Advancements
On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as they go. 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.
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, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos.
Bobcat requirements:
- Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law and tell what they mean;
- Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what they mean; and
- With parent or guardian complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
The Tiger rank is for cubs who are in first grade or are age 7. To earn the Tiger badge, a cub must complete six required adventures with their den or family and one elective adventure of their den or family’s choosing. As the cubs completes each adventure, they will receive the adventure loop for that adventure, which they can wear on their belt. When the cub has completed the seven required adventures, they can receive the Tiger badge.
After they have earned the Tiger badge, a Tiger Scout can work on the remaining 12 Tiger electives until they finish first grade (or turn 8 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach the skills that will be useful during their Boy Scout years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.
The Wolf rank is for cubs who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a cub must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. Their parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing his book, and the cub receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the cub has met all requirements, they can receive the Wolf badge.
After they have earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout can work on the remaining 12 Wolf electives until they finishes second grade (or turns 9 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach the skills that will be useful during their Boy Scout years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.
The Bear rank is for cubs who have finished second grade (or who are 9 years old). To earn the Bear badge, a cub must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. Their parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing their book, and the cub receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the cub has met all requirements, they can receive the Bear badge.
After they have earned the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until they finishes third grade (or turn 10 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach the skills that will be useful during their Boy Scout years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.
Webelos dens are for cub scouts who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). Webelos Scouts get to work on the five required Webelos adventures and choose two of the 18 elective adventures that are shared by the Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks.
When a cub scout has done the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure a cub scout completes, they receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors. After completing seven adventures, including five required adventures and two elective adventures, a Scout can receive the Webelos badge.
After they have earned the Webelos badge, a Webelos Scout can work on the remaining 18 shared Webelos and Arrow of Light electives until they finish fourth grade (or turns 11 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach the skills that will be useful during their Boy Scout years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure pin to wear on the Webelos colors.
The highest award in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. Earning this award prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. Scouts must complete four required adventures and three elective adventures to earn the Arrow of Light. For each adventure the Webelos Scout completes, they receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors.
The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform when a Cub Scout bridges (graduates) into a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light rank when they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their adult uniform.