Cub Scouts is the Boy Scouts of America’s program targeted to youth in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. If this applies to your youth, English Lutheran Church (Troop 457’s Charter Organization) also sponsor’s Cub Scout Pack 457. We encourage you to visit the Pack’s website to learn more about the Cub Scout program and how to get involved. Many of our members started their Scouting adventures with Pack 457 before joining our Troop, however you do not need to have been Cub Scouts or a member of Pack 457 to join the Troop.
Cub Scouts work to earn the Arrow of Light rank during their Fifth Grade year. Completing this rank sets the stage for the Scout’s transition into the Scouts BSA program and our Troop. Scouts working toward the Arrow of Light will have several opportunities throughout the year to interact with our Troop, especially when working on the Scouting Adventure. The Scout reaches the end of their journey on the Cub Scout trail in the spring of their Fifth Grade year when they complete the Arrow of Light Rank requirements and crossover into a Scouts BSA troop.
Click on the cards below to learn more about the the transition between Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA and how Troop 457 supports our Cub Scout Packs.
Cub Scout Pack 457
Youth in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade are encouraged to join our Cub Scout Pack before crossing over into our Troop in the spring of their Fifth Grade year.
Redirects to https://cubscoutpack457.org
What’s different in Scouts BSA?
While based on the same principles, there are a lot of differences between the Cub Scout and Scouts BSA programs. Click here to learn more about what changes when your Scout joins a Scouts BSA troop.
The Scouts BSA Uniform
Transitioning between Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA starts with a change in your Scout’s uniform. Click here to learn more about the Scouts BSA uniform.
The Scouting Adventure
The Scouting Adventure is a requirement for a Cub Scout to earn their Arrow of Light. Click here to learn more about this adventure and how Troop 457 helps Scouts complete these requirements.
The REBEL Campout
Several Scouts BSA troops, including Troop 457, host an annual campout for Cub Scouts working on their Arrow of Light rank. This event is an opportunity for the Scouts to experience how a Troop campout works and meet members of troops they may choose to join after Cub Scouts.
Crossing Over
The Crossover Ceremony is an annual tradition in most Cub Scout Packs where Scouts in the Fifth Grade are celebrated as they move from a Cub Scout Pack to a Scouts BSA Troop. Click here to learn more about the crossover process and how Troop 457 supports our Cub Scout Packs during these ceremonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about joining our Troop from Cub Scouts? Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions. Don’t see your question listed? Click the button to ask it!
Joining from Cub Scouts
While the Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA programs cover similar topic areas and work to teach Scouts to live by the Scout Oath and Law, there are a few key things differences your Scout will experience as soon as they join the Troop:
- Unit Structure: The first difference your Scout will experience is in how a Scouts BSA unit is organized. Instead of Dens and a Pack, Scouts is organized in Patrols and a Troop. Unlike Dens in Cub Scouts, Patrols may be made up of Scouts of different school grades.
- Leadership & Chain of Command: In Cub Scouts, Scouts are led by adults who plan and conduct meetings and activities. In Scouts BSA, the patrols and Troop are led by our youth leaders who are guided and mentored by the adult leaders. That means that Scouts who have a question or problem go to their youth leader who then escalates those questions up the youth chain of command before they get to the adults.
- Advancement: Cub Scouts work together over the year to complete Adventures and earn a Rank. You do not need to earn all of the Cub Scout Ranks to earn the Arrow of Light. In the Troop, Scouts work independently to complete Rank Requirements and earn Merit Badges. Scouts set their own pace to earn their ranks with the only time limit being that you must complete all the rank requirements from Scout to Eagle Scout by your 18th birthday.
- Learning Methods: In Scouts BSA, Scouts learn by doing and ultimately teaching a skill to others rather than being taught by others like in Cub Scouts.
- Camping & Activities: Finally, activities are different in the Troop versus the Pack. The troop meets weekly with at least one outdoor activity each month. Scouts BSA members are able to participate in longer, overnight events (like Summer Camp) and parents are not required (but are highly encouraged) to attend outdoor events with their Scouts.
This is just a brief list of differences. LEARN MORE.
You do not need to buy anything specifically for your Scout’s crossover. Everything else needed for the meeting will be provided by the Pack or the Troop.
We recommend that Scouts have the tan Scouts BSA shirt before their crossover.
Yes, you need a handbook. The Scouts BSA handbook is a Scout’s official record of advancement and completion of requirements.
No, you do not need to buy one. The Troop provides new members with their first handbook when they attend their first Troop meeting. It is the Scout’s responsibility to replace the handbook if it is lost or severely damaged.
If you’re looking for a gift mark your Scout completing their time in Cub Scouts, you may want to consider:
- A Scouts BSA Handbook Cover (the standard cover is currently out of stock online, but limited quantities are available at the Butler and Pittsburgh Scout Shops. You do NOT need to buy your Scout a Handbook as one will be provided to them when they attend their first Troop meeting after the crossover)
- A Merit Badge Sash
- Camping gear or a gift card to Public Lands or REI