Cub Scout Roundup Set for Friday, Sept. 28

By Sarah Naron
Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – Houston County boys in grades kindergarten through fifth will be given the opportunity to join Cub Scout Pack 422 during a roundup event scheduled for Friday, Sept. 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center of First United Methodist Church in Crockett.

According to Cubmaster Janan Nutter-Kent, a $100 registration fee will be required of all students joining Cub Scouts. Classes will begin in early October.

“Basically, the classes teach life skills,” Nutter-Kent explained. “We teach them how to whittle. They go on camping trips. They learn to cook.”

Participants in Cub Scouts also venture outdoors to familiarize themselves with various types of plants and wildlife.

In addition to campouts, students in the program will also partake in a fishing tournament, cake auction and fall festival.

“We just schedule different things throughout the year,” Nutter-Kent said. “It just depends on who your den leader is.”

According to Nutter-Kent, being a Cub Scout member has many benefits for students.

“It kind of gives them self-confidence that they can do things that most kids can’t do or don’t have the experience of doing,” she said. “When we go on these campouts in different places, that’s sometimes a lifetime experience for them that they’re never going to forget.”

First United Methodist Church is located at 701 E. Goliad Ave. in Crockett.

According to the official website of Boy Scouts of America, students participating in the Cub Scouts program have the opportunity to win more than 90 awards, such as adventure loops or pins and rank advancements.

“On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses towards a badge of rank based on their grade,” the website explains. “As a Cub Scout advances through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities they have learned.”

Kindergarten participants in Cub Scouts work to achieve the Lion rank, which is obtained by completing five required adventures along with “any number of seven elective adventures of their den’s or family’s choosing.” Cub Scouts at this level must also complete the exercises discussed in a pamphlet titled ‘How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.’ All Cub Scouts working toward the Lion rank are required to have an adult partner present for all events.

Prior to beginning their quest toward the badge of rank specific to their grade, first-graders – as well as any participants beyond that grade who are new to the organization – first work on obtaining the Bobcat Badge.

First-grade students work toward obtaining the Tiger rank, which is done by completing six required adventures and “at least one elective adventure” chosen by the den or family. First-graders must also complete the exercises in ‘How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse’ with their parent or guardian and earn the Cyber Chip award for their age, a requirement which may be waived in the event that a student has no Internet access. All Cub Scouts working toward the Tiger rank are required to have an adult partner present for all events.

The Wolf rank is the goal of second-graders in Cub Scouts, who are obliged to complete six required adventures, one elective adventure, the parent/child exercises in ‘How to Protect Your Children From Abuse’ and the Cyber Chip award.

Third-graders work to achieve the Bear rank, which is done by completing six required adventures, one elective adventure, the pamphlet exercises and the Cyber Chip award.

Fourth-grade Cub Scouts who have been an active member of their Webelos den for a period of three months may begin working to achieve their Webelo rank. Five required adventures and at least one elective adventure must be completed, along with the pamphlet exercises and Cyber Chip award.

Fifth-graders – along with fourth-grade Scouts who have achieved the Webelo rank – work toward obtaining the Arrow of Light rank. Students must spend three months as an active Webelo den member and complete four required adventures, one elective adventure, the pamphlet exercises and the Cyber Chip award.

For more information on Cub Scouts, visit www.scouting.org.

Sarah Naron may be reached via email at [email protected].