RANKS & ADVANCEMENTS
About Ranks and Advancements
Cub Scouts are grouped by grade level into Dens. Cub Scouts may join between Kindergarten and 5th grade. Cub Scouts will work on required and elective adventures under the leadership of their Den Leader. As they progress through the Scouting program, Cub Scouts learn new skills and abilities, and are awarded with loops, pins, or patches to show their achievements. On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses in their rank based on their grade level in school. Cub Scouts do not need to have earned the previous rank in order to earn the next; they begin at their appropriate level at the time they join Cub Scouts. Each of the ranks in Cub Scouting has its own requirements that are age appropriate, so earning a rank below a Cub Scout’s current grade is not permitted. As a Cub Scout advances through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities they have learned.
The Advancement Trail
Each rank has different age-appropriate requirements to aid their learning, growth, and development through Cub Scouts. View the chart which follows and/or click on the categories below to expand each section and learn more about each rank's requirements for advancement.
Lion Requirements (Kindergarten)
Kindergartners work toward the Lion rank. The Lion rank is earned by completing five adventures as described below. An adult partner is required to participate with the Scout during each meeting; however, awards recognition items are for the Scouts only.
Requirements
Required Adventures (five adventures)
Lion's Honor
Animal Kingdom
Fun on the Run!
King of the Jungle
Mountain Lion
With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
Electives
Elective Adventures (up to seven adventures)
Any of the elective adventures are of the Den's or family's choosing
Bobcat Requirements (First Rank for 1st-5th Grade Cub Scouts)
Aside from Lion, the first rank that every Scout must earn when entering the Cub Scouting Program is the Bobcat rank; this rank is completed only once upon entry to Cub Scouts. The purpose of the Bobcat rank is to ensure that every Scout understands what it means to be a Scout. To earn the Bobcat rank each new Cub Scout must complete the following:
Requirements
Learn and say the Scout Oath, with help if needed.
"On my honor, I will do my best
to do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."Learn and say the Scout Law, with help if needed.
"A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent."Show the Cub Scout sign and tell what it means.
Show the Cub Scout handshake and tell what it means.
Say the Cub Scout motto and tell what it means.
"Do Your Best."Show the Cub Scout salute and tell what it means.
With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the booklet, How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.
Tiger Requirements (1st Grade)
Cub Scouts in first grade work toward the Tiger rank. The Tiger rank is earned by completing six required adventures, at least one elective adventure, and safety requirements as described below. An adult partner is required to participate with the Scout during each meeting; however, awards recognition items are for the Scouts only.
Requirements
Required Adventures (six adventures)
Games Tigers Play
My Tiger Jungle
Team Tiger
Tiger Bites
Tiger Circles: Duty to God
Tigers in the Wild
Elective Adventures (complete at least one elective adventure)
Any of the elective adventures are of the Den's or family's choosingWith your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
Watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for 1st Grade, Tiger. (The video is located at https://vimeo.com/325064660 and can be watched on-line or downloaded and viewed off-line.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Tiger.
Wolf Requirements (2nd Grade)
Cub Scouts in second grade work toward the Wolf rank. The Wolf rank is earned by completing six required adventures, at least one elective adventure, and safety requirements as described below.
Requirements
Required Adventures (six 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
Elective Adventures (complete at least one elective adventure)
Any of the elective adventures are of the Den's or family's choosingWith your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
Watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for 2nd Grade, Wolf. (The video is located at https://vimeo.com/325064564 and can be watched on-line or downloaded and viewed off-line.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Wolf.
Bear Requirements (3rd Grade)
Cub Scouts in third grade work toward the Bear rank. The Bear rank is earned by completing six required adventures, at least one elective adventure, and safety requirements as described below.
Requirements
Required Adventures (six adventures)
Baloo the Builder
Bear Claws
Bear Necessities
Fellowship and Duty to God
Fur, Feathers, and Ferns
Paws for Action (Duty to Country)
Elective Adventures (complete at least one elective adventure)
Any of the elective adventures are of the Den's or family's choosingWith your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
Watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for 3rd Grade, Bear. (The video is located at https://vimeo.com/325064786 and can be watched on-line or downloaded and viewed off-line.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Bear.
Webelos Requirements (4th Grade)
Cub Scouts in fourth grade work toward the Webelos rank. Fourth graders who are registered in Cub Scouts must complete Webelos before working toward Arrow of Light. The Webelos rank is earned by completing six required adventures, at least one elective adventure, and safety requirements as described below.
Requirements
Be an active member of your Webelos den for three months.
Required Adventures (five adventures)
Cast Iron Chef
Duty to God and You
First Responder
Stronger, Faster, Higher
Webelos Walkabout
Elective Adventures (complete at least one elective adventure)
Any of the elective adventures are of the Den's or family's choosingWith your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
Watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for 4th Grade, Webelos. (The video is located at https://vimeo.com/325064315 and can be watched on-line or downloaded and viewed off-line.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Webelos.
Arrow of Light Requirements (5th Grade)
Cub Scouts in fifth grade work toward the final Cub Scout rank: Arrow of Light. If a fourth-grade Cub Scout has completed the Webelos rank, they may begin work on the Arrow of Light. Fifth graders who are registered in Cub Scouts must complete Arrow of Light in preparation for their crossover to a Scouting Troop. The Arrow of Light rank is earned by completing six required adventures, at least one elective adventure, and safety requirements as described below.
Requirements
Be an active member of your Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old.
Required Adventures (four adventures)
Building a Better World
Duty to God in Action
Outdoor Adventurer
Scouting Adventure
Elective Adventures (complete at least one elective adventure)
Any of the elective adventures are of the Den's or family's choosingWith your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
Watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for 5th Grade, Arrow of Light. (The video is located at https://vimeo.com/325064315 and can be watched on-line or downloaded and viewed off-line.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules for Arrow of Light.
Additional Elective and Special Awards
In addition to Rank Advancements, Cub Scouts may earn a number of other Badges and Awards. Click to learn more about these awards.