A stamp album, magnifying glass and green neckerchief on a table

For Cub leaders · US & UK

Stamp Detectives
for Cubs

A little stamp. A big adventure.

Rain stops play? Pack meeting cancelled? Turn curious Cubs into stamp detectives — with ready-to-run mysteries and no session preparation.

One tablet for the leader, paper for the pack — no Cub devices or hall Wi-Fi needed.

Try a free caseGet your pack started

No sign-up needed for the demo.

Curiosity comes first

Their next adventure could fit on a stamp.

Originally designed for stamp and philately clubs, the Virtual Stamp Academy gives Cubs an inviting first step into collecting. Wildlife, space and explorers become clues to a much bigger world.

Use a case together at a meeting, or let families continue at home when your pack isn't meeting. Every case includes a briefing and five questions — the activity is already prepared.

Take a look inside
Wildlife stamp from the Academy
Wildlife
Space stamp from the Academy
Space
Explorers stamp from the Academy
Explorers

Less planning. More discovering.

A pack activity in three simple steps

  1. 01

    Register your pack

    Create a grown-up account in the Sponsor Office. Choose ‘Register a new Pack or Club’, add your group and select Scouting America or Scouts (UK). Your Club Code is generated for you.

  2. 02

    Print the answer sheets

    Create a detective nickname and Academy Code for each Cub — no child email address needed — then print an answer sheet per Cub with the week’s five cases and A–D bubbles to circle.

  3. 03

    Read aloud, then record

    Show the stamp full screen and read Chief Instructor Phil Aterly’s briefing aloud while Cubs circle answers on paper. Tap the circled letters into your device — under a minute per detective — and album stamps, ranks and printable badges follow automatically.

No Cub tablets, no charging cables, no hall Wi-Fi — just pencils, paper and one leader device.

Built for busy volunteer leaders

  • Briefings and quizzes supplied — no research or stamp expertise needed.
  • No pack tablets or hall Wi-Fi needed — run sessions from a single phone or tablet with printable paper slips.
  • Full-screen stamp view lets the whole six or patrol spot hidden details together.
  • Keep track of your detectives’ progress in the Sponsor Office.
  • An introduction to collecting, history, geography and observation.
  • Share your Club Code with fellow leaders so your group stays together.

A starting point, not a badge course

This is an independent activity for curious young collectors, especially ages 8–12. Academy badges and certificates are game rewards, not official Scouting awards, and the activities do not replace merit badge requirements.

Stamp Detectives is not endorsed by or affiliated with Scouting America or The Scout Association. Children outside the suggested age range may enjoy taking part with a grown-up.

Have your next rainy-day activity ready.

Try the free demo before you decide. When you're ready, the Sponsor Office is where you register your pack and manage your detectives.

Try the free demo Open the Sponsor Office
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