The Bear Cub Scout program is for boys who have completed second grade (or are age 9). After earning the Bobcat badge, a boy may earn the Bear badge by completing 12 achievements in four different categories: God, Country, Family, and Self.

Bobcat Rank
The first rank that every boy must earn when entering the Cub Scouting Program is the Bobcat rank. After a Scout earns the Bobcat Rank, he can begin to work on his Bear Rank.

Arrow Points
Scouts can work on Achievements toward their Bear Rank, or they may work on Electives towards Arrow Points. A Scout can not be presented his Arrow Points until after he has received his Rank. A Scout will earn a Gold Arrow Point for the 1st 10 Electives completed, and a Silver Arrow Point for each additional 10 Electives completed.

The Bear Arrow Points differ from the Wolf Arrow Points in this way. Bear Cub Scouts may complete elective requirements to earn Arrow Points as well as Achievements that were not used to earn the Bear rank. Unused parts of the achievements that were used for the Bear badge may not be counted towards Arrow Points. Here are two examples:

• The Scout uses Achievement 5. "Sharing Your World with Wildlife", and completes 5.a, b, c, and e toward earning the Bear badge. After earning the Bear badge, the Scout cannot go back and complete 5.d, and count that as an elective.
• The Scout does not use Achievement 4. "Tall Tales", as an achievement toward the Bear badge; then, 4.a, b, and c can count as electives for a total of three toward an arrow point.
  

Progress Toward Ranks
The Scout doesn't have to wait until he completes his entire Bear Rank before being recognized for his work. As a Bear, red beads are presented for each three Bear achievements earned. After a Scout earns his fourth red bead, he will receive his Bear Rank at a Pack meeting. Cub Scouts may continue to wear this emblem after ranks are earned until they become Webelos Scouts.

Bear Rank
It is the goal of the Pack for Scouts to complete their requirements to earn their current rank by the February Blue and Gold. However, rank completion is not required and Scouts have until the end of the school year to complete their rank requirements.

Belt Loops and Pins
Bear Cub Scouts can complete and repeat Belt Loops and Pins at any time.

Contact the Bear Den Leader for more information or questions.