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The Cub Scout program aims to recognize the achievements of the boys in as many ways as possible. Here are some of the basics that the boys will work on during the year. Some activities will be done in den meetings, some at home, and some at special events, such as campouts.

RANK- This term is a little confusing, because we call the boys "Tigers," "Wolves," etc. before they have actually earned that rank. Think of the name of the rank as "what the boys are aiming for." Rank is indicated by the animal or symbol on a patch that goes on the uniform. The boys spend the majority of the year doing the activities that will help them "make rank." There is no test involved; the boys just need to participate and "Do their best."

All Cub Scouts start with the Bobcat rank. Whether a Cub Scout comes into the program at age six or eleven, he will start by learning the Cub Scout motto, promise, etc. This information is found near the beginning of every book. There is no "Bobcat Den."

Tigers: after achieving their Bobcat rank, Tigers work toward earning their Tiger rank. They have 5 kinds of achievements that each include a family activity, a den activity, and a "Go See It." After these are completed, the Tiger Cub can earn a "track bead" for each ten electives he completes. (Track beads hang on a Tiger emblem which hangs off the uniform pocket) These electives (see the back half of the book) can be completed at any time, but are only awarded after the Scout earns his Tiger rank.

Wolves: if the Wolf is new to Cub Scouting, he first works on his Bobcat badge. After that, the den participates in activities in twelve categories ranging from woodworking to citizenship. A number of activities take place in the home (such as "play a game with your family" or "make your own breakfast") so parents need to be aware of these. Since it takes awhile to get all twelve requirements done, there are Progress Toward Rank beads that boys hang on their uniforms after each four activities are completed.

Wolves can also earn arrow points for electives that go beyond the Wolf Rank Requirements. A boy can get these electives signed off at any time (look in the back half of the book) but they can only be awarded after the Cub Scout has achieved his Wolf rank. A Cub Scout can earn as many arrow points as he wants. He gets one arrow point for each ten electives he completes.

Bears: if the Bear is new to Cub Scouting, he first works on his Bobcat badge. After that, the den participates in activities in categories ranging from sports to crafts to protecting the environment. Bears have 24 categories from which to choose their activities, but they only have to complete twelve of the areas. A number of activities take place in the home (such as "have a fun family night at home" or "make your own breakfast, lunch and dinner") so parents need to be aware of these. Since it takes awhile to get all twelve requirements done, there are Progress Toward Rank beads that boys hang on their uniforms after each four activities are completed.

Bears can also earn arrow points for electives that go beyond the Bear Rank Requirements. A boy can get these electives signed off at any time (look in the back half of the book) but they can only be awarded after the Cub Scout has achieved his Bear rank. A Cub Scout can earn as many arrow points as he wants. He gets one arrow point for each ten electives he completes.

Webelos: if the Webelos is new to Cub Scouting, he first works on his Bobcat badge. After that, the den participates to earn Activity Badges from among twenty categories ranging from Scientist to Forester to Sportsman to Citizen. (These badges are actually pins and are worn on the Webelos Colors--three ribbons that are pinned to the right shoulder of the uniform.) Some requirements are to be done at home, and some are done in den meetings. Webelos years are training years for Boy Scouting and involve special privileges as well as more structured requirements. A Scout must earn three Activity Badges to make Webelos rank. After he earns his seventh Activity Badge, a Webelos earns compass points for each additional four Activity Badges that he earns.

The Arrow of Light award is a major focus of the Webelos program. This path leads the boys to a greater familiarity with the Boy Scouting program that they will soon enter. It includes requirements to learn the Boy Scout Law and Promise as well as activities to meet the Boy Scouts, such as joint camping trips. The Arrow of Light Patch is one of two emblems from Cub Scouts that can be worn on a Boy Scout uniform. (The other is the religious emblem.)

Webelos parents will need to get more information about the specifics of these advancements from the book and from the den leader.

RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS

Scouting is very committed to nurturing the faith life of boys. To this end, each rank has requirements that encourage the Cub Scouts to participate in the life of their religious institutions. In addition, there is an optional program for Cub Scouts to meet outside of regular den meetings with a mentor to work on an age-appropriate lessons to learn more about his faith. God and Me is for Scouts in first through second grades. God and Family is for Scouts in fourth and fifth grades. After completion of the program (available at the Scout store or from a volunteer in the Scout's own place of worship) the Cub Scout earns a knot patch and a medal, which are usually presented during a church service. The religious emblem is one of two emblems from Cub Scouts that can be worn on a Boy Scout uniform. (The other is the Arrow of Light Patch.)

ACADEMICS AND SPORTS AWARDS

Beltloops

All Cub Scouts can earn belt loops for activities in sports and academics. These requirements are listed in a separate book. Some activities the kids will do with their dens, but Scouts can do them on their own as well. Those of you in organized sports should check out the baseball, soccer, and basketball belt loops. There are also academic belt loops that cover a wide range of interests. Let your den leader know when your boy has completed any of these activities.

Pins

Bears and Webelos can do more in-depth work in sports and academics in order to receive pins in their choice activities. Again, let your leader know when you have completed the requirements.

Sources

To see the requirements for belt loops and pins, ask a leader to see the requirements book, or go to www.usscouts.org and choose usscout.org from the menu over Lord Baden Powell's head. Then scroll down to the Cub Scout section and choose Advancement Home. Then choose Academics and Sports on the next screen.

Or you can use the following links-one for the academic belt loops and one for the sports ones.

http://www.usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/academics.html

http://www.usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/sports.html

SPECIAL AWARDS

In addition to the achievements listed above, there are lots of other special awards that a boy can earn. Details are readily available--just ask your leader. A few of the programs are the Leave No Trace Award, the World Conservation Award, the Summertime Pack Award, and the Family Award. These awards can all be worn on the uniform. There is also a Recruiter Patch for Scouts who invite a new boy to our pack and that boy joins our pack.

MORE PATCHES

As you may have noticed, Scouts end up with a lot of patches! The achievement awards listed above are all worn permanently on the uniform. Other patches, called temporary patches (such as a Camporee, Scout Sunday, or a Pinewood Derby patch) can be worn over the right pocket and get changed out when a new patch takes its place. Active Scouts end up with a lot of temporary patches. You can collect them on a patch vest, in a scrapbook, on a bulletin board, on a patch blanket, or however you wish.