Last fall, more than 200 boys joined local Scouting in the Cayuga County Council. As many or more are expected to enroll this year.

Most will join when their parents bring them to one of the “School Night to Join Scouting” programs scheduled for Sept. 25 in most area schools. New first graders become Tiger Cubs, second graders Wolf Scouts, third graders Bear Scouts and fourth and fifth graders become Webelos Scouts. Webelos prepares Cubs to become Boy Scouts. (Actually Webelos is secret code for “We'll-Be-Loyal- Scouts,” but don't tell anybody).

There is a special handbook for each of these four programs that each Scout receives. He uses it, along with his parents, to earn his badge of rank that will be worn on his uniform. Cub Scouting's Character Connections program helps Scouts to know, commit to and practice Scoutings' 12 core values while enjoying the fun and adventure of Scouting. These core values include: citizenship, compassion, cooperation, courage, faith, health and fitness, honesty, perseverance, a positive attitude, resourcefulness, respect and responsibility.

Cub Scouts in the second grade who are working with their parent or guardian to earn their Wolf Award will complete 12 achievements including: “Feats of Skill,” “Your Flag,” “Keeping your Body Healthy,” “Knowing Your Home and Community,” “Tools for Fixing and Building,” “Starting a Collection,” “Your Living World,” “Cooking and Eating,” “Being Safe at Home and on the Street,” “Family Fun,” “Duty to God” and “Making Choices.” Scoutings' core values are interwoven throughout these achievements and are reinforced as boys continue on in Scouting.

In talking with parents over the years about their involvement in Scouting I'd often point out that at 8 or 9 years old nearly half of their son's time with them at home as a family is over. So Scouting offers a wonderful opportunity now, to do things together with one's son. Completion of advancement requirements are signed off by Akela (another secret code word), which stands for Mom, Dad or another adult member of a Scout's family.

Most parents want to spend more time with their son, and Scouting helps them to fulfill that desire. Cub Scoutings Motto is to “Do Your Best” so boys are not measured against one set standard. Whenever a parent feels that their son has done his personal best in meeting an advancement requirement, he is given credit for it. One Scout might earn his Wolf Rank in six months while another might take a full year, and that's OK.

For Scouts who work at a faster pace there are a series of electives that Scouts can complete and receive an Arrow Point Award for each 10 components he finishes. For Wolf Scouts some of their elective choices include: “It's a Secret,” “Be an Actor,” “Make it Yourself,” “Books, Books, Books,” “Foot Power,” “Be an Artist,” “Birds,” “Pets,” “Fishing,” “Sports” and more.

So when you hear your Scout crying Wolf, he's not doing it to distract you unnecessarily. He's calling out to Akela to help him along Scoutings Trail, to meet the next challenge, to complete the next project, to achieve a new goal, to learn from you as his parents through Scouting.

Don Grillo is the Scout executive for the Cayuga County Council, Boy Scouts of America located at 7235 Mutton Hill Road in Auburn.