Below are the Cub Scout ranks that the boys strive to earn each year they remain in Cub Scouts.  The ranks are age/school grade specific, however, every boy must earn his Bobcat badge first. You do not have to earn any of the ranks below your current age/school grade level.  For example, let's say your son is in the 3rd grade.  That puts him in the Bear den.  He has to complete his Bobcat badge and then work on his Bear badge requirements.  He does not have to complete the Tiger Cub (1st graders) or the Wolf badge (2nd graders).

All new Scouts (regardless of age group) must learn the scouting basics, and by doing that they are rewarded the Bobcat Badge. The first phase of Cub Scouting is where you learn the Cub Scout Promise, Motto and the Law of the Pack.  The new Scout also learns the Cub Scout sign, handshake, and salute.  Once the new Scout masters these items he is awarded the Bobcat Badge (pictured) and can begin earning his age group badge (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos). 

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. Say the SCOUT LAW, with help if needed.

"A Scout is...

Trustworthy

Loyal

Helpful

Friendly

Courteous

Kind

Obedient

Cheerful

Thrifty

Clean

Brave

and Reverent.

         Cub Scout Motto

          Do your best!

The Tiger Cub Badge (for boys who are 6-7 years old or in 1st grade) is awarded when the scout completes five achievements.  Each achievement has 3 parts; one family activity, one den activity, and one Go See It activity.  Once the badge has been earned, it is presented during a ceremony to the scout's adult partner who in turn presents to the scout.  There are no performance requirements for Tiger Cubs.  Simply participating in the activities and doing his best constitutes completion.
After receiving the Tiger Cub Badge the scout can then work on completing elective activities in the handbook.  There is a wide variety of electives that help broaden the scout's horizons.  The scout receives one Tiger Track Bead for every ten electives he completes.

The Wolf Badge (for boys who are 8 years old or in 2nd grade) is earned after the scout has completed twelve achievements.  He is credited with successful completion once he does his best to complete each track; that's a part of the promise he made when he became a Bobcat and it is the Cub Scout Motto.
Once the scout completes his first three achievements he receives the "Progress Toward Ranks" emblem and his first gold bead.  The emblem is a diamond shaped patch with a plastic thong enabling it to be worn on the button of the right pocket of his uniform shirt.  Each time the scout completes three achievement he is awarded a gold bead that hangs from the emblem.  After he has earned his fourth bead (12 achievements) he is ready to be awarded his Wolf Badge. This emblem can be carried over to his next den, the Bears, where he will continue to get beads (this time red) to show advancement towards Bears.

Boys who are 9 years old or in the 3rd grade will earn their Bear Badge by completing twelve achievements in the Bear handbook.  The scout can pick the ones he wants to complete from four different groups.  The scout has a wide variety to choose from because there are twenty-four different achievements. 

Once the scout completes his first three achievements he receives the "Progress Toward Ranks" emblem and his first red bead.  The emblem is a diamond shaped patch with a plastic thong enabling it to be worn on the button of the right pocket of his uniform shirt.  Each time the scout completes three achievement he is awarded another red bead that hangs from the emblem.  After he has earned his fourth bead (12 achievements) he is ready to be awarded his Bear Badge. If the scout was in a Wolf den previous and earned his yellow beads, the scout can wear the emblem with yellow and red beads while working towards his Bear badge.

Now remember.  We said there are 24 different achievements available.  If after the scout earns his Bear badge and he continues to work on the remaining 12 achievements (now referred to as electives), for the next 4 completed he will receive a golden arrowhead patch, and for each 4 more completed he will receive a silver arrowhead patch (for a total of 3 arrowheads - 1 gold, 2 silver).  These are worn under the left pocket where his Bobcat and Bear badges are worn.  There is always a reward for doing extra credit!!!

The scout grows in knowledge and skill as he advances through the Activity Badges and other awards.  This moves the scout up the trail to the Cub Scouting's highest award, the Arrow of Light Award.  By this time the scout will be ready to advance into a Boy Scout Troop.  The scout can work on any or all of the twenty Webelo Scout activity badges.  Activity badges are colorful metal emblem that is worn on the front of the Webelo cap.

The Arrow of Light Award is the highest rank a Cub Scout can earn and only Cub Scout award that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.  After the scout earns the Webelo Badge he can start completing the activity badges required to earn the Arrow of the Light Award.  The scout has to earn eight activity badges, including Citizenship, Readyman, Fitness, and Outdoorsman.  The total must include at least one activity badge from each of the five activity badge groups in the Webelo handbook.  The next step for the scout is to advance to a Boy Scout Troop.

To learn more, contact us by clicking on the 'Contact Our Pack' link on the selection bar at the top of this page.