Cub  Scout Advancement

Cub Scouting is home- and neighborhood-  centered for the Cub Scout.  Advancement involves parental approval of requirements.

If a boy is in the second or third grade (or is 8 or 9), he  becomes a member of a Cub Scout den of perhaps five to eight boys, and his den is one of several that make up a pack.  The den meets weekly, usually at the home of the den leader.

If the boy is in the fourth grade (or is 10), he may become  a member of a Webelos den.  This den is led by an adult Webelos den leader.   A  pack may have more than one Webelos den, depending on the number of Webelos Scouts.  The Webelos den meets weekly.

The pack meets monthly, usually at the building of its chartered organization.  This meeting is conducted by the Cubmaster and the committee.

 There are six ranks in Cub Scouting:

 Tiger Cub.  The rank for boys who have completed  kindergarten (or 7-year-olds).

Bobcat.  The Bobcat badge is earned after the Tiger Cub rank, but prior to all other ranks.  If a boy joins Cub Scouting as a Wolf, Bear, or Webelos, he must earn the Bobcat badge first before receiving  any other award or rank.

Wolf.   The rank for boys who have completed first grade (or 8-year-olds).

Bear.   The rank for boys who have completed second grade (or 9-year-olds).

Webelos.   The rank for boys who have completed third grade (or 10-year-olds).

Arrow of Light.   For fifth-graders (or  10-year-olds).  Earned after the completion of the Webelos badge, usually during the second year of the Webelos program.

Tiger Cub Requirements
When a boy is in the first grade, he works on the Tiger Cub badge with his adult partner.  To begin his path to the Tiger Cub rank, the Tiger Cub must  first earn the Tiger Cub belt totem by learning the Tiger Cub motto, the  Cub  Scout sign, and the Cub Scout salute.  When he has accomplished these tasks, he  may begin working on the 15 achievement requirements to  earn Tiger Cub rank.   These simple requirements, to be completed with the adult partners, include a  family activity, den activity, and Go See It  (den outing) in five achievement areas.  The adult partner approves the completion of each requirement by signing  the boy's handbook.

When the Tiger Cub has completed the 15 achievement  requirements, he receives his Tiger Cub badge in a ceremony during a monthly pack meeting.  After earning the Tiger Cub badge, the boy is encouraged to work  on the numerous elective activities in his book.  The boy is also encouraged  to begin working on the requirements for his Bobcat badge.  There are many elective projects aimed at sparking a Tiger Cub's interest in a new hobby, activity, or  skill.  When he completes 10  electives, he earns a Tiger Track bead that is worn  on the Tiger Cub belt totem.  There is no limit to the number of Tiger Track beads that a boy may earn; however, each Tiger Track bead must  represent the  completion of 10 elective projects.

All requirements for both the Tiger Cub achievements and electives are found in the Tiger Cub Handbook.

Bobcat Requirements
No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his  Bobcat badge before he can be awarded the rank of Wolf, Bear, or Webelos.  This rank involves learning the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and some  signs and symbols of Cub Scouting.  His parents determine when the boy has mastered them.

Wolf Requirements
When a boy is in the second grade, he start work on the 12 achievements for  the Wolf rank as soon as he has earned his Bobcat rank.  These achievements  involve knowledge of the national flag, his religious duties, physical skills,  and other simple skills geared to his interests.  A parent or adult family member should approve his work and sign his book, signifying completion of the requirements.

Cub Scout leaders approve only a few of the requirements,  which are indicated in the book.

When the Cub Scout has completed the 12 achievements, he receives the Wolf badge in a  ceremony during a monthly pack meeting.  The boy may then work on any of the 22 other fields, called electives, until he completes second grade (or is 9).  Electives mostly cover hobby and sports interests.  Each of these electives is divided into projects.  For the first 10  projects, a boy  is award a Gold Arrow Point, to be worn on his uniform below his Wolf badge.  For the next 10 projects completed, he receives a Silver Arrow Point, to be worn below the gold one. Additional  Silver Arrow Points may be earned for each 10 projects.  All requirements and electives are found in the Wolf Cub Scout Book.

Bear Requirements
When the boy is in the third grade or 9 (or as soon as he completes  the  Bobcat requirements if he joins at this age), he begins work toward the Bear  rank.  When he has completed 12 of the 24 achievements and has been awarded the  badge, he may work on the  24 electives in the Bear Cub Scout Book to earn arrow  points as he did for Wolf.  These arrow points are worn below his Bear badge.    In addition, he may earn elective credits by completing requirements for the 12 achievements not used to earn the Bear badge.  All requirements for both the  Bear achievements and electives are found in the Bear Cub Scout Book.  As with the Wolf rank, completion of the requirements is approved by the boy's parents.

Webelos Requirements
While working toward the Webelos rank and the Arrow of Light Award, the boy also may earn any or all of the 20 activity badges  that range from Aquanaut and Sportsman to Geologist and Forester.  The Webelos den leader approves the boy's work or assigns someone else to approve it.  This is an important step in  the  boy's transition to a Boy Scout troop.  All requirements for the Webelos badge, Arrow of Light Award, and activity badges are found in the Webelos Scout Book.

When he has earned the Arrow of Light Award (or is 11 years  old or has completed the fifth grade), the boy makes a transition from the pack to a Boy Scout troop in an impressive pack ceremony.

The Webelos badge and Arrow of Light requirements include  all of the joining requirements for the Scout badge.

Cub Scout Advancement Goals
The administration of the Cub Scout advancement program is primarily the responsibility of the pack committee, with the support of the district advancement committee and commissioner staff.

-Parents of Cub Scouts should understand their role and  responsibilities in their son's advancement, the adult's standard for  completion of any requirement should be based on the Cub Scout motto, "Do your Best".

-Advancement recognition should be given as soon as  possible after a boy completes the requirements, and be done with proper  ceremony.  Presentation of  badges should be a part of each monthly pack meeting.  Suggestions for advancement ceremonies are contained in the Cub  Scout Program Helps, Webelos  Leader Guide, Cub Scout Ceremonies for Dens and  Packs, and the Cub Scout Leader Book.

-Packs and troops should be encouraged to work together  to ensure a smooth  transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop.

-Good advancement records should be maintained by the  pack to be sure that the  boys are advancing and that the awards are presented promptly.

-The use of den chiefs (Boy Scouts, Varity Scouts, or  Venturers who assist with Cub Scout and Webelos Scout den meetings) can help stimulate advancement through example and experience, as well as encourage boys to continue in the Scouting program.

Cub Scout/Webelos Scout Resident and Day Camp  Advancement Guidelines
Cub/Webelos Scout resident camp, as well as day camps, should limit  advancement for the sake  of advancement.  Tiger Cub and Cub Scout advancement is  intended to be family-oriented; the adult partner or a family member must  approve completion of the requirements by signing the boy's book.  As boys become Webelos Scouts, their den leaders and activity badge counselors sign off the requirements in the handbooks.  Camp programs and activities should not  detract  from these family and den responsibilities related to advancement.