Note that all Cub Scouts are in a single unit called the pack.
The former Tiger Cub program (begun in 1982) has finally been fully integrated into the Cub Scout pack. First-graders are now called Cub Scouts instead of Tiger Cubs, and work on the Tiger rank. The Tiger rank badge now shows a life-like drawing of a tiger (like other Cub Scout rank badges) instead of the former smiling cartoon tiger.
A new Lions program is being introduced (currently undergoing development in a number of Councils). This is for boys in Kindergarten (or age 5). Lions will pursue themed activities called "Adventures", earning a sticker to go in their Lion Adventure Book for each completed Adventure. The six- to eight-boy Lion den is led by parents called "Lion Guides". The Lion "uniform" is a T-shirt, and attendance at monthly pack meetings is limited. This sure sounds exactly like the way Tiger Cubs started in 1982, right down to the T-shirts, the limited pack participation, and the smiling cartoon lion. Wonder how long until Lion will become a full Cub Scout rank, with Lions wearing the full Cub Scout uniform and attending all pack meetings? The new Lions program should not be confused with the old Lion rank (Cub Scouting's original highest rank), which was discontinued in 1967 when the Webelos program expanded to a full year.
Cub Scouts wear a blue uniform with a different-colored neckerchief denoting their level. Webelos can wear the blue uniform, or switch to the khaki Boy Scout uniform with Webelos insignia. Hats and neckerchief slides also change year by year.
Cub Scouts no longer have a separate Cub Scout Promise and Law of the Pack, but now learn the same Scout Oath and Scout Law as Boy Scouts.
Cub Scouting youth are male only.
The Academics and Sports belt loops program has been discontinued, and gold & silver arrow points are gone. In their place are adventure loops (for Cub Scouts) and adventure pins (for Webelos Scouts).
Although Akela (term for any adult leader) is still around, Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book (the original basis for the Cub Scout program) has been de-emphasized.
Cub Scouting adults are coed, with all positions open to those 21 or older, and only Assistant Cubmaster, Assistand Den Leader, & Assistant Webelos Den Leader open to those ages 18 to 20.
Age Range / Highest Award
Program Level
Minimum Age
Maximum Age
Highest Award
Lions or Lion Cub Scouts
Kindergarten OR age 5
Tiger age
Tiger Cub Scouts
completed Kindergarten OR age 7*
Wolf age
Wolf Cub Scouts
completed grade 1 OR age 8*
Bear age
Bear Cub Scouts
completed grade 2 OR age 9*
Webelos age
Webelos Scouts
completed grade 3 OR age 10*
until age 11.5 OR completed grade 5
Arrow of Light
Lion Badge
(not yet a rank)
Tiger Neckerchief
Wolf Neckerchief
Bear Neckerchief
Webelos Neckerchief
*Note that Cub Scout minimum chronological age requirements are primarily designed to meet church requirements for packs in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most non-LDS packs use the younger school-grade minimums.
Cub Scouts & Webelos Scouts wear every rank badge they have earned.
All boys must earn the Bobcat rank (joining requirements) first, regardless of when they join Cub Scouting.
All Cub Scout and Webelos ranks are based on grade.
Bobcat (joining requirements; now considered a rank)
Tiger (rank for boys in First grade; formerly called Tiger Cub)
Wolf (rank for boys in Second grade)
Bear (rank for boys in Third grade)
Webelos (rank for boys in Fourth grade)
(for wear with blue uniform/left; khaki uniform/right)
Arrow of Light (highest rank, for boys in Fifth grade)
Cub Scouting (BSA)
