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Academic Belt Loop & Pin [All Levels]

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GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Following are the requirements for earning the Academics belts loops and pins.
All registered Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may participate in the Academics and Sports program.
Participation may take place at home, with the family, or within a den, a pack, or the community.
Adult participation by a parent or adult relative, if possible, is strongly recommended for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts and is required for Tiger Cubs.
Cub Scouts who have disabilities may select their own activities and design their own academic program with the help of a physician, teacher, or parent.

COLLECTING ACADEMICS BELT LOOP
Complete these three requirements:

1. Begin a collection of at least 10 items that all have something in common.  Label the items and title your collection.
2. Display your collection at a pack or den meeting.
3. Visit a show or museum that displays different collections.

ACADEMIC BELT LOOPS

• The Cub Scout Academics Belt Loops shown above are worn on the navy blue Cub Scout belt.  They will not fit on the khaki (olive) Boy Scout / Webelos belt.  Webelos may continue to wear the blue belt on their uniforms.
• Academics belt loops for each subject may be earned once within each rank.
• Academics belt loops are earned by the Cub by meeting the requirements listed.

COLLECTING ACADEMICS PIN
Earn the Collecting belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Give a talk about your collection to someone other than your family.  Give a description of your collection, including a short history.  Explain how you got started and why you decided to collect what you do.
2. Show how you preserve and display your collection.  Explain any special precautions you must take including handling, cleaning, and storage.  Note precautions for dampness, sunlight, or other weather conditions.
3. Read a book about what you collect.
4. Start a new collection of at least 20 items. Label the items, and title your collection.
5. Define numismatics and philately.
6. Join a club of collectors who share your hobby.  This club may be a group of your friends.
7. Find out if there is a career that involves what you collect.  Find out what kind of subjects you need to study to prepare for such a career.
8. If you collect coins or stamps, make a list of different countries in your collection.  Explain how to identify each country's issues.  Make a list of "clues" that help you identify the origin.
9. With an adult partner, visit an online auction and look for items you collect.  What does it tell you about rarity and value of the things you collect?
10. Use a computer to catalog, organize, and keep track of your collection.
11. Help a friend get started on a collection of his or her own.

ACADEMICS PINS

• The Cub Scout Academics Pins are worn on civilian clothes only.  The pins are triangular in shape.  The designs for the various pins are shown on the belt loops for each subject.
• Academics pins are given in each subject for Cub Scouts to recognize academic development.
• The Academics Pin for a specific subject may be earned once within each rank.
• Academics pins are earned by meeting the appropriate requirements.

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SOSSI Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions about Scout stamps
• Keep it Simple - The Only Way to Collect Scout Stamps
• Scout Stamp Albums and Suggestions
• Scout Postal cards
• Promoting the Image of Scouting Through Stamp Exhibition
• 50 Years of Scouts on United States Stamps
• United States Scout Stamp Philatelic Products

Online Stamp Collecting Resources

• Visit a Post Office
• Visit a Local Stamp Club
• Visit a Stamp Show
• Junior Philatelists of America
• Just for Kids American Philatelic Society
• National Stamp Collecting Month
• Stamp basic care
• Stamp albums
• Homemade stamp albums
• Topical stamp collecting
• Some interesting stamp collecting topics are Scouting, birds, insects, the Olympics, sports, flowers, animals, ships, Christmas, trains, famous people, space, and medicine.  Stamps may be from different countries.
• The United States of America
• National Postal Museum - Washington, DC

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The Wolf Cub Scout Book  (BSA #33106, 1998.)
The Big Bear Cub Scout Book  (BSA #33228, 1998.)
Cub Scout Leader Book  (BSA #33220, 2001.)
Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program Guide  (BSA #34299, 2002.)