Cub Scouts in the Pack are grouped by age (5 to 10) and grade into ranks.  The rank your child will start with depends on their current age and grade as follows:

• Entering kindergarten – LION CUBS

• Completed kindergarten – TIGERS

• Completed the first grade – WOLVES

• Completed the second grade – BEARS

• Completed the third grade – WEBELOS

• Completed the fourth grade – ARROW OF LIGHT

The Cub Scout Advancement program is an excellent way to spend quality time with your child.  The responsibility for children earning awards in Cub Scouts lies with the families and not with the Pack.  Some achievements are done in Den meetings, and some are done at home with the family.  Ranks are grade specific.  As a result, the awards your child earns helps raise their self-esteem and confidence.

 

Lion Cubs: Kindergarten

The Lion Cub program provides exciting indoor and outdoor activities specifically designed for Kindergarten children and an adult partner.  Adult partners are there to support and guide, and allow the new Cub Scout to discover the activities and adventures under adult supervision.  A Lion Cub learns by doing these things themselves.  As he/she learns and grows, the relationship with their adult partner grows as well.  At the conclusion of the Kindergarten year, the Lion Cub will graduate into the Tiger Cub program and continue on their journey through Cub Scouting.

 

Bobcat

No matter what age or grade your child joins Cub Scouting, they must earn their Bobcat badge before they can advance to the rank of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos, they 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.

 

Tiger:  First Grade

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

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

 

Wolf:  Second Grade

The Wolf rank is for boys and girls who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old).  To earn the Wolf badge, they must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure.  They scout's parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing off in their book, and they receive an adventure loop for each adventure.  When the scout 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 turn 9 years old).  He/She can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Boy Scout years.  When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.

 

Bear:  Third Grade

The Bear rank is for boys and girls who have finished second grade (or who are 9 years old). To earn the Bear badge, a scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. Their parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing off in their book, and the scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure.  When the 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 scout.

After they have earned the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until they have finished third grade (or turn 10 years old).  He/She can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Boy Scout years.  When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.

 

Webelos:  Fourth Grade

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

After they have 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 turn 11 years old).  He/She can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scouts, BSA years.  When they completes an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.  

 

Arrow of Light: Fifth Grade

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

The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scouts, BSA uniform when a scout graduates into a troop.  During fifth grade, the Webelos Scouts transitions into the Scouts, BSA Troop of their choice.  This typically happens in mid to late January.