Local Cub Scouts at Butler Wilderness Outpost, Park Rapids, MN
THE SCOUTING PROGRAMS
Cub Scouting
What is the Cub Scouts Program?
Cub Scouts is for boys and girls, kindergarten to 5th grade. It is a program where youth develop the foundations for leadership, citizenship, and personal fitness through fun activities involving parents and legal guardians. Ideally dens are organized by grade.
What Will I Do in Cub Scouts?
Cub Scouting activities are designed for Scouting families to get in on the fun, and include exploring the outdoors, building projects, making friends, and developing a lifelong love of learning as Cub Scouts earn patches related to their grades.
Why Join Cub Scouts?
Cub Scouting encourages family fun while providing youth with a safe space to make friends and challenge themselves through age-appropriate activities. It is a program where children and parents feel like they belong to an organization that consistently reinforces worthwhile values like honesty, good conduct, and respect for others.
Who Runs Cub Scouts?
Parents and legal guardians of Cub Scouts work together to run the Cub Scout program. Cub Scouting offers excellent support for parents and legal guardians to deliver the program as a team through national online training and resources to local in-person coaching and mentoring.
How Often Do Cub Scouts Meet?
Cub Scouts meet twice a month or once a week depending on what times are convenient for families involved in the program.
Scouts BSA
What is the Scouts BSA Program?
The traditional Scouting program, Scouts BSA is where youth develop outdoor survival skills, self-confidence, and ethics through youth planned activities with increased attention to service, community engagement, and leadership.
What Will I Do in Scouts BSA?
Scouts BSA is where youth explore their interests and develop skills by participating in outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and canoeing. Scouts earn merit badges along the journey and work towards achieving Scouting’s highest rank—Eagle Scout.
How Often Does Scouts BSA Meet?
Scouts typically meet once a week. Troops may hold special activities, like service projects or outdoor experiences, in place of or in addition to one of the weekly meetings.
Who Runs Scouts BSA?
Elected youth lead their troop and run the meetings at the guidance of the Scoutmaster and other adult leaders. Unlike Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA is a youth program planned mainly by the Scouts, not the parents.
Why Should I Join Scouts BSA?
Scouts BSA prepares youth to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Throughout their time in Scouting, Scouts learn the value of hard work and experience the thrill of seeing it pay off.
Venturing
What is the Venturing Program?
Created for boys and girls ages 14-20, Venturing is a youth-led program where Scouts experience positive mentorship and develop leadership skills in a fun, supportive environment.
What Will I Do in Venturing?
Venturers develop leadership skills like decision making, communication, and organization by choosing activities they are most interested in performing. Some of these activities include kayaking, volunteering at animal shelters, or designing robots—the Venturing activity is entirely up to the Scout!
How Often Do Venturing Crews Meet?
Up to twice a month at locations relevant to the crew’s high-adventure or activity of interest.
Who Runs Venturing?
Elected youth lead meetings, set schedules, and plan activities under the guidance of adult advisors. Chartered organizations like religious institutions, youth groups, or service organizations typically sponsor Venturing programs.
Why Should I Join Venturing?
Venturing teaches youth valuable leadership skills through fun, challenging, and age-appropriate adventures where they are encouraged to make ethical choices that adhere to the Scout Oath and Law.
Sea Scouts
What is the Sea Scouts Program?
Sea Scouting is a maritime program for boys and girls ages 14-20 providing a fun, safe environment for Scouts to learn, build friendships, and develop character while earning advancement.
What Will I Do in Sea Scouts?
Sea Scouts—organized into units called ships—recognizes Scouts for activities they learn and do, including paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and even SCUBA. Scouts earn certifications in SCUBA, boating safety, lifesaving, CPR—credentials that mark their growth as sailors and leaders throughout their time in the program.
How Often Do Sea Scouts Meet?
Sea Scouts meet weekly or every other week.
Who Runs the Sea Scouts?
Elected youth officers plan and conduct the program under the guidance of adult advisors. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Flotillas are among the chartered organizations interested in teaching youth activities in, around, or underwater. Each ship is typically sponsored by a business, service organization, religious institution, or other organizations within the community.
Why Should I Join Sea Scouts?
Sea Scouts prepares youth for the routine and unexpected challenges of seamanship while encouraging citizenship, developing boating skills, and promoting water safety through hands-on experience on a watercraft.
