Promoting outdoor activities for Cub Scouts during National Great Outdoors Month

The Cub Scout fishing adventures introduce Scouts of all ages to the fun, challenge, and rewards of fishing, with activities that grow in complexity as Scouts advance through the ranks. These new adventures—Go Fish for Lions, Fish On for Tigers, A Wolf Goes Fishing, A Bear Goes Fishing, Catch the Big One for Webelos, and simply Fishing for Arrow of Light—are designed to create a progression of outdoor skills while emphasizing safety, stewardship, and fun. By participating in these age-appropriate adventures, Cub Scouts not only learn how to fish, but also how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly and confidently. More details about each adventure can be found at www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/adventures.

For Lion Scouts, the Go Fish adventure provides a gentle and fun introduction to fishing. Lions explore what fish are, where they live, and why people fish, all through playful, hands-on activities. They practice simple skills like casting on dry land and identifying different types of fish, all while learning how to stay safe near water. The value of Go Fish is giving young Scouts the chance to try something new in a safe, supportive environment, while sparking curiosity about the natural world and sharing the experience with their adult partners.

The Fish On adventure invites Tiger Scouts to get even more involved with fishing by taking a closer look at how fish live and what they eat. Tigers begin learning the basics of fishing equipment, bait, and simple techniques, and they practice casting with the possibility of catching their very first fish. This adventure helps Tigers gain confidence as they begin using real fishing gear while reinforcing the importance of safety, patience, and teamwork. The value of Fish On is helping Tigers feel successful in their first fishing attempts while fostering a love for outdoor activity.

With the A Wolf Goes Fishing adventure, Wolf Scouts take their fishing skills further by exploring fish habitats, learning how to choose a good fishing location, and understanding the importance of protecting water environments. Wolves begin thinking beyond just catching fish, learning how their actions impact nature and how to care for the areas where they fish. The value of A Wolf Goes Fishing is teaching environmental stewardship while improving fishing abilities, helping Wolves connect fun outdoor experiences with responsibility to the planet.

In the A Bear Goes Fishing adventure, Bear Scouts build on their existing skills with more advanced tasks. They learn how to assemble fishing gear, tie basic fishing knots, and select the right bait for the fish they want to catch. Bears take more ownership of their fishing experience by handling equipment carefully and demonstrating good sportsmanship. The value of A Bear Goes Fishing is in helping Scouts develop independence and competence, giving them the confidence to participate in fishing outings with minimal assistance.

The Catch the Big One adventure challenges Webelos Scouts to take charge of planning and executing a fishing experience. Webelos learn how to read local fishing regulations, prepare their gear, and understand how weather and seasonal changes affect fishing. They also explore different fishing techniques and may help organize a fishing activity for their den. The value of Catch the Big One is preparing Webelos for leadership roles, teaching them how to plan, guide, and support outdoor activities while deepening their fishing knowledge.

For Arrow of Light Scouts, the Fishing adventure is the culmination of their Cub Scout fishing journey. In this adventure, Arrow of Light Scouts refine all the skills they have developed, demonstrate leadership by helping younger Scouts, and explore ethical fishing practices and conservation. They are encouraged to share their knowledge, model safety and respect, and lead by example during fishing outings. The value of the Fishing adventure is preparing these older Scouts to mentor others while reinforcing a lifelong respect for nature and outdoor skills.

Taken together, these six fishing adventures create a complete and enriching experience for Cub Scouts from kindergarten through fifth grade. Each adventure builds on the previous year, allowing Scouts to progress from basic introductions to mastery and leadership. Along the way, they develop not only practical fishing skills, but also important life skills like patience, responsibility, planning, and environmental stewardship.

Fishing in Cub Scouts is about much more than just catching fish. It’s about spending time outdoors, working together, respecting nature, and creating lasting memories with friends and family. Thanks to the new Cub Scout fishing adventures, Scouts at every level can safely explore the joys of fishing, grow their confidence, and gain skills they’ll carry with them throughout their Scouting journey and beyond.