At each level of Cub Scouts, your scout will be challenged appropriately. Here are the programs your scout will expect to experience as she or he rises through the ranks.

LION CUB

Research shows that childhood development accelerates around ages four and five, about the time youth begin formal education. To supplement the learning and growth children experience at home and in an educational environment at that age, Scouting America has developed a program for five-year-old kindergarten children called “Lion.” Parents of Lions work together, largely independently of the Pack, to meet and play through the self-guided adventures laid out in their Lion activity books. The Pack provides a mentor known as a “Lion Guide” who will coach the group through their first session and serve as a resource for any questions or ideas to help those parents develop a plan for future sessions throughout the year. In the Lion program, an Adult Partner (a parent, grandparent, or other guardian) always accompanies each scout. All the Lions and their Adult Partners form a team or “Den” and work with their new friends at their own pace. Lions may be invited to attend the occasional Pack meeting and other age appropriate activities, such as the Pinewood Derby race and family camping events.

TIGERS

In the Tigers program, an Adult Partner (a parent, grandparent, or other guardian) always accompanies each scout. The Tigers and an Adult Partner form a team. The first few Tiger meetings are organized and run by the Tiger Den Leader in order to introduce the Tigers and Adult Partners to Scouting. After that, each Tiger/Adult team selects a topic from the Tiger book and presents the topic to the Tiger Group (one topic per meeting). The Tiger earns progress beads towards their Tiger badge. Completion of this badge earns the right for the Scout to wear the Tiger patch on their uniform. At the end of the Scout year (in May), Tigers graduate into a Wolf den.

WOLF CUB

In the Wolf program, completion of adventures found within the Wolf handbook leads to earning the Wolf badge and Adventure loops. The Wolf handbook includes many activities that are family oriented. Your child will need your assistance to earn this rank. Completion of this badge earns the right for the Scout to wear the Wolf patch on his uniform. At the end of the Scout year (in May), Wolf scouts graduate into a Bear den.

BEAR CUB

In the Bear program, completion of Adventures in the Bear handbook leads to earning the Bear badge. The Bear handbook includes many activities that are family oriented. Your scout will need your assistance to earn this rank. Completion of this badge earns the right for the Scout to wear the Bear patch on his uniform. At the end of the Scout year (in May), Bears graduate into a WEBELOS den.

WEBELOS (We'll Be Loyal Scouts)

The Webelos program (and there is always an “s” at the end of Webelos) is designed to transition the scouts from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA. In the Webelos program, scouts earn Adventure pins in areas such as personal fitness, citizenship, personal safety, and outdoor life that count towards the Webelos rank. At the end of the Scout year (in May), Webelos graduate into an AOL den.

Arrow of Light (AOL)

The Arrow of Light (AOL) is the highest rank in Cub Scouting and the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform. It is typically earned by fifth-grade Cub Scouts (or those who are at least 10 years old) as they prepare to transition into a Scouts BSA troop. Earning the Arrow of Light involves learning outdoor skills, understanding the ideals of Scouting, participating in service, and becoming familiar with the patrol method and troop activities. It serves as a bridge between Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA, recognizing readiness for the next stage of the Scouting journey