Exploring
What is the Exploring Program?
The Exploring program connects boys and girls ages 10-20 with mentors, businesses, and agencies within their communities to help them discover future career paths.
What Will I Do in Exploring?
Explorers step out of the classroom and into real-world work environments to gain hands-on experience and learn more about potential career paths.
How Often Does Exploring Meet?
Exploring programs meet up to twice a month throughout the academic school year.
Who Runs Exploring?
Businesses or organizations interested in helping youth gain experience in an area of expertise administer the Exploring program.
Why Should I Join Exploring?
The Exploring program helps youth broaden career skills, gain leadership experience, and develop critical life skills like problem-solving, communication, and conflict resolution under the guidance of dedicated professionals.
Testimonials
Scouting has had the largest impact on my life, and I am still active!
Nolan
Scout Camp Staff - Underwood, MN
Joining Scouts has given me a chance to be a leader unlike any other club I have been a part of.
Alex
Eagle Scout – Minot, ND
Scouting thoroughly prepared me to enter the workforce after college and still give back.
Cameron
Eagle Scout – Ayr, ND
I enjoy being able to hang out with new friends and go on adventures as a Scout.
Rachel
Life Scout – Jamestown, ND
I have been able to watch so many kids grow into self-sufficient leaders – and the data supports this nationwide!
Josh
Cub Scout Parent – West Fargo, ND
SCOUT´S MOTTO
BE PREPARED
Our Mission
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
Scout Oath
“On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary reasons to join Cub Scouts?
Promoting Personal Growth
As they work toward personal and group accomplishments, your child is engaging in important aspects of character development while shaping their future values. Scout Oath, Scout Law, and the Cub Scout motto all encourage Cub Scouts to develop a deep respect for family, community, religion, country, and self. The scouting program focuses on goal-setting and achievement through hard work. Members are exposed to a variety of educational and skill-building activities while cultivating a sense of civic responsibility and community service.
Learning Practical Life Skills
Cub Scouts are introduced to basic outdoor and emergency preparedness skills that could very well save their own lives or the lives of others someday. With ample opportunities for hands-on learning and practical experience, Cub Scouts gain knowledge in areas such as first aid, knot-tying, and nature conservation. Camping and outdoor adventures provide the chance for Scouts to build resilience and adaptability that will serve them later in their adult lives.
Supporting Academic Success
Signing your child up for Cub Scouts allows them to supplement their classroom learning with experiential education that will enhance their thinking and problem-solving abilities. Scouting offers opportunities for exploring STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), encourages lifelong learning, and establishes a love for knowledge.
Creating Lasting Memories
Joining Cub Scouts connects your child to the rich history and traditions of scouting. They will enjoy the lasting impact of friendships and shared experiences and recount the highlights of memorable moments and adventures in Cub Scouts for years to come. Former Scouts often nurture a sense of nostalgia and fondness for Cub Scouts well into adulthood.
Scouting also strengthens the parent-child relationship as you work toward common goals for Cub Scout advancement. We provide ready-made opportunities to do fun things together as a family before your child is all grown up
As they work toward personal and group accomplishments, your child is engaging in important aspects of character development while shaping their future values. Scout Oath, Scout Law, and the Cub Scout motto all encourage Cub Scouts to develop a deep respect for family, community, religion, country, and self. The scouting program focuses on goal-setting and achievement through hard work. Members are exposed to a variety of educational and skill-building activities while cultivating a sense of civic responsibility and community service.
Learning Practical Life Skills
Cub Scouts are introduced to basic outdoor and emergency preparedness skills that could very well save their own lives or the lives of others someday. With ample opportunities for hands-on learning and practical experience, Cub Scouts gain knowledge in areas such as first aid, knot-tying, and nature conservation. Camping and outdoor adventures provide the chance for Scouts to build resilience and adaptability that will serve them later in their adult lives.
Supporting Academic Success
Signing your child up for Cub Scouts allows them to supplement their classroom learning with experiential education that will enhance their thinking and problem-solving abilities. Scouting offers opportunities for exploring STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), encourages lifelong learning, and establishes a love for knowledge.
Creating Lasting Memories
Joining Cub Scouts connects your child to the rich history and traditions of scouting. They will enjoy the lasting impact of friendships and shared experiences and recount the highlights of memorable moments and adventures in Cub Scouts for years to come. Former Scouts often nurture a sense of nostalgia and fondness for Cub Scouts well into adulthood.
