Dens
The Cub Scouting program takes place at two levels. Your child will be a part of a den, a small group of boys or girls in the same grade level who usually meet weekly. All dens, from kindergarten through 5, make up a pack. Once a month, the dens, with their families, are together at the pack meeting, where Cubs show off the new skills they have learned during the month and are recognized for the badges they have earned.
Every year, Cub Scouts progress from rank to rank, learning new skills as they go. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As a Cub advances through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities they learn as they get older.
Lion
Kindergarteners join the Lion den. Parents are most involved at this level. The Cub and their adult partner join the den together and attend all meetings and activities together.
The Lion rank is earned when a Cub completes the six required Lion adventures (Lions Honor, Animal Kingdom, Fun on the Run, King of the Jungle and Mountain Lion), and has a child-safety conversation with their parent or guardian. There are also 8 electives a Lion Cub can earn.
Bobcat
Bobcat. All cubs must earn the Bobcat rank before advancing to the rank of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, or Arrow of Light. The Bobcat rank covers the basics of Cub Scouting.
The Bobcat rank is earned when a Cub has learned and can say the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Cub Scout motto and tells what they mean; shows the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tells what they mean; and has a child-safety conversation with their parent or guardian. The average Cub earns the Bobcat rank within 1-2 months of joining.
Tiger
First graders join the Tiger den. Parents are still very involved at this level. The Cub and their adult partner join the den together and attend all meetings and activities together.
The Tiger rank is earned when a Cub completes the six required Tiger adventures (My Tiger Jungle; Games Tigers Play; Tiger Circles (Duty to God); Team Tiger; Tiger Bites; Tigers in the Wild), one of the Tiger elective adventures, the Cyber Chip, and has a child-safety conversation with their parent or guardian.
Wolf
Second graders join the Wolf den. Parents are still involved at this age, both in the role of home support and to help the den leader, but their child is beginning to be a little more independent.
The Wolf rank is earned when a Cub completes the six required Wolf adventures (Call of the Wild; Council Fire (Duty to Country); Duty to God Footsteps; Howling at the Moon; Paws on the Path; Running With the Pack), one of the Wolf elective adventures, the Cyber Chip, and has a child-safety conversation with their parent or guardian.
Bear
Third graders join the Bear den. Parents are still a very necessary part of the program, especially since this is the level where the Cubs learn how to use a pocket knife.
The Bear rank is earned when a Cub completes the six required Bear adventures (Bear Claws; Bear Necessities; Fellowship and Duty to God; Fur, Feathers, and Ferns; Paws for Action (Duty to Country); Baloo the Builder), one of the Bear elective adventures, the Cyber Chip, and has a child-safety conversation with their parent or guardian.
Webelos
Fourth graders join the Webelos den. The Cubs start learning more about Scouts BSA troops, and change their uniform to the same tan and green uniform that Scouts BSA wears. Parents start to become less involved in the den, and the Cubs start becoming more responsible for their own advancement.
The Webelos rank is earned when a Cub has been active in the den for three months, completes the five required Webelos adventures (Cast Iron Chef; Duty to God and You; First Responder; Stronger, Faster, Higher; Webelos Walkabout), completes one of the Webelos/Arrow of Light elective adventures, completes the Cyber Chip, and has a child-safety conversation with their parent or guardian.
Arrow of Light
Fifth graders join the Arrow of Light den. The Cubs are moving at full speed to learn how to successfully transition to a Scouts BSA troop. They practice the patrol method and learn all the requirements they will need to know when joining a troop. The Cubs are almost completely responsible for their own advancement at this level.
The Arrow of Light rank is earned when a Cub has been active in the den for six months since finishing fourth grade, completes the four required Arrow of Light adventures (Building a Better World; Outdoorsman; Duty to God in Action; Scouting Adventure), completes one of the Webelos/Arrow of Light elective adventures, completes the Cyber Chip, and has a child-safety conversation with their parent or guardian. When the Arrow of Light rank is earned, the Cub is ready to join a Scouts BSA troop.
The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout rank badge that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform when they graduate into a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light rank as a youth may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot patch on their adult uniform.
Last updated: March 29, 2020