Scout Ranks

Scouts Move up in Ranks and Skills

Dens are designed for grade groups. Kids progress up to a new rank and Den each year.

Each Den is managed by a Den Leader. They work with adult partners each month to plan the den’s program. Each Den has a Leader Guidebook that provides step by step recipes for adventures. With a Leader Guide even the most non-scouting adults can prepare, conduct, and track the adventure progress.

Dens match age-matched ranks: Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos.

The Bobcat is a special rank to help kids join Scouting at any age. Earning their Bobcat rank guides a new member through understanding the basics of Scouting. Except for Lions, a Scout must earn the Bobcat badge first before they receive other ranks and awards.

Kindergarten kids work towards their Lion rank.

Lion Dens meet 1 – 2 times a month along with an adult partner.

First Grade kids work towards their Tiger rank.

Tigers participate in weekly meetings and more activities with their adult partners.

Lions through Bears complete adventures to earn belt loops to mark their progress in rank completion.

When your child is a Lion and Tiger, parents attend all meetings with their Cub Scout, and participate in all activities. Parents sign the requirements in his/her handbook. Parents and the Lion/Tiger Den leader plan one month’s meetings and outings. You and your Lion/Tiger may be asked to host a meeting (maybe in your home, but not necessarily) and to direct the meeting you have planned – with the assistance of the Den Leader.

Second grade kids work toward their Wolf rank.

Third grade kids work toward their Bear rank.

The parents of Cub Scouts in Wolf and Bear Dens are also primarily responsible for assuring that their child completes the requirements for their rank and sign the requirements in the Scouts’ handbooks. Parents are encouraged to attend den meetings and to assist den leaders with activities, chaperoning field trips and arranging special events.

Wolves and Bears still earn belt loops to mark their progress in rank completion of Adventures and skills.

Webelos and Arrow of Light (AOL) Cub Scouts are preparing to become BSA Scouts. They become more independent in their scouting experiences.

Fourth grade kids work toward their Webelos rank. (Webelos means “We’ll BE Loyal Scouts”.) Webelos Scouts mark their adventure progress with pins for their uniform shirt.

Fifth grade kids work toward the Arrow of Light. The AOL is the highest award a youth can earn in Cub Scouts. It will move with them onto their BSA Scouting uniform when they cross over into a Troop.

The parents of Webelos and Arrow of Light (AOL) Cub Scouts become the support system for the Webelos Den Leader. As their Scouts work on individual adventures, parents serve as resources to help the Den Leader teach skills they need to earn their next pin.

Adventures

Cub Scouts work together in their Dens to earn their next rank. Along the way they mark their progress completing Adventures. You can think of Adventures as lesson plans that include elements from The Ten Purposes of Scouting. (Those are listed out later in this folder. Boy, I wish I had this folder when my kids started! LOL!)

Each Adventure has its own requirements. A Cub might need to participate in a Den Meeting, a Pack Meeting, and other activities. Some Adventures even involve Scout homework geared towards family involvement, like having a discussion about your family’s values and how they compare to the values of the Scouts.

If your Cub misses out on an Adventure, talk with your Den Master about how you can make it up with activities at home.