All About Recognition Devices
Last week’s newsletter presented the new rank advancement system for Cub Scouts.  To recap, under the new program each den will complete a mixture of required and elective adventures to advance in rank, a total of seven per rank.
 
Once the requirements for an adventure are completed, boys will be awarded an adventure recognition device.  Tigers, Wolves, and Bears will earn adventure belt loops.  Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts will earn adventure pins.  In addition to the loops and pins, pocket certificates will also be available for completing an adventure, either as a supplement or a low-cost alternative.  These insignia replace current progress towards rank insignia (beads) for Tiger Cubs, Wolf and Bear Scouts, Webelos activity pins, and the belt loops and pins of the Academics and Sports program.  
 
Adventure Loops
Adventure loops awarded to Tigers, Wolves, and Bears in the new program are similar to those used in the current academic and sports program, with a few key differences:
  • Adventure belt loops are slightly narrower, which will allow boys to fit more on their belts
  • Adventure belt loops will be slightly lower in cost than the academics and sports loops ($1.39 vs. $1.89)
Belt loops for required adventures are multi-color, and belt loops for elective adventures are monochromatic.  To distinguish between the ranks there are colored bars on the loops: Tigers earn orange loops, Wolves earn red loops, and Bears earn blue loops.  
 
 
Adventure Pins
Scouts working towards their Webelos or Arrow of Light badge will earn pins for completing adventures.  As previously stated, to earn their Webelos rank boys will complete two electives, while Arrow of Light Scouts will complete three electives.  Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts choose electives from the same pool of 18 electives, and therefore their elective pins are the same.  Pins can be worn either on the Webelos colors or on the front of the Webelos cap.  
 
Pins vary in design depending on the type of adventure completed:
  • Webelos required adventures: diamond shaped pin with green edges
  • Arrow of Light required adventures: arrow shaped pin with brown edges
  • Elective adventures for Webelos and Arrow of Light: brown monochromatic oval pins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Information About Recognition and Insignia
Boys may earn additional elective adventures beyond the required for each level of rank, and will be awarded those adventure loops and pins.  Boys may not, however, work on electives from earlier ranks after they have graduated to their next den, or work ahead of their level. 
 
The new program insignia is intended to be awarded to boys as soon as possible after completing an adventure, ideally within two weeks.  Packs can establish a practice for awarding recognition that makes sense for its members.  For example, boys who complete an adventure could receive their pocket certificate at their den meeting, and be presented the corresponding device (pin or loop) at the next Pack meeting.  As insignia for the new program is intended to be awarded as soon as possible, Cub Scout leaders will NOT be required to complete an advancement report to purchase adventure recognition devices.  Purchase of rank badges will continue to require a signed advancement report.  
 
New Program Workshops: Your Ticket to Adventure!
To ensure everyone is ready to make the transition to the new program on June 1, workshops will be held throughout the council in May.  The meetings will outline the coming changes, how to prepare, and provide the new den leader guides FREE to all den leaders in attendance!  In order to get your free book, you must RSVP online by April 29.
 
Leaders attending a workshop can also pre-order new leader guides, handbooks for boys, neckerchiefs, and neckerchief slides online and receive them at the meeting. 

Visit http://www.samoset.org/program/cs2015.php to RSVP and purchase your new program supplies in advance.  

Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 PM – Marshfield (LDS Church, 2207 West 5th Street)

Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 PM – Stevens Point (SPASH commons, 1201 Northpoint Drive)

Thursday, May 14 at 6:30 PM – Tomahawk (Tomahawk Middle School, 1048 East King Road)

Saturday, May 16 at 9 AM – Wausau (LDS Church, 5405 Rib Mountain Drive)