Welcome to the Advancement section of our Cub Scout website! Advancement is at the very heart of scouting, marking the journey of personal growth and skill development that each scout undertakes. It’s a step-by-step process that offers scouts the opportunity to learn and grow at their own pace, achieving a set of progressively challenging goals. From learning new skills to demonstrating leadership, each advancement level is designed to help scouts explore their potential and achieve their personal best. Read on to learn more about the specifics of each level in the exciting journey of scout advancement.

Bobcat

No matter what age or grade a youth joins Cub Scouting, they must earn their Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, or Arrow of Light. A youth 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
• With a parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide”

When a youth has completed the requirements, they have earned the Bobcat badge.

Lion Cub – Kindergarten

The Lion Cub program has exciting indoor and outdoor activities specifically designed for kindergarten age youth and their adult partner. Adult partners (guardians) are there to support and guide, allowing the new Cub Scout to discover risks and rewards under the security of adult supervision. Lion Cubs learn by doing. As they learn and grow, the relationship with their adult partner (guardian) grows as well. At the conclusion of their kindergarten year, the Lion Cub will transition to Tiger Cubs where they’ll earn the Bobcat badge and continue on to even more exciting and educational adventures through Cub Scouting.

Tiger – 1st Grade

The Tiger rank is for youth who are in first grade or age seven. To earn the Tiger badge, a youth must complete six required adventures with the den or family and one elective adventure of the den or family’s choosing. As the youth completes each adventure, they will receive an adventure loop to wear on their belt. After completing the seven required adventures, they earned the Tiger badge.

After earning the Tiger badge, a Tiger Scout can work on the remaining 12 Tiger electives until they finish first grade (or turns 8 years old). They can choose elective adventures to learn new hobbies and skills. For completing an elective adventure, they’ll get an additional loop.

Wolf – 2nd Grade

The Wolf rank is for Cub Scouts who have finished first grade or are eight years old. To earn the Wolf badge, a Cub Scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. The parent or guardian, and den leader, approves each requirement by signing his book. The Cub Scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure and after meeting all requirements, has earned the Wolf badge.

After earning the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout can work on the remaining 12 Wolf electives until they finish second grade or turn 9 years old. They can choose elective adventures to learn new hobbies and teach skills that will be useful during their Scouts BSA years. For completing an elective adventure, they’ll receive an additional adventure loop.

Bear – 3rd Grade

The Bear rank is for youth who have finished second grade or are nine years old. To earn the Bear badge, a youth must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. Their parent or guardian, and den leader, approve each requirement by signing their book. The youth receives an adventure loop for each adventure and after meeting all requirements, has earned the Bear badge.

After earning the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until they finish third grade or turns 10 years old. They can choose elective adventures to learn new hobbies and skills. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear.

Webelos – 4th And 5th Grade

Webelos dens are for youth who have completed third grade or are ten years old. 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. After finishing the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure a youth completes, they 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 youth has earned the Webelos badge.

After earning 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. A Webelos Scout can choose elective adventures to learn new skills or hobbies that will be useful during their Scouts BSA years. For completing an elective adventure they’ll receive an additional adventure pin.

Arrow Of Light

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

After an Arrow of Light Scout has earned the The Arrow of Light badge they’re ready to join a Scouts BSA Troop! The Arrow of Light is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light rank may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their uniform.