Badges and Insignia
When a boy first joins Cub Scouting, his uniform will display only those badges that identify his status: the World Crest, the national flag, his council strip and his pack number. As he progresses, the Cub Scout will earn badges, pins, medals, and other insignia that tell of his accomplishments in Scouting. These items should be added to the uniform only after they have been earned.
World Crest
This patch is worn by all Scouts and Leaders to signify membership in the World Scouting Movement and to show brotherhood with millions of Scouts around the world. This patch is worn centered above the left pocket in the middle between the top of the pocket and the shoulder seam.
United States Flag
Most uniforms come with the flag already attached to the right sleeve. Some previously used uniforms may have it taken off but additional ones can be purchased. The Boy Scouts of America emblem over the right pocket is also attached to uniforms when purchased.
Journey to Excellence
Scouting’s Journey to Excellence is a new performance recognition program that is replacing the Quality Awards Program beginning in 2011. The program provides a framework for evaluating a pack in areas such as advancement, leadership and service projects. Performance is recognized as various levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Council Patch
This patch is worn by all Scouts and Leaders to indicate the Council that represents their pack. Each Council develops their own design although the shape and position on the uniform are the same. Our Council is the Seneca Waterways Council. This patch is worn on the left sleeve just below the shoulder seam.
Unit Numerals
This patch is worn by all Scouts and Leaders to signify membership in a pack. The pack number can be made up of two or more individual numeral patches that are sewn on next to one another. Unit numbers are worn on the left sleeve just below the council patch.
Den Number Strip or Patrol Emblem
This patch indicates the number assigned to the den for which a Scout is a member. Webelos Scouts (and Leaders) who’s den has chosen to use a Patrol Emblem for identification would wear the Patrol Emblem instead. There are numerous emblems available, however not all packs assign a den number or emblem. These emblems are worn on the right sleeve directly below the American Flag.
Badges of Office and Training
All Cub Scout leaders wear round cloth badges of office on the left uniform sleeve, centered directly below the pack numeral. All are gold embroidered on a dark blue background with a gold border except the Cubmaster emblem, which has silver embroidery and border.
Trained Leader
When Cub Scout leaders have completed Fast Start and basic training for their position, they are eligible to wear the Trained Leader strip below the badge of office on the left uniform sleeve.
Rank Badges
The following patches are worn on the uniforms of Cub Scouts from Tigers through Webelos Scouts on the left pocket. These patches are Rank Badges and are earned as the Cubs progress through the various ranks in the pack.
Bobcat Badge
No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A boy must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include:
· Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, Oath, and Law - and tell what they mean;
· Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what they mean; and
· With your parent or guardian complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.
Tiger Cub Badge
The Tiger rank is for boys who are in first grade or are age 7. To earn the Tiger badge, a boy must complete six required adventures with his den or family and one elective adventure of his den or family’s choosing. As the boy completes each adventure, he will receive the adventure loop for that adventure, which he can wear on his belt. When the boy has completed the seven required adventures, he can receive the Tiger badge. The Tiger badge is given to the boy’s adult partner at a pack meeting. Then, during a grand ceremony, the adult gives the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Tiger badge, a Tiger Scout can work on the remaining 12 Tiger electives until he finishes first grade (or turn 8 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear on his belt.
Wolf Badge
The Wolf rank is for boys who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. His parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing his book, and the boy receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the boy has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to his parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout can work on the remaining 12 Wolf electives until he finishes second grade (or turns 9 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear on his belt.
Bear Badge
The Bear rank is for boys who have finished second grade (or who are 9 years old). To earn the Bear badge, a boy must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. His parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing his book, and the boy receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the boy has met all requirements, the Bear badge is presented to his parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until he finishes third grade (or turn 10 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear on his belt.
Webelos Badge
Webelos dens are for boys who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). Webelos Scouts get to work on the five required Webelos adventures and choose two of the 18 elective adventures that are shared by the Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks.
When a boy has done the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure a boy completes, he receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on his hat. After completing seven adventures, including five required adventures and two elective adventures, a Scout can receive the Webelos badge.
After he has earned the Webelos badge, a Webelos Scout can work on the remaining 18 shared Webelos and Arrow of Light electives until he finishes fourth grade (or turns 11 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on his hat.
Arrow of Light
The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. Scouts must complete four required adventures and three elective adventures to earn the Arrow of Light rank. For each adventure a boy completes, he receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on his hat. The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform when a boy graduates into a troop.
Other Badges and Pins
Square Knot Insignia
The Universal Youth Religious Emblem may be worn by any Scout that completed a religious emblem program as a youth member. The award may be in the form of a certificate as well as a medallion or other memento. The religious emblem square knot is centered above the left uniform pocket flap.
Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award
The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award may be earned in each program year as long as the requirements are completed each year. The pocket flap patch will be awarded the first time, which is to be worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt. Each successive time the award is earned, a wolf track pin may be added to the flap.
National Summertime Award
Boys must participate in at least 3 Scouting activities during the summer (June, July and August) to qualify for the individual National Summertime award. The pin is worn on the flap of the right pocket (note that the outer color of the pin differs by rank). If the Outdoor Activity badge has been earned, the pin is to be worn on the badge.
Recruiter Strip
This cloth strip is presented to boys for recruiting another boy into the program. This is worn by Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts centered, below, and touching the right pocket.
Temporary Insignia
Any insignia authorized by the local council for a particular purpose, such as Cub Scout day camp or wreath sales, can be worn centered on the right pocket of the uniform shirt. Only one temporary patch in addition to the immediate recognition (Tiger Cub Totem or Progress Towards Ranks) or Compass Points emblem may be worn at a time. Below are examples of other temporary patches: World Conservation, Good Turn for America and Leave No Trace.
World Conservation Badge
The Cub Scout World Conservation badge consists of a giant panda on a violet Scout trefoil with violet trim and gold background. The emblem is earned by completing various requirements as well as a conservation project and is worn as a temporary patch, centered on the right pocket. This award can be earned only once while a Cub Scout.
Good Turn for America
Good Turn for America is a collaboration between the Boy Scouts of America and the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross and other community organizations. The three main issues addressed are: hunger, lack of adequate shelter, and poor health. Scouting for Food is an example. The emblem is worn as a temporary patch, centered on the right pocket.
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is a plan that helps Scouts to be more concerned for the environment and protecting it for future generations. The message encourages people who spend time outdoors to behave in a way that minimizes the impacts to the environment. After completing certain requirements, the patch is worn as a temporary patch, centered on the right pocket.
Scout Patch Vest
Metals from derbies or other activities can be pinned to the vest along with other patches sewn on. This includes various temporary patches, such as Day Camp or other council sponsored event patches. Recall that only one temporary patch can be worn on the uniform at a time.