Advancement is the process by which a boy progresses from badge to badge, learning new skills as he goes. The Cub Scout advancement program is designed to encourage the natural interests of a boy. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As a boy advances through the ranks, requirements are progressively more challenging, matching the increased skills and abilities of a boy as he grows older.

Bobcat

   

No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A boy must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include demonstrating his understanding of Scouting's core values. The scout must complete the following: 

·         Learn and say the Cub Scout Promise.

·         Say the Law of the Pack. Tell what it means.

·         Tell what Webelos means.

·         Show the Cub Scout sign. Tell what it means.

·         Show the Cub Scout handshake. Tell what it means.

·         Say the Cub Scout motto.

·         Give the Cub Scout salute. Tell what it means.

Tiger Cub

        

To begin his path to the Tiger Cub rank, the boy must learn the Cub Scout motto, the Cub Scout sign, and the Cub Scout salute. When he has accomplished these tasks, he will be awarded the Tiger Cub Totem. This is a tiger paw with four strands for beads.

As the Tiger Cub completes requirements, beads are earned and displayed on the Tiger Cub Totem. Beads go on the first three strands for completed requirements. The fourth strand is for Tiger Track beads which signify completed electives.

Tiger Cub requirements are grouped in five categories, with three parts each: den activity, family activity, and “Go See It”. As a boy completes each part of the requirements, he will be awarded an orange bead (den activity), a white bead (family activity), or a black bead ("Go See It").

The Tiger Cub badge is earned by boys who have completed all 15 parts of the five requirements, that is, five family activities, five den activities, and five Go See It outings. The five categories of requirements are as follows:

·         Making My Family Special

·         Where I Live

·         Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe

·         How I Tell It

·         Let’s Go Outdoors

Additionally, Tiger Cubs can choose from 50 different electives, which may be repeated for multiple credit. A yellow bead is earned for each 10 completed electives. Tiger Cub electives are as follows:

1. How Do You Celebrate	18. Sew a Button	35. Fun Outdoors
2. Making Decorations	19. Magic Fun	36. See a Performance
3. Fun and Games	20. Get the Word Out	37. Take a Bicycle Ride
4. Display a Picture	21. The Show Must Go On	38. Bicycle Repair
5. Family Mobile	22. Picnic Fun	39. Go To Work
6. Song Time	23. What Kind of Milk	40. Fun in the Water
7. Play Along	24. Help in the Kitchen	41. Transportation
8. Your Religious Leaders	25. Snack Time	42. Fun at the Zoo
9. A New Friend	26. Phone Manners	43. Pet Care
10. Helping Hands	27. Emergency	44. Dairy Products
11. Helping the Needy	28. Smoke Detectors	45. Fresh Baking
12. A Friendly Greeting	29. Safety in the Sun	46. Healthy Teeth and Gums
13. Money	30. Plant a Seed	47. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
14. Reading Fun	31. Learn About Animals	48. Go for a Ride
15. Our Colorful World	32. Feed the Birds	49. Your Government
16. Collecting and Other Hobbies	33. Cleanup Treasure Hunt	50. Banking
17. Make a Model	34. Conservation

Wolf

             

As the Wolf scout completes requirements, beads are earned and are displayed on the Progress Towards Ranks patch. A gold bead is earned for each three requirements completed. After the fourth gold bead is earned, the boy will receive his Wolf badge.

There are 12 requirements, with each containing several sub-parts. The 12 requirements are as follows:

·         Feats of Skill

·         Your Flag

·         Keep Your Body Healthy

·         Know Your Home and Community

·         Tools for Fixing and Building

·         Start a Collection

·         Your Living World

·         Cooking and Eating

·         Be Safe at Home and on the Street

·         Family Fun

·         Duty to God

·         Making Choices

In addition to the requirements, a boy is encouraged to work on the 23 groups of Wolf electives. More than 100 elective projects are available within these 23 groups. When he completes 10 elective projects, he earns a Gold Arrow Point to wear under the Wolf badge. For each additional 10 elective projects completed, he earns a Silver Arrow Point.

