Bobcat Rank Requirements

The first rank that EVERY boy earns when entering the Cub Scouting Program is the Bobcat rank.
These requirements are meant to demonstrate that the boy is making a commitment to participating in the scouting program. Very similar requirements are expected of a boy joining Boy Scouts to earn his Scout badge.

How to Join:

1. Go to BeAScout.org
2. Click the 'Cub Scouts' tab.
3. Enter your zipcode and click the arrow button.
4. Click on a Pack near you to see its contact info so you can call the Pack or your local Council about joining.
5. Complete a BSA Youth Application and Health Record and give them to the Cubmaster of the Pack you choose.

To earn the Bobcat rank the new Cub Scout does the following:

1. Learn and say the SCOUT OATH, with help if needed:

   "On my honor, I will do my best
   To do my duty to God and my Country and to obey the Scout Law;
   To help other people at all times;
   To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. "

2. Learn and say the Scout Law, with help if needed.

   "A Scout is:
   Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful
   Friendly, Courteous, Kind
   Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty
   Brave, Clean, and Reverent."

3. Show the CUB SCOUT SIGN. Tell what it means. 
   
   Make the sign with your right hand and with your arm held straight up. The two fingers stand for the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. They look like a wolf's ears ready to listen to Akela. Give the Cub Scout Sign when you say the Scout Oath or Scout Law. 
   
   
   
4. Show the CUB SCOUT HANDSHAKE. Tell what it means. 
   
   Using your right hand, place your first two fingers along the inside of the other scout's wrist. This means that you help each other remember and obey the Scout Oath and Law. 
   
   
5. Say the CUB SCOUT MOTTO. Tell what it means.

   "Do Your Best"

6. Give the CUB SCOUT SALUTE. Tell what it means. 
   
   Point your first two fingers of your right hand out straight and close together. Touch the tips of the fingers to your cap or if not wearing a cap then to your eyebrow. A salute is a way to show respect. When you salute a leader (either adult or other scout), you show him or her that you respect their position. When you salute the flag, you show that you are proud of your country. 
   
7. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the booklet,
   How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse.

The above items are the basic information that ALL Cub Scouts learn, which is why EVERY boy who enters into Cub Scouting earns the Bobcat Badge.

If a Cub Scout has completed the first grade (or is 8 years old) and has earned the Bobcat Badge, he may start earning the Wolf rank. He receives a Wolf Scout handbook, Wolf neckerchief, and Wolf neckerchief slide when beginning the Wolf portion of the boy scout trail. He will also need a blue Cub Scout Uniform. This part of the boy scout trail is intended to take one school year, preparing the scout to begin earning his Bear rank after he completes second grade.

How to Join:

1. Go to BeAScout.org
2. Click the 'Cub Scouts' tab.
3. Enter your zipcode and click the arrow button.
4. Click on a Pack near you to see its contact info so you can call the Pack or your local Council about joining.
5. Complete a BSA Youth Application and Health Record and give them to the Cubmaster of the Pack you choose.

Your Wolf den will have opportunities to participate in Pack meetings. Prepare your scouts by having them ready to perform a couple of Skitsand lead the pack in some Games. By having a Wolf favorite ready, your scouts will look good, have fun, and increase their confidence through leading the pack.

Tip: Choose 2 skits and games before September and do them at your first den meeting. Don't wait until your Cubmaster calls on you for a skit.

Tip: Many packs award the Wolf badge at their Blue-Gold banquet in February. If you begin your Wolf program in September, this means you have less than 5 months to complete the Wolf requirements. You should plan out what requirements your den will do and make a schedule so everyone knows what is expected. A calendar kept up to date helps families keep track of their scouting commitments.

Wolf Advancement
Wolf Scouts do adventures described in their Wolf handbook that advance them towards their Wolf rank. By completing seven adventures, the Wolf rank is earned.

Wolf Rank Requirements:

1. Complete each of the six Wolf required adventures:
   1. Call of the Wild
   2. Council Fire
   3. Duty to God Footsteps
   4. Howling at the Moon
   5. Paws on the Path
   6. Running With the Pack
2. In addition to the six required adventures listed above, complete at least one Wolf elective adventure of your den's or family's choosing from this list: Adventures in Coins, Air of the Wolf, Code of the Wolf, Collections and Hobbies, Cubs Who Care, Digging in the Past, Finding Your Way, Germs Alive!, Grow Something, Hometown Heroes, Motor Away, Paws of Skill, Spirit of the Water
3. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide
4. Earn the Cyber Chip award for your age. (The Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian if you do not have access to the internet.)

