Tiger Cub Scouts Requirements and Bobcat Rank for October Meetings

Way to go Tiger Cub Scout Leader! You have successfully built a Tiger den of scouts and adult partners who want to introduce their children to the wonderful world of scouting and getting their children outside in nature. Hopefully you have made some progress on earning both Bobcat rank and Tiger Cub Scout rank. Now it is time to figure out what you will work on for October Tiger Cub Scouts.

Just in case you’ve missed it, we have ready made plans for your first and second Tiger Scout meetings. We’ve also included a map of both Tiger meetings and Tiger outings, as well as a done for you Tiger Cub Scout Camping Trip to earn Tiger rank.

Before we dive into some fun October Tiger advancements and adventures for your Tiger Cub Scout, let’s focus on finishing the Bobcat rank requirements. Most Cub Scout packs want their newest members, including all Tigers, to earn their Bobcat rank in the first half of the year. Our Cub Scout pack has always held this ceremony in November.

October Special Events

October is a time when scouts sell popcorn. It is also the Poppin’ Popcorn and Pizza month. So it could be extra fun to host an event in early October where the scouts sample the Cub Scout popcorn and have a pizza night. This could be a great ice breaker and getting to know you event too.

October has two special days to focus on helping others. October 5th is Do Something Nice Day and the 4th Sunday of October is Make a Difference Day. You could pair either of these days with a community service project for your scouts or just challenge your scouts to help others.

October 25th happens to be Howl at the Moon night. This could be a fun experience for your scouts if you happen to meet together. You could also host a phone call or zoom call where all the scouts go outside and howl at the moon together. What great bonding?

Of course, you will want to plan a time to allow the scouts to show off their costumes. Many packs do this at the October pack meeting; however, you could also plan this for your October den meeting near the end of the month. Maybe even plan a Halloween hike or go trick or treating together as a den.

October Special Activities

Scouts love October, with the changing of the weather, leaves and pumpkins. This is a great time to try a pumpkin snack of some type. You could also play games using pumpkins as so much of Tiger Cub Scouts focuses on games and working together.

Our scouts have always loved the mummy wrap game where they wrap each other up with rolls of toilet paper. Other favorites include bobbing for apples, pumpkin ring toss, and gourd bowling.

A few art activities that our scouts have enjoyed include ghost blow painting, Q-Tip skeletons, and nature imprints. Blow painting is pretty easy. Start with colored paper, place a glob of white paint mixed with some water. Give each scout a straw and let them blow the paint around their paper to make a ghost.

Q-Tip skeletons require paper, Q-Tips and glue. Let your scouts create a skeleton using the Q-Tips as the bones.

Nature imprints are always fun and can be done in multiple ways. Begin with gathering nature, this can be done on a hike or ask the scouts to gather from home. Next, make the imprints. We have done this in playdoh and clay, but have also done leaf rubbings, paint impressions, and even nature collages.

These activities can be tied into an adventure or done just for fun with your scouts. Below we will explore Tiger Scout specific adventures that work well for the month of October.

Games and Activities to Meet Bobcat Rank Requirements

All new scouts must earn their Bobcat rank before earning their grade level rank. This is especially true for Tiger Cub Scouts as many scouts begin their scouting experience as a Tiger Cub Scout. While some scouts begin as a Lion Cub Scout, these scouts are experiencing and learning about scouting. They work on similar skills to Bobcat rank, but do not actually earn the Bobcat rank.

If most of your scouts were Lion Cub Scouts previously, you will have little difficulty meeting the Bobcat rank requirements as your Tiger Scouts will be very familiar with most of the Bobcat requirements. There are a total of 7 different requirements to earn Bobcat rank and while most are pretty quick, Tiger Scouts need lots of practice and repetition to not only learn but understand these essentials of Cub Scouts.

We will include a few of our favorite games and activities for each of the first six requirements for Bobcat rank so that you have a few options to choose from. For More Bobcat Rank ideas, visit our second Tiger Cub Scout den meeting ideas.

