Boys in Cub Scouting work on advancement with their families. No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his Bobcat badge before he can advance to Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear or Webelos Scout. The “trail” to Bobcat has eight “tracks”, including learning the Cub Scout Promise, handshake, salute and motto.


    
(First Grade or age 7)
This is the first rank achieved as a Cub Scout. The Scout must complete five achievements on the Tiger Cub trail in order to earn the Tiger Cub badge. Each achievement has three activities: one to be completed with the family, one with the den, and a “Go See It!” activity, or field trip. Once a boy has earned his Tiger Cub badge, he can complete various electives to earn Tiger Track beads. The Tiger Cub program provides opportunities for the Scout to learn and grow while having fun along with you.



(Second Grade or age 8)
The trail to the rank of Wolf Cub Scout is more challenging with 12 achievements, each with multiple tracks. Achievements include more physical activity in “Feats of Skill”, learning about safety in “Know Your Home and Community” and reacting to various situations in “Making Choices.” After earning the Wolf badge, Scouts complete various electives to earn gold and silver arrow points to proudly wear on their uniform shirt. At the Wolf rank, Scouts may also participate in the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program to earn special recognition belt loops and pins, just by learning about and participating in an academic subject or sport.



(Third Grade or age 9)
To earn the rank of Bear Cub Scout, the Scout must compete 12 achievements from a list of 24. The Bear trail achievements are in four categories: God, Country, Family and Self. Achievements include: “Ways We Worship,” “Take Care of Your Planet,” “Family Fun,” and “Be a Leader”. Bear Cub Scouts also have the opportunity to earn arrow points and participate in the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program.



(Fourth or Fifth Grade or age 10)
Webelos (from “WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts,” pronounced WEE-buh-lows) is a transitional program that shifts the emphasis from the home-centered activities of Tiger Cub and Wolf and Bear Scouts to more group-centered activities.

This stage prepares the Scout for participation in the great adventure of Boy Scouting by providing boys with a variety of new experiences to help them assume responsibilities and gain maturity, knowledge and skills.

Advancement and recognition are based on earning the Webelos badge and activity badges. After the Webelos badge, the Scout can continue working toward the Arrow of Light Award, Cub Scouting’s highest award.


(The Arrow of Light)
The highest award in Cub Scouts is earned by Webelos that have been active participants in their den and are ready to join a Boy Scout troop. Many of the requirements for the Arrow of Light are intended to familiarize the scout with a local troop and hopefully show him that crossing over into a troop is the next step to take in scouting. A scout that earns his Arrow of Light patch has also completed nearly all the requirements to earn the Scout badge in the troop so he has already begun his Boy Scout trail. The Arrow of Light is the only Cub Scout badge that may be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.