Akela is the name given to the Cub Scout's parent or guardian, the caring adult guiding him along his Cub Scouting trail. Akela is responsible for acknowledging completion of each adventure requirement by signing and dating the appropriate spot in the Wolf's handbook. There is also a spot for the Wolf Den Leader to sign for each requirement. The Adventure Tracking pages in the back of the Wolf handbook can be used by the Wolf to track his progress all in one spot, and some dens use advancement charts or den doodles to publicly display advancement.

A Wolf that has fulfilled his rank requirements still has a lot more adventure waiting for him. He can continue to complete elective adventures with his Akela or his den, or at district and council hosted events. Some scouts set a goal to earn the remaining dozen adventure belt loops before moving on to a Bear den.

Wolf Den Leader:

An energetic, oranized, and supportive Wolf Den Leader is critical to the success of a Wolf Den. The Den Leader plans the program of activities for the year and makes that plan available to all den parents. The Den Leader should enjoy the outdoors and be a strong advocate for getting youth outside and active.

A well-run Wolf den gives each scout a chance to work on leadership skills in small but meaningful amounts. The Denner position is a great way for individual scouts to practice leadership for a short time. The Den Chief is a Boy Scout that has volunteered to work with a den in order to practice his skills and be a role model for younger scouts. The Den Leader is responsible for training and assisting a Den Chief, if the den has been assigned one.

Wolf Den Leader is a registered volunteer BSA position whose responsibilities are:

1. Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that their den is an active and successful part of the pack.
2. Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the assistant den leader and den chief.
3. Attend pack leaders' meetings.
4. Lead the den at the monthly pack meeting and pack activities.
5. Ensure the transition of boys in the Wolf den into a Bear den at the end of the year.
6. Keep accurate records.
7. Help the den earn the National Den Award.

There are many resources available to help the den leader plan and run a successful, interesting program for the scouts. The Wolf Den Leader Guide is the most important one. It has complete den meeting plans for each adventure and many ideas for activities that promote the purposes of Cub Scouting. This guide takes much of the planning burden off over-extended volunteers. 

Tip: Remember that the Cub Scout motto of Do Your Best is central to the program. There is no level of competence or skill required to complete adventures. Putting in personal effort and having fun with fellow scouts is success.

As the Tiger program was completely family oriented, so the Wolf program relies heavily on family involvement. You will see this gradually change with the scout doing more with his den and more individual direction as he reaches Webelos and Boy Scouts.

Tip: Many available Awards go unused, especially by Wolf and Bear dens. Learn about additional awards offered to your scouts such as the World Conservation Award and Outdoor Ethics Award and consider working them into your schedule - especially in the spring and summer months.

If a Cub Scout has completed the second grade (or is 9 years old) and has earned the Bobcat Badge, he may start earning the Bear rank. He receives a Bear Scout handbook, Bear neckerchief, and Bear neckerchief slide when beginning the Bear portion of the boy scout trail. He will also need a blue Cub Scout Uniform. This part of the boy scout trail is intended to take one school year, preparing the scout to begin earning his Webelos rank after he completes third grade.

How to Join:

1. Go to BeAScout.org
2. Click the 'Cub Scouts' tab.
3. Enter your zipcode and click the arrow button.
4. Click on a Pack near you to see its contact info so you can call the Pack or your local Council about joining.
5. Complete a BSA Youth Application and Health Record and give them to the Cubmaster of the Pack you choose.

Your Bear den will have opportunities to participate in Pack meetings. Prepare your scouts by having them ready to perform a couple of Skitsand lead the pack in some Games. By having a Bear favorite ready, your scouts will look good, have fun, and increase their confidence through leading the pack.

Tip: Choose 2 skits and games before September and do them at your first den meeting. Don't wait until your Cubmaster calls on you for a skit.

Tip: Many packs award the Bear badge at their Blue-Gold banquet in February. If you begin your Bear program in September, this means you have less than 5 months to complete the Bear requirements. You should plan out what requirements your den will do and make a schedule so everyone knows what is expected. A calendar kept up to date helps families keep track of their scouting commitments.

