10th Croydon Scout Group

Cub Scouts

One of the world's Oldest Groups

Introduction to Cub Scouts

The Cub Pack is the second section of the Scout Group following on from Beavers. Cubs are our middle age group (Section), and generally meet for an hour and a half per week. They enjoy all that Scouting has to offer; with plenty of outdoor activities, having the opportunity to be creative, explore their local community and experience the excitement of a Cub Scout sleepover with their friends

Cub Scouts are young people aged between 8 and 10 ½. There is some flexibility in the age range: young people can join from age 7½ , and can move to Scouts between age 10 and 11. A District Commissioner may also permit a young person to be in a Section outside of the recommended age range, for example due to a young person’s additional needs and/or disability.

Going to Cubs is very different from going to school. Instead of learning from books, Cub Scouts are encouraged to understand the world by exploring, playing and doing.

The Cub programme offers a huge variety of activities as well as going on trips, days out, and on camps. Whilst also allowing them to be creative and get involved in their local communities.

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About cubs Scouts

The Cubs Pack

The Cub Pack is the middle section of the Scout Group. A Cub Pack is usually organised into small groups called Sixes, each headed up by an older Cub called a Sixer, and often with a Seconder as well. Sixes can be used in a number of ways to facilitate the organisation of the Cub Scout Pack. They may provide a ‘home’ area for Cub Scouts to gather at points at the start, during or at the end of the Pack meeting. Given sufficient demand (and helpers) we can have more than one Cub Pack , if it is appropriate to do this.

Cubs spend lots of time outside with their Pack. Together, they might build a den, or go on a trip to the seaside, or host a Cub sleepover beneath the stars, whatever a Cub Scout does they are guaranteed plenty of adventures on their doorstop, being a Cub is all about making the most of what you have, wherever and whoever you are.

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Additional Needs

Scouting is open to all young people, regardless of their mental or physical ability. We can usually arrange things to make sure everyone can join in the fun. If you have any questions about accessibility, have a chat with your leader. By being upfront from the start, parents and carers can work in partnership with the colony leaders to make sure their young person has the best experience Scouting can offer.

Many young people will require some special consideration to enable them to fully participate in all Scouting activities. By identifying an individual’s additional need and providing them with appropriate support, we can include more young people in Scouting.

Some additional needs are not immediately obvious (behavioural problems such as ADHD and learning difficulties), these are referred to as hidden disabilities. Scouting provides a range of resources available to help us include young people with particular needs in our Group.

Visit Other Sections

  • Sections
  • Beaver Scouts
  • Cub Scouts
  • Scouts
  • Explorer Scouts
  • Scout Network
  • Adult Volunteers

    • Cub Scout Uniform

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    Cub Uniform consists of a green sweatshirt and navy activity trousers with a Group scarf (sometimes called a necker) and a woggle. There are a variety of local shops such as Hewitts of Croydon and online providers of the Scout uniform. Full details about these can be viewed on our Shop page.

    Wearing a uniform is comfy and practical. It means no one feels uncomfortable or left out and helps everyone feel part of the group. Our uniform consists of a sweatshirt that you can sew badges on, a coloured scarf to represent your group and trousers. There are various other optional accessories you can wear such as hats or hoodies.

    Uniform Recycling Scheme

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    The uniform can either be bought from Hewitts of Croydon who have a very longstanding connection with Scouting or from Scouting's online shop - or Scout Stores, as well as Ebay, Facebook, Market Place as well as Shpock if you’re not sure where to start talk to your leaders.

    The 10th Croydon also operates its own uniform recycling scheme, which is especially popular considering how quickly young people grow. There can also be grants available for parents who need help to buy a uniform, ask your leader for more details.

    Cub Scout Badges

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    Activity badges – allow Cub Scouts to show their progress in existing pursuits, but also to try all kinds of new things and form new interests. Challenge awards – involve accomplishing a number of more ambitious tasks within the Pack or community. There are several challenge badges across a number of themes, from the physical and outdoorsy to challenges dealing with the local community or issues connected with the Scouting world. Core badges – these are special badges, obtained upon joining or moving on from the Pack, or for time spent in the Scouting movement. Activity packs – some activity badges are sponsored by outside companies, and these companies often provide extra exciting resource packs to help Cub Scouts towards gaining their badges.

