The Advancement Trail

On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As your child advances through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities they learn as they get older. For more information on advancement, visit CubScouts.org .

Bobcat

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. Your child must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include:

• 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 your parent or guardian complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.

Lion

Lion Scouts is a fun introduction to the Scouting program for kindergarten-age boys and girls eager to get going! Lions do adventures with their adult partners and other Lions every month. This program introduces youth and their families to Scouting and the outdoors as it builds a foundation of character. Everything as a Lion is done with an adult partner.

Tiger

The Tiger rank is for children who are in first grade or are age 7. To earn the Tiger badge, your child must complete six required adventures with their den or family and one elective adventure of their den or family’s choosing. As your child completes each adventure, they will receive the adventure loop for that adventure, which he can wear on his belt. When your child has completed the seven required adventures, they can receive the Tiger badge. The Tiger badge is given to the child's adult partner at a pack meeting. Then, during a grand ceremony, the adult gives the badge to your child.

After they have earned the Tiger badge, a Tiger Scout can work on the remaining 12 Tiger electives until they have finished first grade (or turn 8 years old). Your child can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scouting years. When they completes an elective adventure, they will receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.

Wolf

The Wolf rank is for children who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, you child 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 scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When your child has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to their parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the scout.

After they have earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout can work on the remaining 12 Wolf electives until they finish second grade (or turns 9 years old). Your child can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scouting years. When they complete an elective adventure, your scout will receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.

Bear

The Bear rank is for children who have finished second grade (or who are 9 years old). To earn the Bear badge, your child must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. Their parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing their book, and they will receive an adventure loop for each adventure. When your scout has met all requirements, the Bear badge is presented to their parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the their scout.

After you child has earned the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until they finish third grade (or turn 10 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scouting years. When your child completes an elective adventure, they will receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.

Webelos

Webelos dens are for children 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 your child has done the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure a scout completes, they will receive a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat. After completing seven adventures, including five required adventures and two elective adventures, a Scout can receive the Webelos badge.

After your child has 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). The scout can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scouting years. When they complete an elective adventure, they will receive an additional adventure pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.

Arrow of Light

The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to join a Boy or Girl Scout Troop. Scouts must complete four required adventures and three elective adventures to earn the Arrow of Light rank. For each adventure the scout completes, they will receive a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.

The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scout uniform when your child 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.