Advancement
On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses
from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. Each of the
ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As
you advance through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging,
to match the new skills and abilities you learn as you get older.
Bobcat
No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must
earn his Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger
Cub, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A boy must complete the Bobcat
requirements, which include:
* Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Cub Scout Promise,
and the Law of the Pack and tell what they mean;
* Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell
what they mean; and
* Show that you understand and believe that it is important
to be honest and trustworthy.
Tiger Cub
To begin his path to the Tiger Cub rank, the Tiger Cub (age
7) must learn the Cub Scout promise, the Cub Scout sign, and
the Cub Scout salute. When he has learned these, he gets his
Tiger Cub emblem, which is a tiger paw with four strings for
beads. He wears the emblem on his right pocket.
As a boy finishes each part of the five Tiger Cub achievements,
he earns an orange bead (for den activities), a white bead (for
family activities), or a black bead (for "Go See Its").
When the boy has earned five beads of each color, he can receive
his Tiger Cub badge. The Tiger Cub badge is given to the boy's
adult partner at a pack meeting. Then, during a grand ceremony,
the adult gives the badge to the boy.
Wolf
The Wolf rank is for boys who have finished first grade (or
who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass
12 achievements. His parent or guardian approves each achievement
by signing his book. When the boy has met all requirements,
the Wolf badge is presented to his parent or guardian at the
next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent
or guardian then presents the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Cub Scout can work
on the 23 Wolf electives until he finishes second grade (or
turns 9 years old). He can choose from more than 100 elective
projects that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills
that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes
10 elective projects, he earns a Gold Arrow Point to wear under
the Wolf badge. For each 10 elective projects after that, he
earns a Silver Arrow Point.
Bear
The Bear rank is for boys who have finished second grade (or
are 9 years old). There are 24 Bear achievements in four groups.
A boy must complete 12 of the achievements to be a Bear Cub
Scout. These requirements are harder and more challenging than
those for the Wolf badge. When a boy has earned his Bear badge,
he may work on electives to earn Arrow Points to wear under
his Bear badge.
Webelos
Webelos dens are for boys who have completed third grade (or
reached age 10). The Webelos den program is different from the
Cub Scout den program. Everything in the Webelos Scout program
is more challenging than what younger boys in the pack do. Webelos
Scouts get to work on the 20 Webelos activity badges:
Physical Skills
* Aquanaut
* Athlete
* Fitness
* Sportsman
Mental Skills
* Artist
* Scholar
* Showman
* Traveler
Community
* Citizen
* Communicator
* Family Member
* Readyman
Technology
* Craftsman
* Engineer
* Handyman
* Scientist
Outdoor Activity
* Forester
* Geologist
* Naturalist
* Outdoorsman
Webelos Scouts work on requirements during their
weekly den meetings. Once a boy learns a skill, he practices
it at den meetings and at home on his own. His family helps
him at home. Webelos Scouts bring the projects they do at home
to the den meetings to show others, and to have the Webelos
den leader approve their projects.
When a boy has done the requirements for an
activity badge, the Webelos den leader or activity badge counselor,
rather than a parent, approves most of the activity badges.
It takes three activity badges, including Fitness and Citizen,
to earn the Webelos badge.
Besides earning activity badges, Webelos Scouts
can earn the compass points emblem. This emblem is awarded after
a Webelos Scout has earned seven activity badges. For each four
activity badges a Webelos Scout earns after that, he receives
a compass point—east, west, north, and south.
Arrow of Light
The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow
of Light Award. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to
become a Boy Scout. Webelos Scouts who have earned the Arrow
of Light Award have also completed all requirements for the
Boy Scout badge.
This award is the only Cub Scout badge that
can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform when a boy graduates into
a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light Award when
they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a
special square knot on their adult uniform.
Awards
The Cub
Scout Academics and Sports program is a supplemental enrichment
program. Emphasis is on introducing a boy to a sport or academic
subject, allowing him to participate in it, and encouraging him
to do his best. The Academics and Sports program focuses on learning
and skill development—not winning. Boys participating in
the program are recognized for enjoying teamwork, developing physical
fitness, and discovering and building new talents.
In addition to the awards available through the Academics and
Sports program, Cub Scouts may earn a number of individual awards,
including the following:
* Cub
Scout Outdoor Activities
* Religious
Emblems
* Cub
Scout World Conservation Award
* Leave
No Trace Awareness Award
* Emergency
Preparedness Award
* Medals
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