Learn the Scout Oath

1. Fill in the blank reciting. We love to ask a scout to read the scout oath out loud. As they read the oath, they pause every few words and see if the other scouts can fill in the next word. As different scouts read the oath, they can pause at different words. If your scouts are not reading yet, that’s okay, ask the adult partners to take turns reading the scout oath out loud.
2. Scout Oath scramble. This is such a fun activity with so many different variations that you could play this multiple meetings in a row. Simply write out the scout oath on different strips of paper or notecards and let your scouts try to put them in order. We start by writing out the sentences of the scout oath, then move on to 2 – 5 word phrases. Once the scouts are good at the phrases, we write out each word on a different notecard. To add some movement, you can place the cards at one end of the room and have the scouts assemble the scout oath at the other. Another challenge you can add to the scramble is to place the strips or notecards into balloons and ask the scouts to find a balloon and pop it. If your scouts thrive on friendly competition, you could even turn this game into a relay race.
3. Scout Oath silly chants. Let the scouts choose silly voices or accents to use when saying the Scout Oath. We love mouse voice, which is high and squeaky; lion voice, which is low and loud; cowboy accent, whisper voice, and stern mom voice. Be creative and let your scouts have fun trying new voices to encourage the repetition.
4. Scout Oath coloring. Type up the Scout Oath in large font for each of your scouts. Give them 4 different color crayons, colored pencils, or markers. The scouts can trace, highlight, or underline each one syllable word with the same color. Then use a different color for each 2 syllable word. Use a third color for each 3 syllable word, and the last color for the 4 syllable word.
5. Scout Oath exercise. Not only do studies show the exercise can help our memory, but our young scouts need to move. Pair each line of the Scout Oath with a different exercise or stretch, then ask the scouts to say the scout oath while performing each one. There are six lines in the Scout Oath, so you could easily try six different exercises.

Line 1: Running in place

Line 2: Jumping Jacks

Line 3: Squats

Line 4: Arm Circles

Line 5: Bicep Curls

Line 6: Hopping on one foot

Say the Scout Law

1. Scout Law order. Write out each trait of the scout law. Tape these to the back of each of the scouts. See if the scouts and rearrange themselves in the correct order. Then ask the scouts to figure out which word is on their back by saying the scout law.
2. Scout Law scramble. Write the Scout Law out on note cards and ask the scouts to rearrange the Scout Law in order. You can change this up with some of the ideas in the Scout Oath scramble as well.
3. Scout Law word search. Type up a quick word search and ask the scouts to find each of the points in the scout law. Then see if they can write them in the correct order.
4. Scout Law crossword or guessing game. Create a quick crossword puzzle, using the examples or definitions for each of the scout law points as a clue. If you don’t want the time to create a crossword puzzle, just read the clues (definitions or examples) and see if the scouts can guess the point from the Scout Law.
5. Scout Law clock. Using a paper plate, write the numbers on the clock around the plate. For each number write one point of the Scout Law. Using a brad, add one pointer to the center of the clock. Allow your scouts to turn the pointer as they say the Scout Law. You can even give the scouts clues and have them show you the point you described. They could even show you the line from the Scout Law that should be next when you pause in reading it out loud.

Know the Scout Sign and What It Means

1. Timing the Scout Sign. Our Tigers love to play and they love making noise. So we pair this with learning the Scout Sign. Explain to your Tigers that you want them to roar like Tiger and then stop as soon as they see the Scout Sign. When they get good at noticing the sign while making noise, move on to playing. Explain to your Tiger scouts that we will play a lot during scouts, but we always need to be watching for the Scout Sign to remind us to stop and listen. Then have the scouts play a game, dance or just talk with each other. See how long it takes them to regroup once you put up the Scout Sign. You can even time them to encourage goal setting and improvement.
2. Scout Sign Attention. For this game, your scouts will need to know 4 basic commands. We teach them the Scout Sign, Scout Salute, Attention (arms at their side and standing tall), and relaxed (legs shoulder width apart and hands behind their back). Once the scouts know the 4 commands, we march around the room and call halt with a command. If you call, “Halt, sign,” the scouts should stop marching and show you the Scout Sign.
3. Scout Sign Sleuth. Our scouts have always loved a good detective game and this one didn’t disappoint. Have your scouts sit in a circle, leaders and adult partners too. Explain to your scouts that you will pick a detective. The detective will have three guesses to figure out who is the leader. The leader is the first person to put up the Scout Sign. Once the other scouts and partners see the Scout Sign, they too should put up theirs. Choose one person to be the detective, they can step into the hall or simply turn around so they can’t see the group. Then pick one leader, give the group a few chances to practice. After the group feels comfortable, invite the detective into the middle of the circle and see if they can guess the leader in 3 guesses or less.

Use the Scout Handshake and Tell What It Means

1. We start each meeting with the scout handshake. Each scout can shake the leaders’ hand to practice.
2. Scout Handshake Game. This is great for introductions. We play a little like Musical Chairs but without the chairs or getting out. Be sure to have an even number of people, ask the adult partners to play and even the leaders too. Play some music where everyone walks around the space, when the music stops, the scouts need to find a friend to shake hands and introduce themselves. In the beginning, be ready to help guide a few scouts together. With time, the scouts quickly find each other.
3. Secret Scout Handshakes. Let your scouts create a secret scout handshake, the only requirement is that they must include the actual scout handshake in the longer sequence. Allow each pair of scouts to create a longer secret scout handshake. They can include a certain number of shakes, turns, claps, pats, etc. Anything extra they would like to add to their scout handshake. Then have the scouts find a new partner and teach the secret handshake to their friend. Switch partners as many times as you like to have all the scouts practice the scout handshake and have some silly fun along the way.

