Originally started as as a pilot program in 2017, Lion is now an official rank on the Cub Scout advancement trail. Lions is a fun introduction to the Scouting program for kindergarten-age youth. Lions do adventures with their adult partners and other Lions. This program introduces youth and their families to Scouting and the outdoors as it builds a foundation of character. Everything as a Lion is done with an adult partner.

• A parent or guardian is required to attend all Lion meetings and activities with their Cub Scout.

• The Lion Den will need a parent/guardian to serve as the primary Den Leader, but leadership responsibilities will be shared among all parents in the Den.

The Lion rank is earned by completing five required adventures, as well as completing the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide. 

First graders, and anyone beyond that grade who is new to Cub Scouting, completes the Bobcat Badge prior to working on their grade-specific badge of rank. Kindergartners, who are Lions, do not work on the Bobcat Badge. A scout must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include:

• • Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law and tell what they mean;

  • Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what they mean; and

  • With your parent or guardian complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.

The Tiger rank is for scouts who are in first grade or are age 7. To earn the Tiger badge, a scout must complete six required adventures with his den or family and one elective adventure of their den or family’s choosing. As the scout completes each adventure, they will receive the adventure loop for that adventure, which they can wear on their belt. When the scout has completed the seven required adventures, they can receive the Tiger badge.

After they have earned the Tiger badge, a Tiger Scout can work on the remaining 12 Tiger electives until they finish first grade (or turn 8 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scouts BSA years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.

The Wolf rank is for scouts who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. Their parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing them off in Scoutbook, our advancement tracking tool, and the scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the scout has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to their parent or guardian at the next pack meeting.

After they have earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout can work on the remaining 12 Wolf electives until they finish second grade (or turns 9 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scouts BSA years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.

The Bear rank is for scouts who have finished second grade (or who are 9 years old). To earn the Bear badge, a scout must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. Their parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing them off in Scoutbook, our advancement tracking tool, and the scout receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the scout has met all requirements, the Bear badge is presented during a pack meeting.

After they have earned the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until they finish third grade (or turn 10 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scouts BSA years. When they complete an elective adventure, they receive an additional adventure loop to wear on their belt.

Webelos dens are for scouts who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). Webelos Scouts get to work on the five required Webelos adventures and choose two of the 18 elective adventures that are shared by the Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks.

When a scouts has done the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure a scouts completes, they receive a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat. After completing seven adventures, including five required adventures and two elective adventures, a Scout can receive the Webelos badge.

After they have earned the Webelos badge, a Webelos Scout can work on the remaining 18 shared Webelos and Arrow of Light electives until they finish fourth grade (or turns 11 years old). They can choose elective adventures that may show them new hobbies and teach them skills that will be useful during their Scouts BSA years.

The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to join Scouts BSA. Scouts must complete four required adventures and three elective adventures to earn the Arrow of Light rank. For each adventure a scout completes, they receive a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on their hat.

The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform when a scout graduates into a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light rank when they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their adult uniform.