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.

THE TIGER CUB TRAIL

The Tiger Cub badge is for boys who have completed all 15 parts of the five achievements, that is, five family activities, five den activities, and five Go See It outings. During an impressive ceremony, the Tiger Cub badge is presented to the adult partner at a pack meeting, who in turn presents the badge to the boy. The badge is placed on the left pocket just below the bobcat badge (See Uniform Patch Placement).

While your boy is working on advancement, you can help. Besides signing his handbook as Akela once he has done his best, let your den leader know of any completed parts of achievements at your next den meeting. The den leader will keep a record of your boy's individual progress on the Tiger Cub Den Advancement Chart. In addition, your boy, with your help, will keep track of his own advancement on the Tiger Trail chart found on page 152 of his handbook. This encourages him and helps him see his progress toward the Tiger Cub rank.

The advancement requirements are written in such a way as to give you room to customize activities for your boy and your den. There are no performance requirements for Tiger Cubs. Boys should never be "tested" or placed in a position where they will not be successful. Simply participating in the activities and doing his best constitutes completion.

The den activities and 'Go See It' outings are intended to be completed with the den. If a Tiger Cub is unable to participate in an activity because of illness or a conflict, however, you may work with him to complete these requirements. For your boy to receive the full benefit of the program, it is important for you, his adult partner, to make every effort to attend meetings regularly.

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.

THE TIGER UNIFORM

The uniform is an important part of the Scouting program, especially for the youngest boys just starting their boy scout trail. It identifies the boys and adults with Tiger Cubs and gives them a sense of belonging to the den, the pack, and the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts enjoy wearing their Tiger Cub uniform. They should wear it to all den meetings, pack meetings, and special pack activities.

The current uniform for the Tiger Cub, introduced in August 2004, is the official blue Cub Scout shirt with blue/orange neckerchief and neckerchief slide. The official Tiger Cub cap and blue web belt with a Tiger Cub buckle are optional. There are also blue socks with orange band to complete the uniform.

The Uniform Inspection Sheet has insignia placement guides.

Uniform details and other scouting gear can be found at the Atlanta Area Council Scout Shop or online from the BSA National Supply Division.