The Cub Scout Advancement Trail

Lion Cub

The Lion Cub program is designed for kindergarten age youth and their adult partner. Adult partners (guardians) are there to support and guide, allowing the new Cub Scout to discover risks and rewards under the security of adult supervision. Lion Cubs learn by doing. As they learn and grow, the relationship with their adult partner (guardian) grows as well. At the conclusion of their kindergarten year, the Lion Cub will transition to Tiger Cubs where they'll earn the Bobcat badge and continue on to even more exciting and educational adventures through Cub Scouting.

Bobcat

The bobcat rank is where every Cub Scout starts, regardless of their grade/age. Requirements for Bobcat cover the basics of scouting, including

  • 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.

  • With a parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide"

When all requirements are completed, the youth has earned the Bobcat badge.

Then, scouts will work on the rank according to their grade level.

Tiger — 1st Grade

Tigers are in first grade or age seven. To earn the Tiger badge, a scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. As each adventure is complete, the scout will earn a belt loop to wear on their belt.

Wolf — 2nd Grade

Wolves are in second grade or age eight. To earn the Wolf badge, a scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. As each adventure is complete, the scout will earn a belt loop to wear on their belt.

Bear — 3rd Grade

Bears are in third grade or age nine. To earn the Bear badge, a scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. As each adventure is complete, the scout will earn a belt loop to wear on their belt.

Webelos — 4th and 5th Grade

Webelos are in fourth grade or age ten. To earn the Webelos badge, a scout must complete five required adventures and choose two of the 18 elective adventures that are shared by the Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks. As each adventure is completed, the scout earns a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.

When a Webelos scout enters fifth grade or turns 11 years old, they may work toward earning their Arrow of Light badge.

Arrow of Light

The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light, preparing the Webelos Scout to become a member of Scouts BSA. Scouts must complete four required adventures and three elective adventures to earn the Arrow of Light rank. For each adventure completed, the scout will receive a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.

After an Arrow of Light Scout has earned the Arrow of Light badge, they are ready to join a Scouts BSA Troop! The Arrow of Light is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform. Adult leaders who earned teh Arrow of Light rank may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their uniform.

A scout that does not complete the requirements by the end of the scouting year will not earn the badge for their rank, but will still move forward, beginning their next rank with the rest of their den.

Adventures

Within the advancement trail are many, many fun adventures which include components regarding civil duty, duty to God, hiking and outdoor activities, online safety, exercise and health, bb guns, archery, slingshots, conservation, and much more.