Advancement

Recognition is important to everyone. The advancement plan provides fun for the Scouts, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members and their den leader work with them on advancement projects.

Kindergarten - Lion Requirements

Kindergartners work toward the Lion rank. The Lion rank is earned by completing five adventures as described below. Although participation with an adult partner is required for all Lion awards, recognition items are for the Scouts only.

1. Complete the five required adventures:

  • Lion’s Honor

  • Animal Kingdom

  • Fun on the Run!

  • King of the Jungle

  • Mountain Lion

2. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

Outside of the required adventures, Lion Scouts can also complete any of the seven elective adventures of their den’s or family’s choosing.

First Grade - Tiger Requirements

First graders work toward the Tiger rank. The Tiger rank is earned by completing the four requirements below. Although participation with an adult partner is required for all Tiger awards, recognition items are for the Scouts only.

1. Complete each of the six required adventures:

  • Games Tigers Play

  • My Tiger Jungle

  • Team Tiger

  • Tiger Bites

  • Tiger Circles: Duty to God

  • Tigers in the Wild

2. In addition to the six required adventures, complete at least one elective adventure of your den’s or family’s choosing.

3. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.

4.  Watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for 1st Grade, Tiger.  (The video is located here and can be watched online or downloaded and viewed offline.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Tiger.

Second Grade - Wolf Requirements

Second graders work toward the Wolf rank. The Wolf rank is earned by completing the four requirements described below.

1. Complete each of the six required 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

2. In addition to the six required adventures, complete at least one elective adventure of your dens or family’s choosing.

3. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

4. Watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for 2nd Grade, Wolf.  (The video is located here and can be watched online or downloaded and viewed offline.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Wolf.

Third Grade - Bear Requirements

Third graders work toward the Bear rank. The Bear rank is earned by completing the four requirements as described below.

1. Complete each of the six required adventures:

  • Baloo the Builder

  • Bear Claws

  • Bear Necessities

  • Fellowship and Duty to God

  • Fur, Feathers, and Ferns

  • Paws for Action (Duty to Country)

2. In addition to the six required adventures, complete at least one elective adventure of your den’s or family’s choosing.

3. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

4. Watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for 3rd Grade, Bear.  (The video is located here and can be watched online or downloaded and viewed offline.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Bear.

Fourth Grade - Webelos Requirements

Fourth graders work toward the Webelos rank. The Webelos rank is earned by completing the five requirements described below. Scouts who are in Cub Scouts in fourth grade must complete the Webelos rank before working towards the Arrow of Light.

1. Be an active member of your Webelos den for three months.

2. Complete each of the five required adventures:

  • Cast Iron Chef

  • Duty to God and You

  • First Responder

  • Stronger, Faster, Higher

  • Webelos Walkabout

3. In addition to the five required adventures, complete at least one elective adventure of your den’s or family’s choosing.

4. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

5. Watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for 4th Grade, Webelos.  (The video is located here and can be watched online or downloaded and viewed offline.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure for Webelos.

Fifth Grade - Arrow of Light Requirements

Fifth graders work toward the Arrow of Light rank. If a fourth-grade Cub Scout has completed the Webelos rank, they may begin work on the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light rank is earned by completing the five requirements described below.

1. 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.

2. Complete each of the four required adventures:

  • Building a Better World

  • Duty to God in Action

  • Outdoor Adventurer

  • Scouting Adventure

3. In addition to the four required adventures, complete at least one elective adventure of your den’s or family’s choosing.

4. With your parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

5.  Watch the Protect Yourself Rules video for 5th Grade, Arrow of Light.  (The video is located here and can be watched online or downloaded and viewed offline.) OR Earn the Protect Yourself Rules for Arrow of Light.

Optional Awards Programs

Academic and Sport belt loops are awarded for trying out a number of various sports and academic subjects and are worn on the Cub Scout belt. For those Scouts with more serious participation, Academic and Sport pins can be earned. Pins are usually worn on the Cub Scout vest. These awards are available to all Scouts of all ranks. This program is administered at the Den level. Your son’s Den leader will be able to help you find out more about the different categories and subjects available.

The Religious Emblems program offers the Scout an opportunity to study his faith indepth. Many faiths offer the emblems, with the activities overseen by the Scout’s religious leaders. BSA recognizes the achievement of these awards.

Outdoor Activity Award can be earned by all Cub Scouts and may be earned each year. This award recognizes the Scout’s participation in outdoor recreation and conservation projects.