The Advancement Trail
The Cub Scout program is centered primarily in the den, the home, and the neighborhood, but often takes place in the outdoors. It leads to advancement through six ranks, which are grade or age-based. Cub Scout dens are named for the rank that the scouts are working to achieve.
Cub Scout Badges of Rank Requirements
On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses towards a badge of rank based on their grade. They need not have earned the previous rank in order to earn the next. To earn each badge of rank a Cub Scout earns the six required Adventures and at least two elective Adventures. Required Adventures are based on the aims and areas of importance in Scouting. Each badge of rank is age-appropriate, so earning a rank below a Cub Scout’s current grade is not permitted.
- The Bobcat Adventure is designed to be the first required Adventure.
- Each badge of rank is earned by completing six required and two elective Adventures.
- The six required Adventures are focused on the aims and focus areas of the BSA.
Cub Scouts are eligible to earn ranks as follows:
Cub Scouts do not “go back” and work on ranks designed for earlier grade levels, even if missed due to their time of joining. Likewise, Cub Scouts do not “move ahead” to work on the next rank until the completion of the current school year.
- Lion. For youth who are kindergarten age.
- Tiger. For youth who have completed kindergarten or are 7 years old.
- Wolf. For youth who have completed first grade or are 8 years old.
- Bear. For youth who have completed second grade or are 9 years old.
- Webelos. For youth who have completed third grade or are 10 years old.
- Arrow of Light. For youth who have completed fourth grade.
Cub Scouts do not “go back” and work on ranks designed for earlier grade levels, even if missed due to their time of joining. Likewise, Cub Scouts do not “move ahead” to work on the next rank until the completion of the current school year.
Lion
Youth who are kindergarten age and a parent, guardian, or other caring adult approved by the parent or guardian in accordance with BSA policy may join the Lion program. Like other Cub Scouts they earn the Lion rank by completing adventures.
Tiger, Wolf and Bear
For Tiger, Wolf, and Bear ranks—which are earned by Cub Scouts who have completed kindergarten, first grade, and second grade respectively (or are age 7, 8, or 9, respectively)—the youth completes several adventures as described in the youth handbooks. Most of those adventures are required and at least two are chosen from the electives available for each rank.
Cub Scouts earn Adventures that are specific to their grade and rank. A number of Adventures must be completed to earn the badge of rank for each grade level. Completion of Adventures is how the aims of character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness are developed.
Cub Scouts earn Adventures that are specific to their grade and rank. A number of Adventures must be completed to earn the badge of rank for each grade level. Completion of Adventures is how the aims of character, citizenship, leadership, and personal fitness are developed.
Webelos & Arrow of Light
Webelos will only be for 4th grade Cub Scouts and Arrow of Light will no longer be associated with Webelos.
The Webelos badge of rank is earned by completing the six required Adventures and any two elective Adventures, there are 20 elective Webelos Adventures. Webelos and Arrow of Light will no longer share elective Adventures. 4th grade Cub Scouts are referred to as Webelos and may NOT start working on Arrow of Light until they have completed the 4th grade. Webelos wear the blue Cub Scout uniform with the Webelos neckerchief, neckerchief slide, Webelos hat, blue Cub Scout bottoms, blue Cub Scout belt, and Cub Scout socks. They will have their own Webelos handbook. Webelos in 4th grade may go on Pack campouts or den campouts with a BALOO-trained leader.
Arrow of Light will only be for 5th grade Cub Scouts. The Arrow of Light badge of rank is earned by completing the six required Adventures and any two elective Adventures, there are 16 elective Arrow of Light Adventures. 5th grade Cub Scouts are referred to as Arrow of Light Scouts and are introduced to the patrol method. Arrow of Light Scouts wear the Scouts BSA uniform with blue shoulder loops on their epaulets. Arrow of Light Scouts have a requirement for the Bobcat Adventure to visit a Scouts BSA Troop making the timeline of a Troop visit in the early fall at the beginning of the Cub Scout program year. The Arrow of Light badge of rank and required Adventures are designed to prepare Arrow of Light Scouts to join Scouts BSA between January and March. Arrow of Lights will have a separate handbook. Arrow of Light Scouts may go on pack campouts or den campouts with a BALOO-trained leader.
The Webelos badge of rank is earned by completing the six required Adventures and any two elective Adventures, there are 20 elective Webelos Adventures. Webelos and Arrow of Light will no longer share elective Adventures. 4th grade Cub Scouts are referred to as Webelos and may NOT start working on Arrow of Light until they have completed the 4th grade. Webelos wear the blue Cub Scout uniform with the Webelos neckerchief, neckerchief slide, Webelos hat, blue Cub Scout bottoms, blue Cub Scout belt, and Cub Scout socks. They will have their own Webelos handbook. Webelos in 4th grade may go on Pack campouts or den campouts with a BALOO-trained leader.
Arrow of Light will only be for 5th grade Cub Scouts. The Arrow of Light badge of rank is earned by completing the six required Adventures and any two elective Adventures, there are 16 elective Arrow of Light Adventures. 5th grade Cub Scouts are referred to as Arrow of Light Scouts and are introduced to the patrol method. Arrow of Light Scouts wear the Scouts BSA uniform with blue shoulder loops on their epaulets. Arrow of Light Scouts have a requirement for the Bobcat Adventure to visit a Scouts BSA Troop making the timeline of a Troop visit in the early fall at the beginning of the Cub Scout program year. The Arrow of Light badge of rank and required Adventures are designed to prepare Arrow of Light Scouts to join Scouts BSA between January and March. Arrow of Lights will have a separate handbook. Arrow of Light Scouts may go on pack campouts or den campouts with a BALOO-trained leader.
Age Appropriate Activity Matrix
Click the button below to view the Age Appropriate Activity Matrix guidelines to see what activities each rank can participate in.