying, or supporting natural habitats. Discuss how this project helped you to respect nature.
  • Participate in your pack’s earning the Summertime Pack Award.
  • Participate in a nature observation activity.  Describe or illustrate and display your observations at a den or pack meeting.
  • Participate in an outdoor aquatics activity.  This can be an organized swim meet or just a den, pack, or family swim.
  • Participate in an outdoor campfire program.  Perform in a skit, sing a song, or take part in a ceremony.
  • Participate in an outdoor sporting event.
  • Participate in an outdoor Scouts Own or other worship service.
  • Explore a local city, county, state, or national park.  Discuss with your den how a good citizen obeys park rules.
  • Invent an outside game, and play it outside with friends for 30 minutes.

This update came from the Program Updates page of the BSA website.

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. If this update was helpful, sign up below for all the latest about the Cub Scout program changes!

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Anne Nuttall

Tuesday 24th of March 2015

Do we have information yet on the revision of the NOVA AWARD requirements?

Sherry

Thursday 2nd of April 2015

We should have the finalized information in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for reading!