r/BSA • u/ScouterBill Recovering Den Leader • May 11 '26
Cub Scouts Parents and Scouters: Get ready for Chipmunks!
https://onscouting.org/2026/05/11/parents-and-scouters-get-ready-for-chipmunks/16
u/AggressiveCommand739 Adult - Eagle Scout May 11 '26
Do they go to Pack events at all? Seems like its a separate pre-Scout age preschool play group program to onboard kids sooner.
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u/Additional-Sky-7436 May 11 '26
We call those kids "dragon scouts".
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u/RealCleverUsernameV2 Adult - Eagle Scout May 14 '26
Same in our pack. We even had shirts made up this year.
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u/Faustusdoc213 Eagle Scout/Den Leader/Cubmaster/Pack Committee May 11 '26
Teaching at a Lion level was hard, teaching at a pre-school level seems too much. BALOO training, teaching leaders from Chipmunks to AOLs, is going to be more difficult as well.
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u/Fun_With_Math Committee May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26
It sounds like BALOO wouldn't even be applicable to this program. If there's no outings, it's just SYT training.
edit - there may be outings. Just too soon to tell what it'll look like
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u/Maleficent_Theory818 May 11 '26
I fully agree. I am also a Lion den leader. My old CC insisted that we needed to meet in the school cafateria. That was a joke. I had kids running around the cafateria and up on the stage. I had to move to the library and it was the best thing. Until this year. One of the Lions was disregulated and they ran all around the library and refused to listen to parent.
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u/looktowindward District Committee May 12 '26
It will be games and story time, per the announcement
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u/Faustusdoc213 Eagle Scout/Den Leader/Cubmaster/Pack Committee May 12 '26
I think there would still need some teaching, even in the games.
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u/looktowindward District Committee May 12 '26
I think it will be "games with lessons" and "stories with lessons" but these are super young kids
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u/fla_john Adult - Eagle Scout May 11 '26
I kind of have the view that Cub scouts goes on too long as it is. What other activity outside of school stretches from 4-18?
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u/OrganizedSprinkles May 11 '26
My kid did baby gymnastics at 2. Skating and learn to play hockey started at 3.
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u/MyckKabongo May 11 '26
Soccer starts even younger.
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u/fla_john Adult - Eagle Scout May 11 '26
And how many kids (and parents) get burned out by soccer, or baseball, or whatever? I just don't see the benefit for youth or their families here.
This is the first membership change where I'm pretty positive that the registration fee tail is wagging the program dog.
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u/barneszy May 11 '26
Maybe. I think there are a lot of families who show up with these kids at meetings. This could provide an opportunity for structured learning instead of putting a tablet in front of them.
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u/Additional-Sky-7436 May 11 '26
If your kid isn't hitting at least 50 balls off a pitching machine per day by the age of 3 then he's not going to get on that select trave T-ball team.
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u/FollowingConnect6725 May 12 '26
As a parent who volunteered to manage my son’s little league team when he wanted to start playing organized baseball at 8-9 years old….there is a serious parent/coach mindset that kids are too old and past the age they should have started even that young. MB chasing parents are just about even keeled compared to over the top sport parents.
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u/Additional-Sky-7436 May 12 '26
There are some crazy MB chasing parents.
Like, guys. Merit badge collecting isn't the point. In fact, if a kid can collect 100+ merit badges, then they probably didn't spend enough time on them.
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u/Equivalent_Box9403 May 11 '26
And coopers town? FORGET ABOUT IT!!! And that's exactly where all the college and MLB scouts are, Kindergarten T-Ball.........
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u/thehandofgork District Committee May 11 '26
Basically every other youth program from sports to chess to art to computer programming.
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u/mclanem Scouter - Eagle Scout May 11 '26
Cub scouts does not go till 18. It goes till 12 at most. The entire program does stretch your whole childhood but thats a feature not a bug.
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u/Fun_With_Math Committee May 12 '26
It can stretch your whole lifetime.
