WORLD CONSERVATION AWARD
The World Conservation Award provides an opportunity for individual Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers to "think globally" and "act locally" to preserve and improve our environment. This program is designed to make youth members aware that all nations are closely related through natural resources and that we are interdependent with our world environment.
The Cub Scout version of the World Conservation Award can be earned by Wolf or Bear Cub Scouts, and by Webelos Scouts. Pack 170 highly encourages each of our Dens to set this as a goal for any Cub who has not yet earned this award. Requirements for the award are embedded within each program level advancement and elective requirements.
CONSERVATION GOOD TURN AWARD
The Conservation Good Turn is an opportunity for Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Explorer posts to join with conservation or environmental organization (federal, state, local, or private) to carry out a conservation Good Turn in their home communities. The Scouting unit contacts a conservation agency and offers to carry out a Good Turn project. The agency identifies a worthwhile and needed project that the unit can accomplish. Working together in the local community, the unit and the agency plan the details and establish the date, time, and location for carrying out the project.
A Conservation Good Turn certificate [#21-389] is available at the council service center for units that participate and report on their efforts. The application is linked below. A Conservation Good Turn patch is also available for purchase at the council service center to recognize individual youth and adult members who participate in a meaningful conservation project. The patch can be worn as a temporary insignia or on the patch vest. [BSA Publication No. 21-386, 1994 Printing]
Cub Scouting conservation projects should involve the entire Cub Scout pack, each den, adult leaders, and family members. Hands-on projects help Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts realize that everyone can do things to care for the environment. Suggested projects include, but are not limited to
- Plant grasses, trees, shrubs, and ground cover to stop soil erosion.
- As a den or pack, adopt a park. Remove litter and garbage from a favorite neighborhood recreation area or park.
- Organize or participate in a recycling program in your neighborhood or visit a recycling center.
- Arrange a natural resources awareness program. Invite natural resource professionals such as wildlife biologists, soil conservationists, foresters, or conservation officers to speak to your pack.
- Participate in a beach or waterfront cleanup. Record the items collected and determine the possible harmful effects to wildlife. With youth participation, develop a plan to educate the public about the dangers posed to wildlife.
- From a local, state, or national organization that is concerned about environmental protection, obtain suggestions for den and pack projects to improve the environment.
- As a den or pack, visit a public utility to learn about the wise use of resources, and become involved in programs offered by utilities to help consumers conserve resources.
Contact the camp ranger or BSA local council property superintendent for information about camp needs and plans. Establish a nature trail, plant vegetation, or carry out other needed projects as requested by the camp ranger.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pleased to partner with the Boy Scouts of America to increase the level of citizen preparedness across the country. DHS has asked the Boy Scouts of America to build upon the foundation of the Ready campaign and to help citizens across the country prepare for emergencies of all kinds. Cub Scouts and Leaders are now eligible for a new Emergency Preparedness Award.
When a member has fulfilled the requirements appropriate to his age/program segment, a completed application is submitted to the council. Upon approval, an Emergency Preparedness pin is awarded. The pin may be worn on civilian clothing or on the uniform, centered on the left pocket flap. The award may be earned more than once.
Family Activity Program
The BSA Cub Scout Family Activity Program is a series of activities designed to help strengthen all families-whether two-parent, single-parent, or nontraditional. All family members are encouraged to participate and may earn the BSA Family Award.How Is the BSA Family Award Earned?
A family must complete 10 activities within a 12-month period. The family chooses two activities in each of the following categories:
- Learning Through Fun and Adventure
- Strengthening Family Relationships
- Developing Character
- Teaching Responsibility
- Handling Difficult Situations
How Do We Get Started?
A Cub Scouting family chooses to participate in this program on its own. The cost of the program book [BSA Publication #33012A] is $3.80. The BSA Family Activity Book is available through council service centers, Scout shops and distributors, or by mail from the BSA National Distribution Center, P.O. Box 65989, Charlotte, NC 28265-0989. To place a credit card order, call (800) 323-0732.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Cub Scouts and Leaders can now earn a Special Leave No Trace Awareness Award. Six guidelines for Cub Scouts have been designated to protect neighborhoods and local parks. Requirements for the award are detailed in Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines (BSA No. 13-032).When boys and leaders complete the requirements they may be awarded a Cub Scout Leave No Trace patch (No. 08797). The Leave No Trace Awareness Award is worn on the uniform shirt, centered on the right pocket as a TEMPORARY patch. Only ONE Temporary patch may be worn at a time.
