The Boy Scouts of America replaced major portions of the
Cub Scout Advancement Program as of June 1, 2015.
The prior program ended on May 31, 2015.
Further modifications were announced on November 30, 2016.
In 2018, Girls became eligible to join Cub Scouting, new Handbooks were issued
in September, 2018,
and the Lion program for Kindergarten age youth became a permanent Program.
Note: in the descriptions below, we have listed the programs by Grade Level. Some units use age levels instead of grades.
Boys in kindergarten and the first through third grades (5-9 year olds) are referred to as "Cub Scouts". Boys in the fourth and fifth grades (9 and 10 year olds) are called "Webelos Scouts". "Webelos" is an Acronym which stands for WE'll BE LOyal Scouts (WE-BE-LO-S), and is not a "plural" word form. It is an adjective, and should always include the "S".
Current Program:
The New Cub Scout Program, which began on June 1, 2015, still features Rank Advancement, which is now based on a series of "Core" (Required), and "Elective" (Optional) "Adventures". The Sports and Academics program has been discontinued, with some features from that program merged into the various "Adventures".
Changes to the Program on November 30, 2016:
On November 30, 2016, BSA announced further modifications to the program, based on a review of the program after a year of implementation. Changes were made to requirements for the Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light badges and the Adventures for those ranks. No changes were made to the Bobcat requirements. The following is quoted from the report of the Task Force that conducted the review:
Purpose
With one year of experience, feedback suggests that the new design of the Cub Scout program did successfully address many original concerns, but also indicates an opportunity for further modifications. Cub advancement was down after the first year of implementation and we know that correlates to lower member satisfaction and subsequently, lower retention. Some Den Leaders are having difficulty fitting all the Adventures required for advancement into their program year given their number of Den meetings and weather/daylight issues for outdoor activities. Overnight camping is a significant hurdle for some. Duty to God requirements connote organized religion to some and are not seen as embracing a belief in God and spirituality outside of specific faiths.A task force was formed to draft modifications to the Cub Scout Program that would address this feedback. These modifications are designed to ensure that Adventure requirements are achievable by today’s Cub Scout dens within a program year and achievable by Cub Scouts from a wide range of backgrounds and socio-cultural experiences.
The revisions were distributed in electronic form (PDF's) to get the material into leaders hands as quickly as possible, and were followed by printed addendums (with some minor changes) that were included with the unedited handbooks during 2017 and the first 8 months of 2018. In September, 2018, in conjunction with the expansion of Cub Scouting to female youth, new, gender neutral, editions were issued for each of the Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Handbooks , incorporating the changed requirements (with a few minor revisions).
The changes have all been incorporated into our Cub Scout advancement web pages and workbooks. In a few cases, the name of the Adventure changed, and a pair of Adventures were swapped between the required and optional lists. we have also provided web pages showing the detailed changes, which in many cases are minor wording changes or rearrangements of the requirements. In addition, web pages (and workbooks) with the previous wording of the requirements are also available. Links to the changes and to the previous requirements can be found near the top of the pages for the current requirements. Links to the previous versions of the workbooks can be found on the pages with the previous requirements. A detailed list of all the changes to the requirements which were made in the new Handbooks is available by clicking here.
Bert Bender prepared a fabulous detailed summary of the 2015 changes, with commentary. A copy can be downloaded by clicking here.
Lion was a national pilot program of the Boy Scouts of America for kindergarten-age boys, which operated in 198 local Councils during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 program years. Only those Cub Scout Packs in those councils that wished to use the program could do so. The program was approved as a national program, available to both boys and girls, in early 2018, to be effective in the 2018-2019 program year.
Cub Scouts who join while they are in kindergarten work on the Lion badge, After that, they, as well as all Cub Scouts who join after Kindergarten, earn the Bobcat Badge. After earning the Bobcat Badge, they proceed to work on advancement specific to their grade or age level. As part of these requirements, they still learn the the Cub Scout Motto, Salute, Handshake, and Sign. The Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack have been retired, and replaced with the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
- In Kindergarten, Cub Scouts work toward earning the Lion badge. The requirements are found in the Lion Cub Scout Den Leader Guide.
- In the First Grade, Cub Scouts work toward earning the Tiger badge. The requirements are found in the Tiger Handbook. The Tiger Track Emblem and beads are no longer used.
- In the Second Grade, Cub Scouts work toward the Wolf Badge. The requirements are found in the Wolf Handbook. The Gold and Silver Arrow Points are no longer used.
