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Cub Scout Pack 121
(Belvidere, Illinois)
 
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The Advancement Trail


On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As you advance through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities you learn as you get older. For more information on advancement, visit CubScouts.org .


Bobcat

No matter what age or grade a child joins Cub Scouting, he or she must earn their Bobcat badge before they can advance to the rank of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A Scout must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include:

  • Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law and tell what they mean;
  • Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what they mean; and
  • With your parent or guardian complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.

Tiger

The Tiger rank is for children who are in first grade or are age 7. To earn the Tiger badge, a Scout must complete six required adventures with his or her den or family and one elective adventure of his or her den or family’s choosing. As children complete each adventure, they will receive the adventure loop for that adventure, which they can wear on their belt. When the Scout has completed the seven required adventures, he or she can receive the Tiger badge. The Tiger badge is given to the Scout’s adult partner at a pack meeting. Then, during a grand ceremony, the adult gives the badge to the Scout.

After he or she has earned the Tiger badge, Tiger Scouts can work on the remaining 12 Tiger electives until they finish first grade (or turn 8 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach skills that will be useful during their Boy Scout years. When the Scout completes an elective adventure, he or she receives an additional adventure loop to wear on their belts.


Wolf

The Wolf rank is for children who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a Scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. His or her parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing the Scout's book, and the child receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the Scout has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to his or her parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the Scout.

After earning the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout can work on the remaining 12 Wolf electives until he or she finishes second grade (or turns 9 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach skills that will be useful during their Boy Scout years. When he or she completes an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.


Bear

The Bear rank is for children who have finished second grade (or who are 9 years old). To earn the Bear badge, a Scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. A parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing the Scout's book, and the child receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the Scout has met all requirements, the Bear badge is presented to his or her parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the Scout.

After earning the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until he or she finishes third grade (or turn 10 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach skills that will be useful during their Boy Scout years. When they completes an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.


Webelos

Webelos dens are for children who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). Webelos Scouts get to work on the five required Webelos adventures and choose two of the 18 elective adventures that are shared by the Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks. 
When a Scout has done the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure a child completes, they receive a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat. After completing seven adventures, including five required adventures and two elective adventures, a Scout can receive the Webelos badge.

After earning the Webelos badge, a Webelos Scout can work on the remaining 18 shared Webelos and Arrow of Light electives until he or she finishes fourth grade (or turns 11 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach skills that will be useful during their Boy Scout years. When they complete an elective adventure, he or she receives an additional adventure pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.


Arrow of Light

The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. Scouts must complete four required adventures and three elective adventures to earn the Arrow of Light rank. For each adventure a Scout completes, he or she receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.

The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform when a Cub Scout graduates into a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light rank when they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their adult uniform.