As he is growing, you can give him something that can help him develop self-assurance as he builds respect for other people. And he and you will both have fun doing it.

This adventure with him begins with Tiger Cubs - a program of exciting indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy who is in first grade and/or is 7 years old. You are there with him as his support and guide, but you don't do things for him. He will learn by doing things himself. And as he learns and grows, your relationship with him will grow, too.

At the end of the school year, he will graduate into a Wolf Cub Scout den. Later, he will be in a Bear den, and then he'll become a Webelos Scout.

Your Tiger Cub will be a member of a den. Most dens have five to nine boy-adult partner teams, meet twice a month in a den meeting, and have one outing a month, called a Go See It. The den also takes part in the monthly pack meetings. During den meetings, Go See It outings, and pack meetings, boys learn new things and have fun.

Each den meeting and den activity is led by a den leader and an adult partner of one of the Tiger Cubs. An adult partner can be a parent, relative, or friend who is at least 18 years old and who cares about the boy. Each adult partner takes a turn working with the den leader to plan and lead a den meeting and/or activity. (You'll read more about this shared leadership later.)

The success of a Tiger Cub den depends on active, enthusiastic families and a knowledgeable, well-trained den leader. The den leader plans and carries out a year - round program of activities for the Tiger Cub den and gives continuity to the program. Each month, however, the den leader also works with a different boy-adult partner team to plan the two monthly den meetings, the Go See It, and the den's part in the pack meeting. (Some teams may serve more than one month, depending on how big the den is.) This is called shared leadership.

Shared leadership is a key part of Tiger Cubs because the direct involvement of you and other adults is important for boys at this age. Shared leadership also gives each boy and adult partner a chance to lead, often resulting in an interesting variety of activities as each boy - adult partner team shares its knowledge and resources.

The Tiger Cub Den Leader

The Tiger Cub den leader is a registered volunteer position within the BSA. Each Tiger Den MUST include a person in this role. The responsibilities of the Tiger Cub den leader can be summarized as:

1. Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that their den is an active and successful part of the pack.

    

2. Coordinate shared leadership among the Tiger Cub adult partners, ensuring that den meetings and outings are planned, prepared for, and con-ducted by all adult partners on a rotating basis, and that the den activities provide advancement opportunities for the boys in the den.

    

3. Attend pack leaders' meetings.

    

4. Lead the den at the monthly meeting and pack activities.

    

5. Ensure the transition of boys in the Tiger Cub den into a Wolf den at the end of the year. See the Cub Scout Leader Book for additional information concerning the responsibilities of this position.

In Scouting, advancement is the process by which a member meets certain requirements and earns recognition. Boys in Cub Scouting work on advancement with their families. The Tiger Cub advancement program is a blend of activities boys do in their home and activities they do in a den setting with their adult partner. This is unique to Tiger Cubs.

A Tiger Cub may earn the Tiger Cub rank. This rank is for those boys who are in first grade or are 7 years old. All the Cub Scout ranks (Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos) are tailored for a grade and the corresponding age level. (A Tiger Cub must earn the Tiger Cub badge first and then the Bobcat badge [rank] before all other ranks. See here for the Bobcat badge requirements.)

To advance, Tiger Cubs work on achievements and electives, which are described in the Tiger Cub handbook. As a boy completes these, you, his adult partner, sign in this handbook where it says "Akela's OK." Akela means "good leader" and is an important part of Cub Scouting. Akela can be a den leader, a teacher, or other important adult. As your boy's adult partner, you are Akela.

As boys advance, they receive recognition items to mark their progress. These items will be given to them during a simple ceremony at a pack or den meeting. It is important for boys to be recognized for the good work they do. The Tiger Cub recognition items are the Tiger Cub belt totem and totem beads, the Tiger Cub badge, and Tiger Track beads. (Although participation with an adult partner is required for all Tiger Cub awards, adult partners don't earn these awards. Recognition items are for boys only.)

To begin his path towards the Tiger Cub rank, a boy must do three things. They are:

1. Learn the "Tiger Cub Motto" (The MOTTO is: "SEARCH, DISCOVER, SHARE ")
2. Learn the "Cub Scout Sign"
3. Learn the "Cub Scout Salute"

When he has done these, he is awarded the Tiger Cub belt totem at a pack meeting. This is a plastic recognition device that he wears on his belt. The front side of the totem is emblazoned with a tiger paw print, and the reverse includes a recessed spage for your Tiger to mount his Tiger Cub badge (see above) when he earns it. The lower end of the totem includes space for four strands for totem beads. A boy earns totem beads by working on the five Tiger Cub achievements.

