The Cub Scout Advancement Trail Vest can be ordered online
Cub Scouts advance through the following ranks before they move on to become Boy Scouts:
Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As scouts advance through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities learned as scouts get older. The official Boy Scouts of America site details Cub Scout Advancement. You may need to login to set up a password and username to use this site. (This is the same site we use for Youth Protection Training.) Cub Scout Handbooks for each rank also include helpful information. A high level summary of Cub Scout Ranks and Awards is provided in the sections below. |
Award Tracking
The Den Leaders Handbook is the best starting point for learning about Awards, Badges, Pin, Belt Loops, Beads and their requirements. A wealth of information is also available on the following websites:
All official rank awards, pins, belt loops, etc. can be ordered from our Pack's Awards & Supplies Coordinator. This is how we keep track of who has earned which beads, arrows, etc. We downloaded the rank specific TRAX spreadsheet from this website. It's really easy to use! http://trax.boy-scouts.net/cubtrax.htmAcademics and Sports Letter and PinsOnce you have earned the belt loop, you can stop. But if you want to do more with the activity, you may complete extra requirements to earn a pin. This is how we keep track of who has earned which beads, arrows, etc. We downloaded the rank specific TRAX spreadsheet from this website. It's really easy to use! http://trax.boy-scouts.net/cubtrax.htm A good place to display Academics and Sports pins is on the Academics and Sports letter. You can wear the letter on a sweater or a jacket, or display or frame it. The letter does not go on the Cub Scout uniform. There are no special requirements for earning the letter, because it's just for displaying the pins. To answer your questions specifically: 1.) All Fun Patches, not sold or recognized by BSA, are not allowed on the uniform. The patches can be displayed on a Red Vest, Pillow, Blanket, etc. Only Official BSA patches, like the Tiger patch, Wolf Patch, etc. may be worn on the uniform. With the exception of the Cub Scout badges of rank and Arrow Points, members wear only the insignia that show their present status in the movement. Members should make every effort to keep their uniforms neat and uncluttered. Previously earned badges and insignia—not representing present status—make a fine display on a BSA red patch vest, a trophy hide or blanket, exhibited in the home of the recipient, or at functions where such a display is invited. 2.) Yes, parents are responsible for telling the leader about activities done outside the den. However, it is a good idea for the leader to write a note to the parents asking for the parents to let the leader know (by a specific date) what the scout has been doing. I asked our parents to fill in the back of the book (the tiger tracks, wolf paws, etc...) give their scout's book to Candace, and Candace takes the book and fills in the Cubtrax spreadsheet with the information. We ask for this information about every two months. 3.) A good idea is to honor the boys with patches/awards around Christmas time at a Christmas celebration or year end party. Another suggested time is to give them awards in February Den Meeting. Leaders can also give patches or belt loops after the scout has completed a specific task like rock climbing, roller skating, bike riding, etc. Pack meetings are also a good way to present what the boys have done as a rank. Although, at a Pack meeting the presentation needs to be a bit shorter than what can be done at a Den meeting. And again, the Pack meeting presentation is presented as a Rank, not boy specific. Boy specific honors should be presented at the Den meeting and it is also a good idea to invite the parents. It's a nice touch, if they can make it. Hope this helps answer your questions. Cub Scouts earn awards when they have fulfilled achievements listed in their rank handbooks. As they progress through the ranks they can also earn Beads, Arrow Points (for Wolf and Bear ranks), Compass Points (Weblos rank) for certain achievements they work towards. Special Honor pataches my be awarded as well, such as the Conservation Award and Webelos Super Achiever award. As well as their rank awards, Scouts may earn many other awards. For example, Scouts may earn Activity Pins, Belt Loops, Letters (see the back of the Scout Workbook for more details about these Activity Awards. You may also look at the official Boy Scout of American web site for more detials.http://www.scoutingbsa.org/Programs/CubScouts/CubScoutAwards/Index.html the Pack Award Person: Mary Seals. Her contact details are - As a leader, you are responsible for ordering your awards for your den and Scouts You may also choose to award your Scouts with fun patches. Fun patches can be ordered through this web site. Please note, fun patches are FUN, they are not allowed to be worn on your uniform. However, a special vest, blanket, etc. can be made so that the boys can display their fun patches. Also note that these are not official patches and thus become the expense of the Den. The Pack does not stock fun patches or pay for fun patches. http://www.advantageemblem.comCub Scout handbooks detail how Scouts can earn belt loops, letters, pins, trophies and other awards for each rank. Supplemental Academics and Sports programs allow scouts to earn belt loops, letters, pins, trophies or other awards. The Academics subjects and Sports activities allow boys to learn new techniques, increase scholarship skills, develop sportsmanship, and have fun. Emphasis is on introducing a boy to a sport or academic subject, allowing him to participate in it, and encouraging him to do his best. Boys participating in the program will be recognized for enjoying teamwork, developing physical fitness, and discovering and building new talents. Scouts can display awards on youth patch vests which can be ordered online from the U.S. for $14.99USD each through our Pack Supplies Coordinator. Award Tracking Tools
|
Bobcat Rank
This is the first rank a Cub Scout earns. 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.
