The Advancement Plan

The responsibility of a child’s advancement in Cub Scouting lies with the family and not with the pack. Some advancement requirements are done at den meetings, but most are done at home with the family. 

The Cub Scout Advancement program is an excellent way for you to spend quality time with your children. For each special skill or activity your son or daughter completes with you, you can sign off on one of the requirements he needs to earn his next award. As a result, the awards he earns increase his knowledge, skills, self-esteem and confidence. You can be a part of it by participating in the Cub Scout program with him. The rank awards he earns are listed below. 

Lion (Kindergarten)The Lion rank is for Scouts who are in kindergarten or the year prior to first grade. To earn the Lion badge, a Scout must complete five required adventures with the den or family. As the Scout completes each adventure, he or she will receive a sticker to place in their handbook and an adventure loop for that adventure, which they can wear on their Cub Scout belt. When the Scout has completed the five required adventures, he or she can receive the Lion badge. The Lion badge is given to the Scout at a pack meeting. 

After earning the Lion badge, a Lion Scout can work on the elective adventures until finishing kindergarten (or turning 7 years old). 

BOBCAT (Earned by ALL NEW Cub Scouts) 

The Bobcat badge is an introduction to Cub Scouting’s values and some of it’s methods such as the Cub Scout sign.

Youth who join after kindergarten work on this badge prior to starting on their specific badge of rank for their grade.

TIGER CUB (First Graders) 

The Tiger rank is for Scouts who are in first grade. To earn the Tiger badge, a Scout must complete six required adventures with the den or family and one elective adventure of the den or family’s choosing. As the Scout completes each adventure, he or she will receive the adventure loop for that adventure, which they can wear on their Cub Scout belt. When the Scout has completed the seven required adventures, he or she can receive the Tiger badge. The Tiger badge is given to the Scout at a pack meeting. 

After earning the Tiger badge, a Tiger Scout can work on the remaining 12 Tiger electives until finishing the first grade (or turning 8 years old). The Tiger Scout can choose elective adventures and discover new hobbies or learn skills that will be useful during the Scouting adventure. When an elective adventure is completed, an additional adventure loop to be worn on the belt is awarded.

WOLF (Second Graders) 

The Wolf rank is for Scouts who are in second grade. To earn the Wolf badge, a Scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. The Scout’s den leader approves each requirement by signing the Scout’s book, and the Scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure. Once all requirements are met, the Wolf badge is presented to the Scout at the next pack meeting. 

After earning the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout can work on the remaining 12 Wolf electives until finished with the second grade (or turning 9 years old). The Scout can choose elective adventures and discover new hobbies or learn skills that will be useful during the Scouting adventure. When an elective adventure is completed, an additional adventure loop to be worn on the belt is awarded.

Bear (3rd Graders)

The Bear rank is for Scouts who are in third grade. To earn the Bear badge, a Scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. The Scout’s den leader approves each requirement by signing the Scout’s book, and the Scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the Scout has met all requirements, the Bear badge is presented at the next pack meeting. 

After earning the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until finished with the third grade (or turning 10 years old). The Scout can choose elective adventures 

and discover new hobbies or learn skills that will be useful during the Scouting adventure. When an elective adventure is completed, an additional adventure loop to be worn on the belt is awarded.

WEBELOS (Fourth & Fifth Graders) 

Webelos dens are for Scouts who are in fourth or fifth grade. 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. 

When a Scout has done the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader approves the adventures. For each adventure a Scout completes, a pin to be worn on the Webelos colors or on their hat is awarded. After completing six adventures, including five required adventures and one elective adventures, a Scout can receive 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 join a Boy Scout Troop or has finished with the fifth grade or turning 11 years old. The Scout can choose elective adventures and discover new hobbies or learn skills that will be useful during the Scouting adventure. When completing an elective adventure, an additional adventure pin to be worn on the Webelos colors or on the hat is awarded.

ARROW OF LIGHT (Fifth Grade) 

The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to join a Scouts BSA Troop. Scouts must complete four required adventures and one elective adventures to earn the Arrow of Light rank. For each adventure a Scout completes, a pin to be worn on the Webelos colors or their hat is awarded.

The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scouts uniform when a Scout joins a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light rank when they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their adult uniform.