HOW TO USE TOTEM BEADS

There are five achievements in Tiger Cubs:

1. Making My Family Special
2. Where I Live
3. Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe
4. How I Tell It
5. Let's Go Outdoors

Each achievement has three parts: a family activity, a den activity, and a Go See It outing. A boy receives totem beads as he completes each part:

• He earns a white bead for each required 'family activity' part he completes.
• He earns an orange bead for each required 'den activity' part he completes.
• He earns a black bead for each required 'Go See It' part he completes.

A boy can earn only one bead for each of the 15 achievement parts, regardless of how many times he may repeat a part.

As each bead is awarded and added to a boy's belt totem, he should be recognized with a simple ceremony at a den meeting. When a boy has earned all 15 beads, he is eligible to receive his Tiger Cub badge, signifying that he has earned the Tiger Cub rank.

FEATURES OF THE TIGER CUB SPREADSHEET

• The spreadsheet supports the new 2004 Tiger Cub Handbook requirements!

   

• It allows you to individually log activity for your Tigers (up to 12 Cubs per sheet);

   

• Automatically tracks progress on the belt totem, achievements, and Tiger Cub & Bobcat ranks

   

• Tracks Tiger Tracks Electives completion;

   

• Allows you to customize the spreadsheet with your Cub Scouts' names (and then automatically copies the names to each of the worksheets as needed;

   

• A 'Summary' worksheet is provided which provides a single view of Totem Status, Achievements, Rank Status, & Tiger Tracks Electives;

   

• A 'Detail' worksheet is also provided where each of the Scouts Achievements and Electives are lined up side-by-side for Den activity planning purposes.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

ZIP decompression tool. Versions of all four spreadsheets are ZIP COMPRESSED to facilitate quicker downloads. After downloading, the resultant file needs to be de-compressed on your workstation.

Microsoft Excel 5.0 or later required. The spreadsheets have been tested on both Macintosh (OS 7.5 and later) and on Windows 95/98/2000 operating systems with versions of Excel from 5.0 up to Excel 97/98/2000.

More specific information on using and customizing the spreadsheet is contained in the spreadsheet's 'Notes' worksheet. Please read this page before you begin using the spreadsheets!  

DISCLAIMER

The BSA does not endorse, support, or in any way acknowledge these trackers.

GO FOR IT!  

To experience the fun, excitement, and other benefits of Cub Scouting, you and your Tiger Cub will do the following things each month:

• Go to two one-hour den meetings at the host adult partner's home or other location. Leaders will try to hold the meetings at a time that is convenient for all adult partners and is appropriate for boys of Tiger Cub age. Some dens meet at a school, a place of worship, or the location of their chartered organization. But meetings can be held almost anywhere-in a basement, recreation room, backyard, or park - as long as the meeting location is safe for boys and their families.

   

• Take a field trip, or Go See It, with the entire den. The Go See It is a planned field trip to a place that is interesting to boys. It may be associated with the monthly theme

   

• Attend the Cub Scout pack meeting.

Planning the Tiger Cub Den Meeting

With shared leadership, each month a different boy-adult partner works with the Tiger Cub den leader to plan the two monthly den meetings and the Go See It. Together, they also organize the participation of the den at the monthly pack meeting. It is important that each boy-adult partner team has a turn at planning and conducting the den activities.

The den meetings will be based on the theme of the month (see "Using the Monthly Theme in the Den Meeting" below) or on one of the den activity parts of an achievement. (You'll read more about the three parts of achievements below.)

Using the Monthly Theme
In the Den Meeting

Each year, Cub Scout Program Helps (No. 34304) suggests 12 monthly themes suitable for Tiger Cubs and Cub Scouts. This annual publication includes songs, skits, games, crafts, and ideas for Go See It activities that complement the theme. Boys' Life magazine also features ideas and articles each month on the recommended theme, and the monthly adult leader roundtable meetings provide program ideas and instruction for these same themes. (You'll read more about roundtable below.)

Parts of a Tiger Cub Den Meeting

The focus of every den meeting plan should be based on the Tiger Cub motto: Search, Discover, Share. The Tiger Cub den meeting plan in Cub Scout Program Helps divides the meeting into eight parts. Each part has a purpose, so the den meeting will be better for the boys if you follow this pattern. It will make planning and running the den meetings easier.

1. Before the meeting. The purpose of this part of the meeting is to give the den leader and the host adult partner time to make preparations, gather supplies, set out the U.S. flag, and take care of any last-minute details before the boys and their adult partners arrive.

    

2. The Gatherig is an activity or game that keeps the boys interested and busy while everybody else arrives. Planning activities for when Tiger Cubs arrive will help avoid some of the behavior problems that can happen when boys don't have enough to do. The gathering time also gives the den leader time to take attendance, collect dues, and keep track of the achievements each boy has completed while the host adult partner is with the boys.

    

3. The Opening is the official start of the den meeting. Whereas the gathering time is an informal time, the opening is an organized activity that signals the beginning of the meeting. Here are some ideas:

    

   Most den meetings begin with a flag ceremony. At this time, the boys can practice saying the Tiger Cub motto and the Cub Scout Promise. (See here for the Cub Scout Promise.)
   • A brief prayer may be included, but always be sensitive to the diverse religious beliefs that may be repre sented in the den.
   • The opening may also include boisterous action or a song.
   • A roll call isn't necessary, but boys like to hear their names being said. if the meeting relates to a monthly theme, such as jungle animals, each boy could respond with the name of a jungle animal.

    

4. The Share part of the den meeting gives each boy an opportunity to share something that he has done since the last meeting. This activity gives boys time to share family experiences.

    

5. For the Discover time, the den leader may introduce the monthly theme and talk about what the den will be doing for the pack meeting. Then, the boys will play games, work on craft projects and puzzles, take part in outdoor activities, or work on advancement requirements. The den leader can initial requirements in each boy's handbook as the boy completes them. (You, the adult partner, also sign in the handbook; see more about advancement here.)

    

   Den activities that boys and their adult partners can do together are the best. They are a team, so they should participate and have fun as a team.

    

   Boys love to play games, so each meeting should include at least one game. It can be indoors or outdoors, quiet or active. The host Tiger Cub could lead the game. Once again, adult partners should be included.

    

   Sometimes, boys will do a craft project during a den meeting. For instance, around the holidays, boys could do holiday-related crafts or make something that is needed for the pack meeting. Some projects can be completed during one or two den meetings, but others might require that you and your Tiger Cub work together at home The den leader and host adult partner can explain the project and help the boys do it. (You and other adult partners can be very helpful during craft time.)

    

6. During the Search time of the meeting, the leaders will talk about plans for the Go See It. Boys love to get out and see new things. This activity could fulfill one of the achievement requirements or one of the elective requirements, and/or it could relate to the monthly theme.

    

7. The Closing period draws the meeting to an end and is usually more serious and quiet. Den leaders might present a thought for the day, have the boys say the Tiger Cub motto or the Cub Scout Promise together, and/or give everyone last-minute reminders about upcoming events. Leaders can also use this time to reinforce the 12 core values of Cub Scouting (you'll read about the 12 core values on page 26 tin the Tiger Cub Handbook).

    

8. After the Meeting, the den leader and host adult partner review the events of the meeting and finalize plans for the next meeting and the upcoming pack meeting. If this is the second den meeting of the month, the den leader may meet with the host adult partner for the next month to plan and/or preview that month's den activities.

    

   The Tiger Cub Den Meeting Program form helps the den leader and host adult partner plan a den meeting. A few days before the den meeting, they fill in the details for each portion of the den meeting, including the plan and the supplies and equipment needed.

EARNING THE "TIGER CUB BADGE"

1. Making My Family Special
   

   1F - Think of one chore you can do with your adult partner. Complete it together
   1D - Make a family scrapbook
   1G - Go to a library, historical society, museum, old farm, or historical building, or visit an older person in your community. Discover how family life was the same and how it was different many years ago.
   

2. Where I Live
   

   2F - Look at a map of your community with your adult partner.
   2D - Practice the Pledge of Allegiance with your den, and participate in a den or pack flag ceremony.
   2G - Visit a police station or fire station. Ask someone who works there how he or she helps people in your community.
   

3. Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe
   

   3Fa - With your family, plan a fire drill and then pracitce it in your home.
   3Fb - With your adult partner, plan what to do if you become lost or separated from your family in a strange place.
   3D - Make a food guide pyramid.
   3G - Learn the rules of a game or sport. Then go watch an amateur or professional game or sporting event.
   

