Advancement is the process by which a boy progresses from badge to
badge, learning new skills as he goes. The Cub Scout advancement program
is designed to encourage the natural interests of a boy in a natural
way. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own
requirements. As a boy advances through the ranks, requirements are
progressively more challenging, matching the increased skills and
abilities of a boy as he grows older.
Advancement is one of the methods used to achieve Scouting's
values—character development, citizenship training, and personal
fitness. Everything a Cub Scout does to advance is designed to achieve
these values and aid in his personal growth. These badges are a means to
an end—not an end in themselves.
Bobcat
No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his
Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos.
A boy must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include:
- Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Cub Scout Promise, and
the Law of the Pack and tell what they mean;
- Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what
they mean; and
- Show that you understand and believe that it is important to
be honest and trustworthy.
Tiger (First Grade)
To begin his path to the Tiger Cub rank, the Tiger Cub (age 7) must learn
the Cub Scout promise, the Cub Scout sign, and the Cub Scout salute. When he
has learned these, he gets his Tiger Cub emblem, which is a tiger paw with
four strings for beads. He wears the emblem on his right pocket.
As a boy finishes each part of the five Tiger Cub achievements, he earns
an orange bead (for den activities), a white bead (for family activities),
or a black bead (for "Go See Its"). When the boy has earned five beads of
each color, he can receive his Tiger Cub badge. The Tiger Cub badge is
given to the boy's adult partner at a pack meeting. Then, during a grand
ceremony, the adult gives the badge to the boy.
For more information, see: Tiger Cub Requirements
Wolf (Second Grade)
The Wolf rank is for boys who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years
old). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass 12 achievements. His parent or
guardian approves each achievement by signing his book. When the boy has met
all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to his parent or guardian at
the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian
then presents the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Cub Scout can work on the 23
Wolf electives until he finishes second grade (or turns 9 years old). He can
choose from more than 100 elective projects that may show him new hobbies and
teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he
completes 10 elective projects, he earns a Gold Arrow Point to wear under
the Wolf badge. For each 10 elective projects after that, he earns a Silver
Arrow Point.
For more information, see: Wolf Requirements
Bear (Third Grade)
The Bear rank is for boys who have finished second grade (or are 9
years old). There are 24 Bear achievements in four groups. A boy must
complete 12 of the achievements to be a Bear Cub Scout. These requirements
are harder and more challenging than those for the Wolf badge. When a boy
has earned his Bear badge, he may work on electives to earn Arrow Points
to wear under his Bear badge.
For more information, see:
Bear Requirements
Webelos I and II (Fourth and Fifth Grade)
Webelos dens are for boys who have completed third grade (or reached
age 10). The Webelos den program is different from the Cub Scout den
program. Everything in the Webelos Scout program is more challenging
than what younger boys in the pack do. Webelos Scouts get to work on
the 20 Webelos activity badges.
Webelos Scouts work on requirements during their weekly den meetings. Once
a boy learns a skill, he practices it at den meetings and at home on his own.
His family helps him at home. Webelos Scouts bring the projects they do at home
to the den meetings to show others, and to have the Webelos den leader approve
their projects.
When a boy has done the requirements for an activity badge, the Webelos den
leader or activity badge counselor, rather than a parent, approves most of the
activity badges. It takes three activity badges, including Fitness and Citizen,
to earn the Webelos badge.
Besides earning activity badges, Webelos Scouts can earn the compass points
emblem. This emblem is awarded after a Webelos Scout has earned seven activity
badges. For each four activity badges a Webelos Scout earns after that, he
receives a compass point—east, west, north, and south.
For more information, see: Webelos Requirements