Programs

At each level of cub scouts, your scout will be challenged appropriately. Here are the programs your scout will expect to experience as s/he rises through the ranks.

LION DEN - Kindergarten

Research shows that childhood development accelerates around ages four and five, about the time youth begin formal education. To supplement the learning and growth children experience at home and in an educational environment at that age, BSA has developed a program for five-year-old kindergarten children called “Lion.”

TIGER DEN - 1st Grade

In the Tiger program, an Adult Partner (a parent, grandparent, or other guardian) always accompanies each scout. The Tigers and an Adult Partner form a team. The first few Tiger meetings are organized and run by the Tiger Den Leader in order to introduce the Tigers and Adult Partners to Scouting. After that, each Tiger/Adult team selects a topic from the Tiger book and presents the topic to the Tiger Group (one topic per meeting). The Tiger earns progress belt loops towards their Tiger badge. Completion of this badge earns the right for the Scout to wear the Tiger patch on their uniform (in the six o’clock position of the front left shirt pocket, directly beneath the Bobcat patch). At the end of the Scout year (in May), Tigers graduate into a Wolf den.

WOLF DEN - 2nd Grade

In the Wolf program, completion of achievements in the Wolf handbook earns the Scout belt loops and leads to earning the Wolf badge. The Wolf handbook includes many activities that are family oriented. Your child will need your assistance to earn this rank. Completion of this badge earns the right for the Scout to wear the Wolf patch on his uniform (in the nine o’clock position of the front left shirt pocket). At the end of the Scout year (in May), Wolves graduate into a Bear den.

BEAR DEN - 3rd Grade

In the Bear program, completion of achievements in the Bear handbook earns the Scout belt loops and leads to earning the Bear badge. The Bear handbook includes many activities that are family oriented. Your scout will need your assistance to earn this rank. Completion of this badge earns the right for the Scout to wear the Bear patch on his uniform (in the three o’clock position of the front left shirt pocket). At the end of the Scout year (in May), Bears graduate into a WEBELOS den.

WEBELOS (We'll Be Loyal Scouts) - 4th Grade

The WEBELOS program (and there is always an S at the end of WEBELOS) is designed to transition the scouts from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA. In the Webelos program, scouts earn activity pins in areas such as geology, scholarship, fitness, and outdoorsmanship that count towards the Webelos rank. As such it’s really broken into two phases, based upon the rank badge being earned. In the First-Year Webelos program, the boys work on their Webelos badge. Additional achievements beyond the Webelos badge earn the Compass Emblem and “Compass Points”. The focus of the Webelos den is to work together as a team, much like a BSA Patrol.

ARROW OF LIGHT - 5th Grade

As the highest award in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light is often mentioned by Scout parents and volunteers. The award goes to Cub Scouts who have completed the Webelos rank and prepares them to join Scouts BSA. In fact, Arrow of Light is its own rank, marking a milestone in a Cub Scout’s growth. The award is significant in the Scouting experience – so significant it is one of the only Cub Scout badges that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. There are Eagle Scouts out there still representing the Arrow of Light award alongside their Eagle Scout medals.

A note about the BOBCAT badge

The Bobcat badge is the first badge that is earned by all Scouts. This badge is required for all scouts because it involves learning the Cub Scout Oath, Law, and other fundamental aspects of Cub Scouting. Completion of this badge gives the Scout the right to wear the Bobcat patch on his uniform (in the twelve o’clock position of the front left shirt pocket) and the right to proceed to his next rank (which will vary based upon age.)