Cub Scout Advancement

On the Cub Scout advancement trail, a Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills along the way. As Cub Scouts get older and advance through the ranks, the requirements become more challenging to match their new skills and abilities. Cub Scout advancement includes a wide range of group and individual activities youth enjoy. More importantly, the activities are carefully selected to encourage physical, intellectual and character development. At all grades after Kindergarten, new Cub Scouts get to earn a joining rank badge called “Bobcat”.

Be a hero to your Scout and their friends by leading Handbook Adventures in their den. How? Check out our simpler streamlined adventure plans for each rank and grade below!

The ranks and activities tied to a Cub Scout’s grade are as follows:

Kindergarten Cub Scouts work toward the Lion badge by doing adventures in the Lion Handbook – here’s our Lion Rank Advancement page linking to adventure resource pages with plans, videos and other ideas for each of the five “required” adventures and the seven “elective” adventures.

Bobcat is a Rank earned as a “joining” Rank – currently the official rule is that Bobcat is for all Cub Scouts joining after Kindergarten and for Kindergarten Scouts who have earned the “Lion” Rank (but a Scout is Kind, so if your Kindergarten Lion completes the Bobcat requirements, it is only fair to award the Badge).  While you can work and complete any adventures for your Grade-level rank while you do Bobcat, you have to earn Bobcat before completing the Rank.  See our Bobcat Rank Advancement page with Den and Family Activity Tips.

First Graders have the Tiger badge and Handbook – see our Tiger Rank Advancement page linking to adventure resource pages with plans, videos and other ideas for each of the six “required” adventures and the 9 “elective” adventures.

Second Graders have the Wolf badge and Handbook – here’s our Wolf Rank Advancement page linking to adventure resource pages with plans, videos and other ideas for each of the six “required” adventures and the 9 “elective” adventures.

Third Graders have the Bear badge and Handbook – check out our Bear Rank Advancement page linking to adventure resource pages with plans, videos and other ideas for each of the six “required” adventures and the 9 “elective” adventures.

Fourth Graders work on the Webelos badge and Handbook (“Webelos” stands for “WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts”) – here’s our Webelos Rank Advancement page linking to adventure resource pages with plans, videos and other ideas for each of the five “required” adventures and the 11 “elective” adventures.

Fifth Graders work on the Arrow of Light badge also found in the Webelos Handbook – see our Arrow of Light Rank Advancement page linking to adventure resource pages with plans, videos and other ideas for each of the four “required” adventures and the 11 “elective” adventures.  You do not need to complete the “Webelos” Rank to earn the Arrow of Light.

A Cub Scout will start at the rank and Handbook appropriate to the Cub Scout’s age (grade). To make rank advancement easier and more fun for leaders and parents we have the information linked in our Rank Advancement pages above (also to the right). Also to make advancement and Den and Pack activities easier and more fun, we have these resources:

• Want to Coordinate Advancement Activities at Pack Campouts and other Pack Events? We have a page that links similar Adventures from different Handbooks. Doing a Hike? This shows you Adventures with Hiking. Nature? This connects Lion through Arrow of Light. And more!
• Got Small Dens? (This is not uncommon). How Do We Do Den Rank Advancement? If you have a small group in a grade (five or fewer), it makes sense to start out by joining similar grades together in a “mixed” den – we have resources to help you with that.
• Fun Adventures Not In Our Handbook? Can We Do Them? Sure! A Scout does the work, they earn the loop or pin. Think learning to fish – let the whole Pack do the Fishing Adventure even though it’s in the Bear book. Or riding a bike – do the Biking Adventure from the Tiger book. If it isn’t in their current year’s handbook, it’s just a loop or pin (doesn’t count for Rank advancement) – but it might be one that your Scouts really enjoy. More on this idea is found here.