Ranks and Advancement

The Advancement Trail

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. To view individual rank requirements please go to "Adventure Loops and Pins"

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 Scout Oath, with help if needed.
Learn and say the Scout Law, with help if needed.
Show the Cub Scout sign. Tell what it means.
Show the Cub Scout handshake. Tell what it means.
Say the Cub Scout motto. Tell what it means.
Show the Cub Scout salute. Tell what it means.
With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet
How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide..

Tiger

A boy who is 7 years old or is in the first grade is a Tiger, and his adventures are found in the Tiger Handbook.

A 7 year old or boy in the first grade joins Cub Scouting with his parent or adult guardian. This is unique relative to other ranks in Cub Scouting. Tigers and their adult partners are just that, partners. They attend meetings together, go on adventures like field trips together, and complete requirements together.

Like all other new Cub Scouts, a Tiger must first earn his Bobcat rank. After completing the requirements for Bobcat he may go on to complete the requirements for the Tiger rank and the many electives that are offered for his rank.

Wolf

A boy who is 8 years old or is in the second grade is a Wolf, and his adventures are found in the Wolf Handbook.

Like all other new Cub Scouts, a Wolf must first earn his Bobcat rank. After completing the requirements for Bobcat he may go on to complete the requirements for the Wolf rank and the many electives that are offered for his rank.

The den meeting plans for the Wolf rank adventures are found in the Wolf Den Leader Guide along with other tips and hints for running a fun Cub Scout Program.

Bear

A boy who is 9 years old or is in the third grade is a Bear, and his adventures are found in the Bear Handbook.

Like all other new Cub Scouts, a Bear must first earn his Bobcat rank. After completing the requirements for Bobcat he may go on to complete the requirements for the Wolf rank and the many electives that are offered for his rank.

The den meeting plans for the Bear rank adventures are found in the Bear Den Leader Guide along with other tips and hints for running a fun Cub Scout Program.

Webelos

A boy who is 10 years old or is in the fourth grade is a Webelos Scout, and his adventures are found in the Webelos Handbook.

Like all other new Cub Scouts, a Webelos must first earn his Bobcat rank. After completing the requirements for Bobcat he may go on to complete the requirements for the Wolf rank and the many electives that are offered for his rank.

The den meeting plans for the Webelos rank adventures are found in the Webelos Den Leader Guide along with other tips and hints for running a fun Cub Scout Program.

Arrow of Light

A boy who is in the fourth or fifth grade is a Webelos Scout, and his adventures are found in the Webelos Handbook. Once a boy has completed his Webelos rank requirements or a new boy joins Cub Scouting in the fifth grade, he may work on Arrow of Light requirements Like all other new Cub Scouts, a Arrow of Life Scout must first earn his Bobcat rank. After completing the requirements for Bobcat he may go on to complete the requirements for the Arrow of Light rank and the many electives that are offered for his rank.

All Cub Scouts, except for those boys who join Cub Scouting for the first time in fifth grade, must earn their Webelos rank prior to earning Arrow of Light. The requirements for Webelos and Arrow of Light may be worked on at the same time but the tenure requirements for each must be met and the awards must be earned and presented sequentially.

The den meeting plans for the Webelos rank adventures are found in the Webelos Den Leader Guide along with other tips and hints for running a fun Cub Scout Program.

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.

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