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 obsollete, 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 is being introduced (becomes 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'). The Lion 'uniform' is a T-shirt, and 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 diamond-shaped patch), which can be sewn on the upper left of the Lions T-shirt, and later 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. And already BSA has started allowing Lions to optionally wear a special hat, neckerchief, and slide, 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 (other than Lions) wear a blue uniform with a different-colored neckerchief denoting their level. Webelos wear the tan Scout uniform with Webelos insignia (the blue Cub Scout uniform is no longer an option for Webelos). 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 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).
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
Tigers or
Tiger Cub Scouts
completed Kindergarten OR age 7*
Wolf age
Wolves or
Wolf Cub Scouts
completed grade 1 OR age 8*
Bear age
Bears or
Bear Cub Scouts
completed grade 2 OR age 9*
Webelos age
Webelos Scouts (could also use 'Webelos', but note that 'Webelo' is incorrect)
completed grade 3 OR age 10*
until age 11.5 OR completed grade 5
Arrow of Light
Lion Neckerchief (optional)
(not yet available)
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 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.
All Cub Scout and Webelos ranks are based on grade.
Lion (rank for Kindergartners; new rank strip above, former Lion badge below)
Bobcat (joining requirements; now considered a rank)
Tiger (rank for First graders; new badge above, former Tiger Cub badge below)
Wolf (rank for Second graders)
Bear (rank for Third graders)
Webelos
(rank for Fourth graders) Arrow of Light
(rank for Fifth graders)
Cub Scouts BSA
