The Advancement Trail

The Cub Scout program is centered primarily in the den, the home, and the neighborhood, but often takes place outdoors. It leads to advancement through six ranks, which—except for the Bobcat rank—are grade- or age-based.

  • Lion. Pre-k to Kindergarten or ages 5-7 years old

  • Bobcat. Earned first by all Cub Scouts, no matter what age they join. 

  • Tiger. For boys and girls who have completed kindergarten or are 7 years old. 

  • Wolf. For boys and girls who have completed first grade or are 8 years old. 

  • Bear. For boys and girls who have completed second grade or are 9 years old. 

  • Webelos. For boys and girls who have completed third grade or are 10 years old. 

  • Arrow of Light. For boys and girls who have completed fourth grade.

Cub Scouts do not “go back” and work on ranks designed for earlier grade levels, even if missed due to their time of joining. Likewise, Cub Scouts do not “move ahead” to the next rank until the completion of the current school year (or until their next birthday if their chartered organization transitions by age).

 

Bobcat

Regardless of what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he begins with the Bobcat rank. It involves learning about the values, signs, and symbols of the Boy Scouts of America and Cub Scouting. While he or she is working on Bobcat he may work simultaneously on the rank for his or her age or grade, but he or she must finish Bobcat before any other rank is awarded.

Note that Cub Scouts do not go back and work on ranks missed due to their age at the time of joining.

 

Tiger, Wolf, and Bear

For Tiger, Wolf, and Bear ranks—which are earned by Cub Scouts who have completed kindergarten, first grade, and second grade respectively (or are age 7, 8, or 9, respectively)—the boy completes several adventures as described in the youth handbooks. Most of those adventures are required and at least one is chosen from the electives available for each rank. “Adventures” are collections of themed, multidisciplinary activities representing approximately three den meetings of engaging content. Elective and required adventures may be undertaken at the same time. As the scouts finish an adventure, they are awarded a belt loop that is worn on the official Cub Scout belt. Belt loops are presented as soon as possible. When the requirements for each rank are fulfilled, the rank badge is presented at the next pack meeting. Note that although participation with an adult partner is required for all Tiger adventures, recognition items are for the Cub Scouts only.

 

Webelos and Arrow of Light

Just as with the previous ranks, Cub Scouts complete a specified number of adventures as they earn the Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks. The mix of required and elective adventures for the Webelos rank and for the Arrow of Light rank is fully explained in each program’s youth handbook. The Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks have some additional requirements in addition to the adventures. For the Webelos rank, Scouts must have completed the third grade (or be 10 years old) and must be an active member of the Webelos den for three months. For the Arrow of Light rank, Scouts must be active in the Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade (or since becoming 10 years old). An adventure pin is awarded for each completed adventure. These may be worn on the Webelos colors. The scouts are free to work on required and elective adventure pins at the same time. Adventure pins should be presented as soon as possible. When the requirements for the Webelos or Arrow of Light ranks are fulfilled, the rank badge is presented at the next pack meeting.

Webelos, an acronym for “WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts,” is the rank for boys and girls who have completed third grade or are 10 years old.

The Arrow of Light rank is the only Cub Scout badge authorized to be worn on the Boy Scout uniform once a boy transitions into a troop; it is worn below the left pocket. On an adult uniform, the Arrow of Light rank is recognized with a red and green square knot worn above the left pocket.

Children who join Cub Scouting for the first time as a member of an Arrow of Light den, or boys who were previously members of a Webelos den but did not
earn the Webelos rank, shall work on Arrow of Light requirements during their fifth-grade year. They can earn the Arrow of Light Award without earning the
Webelos rank.

Arrow of Light is Cub Scouting’s final rank before Boy Scouts. Much of the experience gives the Cub Scouts the chance to practice skills that prepare them to become Boy Scouts. Once completed, the rank should be presented during an impressive ceremony involving Scouts from a local Scout troop. Their involvement may encourage the eventual “bridging” of recipients into the troop.

The minimum age for a Cub Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light Award to become a Scout BSA is 10 years old. The requirements for joining Boy Scouting, as stated in the Scouts BSA Handbook, include the following: “Be a boy or girl who is 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old…”

Many adventure pins help Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts develop interests in areas that may lead to hobbies or career choices. The Webelos and Arrow of Light den leaders and assistants, and the den chief, may handle portions of instruction during meetings. But some pins will have more meaning when a knowledgeable adventure pin “counselor” works with the children on the requirements, providing resources, leading field trips, and giving other useful service. A parent or family member, pack leader, teacher, coach, or other adult with talents or skills related to the specific pin may serve in this capacity. A local Scoutmaster or the district advancement chair can help identify merit badge counselors who might also work with related adventure pins.