Others, including some Traditional Scouting organizations, maintain the original Wolf Cubs program.
Originally, cubs program were open only to boys, while young girls could join the Brownies.
Baden-Powell wanted a junior scheme with a name, uniform and other identity and program distinct from the Scouts.
Baden-Powell asked his friend Rudyard Kipling[2] for the use of his Jungle Book history and universe as a motivational frame for the Wolf Cub scheme.
The scheme was given a publicity launch at The Boy Scouts Association's Imperial Headquarters in Buckingham Palace Road, Westminster, on Saturday 24 June 1916.
[3] Baden-Powell wrote a new book, The Wolf Cub's Handbook, the first edition of which was published in December 1916.
He collaborated with Vera Barclay in devising the Wolf Cub training program and badges, which were published in the second edition.
[4] On 16 December 1916, a public display of the Wolf Cubs was held at Caxton Hall, Westminster,[3] to which Kipling was invited; he was unable to attend but sent Baden-Powell a letter of apology, praising his work with the Scout Movement.
[citation needed] Cubs provides a positive, encouraging peer group, carefully selected leaders [citation needed] who provide good role models and a group setting where values are taught to reinforce positive qualities of character.
Adult leaders of Cub packs take the names of The Jungle Book's main characters.
In The Scout Association in the UK and in its branches such as in Australia, these were originally called Cub Instructors.
Scouts Australia now uses the term Youth Helper for such persons, whilst in the United Kingdom they are called Young Leaders.
In many European countries (especially where the Jungle theme still has a strong part in the program), St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of Cubs, because of his relationship with wolves.
Wolf Cub packs are themed on "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling, a friend of Baden-Powell.
Each Six is led by a "Sixer" and a "Seconder", who have their rank indicated by horizontal yellow stripes sewn onto their left arm.
In Scouts Australia, the Cubs program is open to all children (girls and boys) ages 8–11.
[6] The uniform is a navy blue, button-up or polo-style, short-sleeved shirt with a yellow collar, sleeves and shoulders.
[7] Patrols are identified by a coloured band/ring (red, yellow, green, orange, blue, black, white, grey, tan, purple) worn around their scarf, above their woggle.
In the beginning, there were different symbolic frameworks: red Indians (taken from "Kibbo Kift" written by John Hargrave) and Robinson Crusoe.
Like all age programs, Welpen is open to both boys and girls, but Scout Groups can have single-sex units.
Starting in 2010, the symbolic framework of the Welpen will be based on a modified version of the Jungle Book with two main characters: the boy Mowgli and the girl Shanti.
In the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association, Cubs and Brownies' program is called "zuchy" and is open to children ages 6–10.
They can earn three Cub Stars "Gwiazdki zuchowe" and a lot of individual and group merit badges.
Wolf Cub packs are themed on "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling, a friend of Baden-Powell.
Each Six is led by a "Sixer" and a "Seconder", who have their rank indicated by horizontal yellow stripes sewn onto their left arm.