Bobcat

No matter what age or grade a boy or girl joins Cub Scouting, the Bobcat badge must be earned before he or she can advance to the rank of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. The Bobcat requirements include:

Lion

The Lion pilot is a Scouts BSA program that is designed to introduce kindergarten-age children and their families to the fun of Scouting.

The Lion program weaves traditional Scouting concepts of character development, leadership skills, personal fitness and citizenship into activities that are age-appropriate and fun for the kids and their parents.

The activities introduce the family to Cub Scouting, and provide an exciting way for the kids to explore the world around them. The program will fuel their imagination, creativity and fun as they experience the growth Scouting can provide. At the end of the Lion year, they “graduate” to Tiger and advance through Cub Scouting.

Tiger

The Tiger rank is for boys and girls who are in first grade or are age 7. To earn the Tiger badge, a child must complete six required adventures with his or her den or family and one elective adventure of his or her den or family’s choosing. As each adventure is completed, the scout will receive the adventure loop for that adventure, which the scout can wear on his or her belt. When the scout has completed the seven required adventures, he or she 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 child.

After he or she has earned the Tiger badge, a Tiger Scout can work on the remaining 12 Tiger electives until he or she finishes first grade (or turn 8 years old). He or she can choose elective adventures that may show the scout new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during his Scouts BSA years. When an elective adventure is completed, the scout receives an additional adventure loop to wear on the uniform belt.

Wolf

The Wolf rank is for kids who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. The scout’s parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing the scout’s book, and the child receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the scout has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to his or her parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the scout.

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

Bear

The Bear rank is for scouts who have finished second grade (or who are 9 years old). To the Bear badge, scouts must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. The scout’s parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing the scout’s book, and the scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When scouts have 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 child.

After the Bear badge is earned, Bear Scouts can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until they finish the third grade (or turn 10 years old). Scouts can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during Scouts BSA years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on the uniform belt.

WEBELOS

Webelos dens are for kids 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 scouts have done the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure scouts complete, they receive a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on the uniform hat. After completing seven adventures, including five required adventures and two elective adventures, a Scout can receive the Webelos badge.

After the Webelos badge is earned, Webelos Scouts can work on the remaining 18 shared Webelos and Arrow of Light electives until they finishe the fourth grade (or turn 11 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during Scouts BSA years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on the uniform hat.

Arrow of Light

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

The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform when a Cub Scout 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.