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The advancement in the Cub Scout Program is a multiple step program that exposes the scout to many different skills as the scout grows.
The Cub Scout learns these skills with the help of Akela, the leader, and the Cub Scout's parents.
As the scout grows older the requirement of the badge becomes harder and introduces topics that relate to more complicated matters that involves the world around them.
To view the specific requirements for each rank, click on the image.
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Bobcat
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When a boy is between the ages of seven and eleven years old or is (at least) in the first grade, he can become a Cub Scout.
But, regardless of the boy's qualifying age, he must complete the Bobcat Trail as the first step in his Cub Scouting adventure.
In Rudyard Kipling's story, The Jungle Book, the black panther Bagheera is the mighty hunter that teaches the cubs the skills of the jungle.
In Cub Scouting, we use the symbol of the Bobcat.
You'll find his trail in the Tiger Cub Handbook, and the Wolf Handbook, the Bear Handbook, and the Webelos Handbook.
Along this trail, the Cub Scout learns the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto.
These are the three most important things a boy must learn because they will help him through all of the trails of Scouting.
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Tiger
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Boys must earn the Bobcat Badge before they begin working on the Tiger Cub rank.
After earning the Bobcat badge, the boys can earn the Tiger Cub belt totem and then begin work on the Tiger Cub badge requirements.
The Tiger Cub badge is for boys who have completed all 15 parts of the five achievements.
During an impressive ceremony, the Tiger Cub badge is presented to the adult partner at a pack meeting, who, in turn, presents the badge to the boy.
While your boy is working on advancement, you can help.
Besides signing his handbook as Akela, once he has done his best, let your den leader know of any completed parts of achievements at your next den meeting.
The den leader will keep a record of your boy's individual progress on the Tiger Cub Den Advancement Chart.
In addition, your boy, with your help, will keep track of his own advancement on the Tiger Trail chart found in his handbook.
This encourages him and helps him see his progress toward the Tiger Cub rank.
The advancement requirements are written in such a way as to give you room to customize activities for your boy and your den.
There are no performance requirements for Tiger Cubs.
Boys should never be "tested" or placed in a position where they will not be successful.
Simply participating in the activities and doing his best constitutes completion.
The den activities and 'Go See It' outings are intended to be completed with the den.
If a Tiger Cub is unable to participate in an activity because of illness or a conflict, you may work with him to complete these requirements.
For your boy to receive the full benefit of the program, it is important for you, his adult partner, to make every effort to attend meetings regularly.
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Wolf
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This is a big adventure for a boy, one the Boy Scouts of America hopes all boys will complete.
While the Bobcat trail has only seven tracks, the Wolf's trail is much longer.
To earn the Wolf rank a Cub Scout must complete 58 tasks out of a possible 74 tasks that are offered in the book.
Details regarding the completion of the achievements and associated electives can be found in the Wolf Handbook.
When a boy's parent has okayed the tracks your boy has filled in for all twelve achievements in his Wolf handbook, he may become a Wolf Cub Scout.
The Progress Towards Ranks badge is available as an incentive during the Wolf program to encourage a Cub on his achievement work.
How quickly a boy progresses is up to him and you.
He should do his best to complete each track; that's part of the promise he made to become a Bobcat and it is the Cub Scout Motto - DO YOUR BEST.
Don't okay a track if you both know he can do a better job.
Go on to something else, then come back to the problem track.
The important thing is to keep him interested.
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Bear
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Any boy may earn Bear achievements and electives if he is in the third grade, or is nine years old.
To earn the Bear badge, a boy must complete 12 of the 24 specified achievements listed.
He can select the ones he wants to do from four different groups: God, Country, Family, and Self.
The Progress Towards Ranks badge is available as an incentive during the Bear program to encourage a Cub on his achievement work.
Details regarding the completion of the achievements and associated electives can be found in the BSA Bear Cub Scout Book.
When a boy finishs an achievement, he will need to have an adult member of his family sign and date his book.
He will then take the book to the next den meeting and his den leader will record it on the Cub Scout (Den) Advancement Chart and initial his book.
When he has done 12 Bear achievements, he becomes a Bear Cub Scout.
A boy may count any extra achievement requirements he earns as arrow point credits.
If a Bear-aged boy is new to Cub Scouting, he must complete the Bobcat trail before beginning work on the Bear achievements.
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Webelos
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The Webelos badge is the fifth rank in Cub Scouting (coming after Tiger Cub, Bobcat, Wolf, and Bear).
You can start on it as soon as you join a Webelos den, and have earned the Bobcat badge.
To earn the Webelos badge you must be active in your den for at least 3 months and complete the requirements.
You'll be proud to earn the Webelos rank and receive your badge at a pack meeting.
Details regarding the completion of the requirements and activity Badges can be found in the BSA Webelos Handbook.
One of the differences between Webelos and younger Cub Scouts is that the Webelos Den Leader signs off the completed activities of a Webelos Scout.
The Webelos Badge is a diamond-shaped cloth badge that is gold and light blue embroidered on dark blue background with gold trim.
It is worn on the left pocket of the blue Cub Scout uniform in the 6 o'clock position, as shown in Insignia Guide.
This diamond-shaped patch can still be worn by Webelos that have earned it as part of the four-patch 'diamond.'
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Arrow of Light
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The Arrow of Light Award is the highest rank in Cub Scouting.
A Webelos Scout should set his sights on it early.
It's tougher to earn than the Webelos badge, but he can do it!
The Cub Scout will have to earn the Webelos badge and at least eight activity badges, including Citizen, Readyman, and Fitness.
The total must include one from each of the five activity groups.
By the time he has earned the Arrow of Light Award, he would have learned many things about a lot of subjects - and a lot about Boy Scouting.
He will be ready to join a Boy Scout troop!
Before he gets started on the Arrow of Light Award, he should read through the requirements with a parent, guardian, or den leader.
Each time a requirement is satisfied, he should have his Webelos Den Leader sign it off in his Webelos Scout Book.
Details regarding the completion of the requirements and can be found in the BSA Webelos Handbook.
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