The scouts of the future lose heart in Bucharest (4)

I believe the answer is:

cubs

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the scouts' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Junior Scouts' mean 'cubs' so perhaps 'scouts' could also mean 'cubs')

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cubs that I've seen before include "Whelps" , "Young foxes" , "Young of certain animals" , "Young wolves" , "Young and inexperienced reporters" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.

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