Bear Advancement
Bear Scouts do adventures described in their Bear handbook that advance them towards their Bear rank. By completing seven adventures, the Bear rank is earned.

Bear Rank Requirements:

1. Complete each of the six Bear required adventures:
   1. Bear Claws
   2. Bear Necessities
   3. Fellowship and Duty to God
   4. Fur, Feathers, and Ferns
   5. Baloo the Builder
   6. Paws for Action
2. In addition to the six required adventures listed above, complete at least one Bear elective adventure of your den's or family's choosing from this list: Grin and Bear It, A Bear Goes Fishing, Bear Picnic Basket, Beat of the Drum, Critter Care, Forensics, Make It Move, Marble Madness, Roaring Laughter, Robotics, Salmon Run, Super Science, A World of Sound
3. With your parent, guardian, or caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.
4. Earn the Cyber Chip award for your age. (The Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian if you do not have access to the internet.)

Akela is the name given to the Cub Scout's parent or guardian, the caring adult guiding him along his Cub Scouting trail. Akela is responsible for acknowledging completion of each adventure requirement by signing and dating the appropriate spot in the Bear's handbook. There is also a spot for the Bear Den Leader to sign for each requirement. The Adventure Tracking pages in the back of the Bear handbook can be used by the Bear to track his progress all in one spot, and some dens use advancement charts or den doodles to publicly display advancement.

After completing his rank requirements, a Bear can stay active throughout the program year by completing elective adventures with his Akela or his den, or at district and council hosted events. He may try to earn all adventure belt loops before moving on to a Webelos den.

Bear Den Leader:

An encouraging, organized, and supportive Bear Den Leader makes a Bear Den a success. The Den Leader plans the program of activities for the year and makes that plan available to all den parents. The Den Leader should enjoy being outside and comfortable exploring the environment in a safe manner.

A well-run Bear den gives each scout a chance to practice his leadership skills on the rest of the den in manageable amounts. The Denner position is a great way for individual scouts to practice leadership for a short time. The Den Chief is a Boy Scout that has volunteered to work with a den in order to practice his skills and be a role model for younger scouts. The Den Leader is responsible for training and assisting a Den Chief, if the den has been assigned one.

Bear Den Leader is a registered volunteer BSA position whose responsibilities are:

1. Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that their den is an active and successful part of the pack.
2. Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the assistant den leader and den chief.
3. Attend pack leaders' meetings.
4. Lead the den at the monthly pack meeting and pack activities.
5. Ensure the transition of boys in the Bear den into a Bear den at the end of the year.
6. Keep accurate records.
7. Help the den earn the National Den Award.

There are many resources available to help the den leader plan and run a successful, interesting program for the scouts. The Bear Den Leader Guide is the most important one. It has complete den meeting plans for each adventure and many ideas for activities that promote the purposes of Cub Scouting. This guide takes much of the planning burden off over-extended volunteers. 

Tip: Remember that the Cub Scout motto of Do Your Best is central to the program. There is no level of competence or skill required to complete adventures. Putting in personal effort and having fun with fellow scouts is success.

Tip: Many available Awards are never earned, especially by Wolf and Bear dens. Learn about additional awards offered to your scouts such as the World Conservation Award and Outdoor Ethics Award and try to work them into your schedule - especially in the spring and summer months.

Webelos Meaning:
We'll Be Loyal Scouts

Webelos Goal:
Prepare a Cub Scout to be a Boy Scout

Webelos is for 4th and 5th grade boys to prepare to join a Boy Scout troop while learning outdoors skills and participating in many adventures. A well-run group of Webelos is a gradual change from being an 'adult-run' den to being a 'scout-run' patrol ready to fit right into an adventurous Boy Scout troop. This migration requires the parents and den leaders to give the scouts more and more control, decision-making power, and responsibility as they progress in skills, abilities, and maturity.

How to Join:

1. Go to BeAScout.org
2. Click the 'Cub Scouts' tab.
3. Enter your zipcode and click the arrow button.
4. Click on a Pack near you to see its contact info so you can call the Pack or your local Council about joining.
5. Complete a BSA Youth Application and Health Record and give them to the Cubmaster of the Pack you choose.

Webelos Program:
The Webelos program has two major milestones - the Webelos rank badge to be earned toward the end of 4th grade and the Arrow of Light to be earned in 5th grade. The final part of Webelos is bridging over into a Boy Scout troop selected individually by the scout.
Once the goals of Webelos are understood, the methods of the program make a lot of sense!