Tiger Cub Immediate Recognition Emblem
The Tiger Cub program is for boys ages 7 years old or in the 1st grade. To begin his path to the Tiger Cub rank, the Tiger Cub must learn the Cub Scout promise, the Cub Scout sign, and the Cub Scout salute.
When he has accomplished these tasks, he will be awarded his Tiger Cub immediate recognition emblem. This is a tiger paw with four strands for beads that he wears on the right pocket. As a boy completes each part of the achievements, he will be awarded either an orange (den activities), white (family activities), or black ("Go See It") bead. When the boy has earned five beads of each color, he is eligible to receive his Tiger Cub badge.
When he has accomplished these tasks, he will be awarded his Tiger Cub immediate recognition emblem. This is a tiger paw with four strands for beads that he wears on the right pocket. As a boy completes each part of the achievements, he will be awarded either an orange (den activities), white (family activities), or black ("Go See It") bead. When the boy has earned five beads of each color, he is eligible to receive his Tiger Cub badge.
Tiger Cub Badge
The Tiger Cub badge is presented to the adult partner at the next pack meeting. In an impressive ceremony, the adult partner in turn presents the badge to the boy.
Wolf Rank
The Wolf rank is for boys who have completed first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass 12 achievements involving simple physical and mental skills. His parent or guardian approves each achievement by signing his book. When all requirements are satisfied, the Wolf badge is presented to his parent or guardian at the next pack meeting in an impressive advancement ceremony, during which the parent or guardian in turn presents the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Wolf badge, a boy is encouraged to work on the 22 Wolf electives until he completes second grade (or turns 9 years old). More than 100 elective projects are aimed at kindling his interest in new hobbies, as well as teaching him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. 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.
After he has earned the Wolf badge, a boy is encouraged to work on the 22 Wolf electives until he completes second grade (or turns 9 years old). More than 100 elective projects are aimed at kindling his interest in new hobbies, as well as teaching him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. 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.
Bear Rank
The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade (or are 9 years old). There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories; boys must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge. These requirements are more difficult and challenging than those for the Wolf badge. When the boy has earned his Bear badge, he may work on electives for credit toward Arrow Points to be worn under the Bear badge.
Webelos Rank
Webelos dens are for boys who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). The Webelos den program is different from the Cub Scout den program: Instead of being based on a monthly theme, the Webelos den program is based on one of 20 Webelos activities. Webelos Scouts work on requirements during their weekly den meetings. Once the boy learns the 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 or activity badge counselor, rather than a parent, approves most of the activity badges.
When a boy has completed the requirements for an activity badge, the Webelos den leader or activity badge counselor, rather than a parent, approves most of the activity badges.
Arrow of Light Award
The pinnacle of Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light Award. The requirements for this badge include developing outdoor skills, gaining an understanding of the values of Scouting, and preparing to become a Boy Scout. This recognition is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the uniform when a boy graduates into a Boy Scout troop.
Arrow of Light Award - Adults
Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light as a youth may also wear the appropriate square knot on their adult uniform.