- In the Third Grade, Cub Scouts work toward the Bear Badge. The requirements are found in the Bear Handbook. Again, the Gold and Silver Arrow Points are no longer used.
- The Webelos Program is a two year program for Fourth and Fifth Grade Youths. Fourth Grade Youth work toward the Webelos Badge, while Fifth Graders work toward the Arrow of Light badge. The requirements for both are found in the Webelos Handbook. Both grades select from a common group of Elective Adventures. The Webelos Activity Badges and the Compass Point Emblem are no longer used, and the Webelos Badge is no longer a prerequisite for the Arrow of Light.
The Lion, Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light rank requirements, including the requirements for all of the "Adventures" are posted on this site. Use the links below to see the requirements.
Checklists for each of the Rank Badges, and Workbooks for each of the various required and elective Adventures for each rank have been developed and are available through links on each of the pages listed above, or from an index page, by clicking here. ZIP files, containing all of the Checklists for the Rank Badges and all of the Workbooks for the Adventures for each Rank can also be downloaded, by clicking here.
Advancement Tracking Spreadsheets by
Scott Selhorst (right-click
on these links and save to your hard drive).
These spreadsheets track Cub Scout advancement under the current requirements.
| Advancement Requirements For use at the DEN level |
Excel Format | |||
| Lion - Version 1.10 {revised October, 2022} |
Lion_Tracker_v1.10.xlsx | (204KB) | Lion_Tracker_v1.10.zip | (128KB) | ..
| Tiger - Version 4.3 {revised August, 2023} |
Tiger_Tracker_v4.3.xlsx | (329KB) | Tiger_Tracker_v4.3.zip | (238KB) |
| Wolf - Version 4.3 {revised August, 2023} |
Wolf_Tracker_v4.3.xlsx | (348KB) | Wolf_Tracker_v4.3.zip | (245KB) |
| Bear - Version 4.3 {revised August, 2023} |
Bear_Tracker_v4.3.xlsx | (344KB) | Bear_Tracker_v4.3.zip | (243KB) |
| Webelos and AOL- Version 3.4 {revised August, 2023} |
Webelos_AOL_Tracker_v3.4.xlsx | (632KB) | Webelos_AOL_Tracker_v3.4.zip | (532KB) |
| Award Requirements For use at the PACK level |
Excel Format | |||
| Cub Awards Tracking - Version 1.7 {revised August, 2022} |
Cub_Awards_Tracking_v1.7.xlsx | (124KB) | Cub_Awards_Tracking_v1.7.zip | (69KB) |
| Summertime Activity Award Version 1.7 {revised May, 2023} |
Summertime_Award_v1.7.xlsx | (59KB) | Summertime_Award_v1.7.zip | (48KB) |
| All spreadsheets in a single ZIP compressed File: {revised August, 2023} |
Cub_Tracking.zip | (1501KB) | ||
Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts, are also able to earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award and the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award, but the requirements for those awards have been revised to reflect the new Cub Scouts program. The new requirements can be found by clicking on the links above. Requirements for the National Den Award and the National Summertime Pack Award have also been revised to reflect the new Cub Scouts program.
Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts will also still be able to earn a series of Religious Emblems awarded by a number of religious organizations, and they will still be able to earn a number of other Special Awards and Emblems, including the Nova and Supernova Awards.. The requirements did change to some extent, but were not significantly affected by the changes to the Cub Scout Advancement program..
Preview Adventures
Cub Scout Preview Adventures are new elective adventures for Cub Scouts. During the preview period these adventures will be under evaluation and possible revision. It will be determined how much interest there is, based on several factors. Successful previews will be considered to be included in the next edition of the Cub Scout handbooks. These adventures count toward advancement just like other elective adventures. The requirements, den meeting plans, and program resources are available on Scouting.org. Preview Adventure recognition items are purple in color for all ranks to signify they are in preview mode. Adventure loops and pins for preview adventures can only be purchased online at ScoutShop.org. Two preview adventures were announced in 2020, and a third was added in 2021. The preview adventures can be earned by Cub Scouts at various levels, There are different requirements for the preview adventures for the various Cub Scout Ranks.
As of May 1, 2021, these were the preview adventures under consideration and which levels may earn them:
- Protect Yourself Rules Preview Adventure (All levels)
- Yo-Yo Preview Adventure (Wolf, Bear, Webelos, & Arrow of Light)
- Modular Design Preview
Adventure (Bear, Webelos, & Arrow of Light)
- Requirements for Bear
- Requirements for Webelos
- Requirements for Arrow of Light
Note: For Cub Scout ranks; Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light, the Cyber Chip requirement may be replaced with earning the Protect Yourself Rules Adventure. Lions do not have a Cyber Chip requirement for rank. If Cub Scouts use the Protect Yourself Rules Adventure in place of the Cyber Chip requirement, the adventure can not be used as an elective for rank.
