Tiger Cub "Big Ideas"
The Tiger Cub program does not have a formal advancement
program. It does have, however, a series of "Big Ideas" that are
designed to fulfill many specific purposes.
Since the Tiger Cub program is designed for First Grade boys
the ideas are geared to their level. They are also arranged to
help the boy and his adult partner interact together in a
positive way.
The following is a list of the "Big Ideas" and the purpose
that is given for the idea:
- GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Purpose: To provide a fun time for all Tiger Cubs and adults
to get to know one another at the first Tiger Cub
group meeting. Also, to provide a meeting format
as an example of one way a future meeting can be run.
- FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Purpose: To have fun together and in this way to help bring
family closer together.
- DISCOVER NATURE AND ENERGY
Purpose: To develop in your child an appreciation of the
world around him, and an awe for its Creator.
Also it will provide the basis for several hobbies
and interests that may extend into the future.
Perhaps most important, you are given the
opportunity through this big idea to reinforce
your own values about environment, energy, and
even spirituality.
- PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES
Purpose: This activity is designed to equip the child to deal
with an emergency when there is no adult present.
There are activities that will help him help
others.
In the expanding world of a first-grade boy, there
are times that he is not under the immediate
protection of a parent of other adult family
member. His knowledge of emergency procedures
will strengthen his self-esteem and self-confidence.
In this big idea, you can discuss with your son how
to react to strangers and persons whose motives
are either not known or are unacceptable.
- KNOW YOUR FAMILY
Purpose: Gives you a chance to explore your family's
heritage, background, and structure. But it also
gives you an opportunity to express to one another
what makes you feel good - what makes you feel bad
- all of you. It also aids in his understanding
of other family members and their feelings.
- KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY
Purpose: One of the underlying purposes of the Boys Scouts
of America is to develop responsible citizenship
in boys. This begins with an understanding of
their community. As you explore your community
with your boy and your Tiger Cub group, you will
be giving your boy and others a better
understanding of the environment in which they
live. Boys will develop a deeper appreciation of
their community and how it works.
- HELPING OTHERS
Purpose: Helping others should be part of anyone's life, not
only because it makes for a better world, but also
because it gives good feelings to both the helper
and the one being helped. Giving your boy a
chance to help others enables him to learn that it
is an important part of his life both now and in
the future. It also lets him learn that helping
others can be fun and rewarding. Helping others
as a family or as a group makes the experience all
the more fun and rewarding.
- GO SEE IT
Purpose: This big idea gives you and your boy a chance to
enjoy all the special places and activities in
your area. Seeing these things as a family makes
for enjoyable times for all. It allows your
family to have fun together, and grow together as
well. GO SEE IT!
- GETTING THERE
Purpose: Transportation is a big part of everyone's lives.
We travel to work, we travel on vacations. This
big idea lets you and your Tiger Cub explore some
of the many ways man travels from one place to
another. As your boy learns about transportation,
you can take the opportunity to explain how
important it is to be on time, to be courteous to
others. You can also plan activities that will
help to make your family trips pleasant
experiences for everyone.
- SOMETHING SPECIAL, ALL YOUR OWN
Purpose: This is your own big idea. Pick whatever big idea
your group wants. Let the boys play as big a part
in this as the adults. Make it fun for everyone.
Let your imagination suggest whatever it wants to.
Make it the group and family happening of the
year. What's important is that the boys and
adults plan the big idea together. That way it
belongs to you and your group. Come up with
family activities and group activities, too.
- MAKING YOUR FAMILY SPECIAL
Purpose: To help you and your boy explore the things that
make your family unique, special, one of a kind.
Take the opportunity to let everyone talk about
those things that strengthen the family. It will
help everyone develop more of a sense of belonging
and pride. And the goal of this big idea is to
make family bonds stronger.
- MAKE YOUR OWN
Purpose: To help your boy develop a sense of pride and
satisfaction by making all kinds of things. This
big idea also will help him develop patience,
perseverance, and initiative.
- CARING FOR YOUR HOME AND HOUSEHOLD
Purpose: Learning what is required to keep a home neat and
clean is important for a first-grader. Part of
the goal of this big idea is to help your boy
realize that if everyone does his part to keep the
home clean, neat, and fixed up it will be a
happier place to live. In addition, some of the
activities in this big idea are designed to give
your boy a greater appreciation of all things that
others do to keep the home in good shape. Lastly,
an objective of this big idea is to help your boy
learn to follow directions.
- FAMILY GAMES, TRICKS, PUZZLES
Purpose: Part of the goal of this big idea is to have boys
learn to become both good winners and good losers
as well. In addition, this big idea will teach
them how to play by the rules and how to follow
instructions. It also holds the opportunity for
boys to develop patience as they work to solve a
puzzle or invent a new game.
- FITNESS AND SPORTS
Purpose: Sport and physical fitness activities, even
calisthenics, can be fun. Naturally, though these
activities do more than just provide fun. They
can make family members healthier as well as bring
families closer together. Learning new sports can
help give a boy more self-confidence and self-
esteem. And if good sportsmanship and teamwork
are emphasized, the boy will learn some important
things that extend far beyond sports. But let's
not forget what was said at the beginning. More
than anything else sports and other physical
fitness activities can spell fun for the whole
family.
- TELL IT LIKE IT IS
Purpose: Communication is a big word to a first-grade boy,
but it is an important one. This big idea lets
the boy learn some of the many ways people
communicate with each other. It also has the goal
of letting him learn how to communicate better
with those around him. The activities are
designed to make it fun and interesting.
- CUB SCOUTING, HERE WE COME
Purpose: Tiger Cub groups are affiliated with a Cub Scout
pack, and both the Cub Scouts and the adults who
run the Cub Scout Pack are looking forward to
having your boys join the pack after their time as
Tiger Cubs. Cub Scouting will build on what your
boy is learning and discovering as Tiger Cubs, BSA.
This big idea will be carried out by you and your
group and by your Tiger Cub Group Coach.
Unlike the other big ideas in your Family Activity
Book, this big idea is set up on an organized
basis and is designed to be held at specified
times of the year. Your Group Coach will contact
you with details at the proper times.
It is asked that as you take part in the various
activities in this big idea, look over Cub
Scouting. The program can do wonderful things for
you and your boy.