Advancement is one of the methods used to achieve the goals of character development, citizenship education, personal fitness and leadership. Everything Cub Scouting does in its developmental program is designed to achieve these goals and help you grow personally. On June 1, 2015, Cub Scouting changed its promotion system to an “adventure” system, including mandatory and elective adventures for all ranks. Lion, Tiger, Wolf and Bears earn belt loops for each completed adventure, and Webelos receive activity badges that can be worn on a cap or Webelos colors.
Lion Badge.
Preschoolers are working on the Lion badge. The Lion Badge can be earned by completing five adventures. In addition to the requirements, Lion Scouts can also complete any number of seven elective adventures of their lair or family choice. Lions do not receive the Bobcat badge. This is a new rank for Cub Scout, introduced in 2018.
Bobcat Badge.
All youth, beginning in first grade, will first work on their Bobcat badge to complete the requirements for joining Cub Scout, which include knowing and reciting the Cub Scout Oath and Scout Law and knowing the Cub Scout motto and greeting. Once the Bobcat badge requirements have been completed, the Cub Scout will continue with the age-appropriate program.
Tiger, Wolf and Bear Badges.
Cub Scouts in first grade are working on the Tiger badge, while second grade students are working on the Wolf badge and third grade students are working on the Bear badge. Cub Scouts at all three levels must complete six mandatory adventures and one of thirteen optional adventures with their den or family, as well as age-appropriate cyber safety exercises (called Cyber Chips) and exercises to help prevent child abuse in their family. Cyber Chip and abuse prevention requirements must be completed annually, although Cyber Chip can be waived if the family does not have access to the Internet at home or other easily accessible. The remaining optional adventures can be completed during the remainder of the school year.
Webelos Scouts.
Cub Scouts in fourth and fifth grades work with Webelos (pronounced “vee-buh-loh” in both singular and plural, the word was originally an acronym from the previous, now discontinued Wolf/Bear/Lion/Scout hierarchy with added vowels, and is now considered an acronym for “WE WILL LOVE scouts”). Webelos are originally working on the Webelos badge and Arrow of Light. A scout cub can only begin working toward the Arrow of Light after receiving the Webelos badge; however, a new scout cub who first joins the pack in fifth grade can begin working toward the Arrow of Light immediately.
Webelos Scout Badge
To earn the Webelos Scout Badge, the Cub Scout must complete five mandatory adventures, two of eighteen elective adventures, and a cyber-chip and child abuse prevention exercise. As in previous years, Cyber Chip can be waived if the family does not have easy access to the Internet. Webelos Scouts wearing blue Cub Scout uniforms wear the same size and shape Webelos badge as previous ranks and may be placed on the uniform where the tiger cub badge is; Webelos Scouts wearing a brown Scout shirt wear an oval-shaped Webelos badge that is the same size as the Scout badge.
Arrow of Light.
The Arrow of Light award is the highest rank award available to Scout Cubs. To earn the Arrow of Light, a Cub Scout must complete four mandatory adventures, three of eighteen elective adventures, and the Cyber Chip and Child Abuse Prevention Exercises. Cyber Chip exercises can be waived if the family does not have free access to the Internet. Receiving the Arrow of Light allows a youngster to join the Scout troop at age ten instead of eleven. The requirements for the Arrow of Light largely overlap with those for the first rank of BSA Scouts, the Scout rank. Thus, recipients of the Arrow of Light have the advantage of gaining the rank of Scout soon after joining a Scout troop. The Arrow of Light award is one of the few scout cub awards that can be worn on a scout uniform. Both scout cubs and scouts wear the Arrow of Light badge under their left pocket. Adults wear a badge with a square knot above the left pocket.
Religious Emblems.
Several religious emblem programs are administered by various religious organizations and are recognized but not sponsored by the BSA. They are usually recognized by a medal and an embroidered square knot, which may also be worn on Scout uniforms.