Uniforms, rank, and adventures
Do I need a Cub Scout uniform? Where do I purchase a uniform?
Yes! New Cub Scouts will need to purchase a Cub Scout uniform shirt to wear at Scout meetings, which can be purchased in person at a local Scout Shop or online.
The closest Scout Shop for most is the Lincoln Heritage Council Scout Shop (12001 Sycamore Station Place, Louisville, KY). See here for store hours and other locations. The shop staff will help determine the right shirt and patches; including size to purchase. They have fitting rooms also available. When purchasing your scout's uniform, you will need to tell them you are joining Pack "274" chartered through St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Anchorage. Scout Shops do have Cub Scout and Webelos shirts with pre-sewn patches, while a local seamstress is a great option for sewing unit number patches.
In addition to the shirt, grades 1-5 will also need a neckerchief and neckerchief slide (see store staff for assistance). As Kindergarten through 3rd grade Cub Scouts complete adventures within their Dens, they will receive a belt loop award, which fit on the Cub Scout belt with belt buckle. It is recommended that you purchase a Scout Handbook for your Scout’s rank, although this is not strictly necessary as much of the handbook information is also available through Scoutbook. Please note that we do not require the purchase of official pants, hat, or socks, although you are welcome to purchase them if desired.
If any of these costs are a financial burden for your family, please note that there are programs available to assist with the cost of both uniforms and membership fees through the Lincoln Heritage Council.
What's the total cost for a New Scout? $100 for the Cub Scout uniform (1st through 5th grade) and handbook is a safe estimate for your initial items to be purchased from the Scout Store.
Pro tip: Attend the Pack 274 Fall Hotdog Roast on September 26th and check out the Bling Box. We ask that renewing scouts turn-in any uniform items they will not be wearing as a result of advancing Rank; e.g. a Bear Den scout will no longer need a Wolf Den neckerchief and slide, which will be handed down to Wolf Den scouts.
Do I purchase my Scout’s awards and advancements (e.g. rank, adventure belt loops) when earned? Only if you are the “Advancement Chair” or an Advancement Coordinator: then you can be one of the Parents who does that for all of the Den or Pack when it is time for Badges and Awards.
What are the different Ranks in Cub Scouts, and how do I earn a Rank?
The advancement trail begins for all scouts with each new year in scouting. On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses towards a badge of rank based on their grade. They need not have earned the previous rank in order to earn the next. Each of the ranks in Cub Scouting has its own requirements that are age appropriate, so earning a rank below a Cub Scout’s current grade is not permitted. As a Cub Scout advances through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities they have learned.
Kindergarteners and their Parents are in a “Lion” Den, working towards the Lion Rank.
First graders and their Parents are in a “Tiger” Den, working towards the Tiger Rank. (because younger kids need more supervision, the Cub Scout program has those kids participate with an Adult Partner)
Second graders are in a “Wolf” Den, working towards the Wolf Rank.
Third graders are in a “Bear” Den, working towards the Bear Rank.
Fourth graders are in a “Webelos” Den, working towards the Webelos Rank. (Webelos stands for “WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts”, by the way)
Fifth graders are in an “Arrow of Light” Den, working towards the Arrow of Light Rank, preparing them to cross over to a Troop.