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Paws of Skill

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Elective

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Paws of Skill is about playing sports and being a good sport. You'll learn rules, play as a team, and watch how a team works together. Having fun and being fair matters more than the score.

Why it's worth it

Playing on a team teaches you things you can't learn alone: how to share the ball, cheer for a friend, and shake hands after a tough loss. Paws of Skill is about being a good sport as much as being good at sports. You'll learn a game's rules, play it with others, and watch a real team to see how players help each other.

Start this week

  1. Pick a team sport you want to learn, like soccer, kickball, or basketball.
  2. Ask your adult to help you find a simple version of the rules.
  3. Look at the school or community calendar for a game you could go watch.
  4. Practice a good-game handshake line with your family.

Stay safe

  • Warm up, drink water, and wear the gear your sport needs, like shin guards for soccer.

Requirements · 3

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

  1. Requirement 1

    With your den, discuss sportsmanship and being a good sport, and connect it to the Scout Oath and Scout Law

    Tip: Talk about how to win or lose kindly. Which Scout Law points fit, like friendly and courteous?

    For example: Good sportsmanship can sound like "Nice shot" to the other team or "We'll get them next time" to a teammate. It connects to the Scout Law: friendly, courteous, kind, and cheerful.

  2. Requirement 2

    Learn the rules of a team sport, then play it for 30 minutes with your den, pack, family, or friends

    Tip: Pick a sport like soccer or kickball, learn the rules, and play for 30 minutes.

    For example: Your den learns kickball: three outs per team, run the bases in order, and the pitcher rolls the ball. Then you play for 30 minutes and mix up the teams halfway.

  3. Requirement 3

    Go to or watch a team sports event with your den or family; tell them how you saw the players work together

    Tip: Watch a school or local game. Notice how players pass, cheer, and help each other.

    For example: While watching a game, notice players passing to an open teammate, high-fiving after a mistake, or a coach giving everyone a turn. Share one thing that helped the team.

Places to visit

Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.

  • A high school or community sports game

    From the stands you can watch how players talk, pass, and pick each other up after mistakes.

    How: Go with your family or den. Many school games are free or low-cost, and your den leader can pick one for a den outing.

Talk about it together

  • How did you feel when your team lost, and what helped you handle it?
  • What is one kind thing you said or did during the game?
  • Which point of the Scout Law is easiest to show when you play sports?
  • What did you notice about how the team you watched worked together?

Good questions to ask a coach or PE teacher

  • What makes someone a good teammate?
  • How do you help a player who's upset after a loss?
  • What's your favorite sport to teach, and why?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • End games with a handshake line so scouts practice good sportsmanship.
  • Attend a local high school game as a den outing.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Counts toward

More Wolf adventures

Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.