Ranks - The Advancement Trail
Each level of Cub Scouting; Bobcat, Tigers, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos have a series of requirements, called "achievements," that boys must complete to receive the patch for that level. These awards are known as "ranks." The requirements are found in the handbooks for each level, and are designed to be worked on at home with parents or other Cub Scouts at den meetings. These handbooks can be purchased online, or at your local Scout Shop
On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. 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.
Electives
In addition to the achievements required to earn a rank badge, there are a whole series of optional requirements, called "electives." Boys choose the electives that are of most interest and work on them either at home or at den meetings. When a boy has completed at least 10 electives in addition to the required achievements for the Tiger Cub, Wolf, or Bear ranks, he is presented with an arrow point. The first arrow point is gold, and the rest are silver. Boys can earn as many arrow points as they wish.
