Cub Scout Advancement
On the Cub Scout advancement trail, a Scout progresses from rank to rank (grade to grade), learning new skills along the way. As Cub Scouts get older and advance through the ranks, the requirements become more challenging to match their new skills and abilities. Cub Scout advancement includes a wide range of group and individual activities youth enjoy – and values parents prize. The activities are carefully selected to encourage physical, intellectual, character and leadership development.
Be a hero to your Scout and their friends by leading Handbook Adventures in their den. How? Check out our simpler “Assembled” Den Meeting Plans for each rank and grade through the links below!
The ranks and activities tied to a Cub Scout’s grade are as follows:
Kindergarten Cub Scouts work toward the Lion badge by doing adventures in the Lion Handbook – here’s our Lion Rank Advancement page linking to the Scouting America Lion adventure resource pages plus a local District resource page with “Assembled” Den Meeting Plans, links, videos and other ideas for each of the six “required” adventures and the 16 “elective” adventures.
A Cub Scout will start at the rank and Handbook appropriate to the Cub Scout’s age (grade). To make rank advancement easier and more fun for leaders and parents we have the information linked in our Rank Advancement pages above (also to the right). Also to make advancement and Den and Pack activities easier and more fun, we have these resources:
- Want to Coordinate Advancement Activities at Pack Campouts and other Pack Events? We have a page that links similar Adventures from different Handbooks. Learning to ride a bike? This shows you Adventures with Cycling. Want to go fish? This connects Lion through Arrow of Light. And more will be added!
- Got Small Dens? (This is common). How Do We Do Den Rank Advancement? If you have a small group in a grade (five or fewer), it makes sense to start out by joining similar grades together in a “mixed” den – we will grow resources to help you with that.
- Fun Adventures Not In Our Handbook? Can We Do Them? Sure! While the new program does better at having similar Adventures across ranks (cycling, swimming, derbies, conservation, camping, and others) there are still some that are only found in one Handbook. For a full program that your Scouts like, if a Scout does the work, they earn the loop or pin. Do your Cub Scouts love their pets? Go ahead and do the Critter Care Adventure in the Bear Handbook. Are they fascinated by the night sky and stars and planets? Let them work on the Sky is the Limit Adventure in the Tiger Handbook. If it isn’t in their current year’s handbook, it’s just a loop or pin (doesn’t count for Rank advancement) – but it might be one that your Scouts really enjoy. More on this idea is found here.
Beyond The Ranks – Additional Awards and Recognition: |
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This award recognizes a Scout who recruits a friend into Scouting. Any Scout can recruit a friend and earn this badge. |
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Each of 37 major religions or religious organizations have organized an Emblem program that adherents can pursue to strengthen their faith. |
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To recognize individuals who participate in a Messengers of Peace project (service project) – youth and adults. A global service project program carried out by Scouts throughout the world. |
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Uniforms Check out where to put all your patches on your uniform! |
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