CS-19 Community Service

  1. Why are Cub Scouts encouraged to perform community service?
  1. The purposes of Cub Scouting: Help achieve the broader aims of the BSA in terms of character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.

The Purposes of Cub Scouting
1. Character Development
2. Spiritual Growth
3. Good Citizenship
4. Sportsmanship and Fitness
5. Family Understanding
6. Respectful Relationships
7. Personal Achievement
8. Friendly Service
9. Fun and Adventure
10. Preparation for Boy Scouts
  1. Principles for developing character: Core values are the basis of good character development. To help boys develop character, Cub Scouting promotes 12 core values.

Cub Scouting’s 12 Core Values
  1. Citizenship
  2. Compassion
  3. Cooperation
  4. Courage
  5. Faith
  6. Health and fitness
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  1. Honesty
  2. Perseverance
  3. Positive attitude
10. Resourcefulness
11. Respect
12. Responsibility

Character must be broadly defined to include thought, commitment, and practice. It is not enough to

-teach right from wrong

-memorize words and slogans

Cub Scouts must:

-learn to use their reasoning skills when evaluating competing values.

-be committed and have the skills needed to act on their convictions.

-reflect on the experience of conducting a service project – how they felt about the experience, what they experienced in the moment, and what ideas come to mind about how to address the problem/social concern that was highlighted by the service project.

In summary, the rich experience of participating in a service project gives the Cub Scout an opportunity to develop:

  • Citizenship (be a good neighbor, protect the environment)
  • Compassion (help those in need)
  • Cooperation (share things with others)
  • Perseverance (finish what you start)
  • Positive attitudes (be optimistic)
  • Resourcefulness (conserve the earth’s natural resources)
  • Responsibility (be helpful and dependable)

Quote: “Do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa of Calcutta

When we value what a Cub Scout can contribute to a service project, no matter how small his part may seem, we are in turn valuing and affirming that Cub Scout as a person!

  1. Major Recipients of Cub Scout Community Service
  2. The Chartered Organization
  3. Provides goodwill to give back something to the chartered organization that supports a Pack.
  4. Increases visibility of Scouting in your immediate community.
  5. Increases opportunities for recruitment of future Cubs and their families.
  6. Teaches collaboration with other organizations and people outside of the immediate Scouting community.

Example: Pack 43 of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in White Buffalo District partners with the St. Vincent de Paul Society (ministry to the poor and needy) annually to conduct a food drive in the spring when shelves are bare, well after the Christmas season.

  1. The Community at Large
  2. Expands the Cub Scout’s world view to include his neighborhood and community outside the chartered organization.
  3. Provides experience in diversity and respect for people of other faiths.
  4. Raises the visibility of Scouting in the broader community, especially in areas where Scouting is poorly understood.
  5. Provides links to other organizations that provide services.

Example: Pack 325 from Stonewall Jackson Elementary School/St. Andrew’sPresbyterian Church recently combined their popcorn fundraising efforts with a Good Turn for our wounded military personnel. They asked citizens to purchase Trails End Popcorn to be donated to wounded soldiers and their families stationed in San Antonio. (BrookeArmyMedicalCenter)

  1. BSA Sponsored Community Services
  2. Scouting for Food in February
  3. Emergency Preparedness Program

Last year the Emergency Preparedness Committee of Circle 10 mobilized units from Circle 10 to respond to the needs of Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Scouts helped collect, sort, and pack canned food, clothing, and toiletries at several locations under the auspices of Salvation Army and Red Cross. Many Eagle projects were conducted last year to augment the efforts of the Emergency Preparedness Committee.

III. Ideas for Service Projects for Cub Scouts

Before starting any service project, consider the following:

  • The project should be age-appropriate; youth should not be asked to participate in activities that are beyond their physical, mental, and emotional capacity.
  • There should be proper adult supervision during all phases of the project.
  • Appropriate safety guidelines related to the project should be communicated to all participants.

If you have any questions, please contact Circle 10 Council, your district’s Health and Safety Chair, and consult the Guide to Safe Scouting.

See this link for more information:

30 Popular Ideas for Service Projects for Cub Scout Packs

1.Flag ceremony for elementary school or PTA.

2.Flag ceremony for chartered organization.

3.Flag ceremony on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, etc.

4.Flag ceremony for nursing home on Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, etc.

5.Marching in 4th of July Parade.

6.Marching in Veteran’s Day Parade and Memorial Day Parade.

7.Flag retirement ceremony for school, chartered organization or other civic organization.

8.Scouting for Food – BSA.

9.Food pantry collection in collaboration with chartered organization (church, elementary school, or PTA, etc.).

10.Toiletry gift packets to nursing home residents (Kleenex, lotions, toothpaste, etc.)

11.Toiletry gift packets to Parkland patients at any of the outlying Community Oriented Primary Care clinics (Garland, East Dallas, Vickery, etc.)

12.Christmas caroling at nursing home.

13.Patriotic concerts at nursing home.

14.Sell extra Trails End popcorn to be delivered to military hospitals to give to families visiting injured loved ones.

15.Clothing drive – an example would be collecting winter coats/mittens/gloves in cooperation with another group in your chartered organization.

16.Raking leaves for elderly neighbor or individuals recommended to your Pack by church or chartered organization.

17.Adopt-a-Nursing-Home: ask them what they need.

18.Adopt-a-Soldier: write letters, send gift packs (if allowed).

19.Pick up trash at local parks.

20.Pick up trash on grounds of your chartered organization.

21.Plant seasonal flowers for school, church, or other organization.

22.Tree planting – watch for details in Full Circle, usually in February, a Circle 10 Council-wide activity.

23.Help serve donuts, refreshments at church, school, chartered organization.

24.Adopt-a-Highway.

25.Greet the Troops at DFW airport.

26.Assist shelters for battered women, runaway adolescents and children by collecting clothing, toiletries, school supplies, stuffed toys.

27.Collect toys and gifts for children of prisoners.

28.Adopt-a-Family at Christmas time (help your chartered organization or other community organization)

29.Adopt an Animal (Zoo).

30.Collect and assemble Welcome Home hygiene kits for disaster victims.

Please see the Good Turn for America website for an extensive list of project ideas.

Websites and links:

(Adopt-a-Highway)

Instructor: Grace Puente Davidson

Pack Trainer, Pack 43, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church