Lion Cub Pilot Program

The Lion Cub Pilot Program is a special program designed to introduce Cub Scouting to kindergarten-age youth and their families.  As a Pilot Program, only units that have been approved by the New Birth of Freedom Council are eligible to host a Lion Cub Den.  Below is the criteria for a unit to participate.  New Units interested in applying, as well as Units wishing to continue to host the program, must complete an application.  Applications can be completed online.   Units can also download a copy of the application and send it to either of the New Birth of Freedom Council Service Centers or submit it by email to Chris Styers at christopher.styers@scouting.org.  

2017-2018 LIONS PILOT PROGRAM CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION

  • Leadership & Required Training:  An experienced leader to serve as Lion Guide (name, phone, & email provided to the Council) must be identified prior to Lion youth/family recruitment. The Lion Guide must complete Youth Protection Training and Lion Den Orientation prior to the start of the program (along with all PA background checks).  
  • Registration Fee to Start:  Not to exceed $55 registration fee for new Lions joining the Pack based on the following breakdown:
    • $32 for 2017-2018 BSA Fee ($8 for remainder of 2017 assuming September registration; $24 for all 2018)
    • $10 Lion book set
    • $13 for recognition patch ($2) and modest monthly dues (approximately $1/ month for consumables). 
    • Notes on Fees & Funding:
      • Packs may choose to cover some portion of the costs outlined above thereby lowering the new Lion family’s cost to join, but the Pack may not exceed the above total fee of $55.
      • Families purchase $10 Lion T-shirt on own unless Pack develops some other option without increasing the fee to start.  Hat is an optional purchase.
      • Per event pricing for any other outings offered to Lion Den. Cost info should be provided prior to each outing, ideally as part of the Lion Den Calendar shared with new families.
  • Program Planning: Packs are required to provide a Lion Den Calendar submitted to the District prior to recruitment with the 2-3 Pack meetings listed for them to attend. Assuming there is also a Pack Calendar, submittal to the Unit Commissioner for review is requested, but the Pack Calendar is not mandatory. 
  • Camping Promotions:  Unit agrees to hold a NBOF Council Summer Camping Promotion presentation to include Lion Den by a District representative before February 2018. 
  • Other Program Notes:
    • Request participation in Lion Guide conference calls at mid-year and year-end coordinated by the districts to share ideas and gauge how things are going locally. Participation is encouraged, but only optional.
    • Lion Dens are not to participate in unit fundraisers as outlined in the Lion Guidebook. These are reserved for Tiger-age boys and above, just like earning Bobcat.
    • In accordance with the National Lion Pilot program materials, Lion Dens are to meet monthly using the Lion Den Meetings Plans and have one other outing/Pack meeting per month.
    • NBOF Council reserves the right to terminate a unit’s opportunity to continue to deliver the program based on the criteria noted in the Lion Pilot National Memorandum of Understanding to which the local Council has entered into on behalf of local Scouting.