Rank Advancement
The Cub Scout Program has two basic features, Rank Advancement, and the Cub Scout Adventures Program.
The first badge all Cub Scouts earn, regardless of age, is the Bobcat Badge. After earning the Bobcat Badge, they proceed to work on advancement specific to their age level. As part of these requirements, they must learn the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto.
Bobcat
No matter what age or grade a child joins Cub Scouting, they must earn their Bobcat badge before advancing to the rank of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A Scout 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; and
With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.
Tiger
The Tiger rank is for children who are in first grade or are age 7. To earn the Tiger badge, a Scout must complete six required adventures with their den or family and one elective adventure of their den or family’s choosing. As the Scout completes each adventure, they will receive the adventure loop for that adventure, which they can wear on their belt. When the Scout has completed the seven required adventures, they can receive the Tiger badge. The Tiger badge is given to the Scout’s adult partner at a pack meeting. Then, during a grand ceremony, the adult gives the badge to the Scout.
Wolf
The Wolf rank is for children who have finished first grade (or are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a Scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. Their parent or guardian and den leader approve each requirement by signing their book, and the Scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the Scout has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to their parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian presents the badge to the Scout.
After the Scout has earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout can work on the remaining 12 Wolf electives until they finish second grade (or turns 9 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scout BSA years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.
Bear
The Bear rank is for children who have finished second grade (or are 9 years old). To earn the Bear badge, a Scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. Their parent or guardian and den leader approve each requirement by signing their book, and the Scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the Scout has met all requirements, the Bear badge is presented to their parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the Scout.
After earning the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until they finish third grade (or turn 10 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scout BSA years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.
Webelos
Webelos dens are for children who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). 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, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure a Scout completes, they receive a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat. After completing seven adventures, including five required adventures and two elective adventures, a Scout can receive the Webelos badge.
After the Scout has earned the Webelos badge, a Webelos Scout can work on the remaining 18 shared Webelos and Arrow of Light electives until they finish fourth grade (or turns 11 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scout BSA years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.
Arrow of Light
The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to become a member of a Scouts BSA troop. Scouts must complete four required adventures and three elective adventures to earn the Arrow of Light rank. For each adventure, a Scout completes, they receive a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.
The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform when a Scout graduates into 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.
