Summary

The 1998 version of the Wolf handbook has been completely re-formatted and re-published. A significant quantity of new and refined graphics have been added as well. Other than a minor name change to "Elective 21" (was titled "Computer Fun," now titled "Computers") there are no changes to the 'Achievement' and 'Elective' titles, and the "Bobcat Trail" requirements remain the same, there are still significant changes.

The Wolf badge still requires completion of 49 of 62 achievements but some of the achievement content has been deleted and replaced with new content; and there are several with updates.

The Arrow Point program still includes 115 electives, but some elective content has been deleted and replaced with new content, and there are several with updates.

The Parent Guide has been re-written to include:

• Section entitled "Your Son, Scouting, and You."
• Section entitled "The Purposes of Cub Scouting"
• Section entitled "Cub Scouting"

So, does all of this mean you NEED to purchase a new Wolf handbook? The answer is "NO." The BSA would like all of the old handbooks to sell first. There is no regulation that requires the use of the new book. So, help the BSA out and buy those old books! They'll be collector's items in a few months anyway!  

The following information details the more significant 'content' additions and deletions that were made to the ACHIEVEMENTS section of the handbook.

Your Living World (#7)

• DELETED: "Pick up litter you see...."

• ADDED: "Land, air, and water can get dirty. On a sheet of paper list the ways this can happen...."

• DELETED: "List 10 ways your neighborhood gets dirty...."

• ADDED: "It takes a lot of energy to make glass, cans, and paper products. You can help save energy by collecting these things for use again. Write the name of the recycling center closest to you. Find out what items you can save and send to this center...."

• DELETED: "Write three ways to make where you live more beautiful...."

• ADDED: "With a grown-up, pick up litter in your neighborhood. Wear gloves to protest your hands from glass and other sharp objects...."

Cooking and Eating (#8)

• DELETED: "List some foods from each of the four basic food groups...."

• ADDED: "Study the Food Guide Pyrimid. Name some foods from the Food Guide Pyrimid from each food group...."

• DELETED: "Plan the meals you and your family should have for one day...."

• ADDED: "Plan the meals that you and your family should have for one day. List things your family ssould have from the food groups in the Food Guide Pymrmid. At each meal, you should have foods from at least three food groups.... "

Making Choices (#12)

• ADDED: "Justin is new to your school. He has braces on his legs and walks with a limp. Some of the kids at school tease him. They want you to tease him too. What would you do?"

• ADDED: "Mr. Palmer is blind. He has a guide dog. One day as he is crossing the street, some kids whistle to call the dog. They want you and your friends to call the dog too. What would you do?"

• DELETED: "What would you do if someone came up to you and said your parent was sick and you were to go home with him?"

• DELETED: "What would you do if you were in a public restroom and someone tried to touch you?"

Native American Lore (#10)

• DELETED: "Make a tom-tom...."

• ADDED: "make a musical instrument...."

• DELETED: "Finish a feather for a headband...."

• ADDED: "Make a traditional tool...."

• DELETED: "Make a headband...."

• ADDED: "Make a model of a traditional house...."

Computers (name changed) (#21)

• DELETED: "Play a computer game...."

• ADDED: "Explain what a computer program does. Use a program to write a report for school, to write a letter, or for something else...."

• DELETED: "Turn a computer on, operate it, and turn it off...."

• ADDED: "Tell what a computer mouse is. Describe how a CD-ROM is used...."

Many ACHIEVEMENTS and ELECTIVES were revised in the new handbook. The following, however, have changed significantly enough to warrant your review. Typical changes include the addition of tasks, some re-wording, safety-related changes, and social 'fine tuning' (i.e. Native American Vs. American Indian, and "... a woman knocks at the door and says she wants to read the meter...")

Achievements

• Your Flag (#2)
• Keep Your Body Heathy (#3)
• Tools For Fixing And Building (#5)
• Your Living World (#7)
• Duty To God (#11)
• Making Choices (#12)

• Make it Yourself (#3)
• Spare Time Fun (#5)
• Native American Lore (#10)
• Pets (#14)

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Summary

The 1998 version of the Bear handbook has been completely re-formatted and re-published. A significant quantity of new and refined graphics have been added as well. While there are no changes to the 'Achievement' and 'Elective' titles, and the "Bobcat Trail" requirements remain the same, there are still significant changes.

The Bear badge still requires completion of 12 of 24 achievements but some of the achievement content has been deleted and replaced with new content; and there are several with updates.

The Arrow Point program still includes 115 electives, but some elective content has been deleted and replaced with new content, and there are several with updates.

The theme: "Big Bear," which was recurring throughout the old book has been eliminated.

Improved BEAR and ARROW POINT TRAIL RECORD pages have been added.

SPORTS and ACADEMICS reference pages have been added.

The BEAR WORLD CONSERVATION AWARD requirements have been added.

The Parent Guide has been re-written to include:

• Section entitled "Your Son, Scouting, and You."
• Section entitled "The Purposes of Cub Scouting"
• Section entitled "Cub Scouting"

So, does all of this mean you NEED to purchase a new Bear handbook? The answer is "NO." The BSA would like all of the old handbooks to sell first. There is no regulation that requires the use of the new book. So, help the BSA out and buy those old books! They'll be collector's items in a few months anyway!  

The following information details the more significant 'content' additions and deletions that were made to the ACHIEVEMENTS section of the handbook.

What's Cooking? (#9)

• DELETED: "Make some healthful after-school snacks, or some snacks for watching television...."

• ADDED: "Make some trail food for a hike...."

Nature Crafts (#12)

• DELETED: " Collect, mount, and label 10 kinds of insects...."

• ADDED: "Build a water scope, and identify five types of water life...."

• DELETED: "Make a spider web print; mount and display it...."

• ADDED: " Build and use a bird caller...."

• DELETED: " Some people like to use live Christmas trees. After Christmas, plant the tree in your yard, or at school, your Boy Scout council service center, or a park. Find out all the things you need to know about how to take care of a live Christmas tree in your home...."

• DELETED: "Take three cans the same size....."

• ADDED: "Explore 3 different kinds of earth by conducting a soil experiment...."

Many ACHIEVEMENTS and ELECTIVES were revised in the new handbook. The following, however, have changed significantly enough to warrant your review. Typical changes include the addition of tasks, some re-wording, safety-related changes, and social 'fine tuning' (i.e. "Ask your parents to...." Vs. "Ask a parent or guardian to....", and "...make some snacks for watching television.")

Achievements

• Sharing Your World With Wildlife (#5)
• Information Please (#17)

• Weather (#2)
• Swimming (#19)
• Sports (#20)
• Sales (#21)
• Collecting Things (#22)
• Native American Life (#24)

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