Webelos Advancement
Webelos Scouts do adventures described in their Webelos handbook that advance them towards their Webelos rank. By completing at least six adventures, the Webelos rank is earned.

Webelos Rank Requirements:

1. Be an active member of your Webelos den for three months. (Being active means having good attendance, paying your den dues, and working on den projects.)
2. Complete each of the five Webelos required adventures:
   1. Cast Iron Chef
   2. Duty to God and You
   3. First Responder
   4. Stronger, Faster, Higher
   5. Webelos Walkabout
3. In addition to the five required adventures listed above, complete at least one Webelos elective adventure of your den's or family's choosing from this list (for a total of at least six adventures): Adventures in Science, Aquanaut, Art Explosion, Aware and Care, Build It, Build My Own Hero, Castaway, Earth Rocks!, Engineer, Fix It, Game Design, Into the Wild, Into the Woods, Looking Back, Looking Forward, Maestro!, Moviemaking, Project Family, Sportsman
4. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide and earn the Cyber Chip award for your age.
5. Earn the Cyber Chip award for your age. (The Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian if you do not have access to the internet.)

There are a few major changes between Cub Scouts and Webelos scouts that are very important to the success of your program. 

1. Advancement Sign Off - each Webelos scout is supposed to take his handbook to the den leader or assistant den leader for sign off when a requirement is completed. This is a change from having a parent sign off every activity. This change prepares the scout to have a Scoutmaster sign off each advancement requirement in Boy Scouts. There is more responsibility put on the scout to remember and bring his handbook to meetings and get it signed. 
   Tip: Help the scouts along until they get the routine. Have them bring their Webelos handbook to every meeting and reward them for bringing them until they get it. Have a list of adventure requirements that you plan on completing at a meeting so you, your assistant, or a parent on your behalf can sign off those that are completed right away. This will help the scouts understand the importance of the handbook.
2. Webelos Adventure Pins - Tiger, Bear and Wolf scouts earned belt loops. Webelos earn pins which can be displayed on the Webelos Colors device. This moves closer to the Boy Scout merit badge system where recognition items are displayed on a sash.
3. Camping - Webelos dens should Camp! Cub Scouts can camp as a pack, but Webelos should go out as a den as much as possible to give the scouts opportunities to learn and use their new skills. Each Webelos scout needs to have an adult responsible for him on each camping trip. Campouts in the backyard with dinner and s'mores made on a gas grill can be a great way to ease your scouts into the world of camping. Taking your den to a district or council organized summer Webelos camp should be a required part of your program. Most councils have a one or two day overnight camp every summer for Webelos. A Packing List is helpful for a short campout.
   Tip: Be sure you follow Rules for Safe Scouting practices on your camping trips.
4. Patrols - a patrol is just another name for the den but it does have some significance. Boy Scouts are organized into Patrols, each with their own name, flag, yell, leader, and emblem. As Webelos, a den can begin to operate as a patrol and select an emblem for their uniform, make up a yell, name, and flag. This can really get the scouts to become a team. Taking their flag along on a campout or hike and announcing themselves with their yell is pretty fun.
   Tip: A great time to start working as a patrol is when everyone in the den earns their Webelos rank. Have a den meeting with the goal of becoming a patrol - choosing a name, selecting an emblem, coming up with a yell, and designing a flag. You might also elect a patrol leader (a denner) to serve for the next month. Each month, a new patrol leader could be elected so each scout has the opportunity to practice his leadership skills. The den leader should spend some extra time with the patrol leader explaining how to run a meeting and giving him encouragement to lead his friends.

Webelos Den Leader:
A well-trained Den Leader is critical to the success of a Webelos Den. The Webelos Den Leader makes advancement opportunities available to the scouts and tracks their advancements. The den leader can also recruit other adults to plan and organize individual adventure outings. One of the main roles of the Webelos den leader is to give each scout opportunities to lead and make decisions, both individually and for the den.

Every Webelos Den is required to have a registered den leader whose responsibilities are:

1. Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that the den is an active and successful part of the pack.
2. Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the assistant den leader and den chief.
3. Plan overnight campouts and other outdoor activities.
4. Attend pack leaders' meetings.
5. Lead the den at pack meetings and activities.
6. Help the den earn the National Den Award.
7. Work with local scoutmasters to ensure the transition of Webelos scouts to Boy Scouts.

