Cub Scouts, or 'Cubs' are boys and girls aged 8 to 10½ and is the largest Section of the Movement.

Baden-Powell's intention was that Scouting should be for boys between the ages of 11 and 18. But younger boys, seeing the fun and adventure older brothers and friends were having as Scouts, began asking to join in too.

However, the physical development and interests of boys differ considerably over and under the age of 11 and Baden-Powell appreciated that training must therefore be designed on quite separate and distinctive lines although being complementary to each other.

So, in 1914, he announced his plans for 'Junior Scouts' to cater for boys under 11 years old and at once set to work on a handbook for the guidance of the new young Section. In this task he had the collaboration of Rudyard Kipling, author of 'The Jungle Book', who had already shown his interest in the Scout Movement by writing books for it.

'Junior Scouts' soon became 'Wolf Cubs' and Cubbing started officially in 1916. Its activities and proficiency tests went on developing and, when the first Official Census was taken in September 1917, membership in Britain had risen to 28,450 - with thousands more overseas.

In 1966, the Scout Movement in Britain introduced a number of sweeping changes in preparation for meeting its foreseeable needs in the years ahead. The changes affecting Wolf Cubs included amongst other things, their name changed to Cub Scouts. Cubmasters became Cub Scout Leaders. 'The Jungle Book' continues to give the newcomer an introductory background of Scouting but has now less emphasis as they progress as a Cub Scout. New proficiency schemes have been introduced and many programmes have taken on a fresh appearance.

The Cub Law and Promise have been revised and, today when a Cub Scout is invested, they must repeat the commitment as follows:

1991 was a very important year for Cub Scouting. As well as a new modernised Cub Scout Programme based on 'Challenge & Adventure' being introduced, it was the 75th anniversary of Cub Scouting and was also the year that girls could join the fun.

So, after 80 years, the magic is still as strong as ever. In the 1996 Census, there were 209,893 Cub Scouts (8 - 10½ year olds) in Britain, and there could be many thousands more, but for the lack of sufficient adult Leaders in certain areas.

Here men and women will offer themselves as Leaders, there is nothing to suggest that young people will ever tire of Cub Scouting and this augurs well for the future. Because, by being a Cub Scout, a young person sets out on a journey full of adventure, interest and activity which, taken together, will help prepare them to be a responsible member of adult society.