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    Joining Cubs

    As well as enjoying plenty of adventures, being a Cub is about exploring who you are and what you stand for. These are big ideas, and when you join the Pack, you’ll start thinking about them by making a promise. A promise is a set of words that mean something to you, which you try to follow every day.

    Everyone is unique but there are some things all Cubs agree on – such as treating everyone with kindness and promising to do their best. Depending on their own beliefs, they might also promise to live by their faith. One ceremony all Cubs enjoy is the traditional Grand Howl which gives them the chance to shout at the top of their voice

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    The Cub Scout Promise

    There are a number of variations of the promise to reflect the range of faiths, beliefs and attitudes and nationalities in the UK within Scouting. Each version is written to be appropriate to the broad level of understanding of each of the age groups within the Movement. We believe that this approach is inclusive. Celebrating and understanding difference, including difference in faiths and beliefs, is an important aspect of the educational and developmental side of Scouting.

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    Making the Promise

    Making the promise is a big celebration within the Pack. Every time a new Cub decides to join, they chat through their promise with their leader before saying it out loud in front of their fellow Cubs. Family and friends might come along to see this, too. Doing this is called being ‘invested’ into Cubs, and it usually takes place once you’ve had a few weeks to settle in.

    The Promise is a simple way to help young people and adults keep the Fundamentals of Scouting in mind. The Promise is the oath taken by all Members as they commit to sharing the values of Scouting. It is therefore vital that every Member considers the Promise and discusses its meaning before making the Promise and being invested into Scouting.

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    Behaviour

    No one knows better than a Scout Group that has been operation for more than 100 years about the natural exuberance of young people especially when undertaking exciting activities. That said we need to maintain order, and there are lines that we cannot allow to be crossed. So first and foremost, we make certain that our members are fully aware of the expected standards of behaviour, Young people will always "push a bit", and that is a natural part of understanding their limits.

    If and when they go too far, first they will be issued a very clear verbal warning which is usually enough. If that does not deal with the matter and the bad behaviour persists, they will be shown a "yellow card" (like in football) so now they clearly know they are out of line, in the unlikely event that’s not enough they will be shown a "red card", which like football means they will be sent home straight away and have to miss the next meeting. Unlike in football, verbal warnings and Yellow Cards carry over to the next meeting attended, and are then wiped clean, assuming there are no further problems.

    We use the same system at sleepovers and camps, but when cards are shown, the young person is offered the "opportunity" to do extra chores to "work off the card", rather than being sent home in disgrace. In our 100 year history I can't find any record of a young person ever being sent home from camp due to behaviour problems, so I guess the system works.

    Cub Scouts

    HAVE FUN AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS

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    How much does it cost?

    When you are first thinking about joining, you should know that the 10th Croydon offers any potential new members a free trial of 2 weeks, during which time the young person will be able to take full advantage of everything Scouting has to offer and will be fully covered by our insurance.

    After two weeks they will pay "subs" (membership subscriptions). This is paid monthly by Standing Order, and is to cover the costs of running the regular meetings, including the costs of the hall, it's upkeep, heating and lighting, insurances and materials used for activities and badges. We try to keep our subs as low as possible so that anyone can come to Scouts, (Ask your Leader how much subs are). If you need help paying subs, please speak to your leader.

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    MONEY SAVING OFFER

    We all know that everything costs more every year, prices increase all the time. Well when you pay your Subs by standing order, the amount will remain fixed, IT NEVER INCREASES, for as long as that standing order runs. Over the years this will save you a considerable amount, and makes it easy to fit Scouting into the household budget.

    Trips, camps and special activities are charged separately. Cost should not be a barrier to anyone taking part in Scouting and if this is an issue, you can speak to the local Section Leader in confidence.

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