1. It’s a Secret	9. Let’s Have a Party	17. Tie It Right
2. Be an Actor	10. American Indian Lore	18. Outdoor Adventure
3. Make it Yourself	11. Sing Along	19. Fishing
4. Play a Game	12. Be an Artist	20. Sports
5. Spare Time Fun	13. Birds	21. Computers
6. Books, Books, Books	14. Pets	22. Say It Right
7. Foot Power	15. Grow Something	23. Let’s Go Camping
8. Machine Power	16. Family Alert

Bear

            

As the Bear scout completes requirements, beads are earned and are displayed on the Progress Towards Ranks patch. A red bead is earned for each three requirements completed. After the fourth red bead is earned, the boy will receive his Bear badge.

There are 24 requirements in 4 categories to choose from, with each category containing several sub-requirements. Boys must complete 12 of the 24 requirements to earn the Bear badge. The requirements by category are as follows:

God ·         Ways We Worship ·         Emblems of Faith      Country ·         What Makes America Special ·         Tall Tales ·         Sharing Your World with Wildlife ·         Take Care of Your Planet ·         Law Enforcement is a Big Job      Family ·         The Past is Exciting and Important ·         What’s Cooking ·         Family Fun ·         Be Ready ·         Family Outdoor Adventure ·         Saving Well, Spending Well

Self ·         Ride Right ·         Games, Games, Games ·         Building Muscles ·         Information, Please ·         Jot It Down ·         Shavings and Clippings ·         Sawdust and Nails ·         Build a Model ·         Tying It All Up ·         Sports, Sports, Sports ·         Be a Leader

In addition to the requirements, a boy is encouraged to work on the 25 groups of Bear electives. More than 100 elective projects are available within these 25 groups. When he completes 10 elective projects, he earns a Gold Arrow Point to wear under the Bear badge. For each additional 10 elective projects completed, he earns a Silver Arrow Point.

1. Space	10. Masks	19. Swimming
2. Weather	11. Photography	20. Sports
3. Radio	12. Nature Crafts	21. Sales
4. Electricity	13. Magic	22. Collecting Things
5. Boats	14. Landscaping	23. Maps
6. Aircraft	15. Water and Soil Conservation	24. American Indian Life
7. Things that Go	16. Farm Animals	25. Let’s Go Camping
8. Cub Scout Band	17. Repairs
9. Art	18. Backyard Gym

Webelos

                       

The Webelos rank is the first step in a boy's transition towards a Boy Scout troop. The Webelos program is based on 20 activities. Once a boy learns a skill, he practices it at den meetings and at home on his own. The boy's family is encouraged to help him at home. When a boy has completed the requirements for an activity badge, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the activity badges. A pin is awarded upon completion of the requirements, which can be pinned to the Webelos colors.

The 20 activities are sorted into five discipline-related groups: Community, Mental Skills, Outdoor Activity, Physical Skills and Technology. The activities by category are as follows:

Community	Mental Skills	Outdoor Activity
·         Citizen ·         Communicator ·         Family Member ·         Readyman	·         Artist ·         Scholar ·         Showman ·         Traveler	·         Forester ·         Geologist ·         Naturalist ·         Outdoorsman
Physical Skills	Technology
·         Aquanaut ·         Athlete ·         Fitness ·         Sportsman	·         Craftsman ·         Engineer ·         Handyman ·         Scientist

In order to earn the Webelos badge, there are eight specific requirements to be met as follows:

• Read the Webelos Scout Parent Guide with an adult member of your family.
• Be an active member of your Webelos den for three months.
• Know and explain the meaning of the Webelos badge.
• Point out the three special parts of the Webelos uniform. Tell when and when not to wear the uniform.
• Earn the Fitness and Citizen activity badges and one other activity badge from a different group.
• Plan and lead a flag ceremony in your den.
• Show that you know and understand the requirements to be a Boy Scout.
• Complete faith related activities.

After a boy has earned his Webelos badge, he can continue to earn activity pins as well as progress towards the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light is the highest award a Cub Scout can earn and is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout Uniform. Upon completion of the Arrow of Light, a scout can bridge into a Boy Scout troop. The Arrow of Light requirements are as follows:

Along with earning individual activity pins and the Arrow of Light, Webelos can earn the compass points emblem. This emblem is awarded after earning seven activity badges. After earning the compass points emblem, a metal compass point is earned for each four additional activity badges completed. The compass points are placed on the emblem in the "E," "W," or "S" positions, in any order.

Other Badges and Pins

Below are requirements for a few of the more common awards: Outdoor Activity Award, World Conservation and Leave No Trace. Also below is information regarding the Academic and Sports program.

Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

   

The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award may be earned in each program year as long as the requirements are completed each year. The pocket flap patch will be awarded the first time. Each successive time the award is earned, a wolf track pin may be added to the flap.

