Cub Scout Program Right Front Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

Just wondering, with the new Outdoor Activity Award now adorning the Cubbie's right pocket flap, where does the National Summertime Pack Award Pin go (it previously went on the right pocket flap)?

The current National Summertime Pack Award pin is worn centered on the right pocket flap between the top edge and the button. It can be earned up to five times, with the pins worn in a row centered on the pocket flap.

The National Summertime Pack Award pin has been around since 1971. There's also a streamer and certificate for the Pack. VERY FEW PACKS earn this award even though it is a very simple award to earn: have an activity each of the three summer months!

The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award also is worn on the RIGHT POCKET FLAP of the Cub Scout blue or khaki-tan uniform shirt.

The Award may be earned up to five times, with the second and each successive award indicated by a small Wolf Paw Print pin (say THAT three times!!) as shown below. The Paw Print is worn somewhere on the patch itself, ideally over one of the four "seasons" (Moon=fall; Big Dipper=winter; Leaf=spring; Sun=summer).

No, It is NOT a "Cub Scout OA Flap!" This is the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award emblem. It is worn on the right pocket flap of the Cub Scout Blue or khaki-tan uniform however... The Wolf Paw print is used to signify the earning the award each successive year up to five.

Hi David! Sorry for the delay in responding back, but your posting stomped me -- and the BSA too, obiously!!

I was waiting on a second response back from the Cub Scout Division and from the advisor to the BSA's National Insignia and Uniform Committee. Here's the collective thought there... One of the outdoor activity requirements for the Outdoor Activities Award calls for the Cub Scout to go to day camp or WEBELOS camp; another calls for the earning of the National Summertime Pack Award. So, the thought is that the Outdoor Activities Award is an "higher level award" than the National Summertime Pack Award. I countered by stating that Packs DO NOT have to earn the National Summertime Pack Award (they should, but most "shut down" over the summer months as they equate Cub Scouting with schooling and vacation time!) and since the Outdoor Activity Award is an "individual" award and not a unit award, the two awards could be considered as "equals". I didn't get an answer back.

So here's MY recommendation (it is NOT official, but should help with the intent and suitable display of the two awards): Cub Scouts and WEBELOS Cub Scouts who have earned the National Summertime Pack Award ONLY should wear the National Summertime Pack Award pin (or pins if their Pack has earned the Award more than one time!) centered on the right pocket flap of the Cub Scout or WEBELOS Cub Scout uniform. The pin should be centered above and between the right pocket button and the top edge of the pocket flap in a straight line. No more than five National Summertime Pack Award pins may be worn (because that's the maximum number of years a Cub Scout can remain in the program before graduation).

Cub Scouts who have earned BOTH the National Summertime Pack Award AND the Cub Scout Outdoor Activities Award should wear the Cub Scout Outdoor Activities Award on the right pocket flap of the Cub Scout or WEBELOS Cub Scout uniform. The National Summertime Pack Award pin(s) should be worn centered ABOVE the "Boy Scouts of America" strip (or above any interpreter strips the Cub Scout or WEBELOS Cub Scout has earned).

Since Cub Scouts and WEBELOS Cub Scouts do not participate in National or international Jamborees, this should give enough space for the pin(s) to be neatly placed above the strip(s) while preserving the intent of the special award.

Hopefully in the next Insignia (Control) Guide, there will be more guidance as to how to wear the two together...

It's great when Scouters stomp me, because you force me to first, hold onto your posting; second, do a lot more research and asking around; and three, apply some "Scouters' Sense" and hopefully help change or modify policy. (The other added benefit is that the stomper gets bumped to the "front of the line" when it comes time to add additional pages or modify additional pages to the website!!)

Thank you very much for your patience and I hope that this helps out!

Settummanque!

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