The Advancement Trail
On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills along the way. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As you advance through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities you learn as you get older.
Bobcat
No matter what age or grade a child joins Cub Scouting, they must earn their Bobcat badge before they can advance to the rank of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A child must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include:
- Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Cub Scout Promise, and the Law of the Pack and tell what they mean;
- Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what they mean; and
- Show that you understand and believe that it is important to be honest and trustworthy.
Lions
Kindergartners work toward the Lion rank. The Lion rank is earned by completing five adventures as described below. Although participation with an adult partner is required for all Lion awards, recognition items are for the Scouts only.
Complete the five required adventures: Lion’s Honor, Animal Kingdom, Fun on the Run!, King of the Jungle, Mountain Lion. Outside of the requirements, Lion Scouts can also complete any number of seven elective adventures of their den’s or family’s choosing.
Complete the five required adventures: Lion’s Honor, Animal Kingdom, Fun on the Run!, King of the Jungle, Mountain Lion. Outside of the requirements, Lion Scouts can also complete any number of seven elective adventures of their den’s or family’s choosing.
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Tiger Cub
To begin their path to the Tiger Cub rank, the Tiger Cub (age 7) must learn the Cub Scout promise, the Cub Scout sign, and the Cub Scout salute. When they have learned these, the child gets their Tiger Cub emblem, which is a tiger paw with four strings for beads. They must wear the emblem on their right pocket.
As a child finishes each part of the five Tiger Cub achievements, they earn an orange bead (for den activities), a white bead (for family activities), or a black bead (for "Go See Its"). When the child has earned five beads of each color, they can receive their Tiger Cub badge. The Tiger Cub badge is given to the child's adult partner at a pack meeting. Then, during a grand ceremony, the adult gives the badge to the child. |
Wolf
The Wolf rank is for kids who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a child must pass 12 achievements. Their parent or guardian approves each achievement by signing their book. When the child has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to their parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the child.
After they have earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Cub Scout can work on the 23 Wolf electives until they finish second grade (or turns 9 years old). They can choose from more than 100 elective projects that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When they complete 10 elective projects, they earn a Gold Arrow Point to wear under the Wolf badge. For each 10 elective projects after that, they earn a Silver Arrow Point.
After they have earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Cub Scout can work on the 23 Wolf electives until they finish second grade (or turns 9 years old). They can choose from more than 100 elective projects that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When they complete 10 elective projects, they earn a Gold Arrow Point to wear under the Wolf badge. For each 10 elective projects after that, they earn a Silver Arrow Point.
Bear
The Bear rank is for kids who have finished second grade (or are 9 years old). There are 24 Bear achievements in four groups. A kid must complete 12 of the achievements to be a Bear Cub Scout. These requirements are harder and more challenging than those for the Wolf badge. When a kid has earned their Bear badge, they may work on electives to earn Arrow Points to wear under their Bear badge.
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Webelos
Webelos dens are for kids who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). The Webelos den program is different from the Cub Scout den program. Everything in the Webelos Scout program is more challenging than what younger kids in the pack do. Webelos Scouts get to work on the 20 Webelos activity badges, ranging from athletics to technology and from the community to the outdoors.Webelos Scouts work on requirements during their weekly den meetings. Once a child learns a skill, they practice it at den meetings and at home on their own. Their family helps them at home. Webelos Scouts bring the projects they do at home to the den meetings to show others, and to have the Webelos den leader approve their projects.
When a child has done the requirements for an activity badge, the Webelos den leader or activity badge counselor, rather than a parent, approves most of the activity badges. It takes three activity badges, including Fitness and Citizen, to earn the Webelos badge. Besides earning activity badges, Webelos Scouts can earn the compass points emblem. This emblem is awarded after a Webelos Scout has earned seven activity badges. For each four activity badges a Webelos Scout earns after that, they receive a compass point—east, west, north, and south. |
Arrow of Light
The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light Award. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. Webelos Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light Award have also completed all requirements for the Boy Scout badge.
This award is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform when a child graduates into a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light Award when they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their adult uniform. |
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