CUB SCOUT ADVANCEMENT: LION, TIGER, WOLF, BEAR, WEBELOS, AND ARROW OF LIGHT

THE CUB SCOUT ADVANCEMENT TRAIL

On the Cub Scout advancement trail, a boy progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. As they go, the requirements get more challenging to match their new skills and abilities. Cub Scout advancement includes a wide range of group and individual activities boys enjoy. More importantly, the activities are carefully selected to encourage moral, physical, and intellectual development.

CUB SCOUTS DO FUN THINGS WHILE LEARNING

Cubs do fun things with other kids! They get to wear a cool uniform, visit interesting places, and see new things. They play all kinds of sports and build stuff like racecars and bird houses.

• Play sports such as baseball, soccer, and swimming – develop physical fitness, teamwork, fair play, cooperation, and good sportsmanship
• Use hands-on learning experiences about art, science, music, and computers which inspire imagination and sharpen a boy’s interest in learning
• Projects in woodworking, leather-working, and sculpture teach planning and patience while giving confidence
• Outdoor adventures such as camping, hiking, and fishing convey an appreciation for nature’s majesty and teach the importance of preserving our environment.

LION CUB – KINDERGARTEN

Our Lion Cub program has exciting indoor and outdoor activities specifically designed for kindergarten age boys 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 he learns and grows, 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 he’ll earn the Bobcat badge and continue on to even more exciting and educational adventures through Cub Scouting.

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, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, or Arrow of Light. A boy 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 boy has completed the requirements, he’s earned the Bobcat badge.

TIGER – 1ST GRADE

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

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

WOLF – 2ND GRADE

The Wolf rank is for boys who have finished first grade or eight years old. To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. His parent or guardian, and den leader, approves each requirement by signing his book. The boy 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 he finishes second grade or turns 9 years old. He can choose elective adventures to learn new hobbies and teach skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. For completing an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop.

BEAR – 3RD GRADE

The Bear rank is for boys who have finished second grade or are nine years old. To earn the Bear badge, a boy must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. His parent or guardian, and den leader, approves each requirement by signing his book. The boy 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 he finishes third grade or turns 10 years old. He can choose elective adventures to learn new hobbies and skills. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear.

WEBELOS – 4TH AND 5TH GRADE

Webelos dens are for boys 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 boy completes, he receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on his hat. After completing seven adventures, including five required adventures and two elective adventures, he’s 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 he finishes fourth grade or turns 11 years old. He can choose elective adventures to learn new skills or hobbies that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. For completing an elective adventure he’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 Boy Scout. Scouts must complete four required adventures and three elective adventures to earn the Arrow of Light rank. For each adventure a boy completes, he receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on his hat.

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