Join the Lion Den!
So you successfully completed the first week of kindergarten and you are thinking you want to try out a fun, valuable, and rewarding after school program with your boy. Look no further; the Lion Den Program at Cub Scout Pack 279 has a program for you.
Last year, the Lion Den Pilot Program was offered to kindergarteners in Cub Scout Pack 279. We had 10 kindergarteners begin the program in September 2016 and 90% of them completed their Lion Rank, earned their Lion Badge, and advanced to become Tigers by June 2017.
The Lion program is back in 2017-18. It continues to be a Pilot Program and Cub Scout Pack 279 – a Gold Level Journey to Excellence Unit – was selected to offer the pilot for a second consecutive year. The Den will meet on the First and Third Sunday of every month beginning Sunday, September 17th. If you want to learn more or want to enroll your scout, come to Parent Info Night or the First Pack Meeting.
So what is the Lion Rank and what will the boys do if they join?
Lion Rank Program Structure
Each Lion Scout attends a Den meeting twice a month. Meetings are no longer than 45 minutes total in length. Like Tigers (First Grade), the Lion Scouts complete their adventures and electives alongside their parent or guardian or participating adult (grandparents welcome!). Adventures are completed at the Den meetings (no homework).
Lions is fundamentally an introduction to Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Here are some of the fun activities we’ll do in 2017-18 as a Den:
- Attend Pack Meetings together with the other dens
- Earn Wampum Beads for being good scouts
- Collect food for a local food bank
- Go Christmas caroling at a Senior Living community
- Explore a local zoo together
- Meet a police officer
- Explore the value of independence such as tying your own shoes and learning to dress yourself
- Playing games with rules together
- Taking turns
- Being respectful
- Exploring the outdoors
- Attending family camp outs and outings with the rest of the Cub Scout Pack 279
Requirements for Lion Scouts in Cub Scout Pack 279
- Attend Den meetings September – May twice a month for 45 minutes with an adult partner
- Attend at least 3 pack meetings (held monthly)
- Wear the Pack 279 “Class B T-Shirt” to all events (The BSA Lion Scout T-Shirt and cap are not required)
- Do your best
- Have fun
- Complete 5 adventures and 1 elective. Last year the Den completed 5 adventures and 5 electives together.
- Complete the enrollment paperwork and pay the $55 dues. Lion Scouts are not required to sell popcorn.
- Lion scouts will be invited to try the Pinewood Derby for fun! (with fewer rules than other scouts)
- Lion scouts will be welcome at all Pack Family events and outings
- Lion scouts will complete one community service project with the Den.
Lion Program FAQ
Here is a helpful Lion Program FAQ prepared by the Boy Scouts of America. You’ll find it helpful as you explore whether or not to give Lion Scouts a try.
Here’s where to find the enrollment paperwork to join the Lion Den of Cub Scout Pack 279.
