KISMIF.org – Awesome Cub Scouting

In case you missed it, NBC News recently did a piece on the new Cub Scout Video Games belt loop. It does a pretty good job of explaining some of the rationale behind the new award.

Link

BSA National has now officially posted the requirements for the new (2009) Cub Scout belt loops (as well as all the other Academics and Sports awards) at this link.

The new Guide is still expected to be available around late January or February.

As of this writing, most but not all of the new (2009) Cub Scout belt loops can be ordered from BSA Supply Group at Scoutstuff.org.

Here are the links:

• Cub Scout Sports Program Belt Loops
• Cub Scout Sports Program Pins
• Cub Scout Academics Program Belt Loops
• Cub Scout Academics Program Pins

[Via Angela/Cub Scout Talk]

The official BSA announcement below about the new (2009) Cub Scout belt loops has apparently been released to local councils for distribution.  It indicates that the new Guide should be available around late January 2010.

Also noteworthy is that the belt loop focusing on disabilities will apparently be called “Disabilities Awareness” rather than “Abilities Awareness.”

Here is the full announcement:

Thirteen New Topics for the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program

The Boy Scouts of America is pleased to announce the introduction of 13 new belt loops and pins as part of the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program. It has been more than 10 years since new topics have been added to the program, which is supported by the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program Guide, No. 34299. Look for the new blue cover on this new edition, available for sale the end of January 2010 in stores and online at www.scoutstuff.org.

Academics
Disabilities Awareness
Family Travel
Good Manners
Nutrition
Pet Care
Photography
Reading and Writing
Video Games

Sports
Hiking
Hockey
Horseback Riding
Kickball
Skateboarding

Belt loops and pins are a great way to help Cub Scouts fulfill the aims of Scouting-building character, developing citizenship, and encouraging mental and physical fitness. Through a variety of subjects, a boy can stretch his mind and abilities by exploring the wonders of science, learning about the world around him, and expanding his skills in new areas.

The belt loops may be worn with the Cub Scout uniform on the Cub Scout belt. Webelos Scouts who have chosen to wear the khaki uniform may still wear the blue Cub Scout belt so as to display the belt loops they have earned. (The pins are not worn on the uniform.)

The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program gives leaders and youths a supplemental enrichment opportunity to earn recognition for learning and skills development. Leaders often use this program to enhance den, pack, or family participation and provide more immediate recognition opportunities. For more details, go to:
www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Awards/Boys/sanda.aspx. [Bold added]

Link [Via Judy Y./Cub Scout Talk]

Last week, the Scoutstuff Facebook page announced that the new Cub Scout belt loops should be in scout shops by the end of November.

I have now heard from several sources that the new Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program Guide is not expected to arrive in scout shops until February or March 2010.

So it appears that the new belt loops may be in stores 2 or 3 months before the official release of the requirements for earning the new belt loops.

Stay tuned.

[2009-11-28 Update: According to this posting at Cub Scout Talk, BSA should be posting the new belt loop requirements online within a few weeks.]

BSA Supply Group’s Facebook page yesterday announced that the new Cub Scout Belt Loops should be in scout shops by the end of November:

“New Cub Scouting program belt loops are expected to be in Scout Shops next week. Here’s a list of what’s coming: Disabilities Awareness, Family Travel, Good Manners, Hiking, Hockey, Horseback Riding, Kickball, Nutrition, Pet Care, Photography, Reading & Writing, Skateboarding and Video Games.”

The announcement does not indicate whether the new Academics and Sports Program Guide will also be out next week.

Link [Requires login] [Via David C./Cub Scout Talk]

[Title revised:  2009-11-26]