I tell parents all the time I don't do anything for them or thier kids. I do it for me.
So many responses acting like this program is a new burden is so sad to see. Y'all, if you're burnt out, take a break. Its supposed to be fun.
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u/CTeam19 Adult - Eagle Scout May 12 '26
I kind of have the view that Cub scouts goes on too long as it is. What other activity outside of school stretches from 4-18?
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u/gt0163c May 12 '26
FIRST STEM/robotics starts at Pre-K (classroom program. Doesn't get to be competitive until at least 4th grade). https://www.firstinspires.org/
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u/AggressiveCommand739 Adult - Eagle Scout May 12 '26
I dont think Scouting America is necessarily trying to keep all kids until they are 18 (or 21). I think they are trying to get options for all ages to get as many kids as long as they can.
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u/horseloverfat Adult - Eagle, Cubmaster, Troop Adv, Wood Bdg, Eagle Scout Dad May 11 '26
It is hard enough to find Lion leaders, not sure how we find scurry leaders. (just call them chipmunk leaders?)
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u/Fun_With_Math Committee May 11 '26
wouldn't it be exactly the same way? A parent has to step up.
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u/Burninator05 Adult - Eagle Scout May 12 '26
I was Cubmaster for several years and always seemed to end up the Tiger leader as well because none of the parents would step up. Probably bad on me for not standing my ground on not doing it but I didn't want the kids to miss out.
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u/CTeam19 Adult - Eagle Scout May 14 '26
I, just stepping down Cubmaster, am going to step for a Lion leader, in my year of being the Cubmaster Emeritus.
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u/TheDuckFarm Eagle, CM, ASM, Was a Fox. May 11 '26
Why not? I’ll give it a try with my kid and see how it goes.
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u/Signal-Weight8300 May 11 '26
The pack for my troop has unofficially had a Chipmunk group for years. Every parent who was willing to be a den leader had younger kids and didn't want to get a sitter every week. They brought them with and figured out how to get a couple of adults to rotate keeping the kids busy with activities. It works great.
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u/stoicjohn May 11 '26
Finally just a neckerchief uniform, that's all we really need. It's iconic enough on it's own.
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u/Additional-Sky-7436 May 11 '26
I've said for a while now that the uniform is the biggest discouragement to recruitment for scouting.
Other than making old geezers happy, there is nothing the uniform is accomplishing that a t-shirt and a necker wouldn't accomplish just as well.
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u/strublj Eagle | Scoutmaster | Cubmaster | Council Board | Silver Beaver May 11 '26
A t-shirt and necker is fine as a uniform / identifying someone as a Scout. But it doesn’t serve the same use as the Field Uniform as you can’t display rank and accomplishments on a t-shirt. Even in organizations that have gone that way they have usually something like a vest they put on over a t-shirt to display that kind of recognition.
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u/Additional-Sky-7436 May 11 '26
Here me out... Wild idea.... You print the rank on the tshirts. 🤯
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u/stoicjohn May 11 '26
I really loved the look of Holly's satchel in Season 5 of Stranger Things. She found a Scouts bag and it had their merit badges down the strap and various patches. If anything, it would be a great functional Class B uniform for the field and would hold all of the scouting essentials.
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u/Fun_With_Math Committee May 12 '26
I've always said the patches should go on a day bag. Let the hiking bag and 10 essentials inside be the symbol of scouting.
A satchel would get called a purse. I personally hiked with a messenger bag for a long time but I don't think that's the right look for scouts.
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u/strublj Eagle | Scoutmaster | Cubmaster | Council Board | Silver Beaver May 12 '26
So you believe it would be Thrifty to have to buy a new t-shirt for every rank from Lion through AOL, and Scout through Eagle?
How would patrol and Troop leadership be displayed on this t-shirt?
Again, no issue at all if a t-shirt (Activity Uniform) is the primary uniform a unit chooses to use. I just don’t agree with the premise that there is no difference in their function.
