For the oldest Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light (AOL) program offers 5th graders (or Scouts aged 10+) the opportunity to earn a patch that transfers to their Scouts BSA uniform. By earning this recognition, a scout demonstrates readiness for the next step on the scouting trail.

The AOL program is for 5th grade youth to prepare to join a Scouts BSA troop while increasing their scouting skills. An AOL den should have the scouts taking turns in leadership roles and making some decisions about what they would like to do. During their last year in a Pack, scouts get a larger say in which adventures their den will do, and in leading their fellow scouts, both skills that will come in handy in Scouts BSA.