Changes that will take place as of May 31, 2022
In May, 2021, BSA announced that 19 Cub Scout Adventures would be retired at the end of May, 2022. Cub Scouts can still earn these electives through then, but not after that date. So, from the Spring of 2021 through the spring of 2022 will be the last time to work on these adventures. However, inventory for loops and pins is limited and will only be available while supplies last. Cub Scouts can still wear the adventure loops and pins after that date. Once it’s earned, it’s not taken away from the Cub Scout.
The following elective adventures will be retired, effective May 31, 2022.
- Tiger
- Family Stories
- Earning Your Stripes
- Tiger Tales
- Tiger Theater
- Wolf
- Collections and Hobbies
- Grow Something
- Hometown Heroes
- Motor Away
- Bear
- Beat of the Drum
- World of Sound
- Make It Move
- Robotics
- Webelos/Arrow of Light
- Looking Back Looking Forward
- Maestro
- Project Family
- Build My Hero
- Adventures in Science
- Fix It
- Movie Making
Prior Program:
The previous Cub Scout Program had two basic features, Rank Advancement, and the Academics and Sports Program. The Academics and Sports program has been discontinued, with some features of that program merged into the advancement requirements.
Cub Scouts joining as First Grade boys entered the Tiger Cub Program. Tiger Cubs, completed Achievements to earn the Tiger Cub Badge, and completed Electives to receive Tiger Track Beads to wear from a belt emblem. The Tiger Cub Handbook was issued in the summer of 2001. Some minor changes took effect in June 2006, including dropping the former "Tiger Cub Motto" which was replaced by the Cub Scout Motto, and the requirement that Tiger Cubs earn the Bobcat Badge BEFORE the Tiger Cub badge, instead of after that badge.
The first badge all Cub Scouts earned, regardless of age, was (and continues to be) the Bobcat Badge. After earning the Bobcat Badge, they proceed to work on advancement specific to their age level. As part of these requirements, they formerly had to learn the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto. The Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack have been retired, and replaced with the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
Cub Scouts joining as First Grade boys entered the Tiger Cub Program. Tiger Cubs, completed Achievements to earn the Tiger Cub Badge, and completed Electives to receive Tiger Track Beads to wear from a belt emblem. The Tiger Cub Handbook was issued in the summer of 2001. Some minor changes took effect in June 2006, including dropping the former "Tiger Cub Motto" which was replaced by the Cub Scout Motto, and the requirement that Tiger Cubs earn the Bobcat Badge BEFORE the Tiger Cub badge, instead of after that badge.
In the Second Grade, Cub Scouts worked toward the Wolf Badge, then toward a Gold Arrow Point and one or more Silver Arrow Points The requirements for these badges were found in the Wolf Cub Scout Book.
In the Third Grade, Cub Scouts worked toward the Bear Badge, then they, too, worked toward earning a Gold Arrow Point and Silver Arrow Points. The requirements for these badges were found in the Bear Cub Scout Book.
The Webelos Program was (and remains) a two year program for Fourth and Fifth Grade Boys. In both years, they worked toward earning Webelos Activity Badges in twenty different areas, arranged in five groups. Fourth Grade Boys worked toward the Webelos Badge. Fifth Graders, after earning the Webelos Badge, earned the Arrow of Light. In addition to the two rank badges, after earning the Webelos Badge, boys worked toward the Compass Point Emblem and Metal Compass Points as they earned additional Activity Badges.
Wolf Cub Scout, Bear Cub Scout, and Webelos Scout Books were issued in 1998 and revised editions in 2003. Lists of the changes to the requirements which were made in 1998 are posted on our website for the Wolf Badge, Wolf Arrow Points, Bear Badge, Bear Arrow Points, Webelos and Arrow of Light Badges, and Webelos Activity Badges.
Although no longer in use, The former Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light rank requirements, and the requirements for the Webelos Activity Badges are still posted on this site. Use the links below to see what the requirements were. There are also links on those pages to pages that show the previous requirements, and what changed in 2003.
Advancement Transfers for Foreign Scouts
Questions arise occasionally on whether a Cub Scout moving to the USA from another country can use the advancements he had earned in that country toward advancement in a BSA unit. For the answer, click here.