Scouting also strengthens the parent-child relationship as you work toward common goals for Cub Scout advancement. We provide ready-made opportunities to do fun things together as a family before your child is all grown up
What kind of professional and college sports "scout" nights take place in the council?
Some of them have included FM RedHawks Baseball, Fargo Force Hockey, UND Hockey, BSU Hockey
What policies does Scouting America have in place to protect youth?
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Is there a Scouting unit in my area?
The vast majority of our council has units within driving distance. You can use the link beascout.org to locate the unit nearest you. Should there not be a unit at a practical distance, we do have a “Lone Scout” program avaialbe at https://www.scouting.org/commissioners/lone-scout/
How often do Cub Scouts meet?
Cub Scouts meet in their dens once each week, and a pack meeting is held for all Cub Scouts and their families once a month. Beyond that, it depends on the den and pack: A den may hold a special activity, such as a service project or visit to a local museum, in place of one of the weekly meetings or in addition to the weekly meetings. Likewise, a pack may conduct a special event such as a blue and gold banquet as an additional event, rather than a substitute for its monthly pack meeting
May parents attend meetings?
Cub Scout den meetings are intended to be an activity for the individual boys and girls. They are not a family activity, and the presence of parents can be a distraction. However, our leadership is made of of a unit’s parents, guardians or grandparents. You are strongly encouraged to help out. Training is available and fun! Other parental involvement is not forbidden and all meetings should be open to your participation. If you would like to be present at a den meeting, ask the den leader in advance so that the leader can plan a way for you to observe or participate in an unobtrusive manner.
My child is involved with other youth activities such as hockey, soccer or other activities. What if he/she misses a meeting?
Units understand that kids today are busier than ever and we don’t want to force parents to have to choose between activities. We encourage you to try to attend as many events as possible to provide your son or daughter with a quality Scouting experience. Should a scout need to miss meetings or events, the unit and den leaders will work with the scout and his or her family to ensure continued advancement through the program and to bring the scout up to speed on what was missed.
What supplies and equipment are needed to participate in Scouting?
At minimum, each Scout will need a uniform and a handbook. Additional supplies and equipment may be needed for certain activities such as camping trips or field days. What equipment is needed, as well as whether it will be provided by the unit, will vary. Unit leaders should provide parents with information about any supplies that will be required at the beginning of each program year.
Where can I purchase BSA literature, uniforms, and other program materials?
We have a full service Scout Shop in Fargo here https://scoutingnlc.org/scoutshop/, and a satellite location in Bismarck. ND at 3320 Hamilton St #1.
Is financial assistance available to help pay for my child's involvement in Scouting?
How can I save money on the cost of uniforms and equipment?
The unit may provide assistance to families. Some units operate a uniform exchange or uniform bank, or they may hold fund-raisers to enable the boys or girls to earn their uniforms. Also, some units will award boys or girls rank-specific uniform components (hat and neckerchief) and/or the program books that the Scout needs each year — so parents should inquire as to what the unit provides before purchasing the items themselves.
Is joining Cub Scouts worth it?
Cub Scouting has so many benefits for kids today, such as meaningful friendships, exciting adventures, independence, personal accomplishments, and a sense of community. Being a Cub Scout is also incredibly worthwhile because it prepares kids to be confident and resourceful as they grow older.
Is training available?
There are a variety of training opportunities available, specific to the leadership position you hold. For example, as a new unit leader, training is available immediately to enable you to run your first meeting successfully. More in-depth training is provided throughout the year, and monthly roundtable meetings enable you and other leaders to share ideas on how to organize fun and exciting activities for youth.
How can I become an adult volunteer?
Express your interest to the unit leaders—the Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, crew Advisor, chartered organization representative, or members of the unit committee. While there’s no guarantee that a specific role or position will be available—and there may be a selection process among several candidates even if the position is currently vacant—there is usually some way in which you can contribute, and most units are glad for any offer of help.
What fundraisers are available for Scouts?
The Northern Lights Council has a popcorn fundraiser and many units also have fund raising events of their own.
Have any NDSU Bison National Championship football players been Eagle Scouts?
Yes, Chase Morlock from Moorhead, MN. Eagle Scout in 2012 and NDSU Bison Football National Championships in 2014, 2015 and 2017
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