The Cub Scout Advancement Trail
On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As you advance through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities you learn as you get older.
Cub Scouts have the opportunity to earn both required and elective recognition devices as they work toward their ranks. They also can earn recognition for additional elective adventures they choose to complete beyond those required for their rank. Tiger, Wolf, and Bear Scouts earn adventure loops to be worn on their belt, and Webelos Scouts earn pins they can wear on their Webelos colors or Webelos cap.
Adventure loops and pins are a great way to help fulfill the aims of Scouting—build character, develop citizenship, and encourage mental and physical fitness. Through a variety of subjects, you can stretch your mind and abilities by exploring the wonders of science, learning about the world, and expanding skills in new area.
This is a chance to try something new, do your best, and earn recognition all at the same time.
Lion
A Scout who is 7 years old or is in Kindergarten is a Lion Scout, and their adventures are found in the Lion Handbook. The Lion program weaves traditional Scouting concepts of character development, leadership skills, personal fitness and citizenship into activities that are age-appropriate and fun for the Scouts and their parents.
The activities introduce the family to Cub Scouting and provide an exciting way for the little ones to explore the world around them. The program will fuel their imagination, creativity and fun as they experience the growth Scouting can provide. At the end of the Lion year, they “graduate” to Tiger and advance through Cub Scouting.
Bobcat
No matter what age or grade a Scout joins Cub Scouting (with the exception of Lions), they must earn their Bobcat badge before they can advance to the rank of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos.
The Bobcat rank is the first badge awarded to a new Cub Scout. As a new member, they may work on their Bobcat rank requirements while simultaneously working on their next rank. Scouts can normally earn their Bobcat badge well within the first month of joining Cub Scouts.
Tiger
A 7-year-old or Scout in the first grade joins Cub Scouting with their parent or adult guardian as a Tiger. This is unique relative to other ranks in Cub Scouting. Tigers and their adult partners are just that, partners. They attend meetings together, go on adventures like field trips together, and complete requirements together.
Like all other new Cub Scouts, a Tiger must first earn their Bobcat Rank. After completing the requirements for Bobcat they may go on to complete the requirements for the Tiger rank and the many electives that are offered for their rank.
Wolf
A Scout who is 8 years old or is in the second grade is a Wolf, and their adventures are found in the Wolf Handbook. Wolf Scouts go to den meetings on their own, but their families still help them work on the requirements for the Wolf badge.
Like all other new Cub Scouts, a Wolf must first earn their Bobcat Rank (if they have not done so already). After completing the requirements for Bobcat they may go on to complete the requirements for the Wolf rank and the many electives that are offered for this rank.
Bear
A Scout who is 9 years old or is in the third grade is a Bear, and their adventures are found in the Bear Handbook. Bear Scouts also work with their families to do the requirements for the Bear badge, but Scouts this old have enough knowledge and skill to take on more of the work by themselves.
Like all other new Cub Scouts, a Bear must first earn their Bobcat Rank (if they have not done so already). After completing the requirements for Bobcat they may go on to complete the requirements for the Bear rank and the many electives that are offered for this rank.
Webelos
A Scout who is 10 years old or is in the fourth grade is a Webelos Scout, and their adventures are found in the Webelos Handbook. Webelos Scouts do more advanced activities to get ready to graduate into Boy Scouting.
Like all other new Cub Scouts, a Webelos must first earn their Bobcat Rank (if they have not done so already). After completing the requirements for Bobcat they may go on to complete the requirements for the Webelos rank and the many electives that are offered for this rank. When a Scout has done the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure a Scout completes, he receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.
Arrow of Light
A Scout who is 11 years old or is in the fifth grade is an Arrow of Light (AOL) Scout, and their adventures are found in the Webelos Handbook. Like all other new Cub Scouts, an AOL must first earn their Bobcat Rank. After completing the requirements for Bobcat they may go on to complete the requirements for the AOL rank.
The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform when a Scout graduates into a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light rank when they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their adult uniform. For each adventure completed a Scout completes, they receive a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.
For more information about the adventure loops and pins, see CubScouts.org.