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Cub Scouts BSA

Age Requirements / Advancement / Highest Awards

Note that all Cub Scouts are in a single unit called a pack.
The former Tiger Cub program (begun in 1982) has finally been fully integrated into the Cub Scout pack. The term 'Tiger Cub' is now officially obsolete, and first-graders are called Tiger Cub Scouts or simply Tigers, and they 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 became officially available nationwide in mid-2018. This is for kids in Kindergarten (or age 5). Lions will pursue themed activities called "Adventures", and work toward the new Lion rank as members of a Lion den under the leadership of their den leaders (previously called 'Lion Guides'). Lions had worn just a T-shirt as a 'uniform', but now can wear the full blue Cub Scout uniform (with special Lions hat). Attendance at monthly pack meetings is somewhat limited, though parents can choose to attend more pack meetings if they wish. The new Lion rank patch is a rectangular strip (BSA has dropped the earlier diamond-shaped patch), which can be sewn on the upper left of the Lions T-shirt or under the left pocket of the Cub Scout uniform shirt. 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 mascot. Already BSA has started allowing Lions to attend pack meetings and take part in the Pinewood Derby. The new Lion rank 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 neckerchief, slide, and hat to denote their level. Webelos now wear only the tan Scout uniform with Webelos insignia (the blue Cub Scout uniform is no longer an option for Webelos). This means that parents get to buy a new hat, neckerchief, and slide every year in Cub Scouts.
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 Scouts.
Cub Scouting is coed as of 2018, though packs can choose to be male-youth only, female-youth only, or mixed. Dens in mixed packs must be single-gender, although girl and boy dens may meet and do den activities together.
The Academics and Sports belt loops program has been discontinued, and gold & silver arrow points (which were a pain to sew on) are gone. In their place are adventure loops (for Cub Scouts) and adventure pins (for Webelos Scouts).
The older Cub Scouts are called Webelos or Webelos Scouts (rather than Webelos Cub Scouts). Note that 'Webelos' is always spelled with the 's'; the often-used term 'Webelo' is not correct.
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.

Program Level	Minimum Age	Maximum Age	Highest Rank	Neckerchief
Lions or Lion Cub Scouts	Kindergarten	completed Kindergarten	Lion rank
Tigers or Tiger Cub Scouts	completed Kindergarten	completed grade 1	Tiger rank
Wolves or Wolf Cub Scouts	completed grade 1	completed grade 2	Wolf rank
Bears or Bear Cub Scouts	completed grade 2	completed grade 3	Bear rank
Webelos Scouts (first-year)	completed grade 3	completed grade 4	Webelos rank *
Webelos Scouts (second-year)	completed grade 4	completed grade 5	Arrow of Light rank *

*Note that a Webelos Scout can now earn the Arrow of Light rank without earning the Webelos rank (change since 2014).
The Wolf neckerchief was changed from yellow to red when the new Lion program adopted a yellow neckerchief (the red color matches the background of the Wolf rank badge).
At some point, the background of the Bear rank badge was changed from green to light blue to match the Bear neckerchief.
Cub Scouts & Webelos Scouts wear every rank badge they have earned.
All Cub Scout and Webelos ranks are based on grade.

Bobcat Rank Badge *

All Rank Badges as sewn on left pocket

* All Cub Scouts except Lions must earn the Bobcat rank (joining requirements) first, regardless of when they join Cub Scouting. Lions earn the Bobcat rank at the beginning of their Tiger year.

original Bobcat pin

original Lion badge

former Tiger Cub badge

former Bear badge
(green background)

original Lion rank
(pre-1967)

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