Scouts at all ranks must attend Cub Scout day camp or Cub Scout/Webelos resident camp in the current program year. Each rank has certain requirements to also fulfill as follows:

 
   Tiger

·         Complete one requirement in Achievement 5 “Let’s Go Outdoors”.

·         Complete three of the outdoor activities listed below.

 
   Wolf

·         Complete Elective 23b “Six Essentials for Going Outdoors”.

·         Complete four of the outdoor activities listed below.

 
   Bear

·         Complete Elective 25h “Leave No Trace”.

·         Complete five of the outdoor activities listed below.

   Webelos

·         Earn the Outdoorsman Activity Badge.

·         Complete six of the outdoor activities listed below.

 
   Outdoor Activities:

·         Participate in a nature hike in your local area.

·         Participate in an outdoor activity such as a picnic or park fun day.

·         Explain the buddy system and tell what to do if lost.

·         Attend a pack overnighter.

·         Complete an outdoor service project in your community.

·         Complete a nature/conservation project in your area.

·         Earn the Summertime Pack award.

·         Participate in a nature observation activity.

·         Participate in an outdoor aquatic activity.

·         Participate in an outdoor campfire program.

·         Participate in an outdoor sporting event.

·         Participate in an outdoor worship service.

·         Explore a local city, county, state or national park.

World Conservation Badge

   
The Cub Scout World Conservation Badge is earned by completing various requirements as well as a conservation project. This award can be earned only once while a Cub Scout. The specific requirements by rank are below:

 
   Wolf

·         Complete requirement #7 Your Living World.

·         Complete all Arrow Points in two of the three electives:

Ø  #13 Birds

Ø  #15 Grow Something

Ø  #19 Fishing

·         Participate in a den or pack conservation project.

    
   Bear

·         Complete requirement #5 Sharing Your World with Wildlife.

·         Complete all Arrow Points in two of the three electives:

Ø  #2 Weather

Ø  #12 Nature Crafts

Ø  #15 Water and Soil Conservation

·         Participate in a den or pack conservation project.

   Webelos

·         Earn the Forester activity badge.

·         Earn the Naturalist activity badge.

·         Earn the Outdoorsman activity badge.

·         Participate in a den or pack conservation project.

Leave No Trace

   
Leave No Trace is a plan that helps Scouts to be more concerned for the environment and protecting it for future generations. The message encourages people who spend time outdoors to behave in a way that minimizes the impacts to the environment. The requirements are as follows:

The Academic and Sports Program is an optional program for all Cub Scouts that contains a variety of academic subjects and sports activities. Scouts earn belt loops and pins for completing various requirements, which can be done on their own, at day camp, or with their den or pack.

Belt loops are awarded to boys who complete three specified requirements in an academic subject or sport. Academic belt loops are gold, and Sports belt loops are silver (except for the Archery and BB-gun Shooting belt loops, which are copper colored). Pins are awarded to boys who choose to continue their involvement in an academics or sports area and earn the pin by meeting the appropriate requirements.

                        

The categories for the Academics and Sports program are as follows:

Academics	Sports
·         Art	·         Archery
·         Astronomy	·         Badminton
·         Chess	·         Baseball
·         Citizenship	·         Basketball
·         Collecting	·         BB-Gun Shooting
·         Communicating	·         Bicycling
·         Computers	·         Bowling
·         Disability Awareness	·         Fishing
·         Family Travel	·         Flag Football
·         Geography	·         Golf
·         Geology	·         Gymnastics
·         Good Manners	·         Hiking
·         Heritages	·         Hockey
·         Language and Culture	·         Horseback Riding
·         Map and Compass	·         Kickball
·         Mathematics	·         Ice Skating
·         Music	·         Marbles
·         Nutrition	·         Physical Fitness
·         Pet Care	·         Roller Skating
·         Photography	·         Skateboarding
·         Reading and Writing	·         Snow Ski and Board Sports
·         Science	·         Soccer
·         Video Games	·         Softball
·         Weather	·         Swimming
·         Wildlife Conservation	·         Table Tennis
	·         Tennis
	·         Ultimate
	·         Volleyball

For guidance on the proper display of awards, see the Badges & Insignia page on our website. For more detailed information on the various advancement opportunities as well as the Academic and Sports Belt Loop and Pin requirements, visit the Merit Badge website at http://meritbadge.org.