Easy way to teach the Bobcat Badge to Cub Scouts

How to setup new Cub Scouts for success with reminder cards

With the exception of the those children who join as Kindergartners (Lions), the Bobcat Badge is the first badge earned by all new Cub Scouts. So, before you jump into any Cub Scout activities, called adventures, you’ll need to make sure that each kiddo in the Den has completed the requirements for the Bobcat Badge.

As the requirements for the Bobcat Badge are core principles that will follow youth and adults throughout the entire Scouting program, we’ve made our own Cub Scout Reminder Cards for Bobcat Badge that you can download for free. Personally, we print them out, cut them into sections, laminate them, and then connect them with a loose leaf ring. These Cub Scout flip books make it easy to reference and practice until the topics are second nature.

Bobcat Badge Requirements, Leave No Trace, Meeting Closing, & Scout Slogan

On our Cub Scout Reminder Cards, we detail the first 2 key points of Scouting: the Scout Law and Scout Oath. Both of these are essential principles found in both Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA.

We also have the Leave No Trace Principles for Kids detailed on the card, which is a key reminder for outdoor ethics. My kids personal favorite: trash your trash!

In addition to the 5 Cub Scout items, we’ve also included the Scout Slogan: Do a good turn daily. It’s just a great reminder to do something good each day. It’s a great way to practice servant leadership even as a youth.

Bobcat Badge Requirements

1. Learn and say the Scout Oath, with help if needed.

Scout Oath

On my honor I will do my best

To do my duty to God and my country

and to obey the Scout Law;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong,

mentally awake, and morally straight.

2. Learn and say the Scout Law, with help if needed.

Scout Law

A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brace, clean, reverent.

A great little tool we picked up in our Pack is to write out the Scout Law on popsicle sticks and have the kids arrange them in order.

3. Show the Cub Scout sign. Tell what it means.

The Cub Scout sign is made with the right hand using the pointer and middle fingers. It looks like the “peace” sign. Making the sign, hold your arm straight up. These 2 fingers stand for the Scout Oath and the Scout Law, which are both said aloud at the opening of each meeting while holding the Cub Scout sign high.

4. Show the Cub Scout handshake. Tell what it means.

Using the Cub Scout Sign learned previously, you shake hands with the 2 fingers still outstretched. Do this when shaking hands with another Cub Scout. This is meant as a reminder to each other to obey the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

5. Say the Cub Scout motto. Tell what it means.

Do Your Best

The Cub Scout motto is “do your best,” which is a guiding principle for your life and as a Scout. In all things, try your hardest – all the time. Whether in a Den meeting, Pack meeting, at school, or at home, a good Scout should do their very best – always.

6. Show the Cub Scout salute. Tell what it means.

Using the 2 finger Cub Scout sign, bring those fingers together, fingertips touching, and touch them in a salute to the corner of your Cub Scout hat, or to your right eyebrow if a hat isn’t being worn.

7. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide