Cub Scout Advancement
The Boy Scouts of America provides recognition for Cub Scout achievements. A fundamental purpose of advancement is the knowledge and self-confidence a boy acquires from his participation in a den and pack. Requirements serve as the basis for a Cub Scout’s rank advancement.
For a complete and up to date listing of all Awards and Advancements, check the National BSA Site.
Internet Advancement Updates For The New Cub Scouting Adventures
Impact
- Cub Scout Packs will be able to enter the completed dates, as appropriate, for the new Adventure Loops and Pins.
- A Pack that has loaded its roster prior to today will need to do new Load Roster to view new Adventures. If there is entry in progress, the Pack should first Submit.
- Cub Scout Packs may continue to award items for the prior Achievement program, including Activity Badges and Belt Loops, during the transition period.
- Updates have been made to screens and reports to support the new Adventure Loops and Pins for Cub Scouting.
- The position of Venturing Participant (VP) has been added to display in the Youth Roster and Advancement selections for Crews and Ships.
- The supported browsers now include Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11.
ScoutNET PAS is updated with the new Adventure Loops and Pins for selection through Record Achievements – Packs – Awards. Award Codes are 1200 series codes.
Program Changes Coming For Cub Scouts
As a result of a concerted effort by volunteers and professionals, significant changes are coming in the Cub Scout advancement program. The primary objective of these changes is to match the program to the wants and needs of today’s youth. The changes were also done to provide more FUN in the program. These changes will become dffective June 2015 (or the beginning of the program year in September 2015).
First, what is NOT changing:
- Family Focus – Scouting has and will always be a family program
- Maintaining the concept of “Akela” as the Leader.
- Cub Scout sign (Wolf Ears), salute, handshake, and motto (“Do your Best” – how we judge accomplishments)
- Rank system (Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, WEBELOS, and Arrow Of Light).
- Outdoor program
- Delivery Model – Most of the advancement will be done at den mtgs.
- Other recognition
- Cub Outdoor Program award
- Summertime Pack award
- STEM & STEM Nova award
What is Changing?
- ONE Oath and Law – Retiring the Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack and use the Boy Scout Oath and Law
- Pack and Den activities will align more with the Aims and the Mission of the BSA
- Tiger Cubs will officially be known as Tigers and they will have a new image
- Adventures will replace Achievements: it will take 2 to 3 meetings to complete one Adventure, for which Belt Loops will be awarded.
- Current “Immediate Recognition” items (Tiger Beads & Tracks, Wolf & Bear Progress beads, WEBELOS Compass Point pins) will be discontinued
- Arrow Points will be discontinued; boys will continue working on Adventures Belt Loops
- Sports and Academic Program will be retired; the best of the program will be incorporated into several of the Adventures
- For WEBELOS, Adventure Pins will replace Activity Pins
- WEBELOS prerequisite for Arrow of Light have been removed
- An Adventure was created to give a better understanding of the WEBELOS to Scout transition plan for boys, leaders, and parents
Additional information is available on the national website.
Den Advancement And Ranks
Cub Scout ranks are generally based on grade level and/or age. No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his Bobcat Badge before continuing working on the rank appropriate for his grade / age.
Rank | Grade | Age |
Tiger Cubs | First | 7 |
Wolf Cubs | Second | 8 |
Bear Cubs | Third | 9 |
Webelos | Fourth, Fifth | 10 |
The Arrow of Light is the highest award in Cub Scouts and can be earned as a Webelos. The Arrow of Light is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout Uniform.
Additional information on these ranks is available on the national site.