Say the Scout Motto and What It Means

1. Scout Motto Action. Let your scouts write down some of the rules that they use in scouts, school and home. You could even use your den’s code of conduct. A scout can pick one of the rules. They decide if they want to act out following the rule or act out being silly and not following the rule. The other scouts decide if the scout is following the Scout Motto or not.
2. Scout Motto Character Impressions. Let your scouts pick a favorite character and say the Scout Motto how they imagine this character would say it. See if the other scouts can guess the character. For example, Yoda might say, “Your Best Do,” or try to voice of the genie from Aladdin.
3. Scout May I Motto? Play the traditional game of Mother May I? but with a twist. All the scouts line up at one end of your room, while the leader scout is at the other. The scouts take turns to call out, “Akele (or Scout name) may I take 10 tiny steps (or 3 large steps).” The scout may ask for any type of movement in any quantity they like. Then the leader scout replies with the Scout Motto when the answer is yes. They can reply with, “No you may do your best by taking 2 mouse steps” or any action they like if the answer is no. The first scout to reach the leader scout becomes the next leader.

Show the Scout Salute and Tell What It Means

1. Scout Simon Says. Play Simon Says, but change it to Akele (or Scout Leader) says. When we play, we like to mix in traditional movements with the Scout Sign, Scout Salute, and saying the Scout Motto. This is a great way to practice all three quickly.
2. Specific Scout Salute Practice. We bring in a picture of a scout in uniform, a scout in uniform wearing a hat, and a scout not in his uniform. Hold up a picture and have your scouts show you the correct Scout Salute for the scout in the picture.
3. Scout Salute Scout Game. During a pack or den meeting, ask your scouts to show you the Scout Salute each time the word scout is said throughout the meeting. See how much they are listening and how quickly they respond.

Complete the How to Protect Your Children Pamphlet

This part of the Bobcat Rank should be completed with the child’s adult partner. Once the scout finishes the pamphlet, the adult partner can add the accomplishment to your tracking system or send an email or message to the den leader.

Bobcat Rank Art Project

We type of the Scout Oath and Scout Law in large tracing font. Ask each scout to trace over the words as they say the words.

Then glue the Scout Oath on one side of the paper and the Scout Law on the other side.

Afterwards, trace each scout’s hand with two raised fingers for the Scout Sign. Cut out the hand and glue on the same side of the paper with the Scout Law. We then trace our hand in the form of the Scout Salute and glue on the other side of the paper with the Scout Oath.

Finally, ask the scouts to write the Scout Motto around the edge of the paper on either or both sides.

Tiger Safe and Smart Adventure Requirements

Tiger Safe and Smart is the perfect October Tiger Adventure to plan. October is National Fire Prevention Month and the week of October 9th is specifically Fire Prevention Week. These skills are also so important for children to know and understand for their own safety and the safety of their families.

1. The scout memorizes his/her address and phone number.
2. Scouts take a 911 safety quiz to know when to call 911 for an emergency.
3. Demonstrate “Stop, Drop and Roll” and using a fire blanket for when someone or yourself is on fire.
4. Create a fire escape map or your home and practice a fire drill at home.
5. Test the smoke detectors in your home.
6. Visit an emergency responder station or have an emergency responder visit you.

Tiger Safe and Smart Agenda

We love to pair the Tiger Safe and Smart adventure with a trip to the fire station, 911 call center, or police station. Not only do the scouts love to visit their heroes in action, but many of these professionals enjoy the scout visits too.

We love to start with the 911 safety quiz because this gives the scouts the reason for learning their address and phone number. For the safety quiz, we like to set up 2 sides in our room. We have a “NO” side and a “YES” side. Ask the question, then let the scouts run to their answer. If your scouts do better with less movement, instead of running, ask them to step forward or backward to show their answer or raise a yes or no sign.

Next, ask the scouts to run to their parents and practice their address and phone number. We have each parent work with the scout for about 2 minutes.

When the scouts come back, practice “Stop, Drop, and Roll.” Explain that this is for when your clothing catches on fire and demonstrate how to “Stop, Drop, and Roll.” Then let your scouts practice.

Once everyone had a chance to practice, send the scouts back to their adult partners to practice their address and phone number again.

Demonstrate using a fire blanket and let the scouts practice with a partner.

After their demonstration, the scouts can practice their phone number and address with their adult partner again. Each pair can then create a fire escape map of their home using a blank piece of paper. While creating the fire escape map, encourage the pairs to keep practicing their address and phone number.

