When a boy is between the ages of eight and eleven years old or has (at least) completed the first grade, he can become a Cub Scout. But, regardless of a qualifying boy's age, he must complete the Bobcat Trail as the first step in his Cub Scouting adventure.
In Rudyard Kipling's story, The Jungle Book, the black panther Bagheera is the mighty hunter that teaches the cubs the skills of the jungle. In Cub Scouting we use the symbol of the Bobcat. You'll find his trail in the "Wolf Cub Scout Book" (BSA Publication No.33234, 1998)
Along this trail the Cub Scout learns the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto. These are the three most important things a boy must learn because they will help him through all of the trails of Scouting.
LEARN AND SAY THE CUB SCOUT PROMISE
Honesty Character Connection
The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps hte Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.
Make the Cub Scout sign with your right hand. Hold with your arm straight up. The two fingers stand for two parts of the Promise - "to help other people" and "to obey." They look like a wolf's ears; this means you are rady to listen ot Akela. Give the cub scout sign when you say the Cub Scout Promise or the Law of the Pack.
Hold out your right hand just as you always do ot shake hands. Put your hfirst two fingers along the inside of the other boy's wrist. This means tha you help and that you obey the Law of the Pack.
DO YOUR BEST!
Us your right hand. Hold yoru fingers as you do fo the Cub Scout sign. Keep the two straight fingers close together. Touch the tips of those fingers to your cap. If you are not wearing a cap, touch your right eyebrow.
With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the parent's guide, "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse".