What is Tiger Cubs? Your boy is growing up fast. Just look at how quickly he outgrows his clothes! Ten years from now, he'll be 16 or 17 years old. Wow! As he is growing, you can give him something that can help him develop self-assurance as he builds respect for other people. And he and you will both have fun doing it. This adventure with him begins with Tiger Cubs - a program of exciting indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy who is in first grade and/or is 7 years old. You are there with him as his support and guide, but you don't do things for him. He will learn by doing things himself. And as he learns and grows, your relationship with him will grow, too. At the end of the school year, he will graduate into a Wolf Cub Scout den. Later, he will be in a Bear den, and then he'll become a Webelos Scout.

Our Den Leaders

Cindy, Den Leader
Connie, Assistant Den Leader
Chuck, Assistant Den Leader

Tiger Cub History

In 1978, BSA's fifth National Cub Scouting Director, Robert Untch, recognized a need for keeping the Cub Scouting programs up to date with the needs of American youth. Scouting undertook a research plan that was initiated by sending out 19,000 questionaires of which 10,500 were returned. From these and 200 one-on-one interviews, 50 prospective program ideas were suggested. This list of 50 was narrowed down by 344 Scouters in 43 councils in the North Central Region to 14 must-do ideas. This research and the resulting ideas became known as the "Foundations For Growth" study. Focus groups of parents, professionals, and youth were formed.

One of the findings of the earlier study was that because the boys of the time had greater educational opportunities at an earlier age, the entry age of Cub Scouts should be re-evaluated. Beginning with a conference at Philmont's volunteer training center in 1980, a team was formed to write the program. Instruction booklets were sent for field testing by councils in the North Central Region in 1981. In early 1982, it was determined that the program was successful and ready for rollout. This was announced at the national meeting in the February, 1982. Tiger Cubs, BSA was formally introduced just before the fall program of 1982.
By the end of 1982, over 48,000 Tigers were registered. The Tiger Cub population had grown steadily, reaching 285,908 in the year 2000. Over the ensueing years, parts of the program's structure have evolved, but the basic elements had remained the same:

A simple and fun program for first-grade boys and their families.

A program "separate" from Cub Scouting No advancement plan

No Den Leaders

Tigers DO NOT attend Pack Meetings

Tigers are formally inducted (bridged) into Cub Scouts

During the first 18 years of the Tiger Cubs program the BSA received ample feedback regarding the successes and shortcomings of "Tiger Cubs - BSA." Then, in May of 2001 the BSA announced vast changes to the Tiger Cubs - BSA program. Highlights of the new Tiger Cub program include:

"Tiger Cub" is now a Cub Scout rank.

Tiger Cubs can complete the Bobcat requirements before leaving first grade.

The role of "Tiger Cub Coach" has been eliminated.

The Tiger Cub Promise has been eliminated

The role of "Tiger Cub Den Leader" has been announced.

A Tiger Cub den leader is required if a pack registers Tiger Cubs.

The Tiger Cub den leaders are members of the pack leadership team and receive support and coaching from the pack committee.

The 17 "Big Ideas" (while good ideas) are not a formal part of the program.

Iron-on "Paw Prints" are no longer used.

The old "Leather Belt Totem" is no longer used.

Tiger Cubs and adult partners now formally participate in den and pack activities (including Family Camping) together.