- Home
- Advancement
- Cub Scout Advancement
CUB SCOUT ADVANCEMENT
On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses through the program based on their year in school, or age. The handbooks are the best resource for understanding what achievements the Scout can and should work towards. Lion, Tiger, Wolf and Bear Scouts programs are geared towards one full school year, while Webelos is an 18 month program. 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.
Notice about Cub Scout Program UpdatesEffective June 1, 2024, changes to all Cub Scout rank requirements and awards will be implemented. It’s official! The Cub Scout program will be updated for the 2024-25 program year. The four areas of improvement are the Bobcat badge, Cub Scout Adventures, Webelos, and Cub Scout Awards. Starting on Nov 10th, and continuing through June ’24, BSA will be devoting 1 of its official Friday #CubChatLive! podcasts each month to inform unit leaders about these changes, along with adding reference material on the Cub Scouts Program Updates page on the Scouting.org website. Here are the topics for past and upcoming shows devoted to the updates:
Check out the Cub Scout Program Updates FAQ 11-16-23 for answers to some of your questions. |
CUB SCOUT ADVENTURE PROGRAM
For Lion through Bear ranks, if the activity is completed outside of the den meeting, the parent, adult partner, or another trusted adult should sign in the boy’s handbook, indicating the Cub Scout has done their best to complete the requirement. The den leader then approves that requirement after consultation with the family or the Scout to confirm completion. If the requirement is completed in a den meeting, the den leader signs in both places. Den leaders may, however, ask an assistant or parent who helps at meetings to play the role of “Akela” and assist with the approvals. For Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks, the den leader signs for approval of all requirements, unless the den leader delegates this responsibility.
Learn more on our national site.
Cub Scout Rank Badges
Kindergartners work toward the Lion rank. Lions join the Pack with their adult partners are just that, partners. They attend meetings together, go on adventures like field trips together, and complete requirements together. Unlike other Cub Scouts, these youth do not begin with the Bobcat rank. Like other Cub Scouts, however, they earn the Lion rank by completing 5 Core Adventures. The Adventures are designed to introduce the Scout and family to the Cub Scout program. The requirements to these and other Adventures can be found in their Handbook.
First graders, and anyone beyond that grade who is new to Cub Scouting, completes the Bobcat Badge prior to working on their grade-specific badge of rank. Kindergartners, who are Lions, do not work on the Bobcat Badge. The Scout will learn the Scout Oath & Law; Cub Scout Handshake, Salute and Sign; earn the Cyber Chip Award; and complete with their parent the How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
First graders work toward the Tiger rank. Tigers and their adult partners are just that, partners. They attend meetings together, go on adventures like field trips together, and complete requirements together. To earn the Tiger Badge, they must complete a Faith Adventure, 5 additional Core Adventures, and one Elective Adventure.
Tigers will learn that there are many types of living things that share the place where we live; develop appropriate emotional responses, engage in shared decision making, and encourage an active and healthy lifestyle; introduce the concept of teamwork and also to the idea that they can make a difference in the world; healthy eating habits, including making the right food choices and practicing good hygiene; and start to develop an understanding of the Outdoor Ethics program. The requirements to these and other Adventures can be found in their Handbook.
A Scout in the 2nd grade works toward to earn the Wolf Badge by completing a Faith Adventure, 5 additional Core Adventures, and one Elective Adventure.
Wolf Scouts will learn about camping, animals they might see, and the Leave No Trace Principles; learn more about their neighborhood and community structure, community service, and how others have provided service to our country; have the opportunity to become comfortable speaking in front of others; develop hiking skills; and promote physical fitness and good health through games and other fun activities. The requirements to these and other Adventures can be found in their Handbook.
A Scout in the 3rd grade works to earn their Bear Badge by completing a Faith Adventure, 5 additional Core Adventures, and one Elective Adventure.
Bear Scouts will learn how to responsibly handle and use the pocketknife when he is around others; learn, improve, and develop their basic outdoor skills; explore the outdoor world of mammals, birds, plants, and more; learn the value of helping other people have fun; learn how to take care of themselves and be a help to their family, community, and the environment; and continue to learn about patriotism and loyalty to our country. The requirements to these and other Adventures can be found in their Handbook
A Scout in 4th or 5th grade is a Webelos Scout. Webelos may earn the 27 Adventures, except for the 4 core Arrow of Light adventures, in any order. The 4 core Arrow of Light Adventures may not be earned until after the Webelos rank has been earned.
To earn the Webelos Badge, they must complete a Faith Adventure, 4 additional Core Adventures, and one Elective Adventure.
While earning the Webelos Badge, Webelos will learn about good nutrition, how to safely cook meals in the outdoors, and how to balance meal planning and finances; introduction to the skills and responsibilities of a first responder; learn about physical fitness and good health; and continue to develop outdoor and hiking skills. The requirements to these and other Adventures can be found in their Handbook
A Webelos who has completed the 4th grade may earn the Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouts. All youth who are in Webelos dens and are in the fifth grade shall work on Arrow of Light requirements. They can earn the Arrow of Light rank without earning the Webelos rank. To earn the Arrow of Light, they must complete a Faith Adventure, 3 additional Core Adventures, and one Elective Adventure.
While earning the Arrow of Light, Webelos will learn to be strong, participating citizens in their communities, their nation, and the world at large; go on campouts where they can gain and develop new outdoor skills; introduce Boy Scouting, Scout skills, and Scout spirit; and will attend a troop meeting and accompany a troop on a campout or an outdoor activity. The requirements to these and other Adventures can be found in their Handbook