The Bobcat Trail

When you join the Cub Scouts, no matter how old you are you become a Bobcat first. You must complete all eight steps to become a Bobcat:

	Learn the CUB SCOUT PROMISE and tell what it means

"I, ____________ , promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack."

EXPLAINING THE PROMISE

Promise... To promise means you will keep your word when you tell someone you will do something. People will trust you when you keep your promises.

Do my best... We are not all alike, so when we do our best it means that we have tried as hard as we can.

Do my duty... We know what is right and what is wrong so we know what we should do at all times. When we do our duty to God, this means we practice our religion at home and at our place of worship. When we do our duty to our country, we stand up for our country. Be proud that you are an American. Stand up for your rights and the rights of all Americans.

Help other people... Do things for people even when you are not asked. Be good to people; help them and don’t expect to be rewarded.

Obey the Law of the Pack... Be a good Cub Scout and be proud that you are one.

	Learn the LAW OF THE PACK and tell what it means

"The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout helps the pack go. The pack helps the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill."

Akela (ah-KAY-la) is a Cub Scout name for a good leader. This can be your father, mother, guardian, aunt, uncle, grandparent, teacher, den leader, Cubmaster, or den chief. Cub Scouts learn to be good leaders. To be a good leader you must also learn to follow good leaders and learn from them.

EXPLAINING THE LAW OF THE PACK

Helps the pack go... You should go to den meetings and pack meetings and help your den in work and play. Help your pack in good will efforts and money-earning projects.

Helps the Cub Scout grow... The pack gives you a chance to learn new skills and to meet new friends. The pack also gives you a chance to be proud of yourself when you earn each new rank.

Gives goodwill... A Cub Scout is kind and thinks about making other people happy.

	Tell what WEBELOS means.

Webelos (WEE-buh-lows) has a secret meaning for Cub Scouts—We’ll Be Loyal Scouts means that you will keep your Cub Scout Promise.

	Make the CUB SCOUT SIGN and tell what it means.

Make this sign with your right hand. Hold your arm up straight. Do not bend your elbow.

The two fingers stand for the two points of the Promise-to help other people and to obey. They look like a wolf’s ears ready to listen to Akela.

When you say the Cub Scout Promise or the Law of the Pack, give the Cub Scout sign. This is the sign of Cub Scouts all over the world.

	Make the CUB SCOUT HANDSHAKE and tell what it means.

When you shake hands, use your right hand. Put the first fingers along the inside of your friend’s wrist-This means that you are brothers in Cub Scouting and that both of you help other people and obey the Law of the Pack.

	Say the CUB SCOUT MOTTO.

Do Your Best. This means to try as hard as you can in everything you do.

	Give the CUB SCOUT SALUTE and tell what it means.

The Cub Scout salute means you respect our country’s flag. Salute with your right hand. If you are wearing your Cub Scout cap, place your two fingers on the brim. If you do not have a cap, place your two fingers over your eyebrow.

	With your parent of guardian, complete the exercises in the booklet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse.

NOW YOU CAN BECOME A BOBCAT CUB SCOUT.

The Bobcat Trail (PDF version)