Bear Rank Advancement
A third grade Scout working toward the Bear rank will see even more exciting indoor and outdoor activities compared to the earlier Cub Scout years – more outdoors, plus Scout skills like using a pocketknife (safely).
To earn the Bear badge, a Scout must complete six required adventures, plus two elective adventures from among the 20 electives in the Bear Handbook.
- The National Resource page for Bear Adventures is here. Each Adventure page there lists the Requirements and shares a selection of “Activity Cards” that could be used to complete each Requirement.
- For more resources, see this AAC District Page for Bear. Each Adventure page there has videos and links to help learn the Adventure topic plus “Assembled” Den Meeting Plans that take the Requirements and/or National activity ideas that are fun, simple and easy and put them into Den Meeting Plans you can use. Word versions of those plans are attached below if you would like to edit to fit your Den.
The required adventures are:
- Bobcat Bear is a “Character and Leadership” adventure, similar to the pre-2024 Bobcat "rank" but with added leadership elements.
- Bear Habitat is an “Outdoors” adventure built around Leave No Trace principles and featuring a one mile walk.
- Bear Strong is a “Personal Fitness” adventure focusing on exercise, activity and nutrition.
- Paws for Action is a “Citizenship” adventure addressing flag etiquette and US symbols, volunteering, and a service project.
- Standing Tall is a “Personal Safety” adventure about personal safety and this Protect Yourself video.
- Fellowship is a “Family & Reverence” adventure about family beliefs and celebrations.
The 20 elective adventures are Whittling (Knife Safety), Race Time Bear (Pinewood Derby or Raingutter Regatta), A Bear Goes Fishing (Fishing), Bears on Bikes (Cycling), Salmon Run (Swimming), Bears Afloat (Boating), Let's Camp Bear (Camping), Champions For Nature Bear (Conservation), Forensics (Science), Chef Tech (Technology), Baloo the Builder (Engineering), Balancing Bears (Math), Critter Care (pet care), Marble Madness (marbles and marble games), Roaring Laughter (jokes and funny performances), Super Science (science experiments), and Summertime Fun (May through August participate in three Cub Scout activities). (Also Archery, BB guns, and Slingshot, but only at District or Council events with qualified instructors – see Cub Scout Rangemaster training to join the ranks of trained “Rangemasters”).
Requirements and “Activity Card” options are found at the National Resource page for Bear Adventures and at this AAC District Page for Bear which has more tips, videos and links, plus “Assembled” Den Meeting Plans you can use.
Parents/guardians or the den leader approve each requirement by signing the Scout’s handbook. Scouts can receive an adventure loop on completing each adventure and, after meeting all requirements (six required Adventures plus two Bear elective Adventures), have earned the Bear badge. Click here for information on Cub Scout Uniform options – but check with your Cub Scout Pack to find out what the expectations are (because “A Scout is Thrifty”).