At the end of the meeting, allow the scouts time to share their fire escape map, phone number and address. Then encourage the families to finish the requirements for the Tiger Safe and Smart advancement. The scouts will need to practice a fire drill and test their smoke detectors.

Tiger Safe and Smart Crafts

If you have scouts who need more practice with their address and phone number, you could create 2 simple crafts. The first craft is a telephone keypad with the numbers 1 – 9 and 0. Using the colors of the rainbow, color each number in their parent’s telephone number. Red is the first number, Orange is the second, etc. You can also write the phone number at the top of the telephone.

Second, you can make a quick address map. We cut out four circles in different sizes. On the smallest circle, write the house number. On the second circle, write the street. The third circle has the town or city. Finally, the fourth circle has the state in which the scouts live.

October Service Projects for Tiger Cub Scouts

We love to try to complete a group service project in October. Not only is this a great time for an outdoor service project, but a few of the Tiger Adventures require a service project.

Camp Clean Up

This is a great time to ask your local Cub Scout or Boy Scout camp if they need any assistance with winterizing their facilities. Maybe they need some fall gardening, items moved indoors for the winter, or organizing indoor spaces to make more room.

Neighborhood Clean Up

This is a great time to spend a few hours at a local park or hiking trail picking up garbage or other undesirables. Another idea is to help neighbors with raking, leaf blowing, yardwork, or other outdoor chores that need a little help.

First Responder Treat

Another great service project is to bring a special treat if you plan to take a trip to a first responder station or have a first responder visit your meetings. The scouts could each buy or make a treat to include in a basket with a few thank you cards. Other awesome gifts can include magazines, puzzle books, small games, or gift cards.

Nursing Home Visits

With the weather turning colder, this is the perfect time to visit a nursing home and bring some joy. Maybe ask if they could use some help decorating the indoor spaces with cards or crafts created by the scouts. Maybe they could even use some help with their outdoor spaces or scouts to run a bingo night or game night with their residents.

Military Care Packages

As the birthday for the US Navy is in October, this could be a great time to create a care package for a service member or two. These care packages can include so many different things, but non-perishable food items (including candies) and personal hygiene items are always welcome. Thank you cards are a great touch to any care package. We also love to create these in November because the kids have so much Halloween candy they can donate and Veteran’s Day is in November for the United States.

Trick or Treat Baggies

Another great service project is to put together some trick or treat bags for kids. These can be bags to give out for children who cannot have candy or children with allergies. Scouts can either create the bags to hand out to trick or treaters who come to their house or can partner with their neighborhood or local businesses to give out these trick or treat bags.

Tiger Cub Scout October Outings

October is a great time to plan some den outings with your Tiger Cub Scouts. You can choose to wear the Tiger Class A uniform, ask your scouts to have a Class B uniform, or let your Tigers wear any clothing they are comfortable wearing. A Class B uniform is usually a pack or den t-shirt.

Corn Maze

In October there are usually some great corn mazes to try out. These can be super fun with scouting because your scouts will need to navigate the maze, use some orientating skills, and teamwork. You can pair this with a night hike and bring headlamps, have a bonfire, visit a petting zoo, or buy pumpkins.

Zoo Trip

Zoos are great fun in October. Most zoos have a “Boo at the Zoo” event wear the scouts can wear their costumes. During the “Boo at the Zoo” there are often special talks on traditionally scary animals, the zoo keepers feed or let the animals play with pumpkins, and the scouts might even get to try some trick or treating at a variety of vendors throughout the zoo.

First Responder Visit

We love visiting the local fire station in October, but so do so many other groups. Firefighters tend to be busy during this time, so either plan this trip for later in October or try to schedule it early. Of course, you can also visit the local police department, 911 call center, or sheriff’s office.

Hiking

October is a great time to try out some hiking. Before the weather turns colder, enjoy the sights of fall. We love to try out hikes around 1 – 2 miles with our Tiger Scouts. If you can plan the hike to end near a park, the scouts always love this.

We’d Love to Connect with You

We hope you loved our Tiger October meeting plans as much as our scouts and the best part, the troop was excited to tackle additional Tiger elective adventures! They had so much fun that we planned a few more trips to other local first responder stations as well as the fire department.

Leave a comment below and let us know if you’ve earned your Bobcat rank and Tiger Safe and Smart requirements. What worked well for you? What would you have tried differently? Did your scouts love the adventure as much as ours? We have a Tiger Cub Scout Leader meeting guide for November Tiger Meetings also. If you are looking for more Cub Scout leader tips, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter below.

Hi, I’m Nicole.

Here at Creatingbutterflies we provide families with practical solutions to real life problems for everything parenting, scouting, dual language, and enjoying time outdoors. We are a family of 6 with 4 wonderful becoming bilingual children who loves scouting, camping, and hiking with their family. Mom is an educator and dad is a firefighter/paramedic.