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SCOUT EXECUTIVE'S MINUTE Dear Friends of Scouting: 
The year 2005 marks the 75th Anniversary of Cub Scouting in the Boy Scouts of America. I think back to my own Cub Scout experiences of weekly Den Meetings with Mrs. Embers, of working with my parents on a knight’s costume for a Pack 142 Blue and Gold Dinner, of making a Pinewood Derby car with my cousin (I still have the car), and of attending one of the first “pilot program” Cub Scout Day Camps in America at Pine Hill Scout Reservation in Berlin, New Jersey.I recall some milestones along the way as well. Fold-over buttoned and gold piped pockets converted into large cargo pockets on the Cub Scout uniform. The Cub Scout cap converted from a blue with gold piping cap to a large foam-domed baseball cap to a low crown rank-designated cap to reflect the changes in fashion nationwide. The old Lion program became the Webelos program. Den Mothers became Den Leaders with both men and women serving in these roles. The first year that women could serve as Cubmasters was 1977. The first year that Tiger Cubs became part of the program was 1982. Cub Scout Day Camps went from a “pilot program” to an established regular part of the overall program along with Cub Scout Resident Camps. Cub Scouting’s age requirements were lowered to reflect changes in society and education. “Progress Towards Rank” was added as an “instant recognition” program. Cub Scouting continues to attract more youth to its program than any other youth program in America. Cub Scouting will evolve according to society’s needs in the future as a dynamic entry-level Scouting program that is critical to the healthy development of boys as they turn into men of character. Help commemorate Cub Scouting by adding your own unique celebration at the individual, Pack, and/or District level. Get On Board! Stephen J. Taylor, CFRE Scout Executive Northwest Suburban Council |