(Source) Effective June 1, 2024, the Cub Scout program will be updated to ensure that Cub Scouting is Fun, Simple, and Easy. Fun for Cub Scouts, parents, and leaders. Simple to understand and explain. Easy to deliver as designed.
These updates are the result of feedback from over 23,000 Cub Scout parents and volunteer leaders, along with subject matter experts. Details and the latest national updates can be found at scouting.org/program-updates.
Program Updates FAQs
Program Update Presentations
Learn about improvements to the Cub Scout Program, and changes to requirements and ranks during one of the following Zoom Meetings.
4th grade Webelos Update
(Source) Effective June 1, 2024, Arrow of Light becomes a separate program from Webelos. For this reason, it is important that current 4th-grade Webelos DO NOT start any work on any Arrow of Light requirements. Work on current Arrow of Light requirements will not count for the updated Arrow of Light badge of rank requirements that take effect on June 1, 2024. Current 4th grade Webelos instead should focus on earning elective Adventures.
Elective Adventures will no longer be shared between 4th-grade Webelos and 5th-grade Arrow of Light. The following Adventures will only be available to 4th-grade Webelos after June 1, 2024. It is recommended that current 4th grade Webelos focus on these elective Adventures; Aquanaut, Art Explosion, Aware and Care, Build It!, Earth Rocks!, and Modular Design.
Cub Scout Elective Adventure
(Source) Fishing, cycling, swimming, and camping always rank high on the list that Cub Scout-age youth want to do and often these are activities that we promote as part of the Cub Scout program. With the program, update will be new adventures for these activities for all ranks making it easier for multi-rank den leaders and packs to plan activities centered around Cub Scout Adventures. A pack can now plan a bike rodeo and every Cub Scout will have an elective Adventure they can earn.
Now one of the most iconic Cub Scout activities, the Pinewood Derby, becomes an elective Adventure named Race Time! This elective Adventure can be completed by building and participating in either a Pinewood Derby or Raingutter Regatta. In partnership with the World Organization of the Scouting Movement, the new Champions for Nature elective Adventures are available for all ranks.
Summertime Fun
(Source) Prepare now for your Cub Scouts to earn the new Summertime Fun Adventure! The National Summertime Pack award has been reimagined into an elective Adventure named Summertime Fun. This new Adventure may be one of the simplest Adventures, it has one requirement and that is: anytime during May through August participate in a total of three Cub Scout activities.
The new Summertime Fun elective Adventure is available for Tiger through Arrow of Light. Lions do not begin Cub Scouting until they are attending Kindergarten in the fall so there are no summertime activities for Lions. Day Camp (for Scouts entering 1st - 5th grade next school year) and Resident Camp (for Scouts entering 4th - 5th grade next school year) are great ways for Scouts to earn this new Adventure.
STEM Adventures
(Source) Beginning June 1, 2024, there will be new elective STEM-based Adventures for each rank. A review of elective Adventures was conducted to identify areas where the Cub Scout Adventures were lacking in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Cub Scouting already had a lot of great science-based elective Adventures. There were gaps in technology, engineering, and math. New elective Adventures were developed to ensure that each rank has at least one elective Adventure based on science, technology, engineering, and math.