Origins of Cub Scouting
Posted on January 19, 2009

In America, millions of Cub Scout-age boys and their families were clamoring for a program of their own. As early as 1920, at the first national training conference for Scout executives, the needs of the younger boys were discussed. However, the Boy Scouts of America felt it wise to postpone any action until there was more objective evidence.

In 1925, Dr. Harold W. Hurt, a research psychologist and veteran Scouter, was authorized to study existing organizations for younger boys, such as Boy Rangers, Boy Pioneers, American Eagles, Young Men’s Clubs of America (YMCA), and Boys’ Clubs. He found that only one boy in 50 participated regularly in any type of worthwhile leisure-time program. He also found that younger boys responded even better to leadership and program efforts than older boys. He worked closely with Ernest Thompson Seton. Both men recommended that the BSA adopt a program for younger boys, with older Boy Scouts as leaders, to tie into home, church, school, and Boy Scouting.

The National Executive Board authorized the Chief Scout Executive to proceed with a thorough scientific study of the whole younger-boy matter. An advisory committee was appointed to work with the BSA in developing a plan and producing the necessary literature. Advice was obtained from leading psychologists, sociologists, teachers, school superintendents, professors of education, college executives, and recreation and welfare directors.

By 1929, the new Cubbing program (it wasn’t called Cub Scouting until several years later) was taking shape. It was introduced as a demonstration project in a limited number of communities. Its structure was similar to today’s Cub Scouting, except that dens were led by Boy Scout den chiefs. The plan included neighborhood mothers’ committee to encourage Cubs and den chiefs. (Den mother registration was optional for the first few years. By July 1938, 1,100 den mothers had registered and soon became a very important part of Cub Scouting.)

The first dens met weekly at a member’s home where they played games and enjoyed crafts and ceremonies. The pack met weekly or semimonthly for games, den competitions, awards, stunts, and other activities. Cubs advanced from Bobcat (for all new members) to Wolf (age 9), Bear (age 10), and Lion (age 11), and joined the Boy Scout troop at age 12.

In 1949, the age requirement was lowered to between 8 and 10 for Cub Scouts. In 1986 it was lowered again to include second-grade boys. In 1982, the Tiger Cub program was started based on shared leadership of boy-adult teams. It is a school-year-based program.

In 1930, Cub Scouting was formally launched, with 5,102 boys registered at the end of that first year. By 1933 the time had come to promote Cub Scouting throughout the country as a part of Boy Scouting. All experimental restrictions were removed and the first national director of Cub Scouting was appointed.

History of the Pinewood Derby
Posted on January 19, 2009

Cubmaster Don Murphy organized the first pinewood derby, held on May 15, 1953 in Manhattan Beach, California by Pack 280c.[2] Murphy's son was too young to participate in the popular Soap Box Derby races, so he came up with the idea of racing miniature wood cars. The cars had the same gravity-powered concept as the full-size Soap Box Derby cars, but were much smaller and easier to build.

After Don Murphy's first race in 1953 the Los Angeles County Department of Recreation copied the pinewood derby with Murphy's permission.[3] Don Murphy died July 1 2008, at age 90 of pneumonia.[4]

Taken from Wikipedia