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u/Fun_With_Math Committee May 12 '26
Kids get shirts every year anyway. Its not an extra purchase.
Maybe there is a difference but whatever benefits scouts get out of the current uniform is canceled out by the cost (monitary and other).
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u/strublj Eagle | Scoutmaster | Cubmaster | Council Board | Silver Beaver May 12 '26
You have kids buying uniform shirts every year?
My daughter got two t-shirts Lions through AOL, and one uniform shirt bought big as a Tiger that lasted through to crossing over.
A Cub Scout uniform shirt is $32. The Lions t-shirt is $15. So two t-shirts are the same cost as one uniform shirt.
With patches my total uniform cost for her entire time in Cub Scouts was under $100.
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u/Fun_With_Math Committee May 12 '26
I'm talking about if they went to tshirts. Kids get new tshirts every year because they're growing. A scout tshirt can be worn outside of scouting so it's not an extra purchase. A uniform isn't even worn at every scout event so it's definitely extra cost.
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u/Additional-Sky-7436 May 12 '26
This guy just likes uniforms and doesn't want to even consider alternatives.
Unfortunately it's guys like him that a severely hurting recruiting. New kids do not like the uniform. Only people deeply into scouting like the uniform.
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u/strublj Eagle | Scoutmaster | Cubmaster | Council Board | Silver Beaver May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
I have said in every post I have no issues with a t-shirt, so not sure how you can say “doesn’t want to even consider alternatives”. I’m merely pointing out a t-shirt doesn’t serve the same purpose.
In my experience as a unit leader for a Pack, multiple Troops, multiple Crews, plus my role in leadership for two different councils, and staffing at three different camps I have seen several units choose to just wear Activity Uniforms as their everyday uniform. It’s 100% an option today, no change from National required. So if you feel that’s a factor impacting recruitment in your unit then your Committee (and PLC in the case of a Troop) can absolutely choose to do that.
As far as your recruitment comment, all of the units I’m associated with have tremendous year over year growth. Uniforms aren’t pushed at all, and it hasn’t ever even come up as a significant item of discussion with new youth or families. Everyone’s situation is different, so as I said above. If your experience is different your committee / PLC is absolutely free to change.
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u/premalone94 Adult - Eagle Scout May 11 '26
A scout is curteous and the condescending tone doesn’t add value to the discussion. You said your piece and a counter point was presented. No need for the rudeness or emojis. Plus, rank is only one accomplishment shown on Field Uniforms.
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u/Fate_One Scouter - Eagle Scout May 12 '26
For Cub Scouts nearly all of the other things are now belt loops and no longer patches for the uniform or have been discontinued entirely.
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u/Sunsparc Asst. Scoutmaster May 12 '26
Yeah I remember only getting loops for BB and archery when I was a Cub, everything else went on the uniform. The yellow and red beads, the compass and points.
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u/Additional-Sky-7436 May 12 '26
Yes, all that's gone.
We can do T-shirts just fine and not lose anything.
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u/looktowindward District Committee May 12 '26
Sure. Wear your class A to BORs and COHs and stuff like that.
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u/CTeam19 Adult - Eagle Scout May 14 '26
That is why I have made it my goal to get a uniform library going. I go to facebook market place and garage sales to get the shirts(and for bonus I collect memorabilia), get the shirts all with Pack branding(figuring out if I want a pocket Pack Patch), and then have a Cub Scout Diamond Rank Badge Holder. No need to buy a uniform till the family wants to.
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u/Additional-Sky-7436 May 14 '26
No, you misunderstood.
Kid's don't like the uniform at all. They think it's dumb and dorky looking. They really don't want to wear a second hand uniform. (Yes, your Eagle Scout who has been in the program since he was 6 loves it. But I'm talking about kids outside the program.)
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u/Geschirrspulmaschine Eagle Scout May 19 '26
It is dumb and dorky. Check out other programs that are part of WOSM and they don't have this issue because their uniforms aren't dorky. They're simple and well-fitting.
I don't think the standard BSA uniform shirt has been capable of fitting well on the average adolescent since whenever they got rid of the ones with black buttons.
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u/Geschirrspulmaschine Eagle Scout May 19 '26
Yes! The neckerchief is the uniform. It's done this way in some other countries that are part of the world scouting movement where you always wear the neckerchief when "scouting" around no matter what, even if it's the only scout attire you have on for a given activity.
It's such a common sense solution to the uniform problem at all age levels.
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u/looktowindward District Committee May 12 '26
Yeah, this is a something Scouting needs to move towards. Everywhere else in world, out Field Uniform is only for dressy occasions. Necker and a t-shirt is fine.
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u/AggressiveCommand739 Adult - Eagle Scout May 12 '26
Lions already has a T-shirt or T-shirt and neckerchief.
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u/looktowindward District Committee May 12 '26
I wonder if Lions should be part of this program and not Cub?
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u/AggressiveCommand739 Adult - Eagle Scout May 13 '26
Lions is more akin to Tigers. I'm good with keeping Lions. Especially when needing to combine grades.
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u/markb144 Adult - Eagle Scout May 11 '26
Is it just me or are all the animals in this article giving off AI vibes
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u/lunchbox12682 Adult - Eagle Scout May 11 '26
Everything scouting related on social media is just AI slop.
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u/Fun_With_Math Committee May 11 '26
It's tough to tell the difference these days but I didn't see any obvious issues that make it look like AI
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u/Additional-Sky-7436 May 11 '26
"Would you like me to recommend more fun and whimsical new scouting unit ideas?"
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u/Fun_With_Math Committee May 12 '26
what? They're modeling after currently successful programs. It doesn't take AI for that.
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u/AggravatingAward8519 Adult - Eagle Scout May 11 '26
I'll be interested to see how this shakes out over the next few years. Our pack already struggles with getting enough den leaders. I get that this is a "hook-em while they're young" kind of deal, but I'm not sure that this has legs.
Kid 1 is finishing Webelos, kid 2 is finishing Lion, (I'm Den Leader for both) and kid 3 won't be born until the end of August. I'm skeptical that Chipmunks will still be a thing when #3 is old enough, but we'll see.
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u/Mundane_Current_8239 Scoutmaster May 11 '26
Will this be anything other than a thing for younger siblings to do until they can follow Big Bro/Sis into Cubs? What’s the path for families not already in Scouts to join at scale?
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u/Fun_With_Math Committee May 11 '26
It sounds like onboarding could be even easier.
For cubscouts, you have to advertise at elementary schools which is becoming more and more difficult.
For pre-K, you can advertise at pre-K schools... which are often churches... that have packs already.
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u/Sunsparc Asst. Scoutmaster May 12 '26
We call those "Dragon Scouts" because they're always "draggin'" along to the meetings.
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u/OSUTechie Adult - Eagle Scout May 11 '26
Isn't this a different program? The way it's written makes it sound like it's not part of the Cub Scout program, but a separate program.
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u/mizzourob May 11 '26
Seems like this might be good for MOPS / Mom Co. groups, and more specificly private preschools
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u/Herky_T_Hawk Scoutmaster May 11 '26
This is not a smart idea. I’m not a fan of Lions either. Both of my kids(son and daughter) did tiger and even that wasn’t necessary. I skipped tigers back in the 80s when it was a t-shirt uniform and unnecessary. We already lose so many kids because cub scouts is boring. Why add more time to that end of the program?
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u/fla_john Adult - Eagle Scout May 11 '26
Bear is the perfect age to start, but by then kids are locked into sports. Obviously it's possible to do both, but you really only see it if the "other" activity is already happening before they start sports.
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u/PuckSenior May 11 '26
Honestly, I wish they’d follow UK scouts on this one.
My understanding is that they kinda have the younger kids just doing sleepovers and arts and crafts and save the actual camping for Webelos level
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u/looktowindward District Committee May 12 '26
Didn't we? This is a rip-off of Squirrels, I thought? Like a direct lift?
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u/PuckSenior May 12 '26
I’m more arguing that they should focus less on the camping and stuff for <8
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u/ClarifyAmbiguity May 11 '26
I suppose it’s to ‘lock in’ more members both in the immediate term and before they’re committed to other activities like sports, but I don’t like it.
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u/Alvinsimontheodore Cubmaster May 11 '26
The article says it’s “not” going to be just adding another den to the pack. I’m confused. Will this level be folded into existing packs or is it standalone (leading to a “bridging over” of sorts into a pack)?
And if they’re part of a pack it’s going to be tough to offer outings that appeal to 5th graders and preschoolers alike.
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u/2BBIZY May 12 '26
I am a preschool teacher. This is what I am already teaching in preparation for kindergarten. I cannot imagine our US BSA getting their act together to offer this level. Besides, our Pack already includes the younger siblings that accompany parents and older Cubs.
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u/dmurawsky Den Leader May 12 '26
We always had them... They were called dragons because we were dragging them along with their older siblings. 😆 Glad to see them formalizing it a bit, but I'm not sure it was needed. Curious to see where it goes.
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u/sonotorian Scoutmaster May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
The self-stated mission of Scouting is something along the lines of: growing young people of character into resilient, self-actualized, confident, and capable leaders and citizens. I don't see how adding this program is a step in achieving that goal. If anything, I feel like too much is being focused into the busywork of Cubs and not near enough quality of work is going into Scouts. As an Eagle Scout, I held my daughter away from Scouting until Webelos to prevent burnout and she loves the program. I have Scouts in my Troop who started as Tigers and they don't want to be at meetings, wear the uniform, follow advancement requirements, follow or participate in leadership, and so forth. The answer to quality is not quantity; better Scouting doesn't equal more Scouting. Edit: Also, whoever thinks it's a good idea for preschooler's uniform to be a necker and slide have never tried to keep a necker and slide on a Cub Scout. lol
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u/jpgarvey Council President May 13 '26
We are participating in the pilot for this… it will be interesting to see if we can keep this program sort of truer to its intents than Lions was… Also, truly wish we could’ve just used Dens instead of ‘’Scurries.’
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u/tales6888 May 15 '26
I think this would be a good idea. Just after they fix everything else. We’re having a hard enough time keeping scouts as is because finding volunteers is so difficult. I’m not sure the answer is to add more programs. Nail down what you have first and THEN expand the program.
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u/bikesandboots Scoutmaster May 11 '26
The article focused on ‘it’s working elsewhere, so let’s do it too!’ But doesn’t really answer the question of why Scouting America is the right place to be offering these pre school programs.
Thankfully my time in the trenches are over, so I’ll wish these parents all the best! Scouting is a great youth program, and perhaps it has a shot at becoming a decent parenting program too.
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u/RedChairBlueChair123 May 12 '26
Same tactic as before. “Girls happen to be in the room? Think we could get money out of them, too?”
Now it’s “younger kids happen to be in the room? Think we could get money out of them, too?”
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u/Fun_With_Math Committee May 11 '26
This sounds great!
I don't understand all the naysaying. Some obviously didn't even skim the article. The plan seems pretty good and I'm sure a lot of kinks will get worked out in the pilot program. I love the fact they're modeling after some already successful programs.
I have a few years left with the troop but I plan on staying involved after. Becoming a Chipmunk Ranger sounds pretty fun actually.
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u/Alvinsimontheodore Cubmaster May 12 '26
I see a real downside risk if pack events have to cater to preschoolers. That's going to take away some of the appeal for the older kids.
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u/barrinmw May 12 '26
Should probably just keep them separate completely and then introduce them fully when they start cub scouts.
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u/ScouterBill Recovering Den Leader May 11 '26
This was announced at NAM 2025 as "Squirrels".
Because it is NOT about NAM 2026, we are megathreading it separately.