4. How I Tell It
   

   4F - At a family meal, have each family member take turns telling the others one thing that happened to him or her that day. Remember to practice being a good listener while you wait for your turn to talk.
   4D - Play "Tell It Like It Isn't."
   4G - Visit a television station, radio station, or newspaper office. Find out how people there communicate to others.
   

5. Let's Go Outdoors
   

   5F - Go outside and watch the weather.
   5D - With a crayon or colored pencil and a piece of paper, make a leaf rubbing.
   5G - Take a hike with your den.
   

When you and your boy have followed the five steps of the Tiger Cub, your boy has earnrd his Tiger Cub badge.

The badge should be ceremoniously presented as soon as possible at an upcoming Pack meeting.

One of the findings of the earlier study was that because the boys of the time had greater educational opportunities at an earlier age, the entry age of Cub Scouts should be re-evaluated. Beginning with a conference at Philmont's volunteer training center in 1980, a team was formed to write the program. Instruction booklets were sent for field testing by councils in the North Central Region in 1981. In early 1982, it was determined that the program was successful and ready for rollout. This was announced at the national meeting in the February, 1982. Tiger Cubs, BSA was formally introduced just before the fall program of 1982.

By the end of 1982, over 48,000 Tigers were registered. The Tiger Cub population had grown steadily, reaching 285,908 in the year 2000. Over the ensueing years, parts of the program's structure have evolved, but the basic elements had remained the same:

• A simple and fun program for first-grade boys and their families.

   

• A program "separate" from Cub Scouting

   

• No advancement plan

   

• No Den Leaders

   

• Tigers DO NOT attend Pack Meetings

   

• Tigers are formally inducted (bridged) into Cub Scouts

   

During the first 18 years of the Tiger Cubs program the BSA received ample feedback regarding the successes and shortcomings of "Tiger Cubs - BSA." Then, in May of 2001 the BSA announced vast changes to the Tiger Cubs - BSA program. Highlights of the new Tiger Cub program include:

• "Tiger Cub" is now a Cub Scout rank.

   

• Tiger Cubs can complete the Bobcat requirements before leaving first grade.

   

• The role of "Tiger Cub Coach" has been eliminated.

   

• The Tiger Cub Promise has been eliminated

   

• The role of "Tiger Cub Den Leader" has been announced. This individual coordinates shared leadership among adult partners in the den.
• A Tiger Cub den leader is required if a pack registers Tiger Cubs.

   

• The Tiger Cub den leaders are members of the pack leadership team and receive support and coaching from the pack committee, which includes the pack trainer and Cubmaster or assistant Cubmaster.

   

• The 17 "Big Ideas" (while good ideas) are not a formal part of the program.

   

• Iron-on "Paw Prints" are no longer used.

   

• The old "Leather Belt Totem" is no longer used.

   

• Tiger Cubs and adult partners now formally participate in den and pack activities (including Family Camping) together.

   

• Tiger Cubs wear the traditional orange uniform T-shirt, No. 83391-96, along with an optional, newly designed blue and orange cap, No. 83892.

   

• The Tiger Cub badge, No. 80369, is earned after completing five achievements grouped in three areas: den activity, family activity, and a Go See It. After completing the rank of Tiger Cub, boys may earn one Tiger Track bead when he completes 10 (of 50) electives. There is no limit to the number of Tiger Track beads a boy can earn.

   

• Tiger Cub badges should now be presented in meaningful pack meeting ceremonies.

   

• The new Tiger Cub badge replaces the Webelos badge in the 4-badge "diamond" on the blue Cub Scout uniform.

   

• Advancement is displayed on a new Tiger Cub totem, which is worn on the Tiger Cub belt.

   

• The recommended monthly meeting pattern consists of den, family, Go See It activities, and participation in the monthly pack meeting. Suggested den meeting plans are now included in Cub Scout Program Helps, No. 34304D.

   

• Tiger Cubs and adult partners work out of the Tiger Cub Handbook, No. 34713, to complete achievements and electives, and plan activities. A complete description of the Tiger Cub program can be found in the "Tiger Cub Program" chapter of the Cub Scout Leader Book, No. 33221A.

   

• Each pack should have one or more Tiger Cub dens, each consisting of five to nine boys and adult partners.

   

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