Rank Advancement

Cub Scout Dens by rank

The Cub Scout program is centered primarily in the den, and within your family, but often takes place in the outdoors. It leads to advancement through seven ranks, which—except for the Bobcat rank—are grade or age-based. Cub Scout dens are named for the rank, other than Bobcat and Arrow of Light, that the members are working to achieve. Cub Scouts are eligible to earn ranks as follows:

Lion For youth who are kindergarten age or transitional

Bobcat Earned first by all Cub Scouts except Lions, no matter when they join

Tiger 1^st grade or transitional (completed kindergarten or are 7 years old)

Wolf 2^nd grade (youth who have completed first grade or are 8 years old)

Bear 3^rd grade (youth who have completed second grade or are 9 years old)

Webelos 4^th grade (youth who have completed third grade or are 10 years old)

Arrow of Light 5^th grade (youth who have completed fourth grade)

Adventures & Advancement

Lion, Tiger, Wolf, & Bear – belt loops are awarded as these scouts complete several adventures, or collections of themed, multidisciplinary activities. Belt loops are designed to slide onto a Cub Scout’s belt.

Webelos & Arrow of Light (AOL) – adventure and elective pins are earned by these scouts which are worn on Webelos colors.

Rank advancement – Cub Scouts do not “go back” and work on ranks designed for earlier grade levels, even if missed due to their time of joining. Likewise, Cub Scouts do not “move ahead” to work on the next rank until the completion of the current school year, with the exception of the Webelos/AOL program. Rank badges are presented after all requirements for each rank are fulfilled, usually toward the end of the scout year.

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