MANUAL

CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 13
The Cub Scout Promise
I promise to do my best,
To love and serve God,
To do my duty to the Queen;
To keep the law of the Wolf Cub Pack,
And to do a good turn for somebody
every day.
The Cub Scout Law
The Cub respects the Old Wolf;
The Cub respects himself/herself.
The Cub Scout Motto
Do Your Best.
1
Check out The Jungle Map at
Canadianpath.ca.
Cub Scouts Basics
THE CUB SCOUT SIGN
The Cub Scout Sign is used for greeting other Cub Scouts and Scouters. It is also used
when saying the Promise. The Cub Sign is formed with the first two fingers on the
right hand, open to form a “V”, with the thumb holding down the last two fingers,
raising the right arm bent at the elbow and holding the hand level with the head.
Baden-Powell explained that the two fingers of the Cub Scout Sign are like the ears
of a wolf. The Cub Scout Sign, when held high above the head, is a signal for getting
everyone’s attention. When the signal is made, all members of the Pack (Cub Scouts
and Scouters) must stop what they are doing, become quiet and make the signal as
well. It may take a while, but be patient and don’t shout out to stop and be quiet.
THE CUB SCOUT SALUTE
The Cub Scout Salute is similar to the Cub Scout Sign, except that the hand
touches the head or headwear. The Salute is used when the Cub Scouts salute the
Flag of Canada.
THE CUB SCOUT HANDSHAKE
The Scout Handshake is used by all members of the Scout Movement. All members of
Scouting shake with the left hand as a symbol of peace.
THE TOTEM OR WOLF HEAD
Baden-Powell suggested that every Pack have a totem pole, which is like a crest of the
Pack. Packs may choose to use a totem of a wolf head at the centre of the circle when
the Pack meeting is opened. Other Packs may choose to use a box covered by a grey
blanket that symbolizes “Council Rock”. They can be used together.
JUNGLE CEREMONIES
The ceremonies of the Cub Pack continue with a jungle flavour. The Grand Howl
opens and closes each meeting. Packs can perform Jungle Book-themed opening and
closing ceremonies using language from The Jungle Book. Other ceremonies (such as
investitures) may have optional jungle versions.
THE JUNGLE MAP 1
Cub Scouts select adventures from areas on the Jungle Map. The places on the map
are named for Jungle Book characters or locations, and each is related to one of the six
Program Areas.
JUNGLE NAMES
Akela—Wolf
Bagheera—Panther
Baloo—Bear
Chil—Kite (bird)
Hathi—Elephant
Kaa—Rock Python
Mang—Bat
Raksha—Mother Wolf
Ikki—Porcupine
CREATING A JUNGLE ATMOSPHERE
If your Cub Scouts really enjoy the jungle theme, it may be continued throughout the
adventures that Cub Scouts choose or develop. Packs may create a jungle atmosphere
through jungle games, dances, stories, songs, chants, playacting or decorations.
JUNGLE NAMES
Volunteers in the Cub Pack are known as Pack Scouters. They serve as guides and
mentors for the Cub Scout adventures. They are given character names from
The Jungle Book, or The Second Jungle Book (both by Rudyard Kipling). Cub Scouts
enjoy choosing the names for Pack Scouters!
Good characters have been the traditional names for Pack Scouters, except for
Mowgli. Bad characters, such as Shere Khan (the tiger), Tabaqui (the jackal) and
Jacala (the crocodile) are not used for Scouter names.
HOW IS A YOUTH PLACED IN A LAIR?
First of all, a Lair needs a mixture of ages. Lairs should be as balanced as possible,
depending on the number of youth from each age group (grade level) in the Pack. This
is important so that the Cub Scouts in each Lair can develop leadership skills. In a Lair,
the Howlers (collectively) are the leaders, supported by their Scouters.
When forming new Lairs, engage the Pack Leadership Team in making the decisions.
Remind the Howlers of the need for balancing the numbers of Howlers, Trackers and
Runners in each Lair, but also help them be sensitive to important friendships, sibling
preferences, and the individual needs of the Cub Scouts when assigning them to a Lair.
If your practice is to change Lairs each year, these are important considerations. If you
maintain the Lairs from year to year, the Pack Leadership Team will only have to place
the new Cub Scouts in a Lair. The considerations are still the same.
Lairs, once assigned, should still be flexible. During the year, or at year-end, some
Cub Scouts may need or appreciate a change.
Assigning Scouters to Support a Lair
Depending on the number of Scouters, there should be one or two who work
consistently with a Lair. Scouters, regardless of their age or participation in another
Section, can fill this important role. The Scouter who works consistently with a Lair
gets to know the youth, their skills and abilities—and can therefore support them
more effectively.
A Scouter who is also a parent of a Cub Scout should work with a different Lair than
the youth’s Lair. This prevents awkward situations and conflicts of interest. Exceptions
for parents of youth with disabilities may be considered.
142 SCOUTER MANUAL—A SCOUTER’S GUIDE TO THE CANADIAN PATH SCOUTER MANUAL—A SCOUTER’S GUIDE TO THE CANADIAN PATH 143