Cub Scouts do fun things with other kids! They get to wear a cool uniform, go places, and see things. They play all kinds of sports and build things, like race cars and bird houses. Want to learn a secret code? Want to learn about wild animals? Go Cub Scouting!
In Cub Scouting, boys and girls ages kindergarten through fifth grade will have lots of fun, adventure, and activities with their den and pack. But there's more to it than that. Being a Cub Scout means they are a member of a worldwide youth movement that stands for certain values and beliefs. Cub Scouting is more than something to do. It's all about who they are and the person they will become.
Special Award Opportunities for Cub Scouts
Besides the advancement awards, Cub Scouts may earn other individual awards.
Just as Cub Scouts can earn individual awards for themselves, they can also work together to earn awards for their whole den or their pack. Getting together to work on these awards is a great way to practice teamwork and to show every Cub Scout how important they are as a member of their den or pack.
Cub Scouting Adventures
Cub Scouts have the opportunity to earn both required and elective recognition devices as they work toward their ranks and can also earn recognition for additional elective adventures they choose to complete beyond those required for their rank.
Adventure 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, Scouts can stretch their mind and abilities by exploring the wonders of science, learning about the world, and expanding skills in new areas.
This is a chance to try something new, do your best, and earn recognition all at the same time. For more information, visit scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts.
Cub Scouts Belong to Packs and Dens
As a Cub Scout, you will be part of your own pack. The pack is divided into smaller groups called dens. Each den has about six to eight Cub Scouts. All of the Cub Scouts in the den are in the same grade and may even go to the same school.
The Cub Scout pack belongs to a church, a school, or some other group of people in your community or neighborhood. This group makes sure your pack has good adult leaders, a place to meet, and exciting things to do. The group gets help from Scouting America, which is part of Scouting around the world.
Cub Scout Uniforms
The Scouting America has always been a uniformed body to help create a sense of belonging. They symbolize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Wearing a uniform gives youth and adult members a sense of identification and commitment. The Guide to Awards and Insignia presents detailed information to enable BSA members to wear the correct and complete uniform on all suitable occasions. The uniform website is also a great resource.
Cub Scout Uniforms Guide to Awards and Insignia
The Advancement Trail
On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as they go. 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. For more visit scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/adventures.
Lion
The Lion program is for Cub Scouts who are in kindergarten and begins each year in August. 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 Lion rank strip is earned when the Lion has completed six required Adventures and any two elective Adventures. Learn more at scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/adventures/lion.
Tiger
The Tiger program is for Cub Scouts who are in first grade or are age seven. To earn the Tiger badge, a Tiger Scout must complete six required Adventures and two elective Adventures. The parent or guardian and den leader approve each requirement by signing their book, and the Cub Scout receives an Adventure loop for each adventure. When the Cub Scout has met all requirements, the Tiger badge is presented to their parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the Cub Scout. A Cub Scout can choose elective adventures to learn new hobbies and skills that will be useful during their years in a troop.Learn more at scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/adventures/tiger.
Wolf
The Wolf program is for Cub Scouts who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout must complete six required adventures and two elective adventures. The parent or guardian and den leader approve each requirement by signing their book, and the Cub Scout receives an Adventure loop for each adventure. When the Cub Scout has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to their parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the Cub Scout. A Cub Scout can choose elective adventures to learn new hobbies and skills that will be useful during their years in a troop. Learn more at scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/adventures/wolf.
Bear
The Bear program is for Cub Scouts who have finished second grade (or who are 9 years old). To earn the Bear badge, a Bear Scout must complete six required adventures and two elective adventures. The parent or guardian and den leader approve each requirement by signing their book, and the Cub Scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the Cub Scout has met all requirements, the Bear badge is presented to their parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the Cub Scout. A Bear Scout can choose elective adventures to learn new hobbies and skills that will be useful during their time in a troop. When the Cub Scout completes an elective adventure, the Cub Scout receives an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt. Learn more at scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/adventures/bear.
Webelos Scouts
Webelos dens are for Webelos Scouts who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). Webelos Scouts get to work on the six required Webelos adventures and two elective Adventures. When a Webelos 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 Webelos Scout completes, the Webelos Scout receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat. A Webelos Scout can choose elective adventures to learn new hobbies and skills that will be useful during Scouting. Learn more at scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/adventures/webelos.
Arrow of Light
Arrow of Light dens are for Arrow of Light Scouts who have completed fourth grade (or reached age 11). Arrow of Light Scouts get to work on the six required Arrow of Light adventures and two elective Adventures.
The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. Earning this rank prepares Arrow of Light Scouts to advance to Scouts BSA.
The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform when an Arrow of Light 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.
Learn more at scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/adventures/arrow-of-light.
Contacts
For additional information, contact your district advancement chair.