There are many resources available to help the den leader plan and run a successful, interesting program for the scouts. The Webelos Den Leader Guide is the most important one. It has complete den meeting plans for each adventure and many ideas for activities that promote the purposes of Cub Scouting. Using this guide minimizes the time needed to plan worthwhile den events. 

Tip: The Cub Scout motto of Do Your Best should still be a key part of the Webelos program. There is no level of competence or skill required to complete adventures. Putting in personal effort and having fun with fellow scouts is success.

Tip: Many available Awards are never earned by Webelos. Learn about additional awards offered to your scouts such as the World Conservation Award and Outdoor Ethics Award and try to work them into your schedule, especially for scouts that are completing the adventures quickly.

For the oldest Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light program offers 5th grade Webelos the opportunity to earn a patch that transfers to their Boy Scout uniform. By earning this recognition, a scout demonstrates he is ready for the next step on the boy scout trail.

During their last year in a Pack, Webelos get a larger say in which adventures their den will do, and in leading their fellow scouts, both skills that will come in handy in Boy Scouts.

A boy that is new to Scouting in 5th grade does not need to earn any previous ranks. He can earn the Bobcat badge and then the Arrow of Light along with his den, even if he does not have the Webelos badge yet. If it's important to him, he can put in more effort and fulfill the Webelos requirements during 5th grade also, without missing out on the adventures his den is doing for Arrow of Light.

How to Join:

1. Go to BeAScout.org
2. Click the 'Cub Scouts' tab.
3. Enter your zipcode and click the arrow button.
4. Click on a Pack near you to see its contact info so you can call the Pack or your local Council about joining.
5. Complete a BSA Youth Application and Health Record and give them to the Cubmaster of the Pack you choose.

Arrow of Light Advancement
Webelos Scouts do adventures described in their Webelos handbook that advance them towards their Arrow of Light rank. By completing five adventures, the Arrow of Light is earned.

Arrow of Light Requirements:

1. Be active in your Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old. (Being active means having good attendance, paying your den dues, and working on den projects.)
2. Complete each of the four Arrow of Light required adventures:
   1. Building a Better World
   2. Outdoorsman
   3. Duty to God in Action
   4. Scouting Adventure
3. In addition to the four required adventures listed above, complete at least one elective adventure of your den's or family's choosing from this list: Adventures in Science, Aquanaut, Art Explosion, Aware and Care, Build It, Build My Own Hero, Castaway, Earth Rocks!, Engineer, Fix It, Game Design, Into the Wild, Into the Woods, Looking Back, Looking Forward, Maestro!, Moviemaking, Project Family, Sportsman


4. With your parent, guardian, or caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.
5. Earn the Cyber Chip award for your age. (The Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian if you do not have access to the internet.)

Webelos Den Leader:
A well-trained Den Leader is critical to the success of a Webelos Den. The Webelos Den Leader makes advancement opportunities available to the scouts and tracks their advancements. The den leader can also recruit other adults to plan and organize individual adventure outings. One of the main roles of the Webelos den leader is to give each scout opportunities to lead and make decisions, both individually and for the den.

Every Webelos Den is required to have a registered den leader whose responsibilities are:

1. Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that the den is an active and successful part of the pack.
2. Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the assistant den leader and den chief.
3. Plan overnight campouts and other outdoor activities.
4. Attend pack leaders' meetings.
5. Lead the den at pack meetings and activities.
6. Help the den earn the National Den Award.
7. Work with local scoutmasters to ensure the transition of Webelos scouts to Boy Scouts.

There are many resources available to help the den leader plan and run a successful, interesting program for the scouts. The Webelos Den Leader Guide is the most important one. It has complete den meeting plans for each adventure and many ideas for activities that promote the purposes of Cub Scouting. Using this guide minimizes the time needed to plan worthwhile den events. 

Tip: The Cub Scout motto of Do Your Best should still be a key part of the Webelos program. There is no level of competence or skill required to complete adventures. Putting in personal effort and having fun with fellow scouts is success.

Tip: Many available Awards are never earned by Webelos. Learn about additional awards offered to your scouts such as the World Conservation Award and Outdoor Ethics Award and try to work them into your schedule, especially for scouts that are completing the adventures quickly.