Cub Scouts wear two kinds of uniform. The “Class A” is the official uniform for meetings and ceremonies; the “Class B” is a pack t-shirt for casual outings. At minimum, scouts wear the official uniform “from the belt up.”

The official (Class A) uniform

Official uniform shirt — navy blue for Lions through Webelos; tan/khaki for Arrow of Light
Neckerchief & slide — color by rank (see below)
Cub Scout belt (holds belt-loop awards)
Official den or rank cap

Neckerchief colors by rank

Tiger — Orange
Wolf — Red
Bear — Light blue
Webelos & Arrow of Light — Plaid

Lions have their own navy Lion shirt and cap.

Uniform shirts come with the U.S. flag, council patch, and pack numbers — we'll help you place your child's rank and den items.
The best place to buy is your local Scout Shop or scoutshop.org.
No one is ever turned away for the cost of a uniform — ask a leader about our uniform exchange.

Campout packing list

Headed to a campout? Here's everything to bring so nobody forgets the essentials.

🎒 The 6 essentials

First aid kitWater bottleFlashlightTrail foodSun protectionWhistle

Day pack

First aid basics (bandages, cleaning pads)
Sunscreen & hat
Bug repellent
Hand sanitizer
Refillable water bottle (filled)
Whistle
Trail snacks
Flashlight

Duffel / overnight bag

Seasonal clothes (enough for the whole trip)
Extra shoes
Mess kit (plate, fork, spoon, cup)
Uniform
Towel
Sleeping bag or blankets
Sleeping pad or air mattress
Pillow
Rain gear (jacket & pants)
Any medicine (enough for the trip)

Family / group gear

Tent with rainfly & stakes
Ground cloth or tarp
Hammer for stakes
Camp chairs
Camp stove & cooking supplies (no liquid fuels)
Meal food
Smiles and fun!

Scouting, decoded

New to the lingo? Here's a quick decoder for the words you'll hear around the pack.

Akela: The leader of the pack — a term of respect for the Cubmaster, den leaders, and parents who guide scouts.
Arrow of Light: Cub Scouting's highest rank, earned in 5th grade. Its emblem can be worn even after crossing over to Scouts BSA.
Blue & Gold Banquet: A festive dinner, usually in February, celebrating the birthday of Cub Scouting. Blue stands for truth; gold for warm sunlight.
Bobcat: The first badge every new Cub Scout earns, at any grade — learning the basics of the Scout Oath and Law.
Chartered organization: The community group (like a church or civic club) that sponsors and hosts a pack.
Council: The regional body of Scouting America that supports local packs and troops and runs area camps.
Cubmaster: The lead adult volunteer who runs the monthly pack meetings and keeps the fun rolling.
Den: A small group of scouts in the same grade who meet together regularly through the month.
Den leader: The adult volunteer who plans and leads a den's meetings and adventures.
Pack: The whole group — all of the dens and families together — that meets once a month.
Pinewood Derby: A beloved pack tradition where scouts and grown-ups build and race small wooden cars.
Raingutter Regatta: A sister race to the derby — scouts build little sailboats and race them by blowing across a water-filled gutter.
Scout Oath & Law: The promise and the twelve points that guide how a scout treats others and themselves.
Scouting America: The national organization (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) that Cub Scouting is part of.
Scout Life: Scouting America's youth magazine, packed with stories, comics, and activities.
Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos: The ranks for grades 1–4 — each with its own handbook, adventures, and neckerchief color.