The Cub Scout Program has two basic features, Rank Advancement, and the Academics and Sports Program.
The first badge all Cub Scouts earn, regardless of age, is the Bobcat Badge. After earning the Bobcat Badge, they proceed to work on advancement specific to their age level. As part of these requirements, they must learn the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto.
Cub Scouts joining as First Grade boys enter the Tiger Cub Program. Tiger Cubs, complete Achievements to earn the Tiger Cub Badge, and complete Electives to receive Tiger Track Beads to wear from a belt emblem. A new Tiger Cub Handbook was issued in the summer of 2001. Some minor changes took effect in June 2006, including dropping the former "Tiger Cub Motto" which was replaced by the Cub Scout Motto, and the requirement that Tiger Cubs earn the Bobcat Badge BEFORE the Tiger Cub badge, instead of after that badge.
In the Second Grade, Cub Scouts work toward the Wolf Badge, then toward a Gold Arrow Point and one or more Silver Arrow Points The requirements for these badges are found in the Wolf Cub Scout Book.
In the Third Grade, Cub Scouts work toward the Bear Badge, then they, too, work toward earning a Gold Arrow Point and Silver Arrow Points. The requirements for these badges are found in the Bear Cub Scout Book.
The Webelos Program is a two year program for Fourth and Fifth Grade Boys. In both years, they work toward earning Webelos Activity Badges in twenty different areas, arranged in five groups. Fourth Grade Boys work toward the Webelos Badge. After earning the Webelos Badge. Fifth Graders, after earning the Webelos Badge, earn the Arrow of Light. In addition to the two rank badges, after earning the Webelos Badge, boys work toward the Compass Point Emblem and Metal Compass Points as they earn additional Activity Badges.
Wolf Cub Scout, Bear Cub Scout, and Webelos Scout Books were issued in 1998. Lists of the changes to the requirements which were made at that time are posted on our website for the Wolf Badge, Wolf Arrow Points, Bear Badge, Bear Arrow Points, Webelos and Arrow of Light Badges, and Webelos Activity Badges.
The Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light rank requirements, and the requirements for the Webelos Activity Badges are posted on this site. Use the links below to see the requirements. There are also links on those pages to pages that show the old requirements, and what changed in 2003.
As a Cub Scout or Webelos Scout, you can also earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award, and a Leave No Trace Awareness patch.
Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts can also earn a series of Religious Emblems awarded by a number of religious organizations. The age and rank requirements vary. In addition, they may earn a series of Cub Scout Academics and Sports Belt Loops and Pins
Cub Scouts may also earn a number of other Special Awards and Emblems, which are also available to Boy Scouts.
Advancement Transfers for Foreign Scouts
Questions arise occasionally on whether a Cub Scout moving to the USA from another country can use the advancements he had earned in that country toward advancement in a BSA unit. For the answer, click here.