More information about Leave No Trace can be obtained by contacting your local land manager or local office of the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, or the Fish and Wildlife Service. (Check the blue pages of your local telephone directory.) Or, contact Leave No Trace toll free at 800-332-4100 or on the Internet at Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics . For posters, plastic cards listing the Leave No Trace principles, or information on becoming a Leave No Trace sponsor, contact Leave No Trace Inc., P.O. Box 997, Boulder, CO 80306; phone 303-442-8222.
RELIGIOUS AWARDS
"A Scout is reverent." All Scouts show this by being faithful in their duty
to God. Some go further and give special service. From the beginning, Scouting
has promoted the spiritual development of it's members.
A Scout's faithful service can qualify them for a religious emblem. Such an emblem is not a Scouting award. It is conferred on a Scout by his religious leader. Each faith has its own requirements for earning its emblem. Listed below are the TIGER CUB, CUB SCOUT, AND WEBELOS SCOUT emblems and where to find out about them. Before writing or visiting your local council service center, check with your religious leader. (Unless indicated otherwise below, awards listed may be earned by both Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts, but not by Tiger Cubs)
Most of the awards consist of bar pins, ribbons, and pendants, and are worn on the uniform above the left pocket on formal occasions. In addition, the Religious Emblem Square knot, shown at the top of this page, may be worn on the uniform over the left pocket by youth or adults who earned any of the religious awards. One or more miniature devices are affixed to the knot to indicate which level(s) of the award was earned.
WHITTLING CHIP
Cub Scouts are encouraged to learn safety rules and the proper use of a pocketknife. Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may earn the right to carry a pocketknife to designated Scouting functions by completing requirements for the Whittlin' Chip card. Cub Scout-age boys may not use sheath knives. Cubs should wait until they become Boy Scouts before they use any other woods tools.When Cubs complete the requirements they may be awarded a Cub Scout Whittling Chip Wallet Card (No. 34223A) and/or Patch (08598). The Whittling Chip patch is worn on the uniform shirt, centered on the right pocket as a TEMPORARY patch. Only ONE Temporary patch may be worn at a time. The older version of the Whittling Chip card (No.34223) is also in wide use and is still valid for issue.
Pack 170 Pocket Knife Rules
The Leaders of Pack 170
recognizes that Cub Scouts look forward to using a pocket knife. It is Pack
170's goal that any interested Cub Scout learn how to safely use a pocket
knife with his parent's permission. Pack 170 established the following
mandatory policy for safe pocket knife use.
Cub Scouts may carry
and use pocket knives ONLY when they obey the following rules:
- CUB SCOUTS MUST NEVER CARRY THEIR POCKET KNIVES TO SCHOOL OR SCOUT ACTIVITIES AT THE SCHOOL.
- Knives may only be carried on outdoor camping trips, hikes or other approved activities ONLY when permitted by the Cubmaster or other Leader.
- ONLY Cub Scouts that have earned a Whittlin' Chip Card may carry and use a pocket knife.
- The Whittlin' Chip Card MUST be carried by the Cub Scout at all times when he is carrying or using his pocket knife.
- Cub Scouts may use their pocket knife only when the Cubmaster or a designated Leader is directly supervising the Cub Scout's activities. The supervising adult MUST NOT be involved in any other activities while supervising Cub Scouts' use of knives.
- Under no conditions are switchblade knives or sheath knives permitted.
- Pack 170 Leadership has the final authority on knife use at all official pack events.
Cub Scouts who do not obey the Pack 170 Pocket Knife Rules OR the Whittlin' Chip Card will lose the privilege of carrying and using a pocket knife; the knife and the card will be taken away, and returned to the parent. The following guidelines will be used:
- For a minor infraction, one corner of the Whittlin' Chip card will be cut off. If all four corners of the Whittlin' Chip card are cut off, the Cub Scout will lose his Whittlin' Chip Card for at least 3 months. With the approval of the Cubmaster, he may re-earn the card after 3 months.
- For major infractions, including any accident, the Cub Scout will lose his Whittlin' Chip Card immediately for at least 3 months. With the approval of the Cubmaster, he may re-earn the card after 3 months.