The Cub Scout advancement plan is a structured plan that encourages the natural interests of boys, strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects, and gives boys a sense of personal achievement.  As they fulfill the various achievement requirements, scouts are awarded badges, ranks, pins, belt loops, and other awards to display on their uniforms.  The achievement program is graduated in terms of the boys assuming more responsibility, as they grow older and more experienced.

At first, most activities are conducted within the family. The boys interact with their parents on various activities. As the boys advance in Cub Scouts, more of the activities take place within the den. However, family involvement remains important to the continued success and advance of the boy. Parents or chaperones will need to work with each scout every month to ensure required achievements are fulfilled in a timely manner. As the boys near the end of Cub Scouts, they assume greater responsibility for their personal achievement. The involvement of the den leaders, adults, and chaperones remains important to ensure timely progress, but the boys determine more of their achievements now based on their own planning, determination, and commitment. This greater responsibility previews the fundamental distribution of responsibilities for Boy Scouting.

The advancement plan begins with the first rank of Tiger (1st grade), continues through Wolf (2nd grade), Bear (3rd grade), and Webelos I (4th grade), and culminates with Webelos II (5th grade). Except for Tigers, the badge for each rank is earned sometime during the year that they are in the rank. For example, Wolf scouts would be expected to earn the Wolf badge at some point during the year that they are Wolf scouts (2nd grade). Experience has shown that most boys can complete the necessary achievements for their rank by January or February of each year. Most packs try to recognize such achievement by promptly awarding the rank advancements at the next large pack gathering. Many boys receive their rank badges at the Blue & Gold Banquet held each February in honor of the anniversary of scouting. 

Ranks
 

	Rank/Grade/Age	Requirements
	Tigers The Tiger Cub den is for first grade boys.	There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub is expected to complete 15 requirements within the five achievement areas to earn his Tiger Cub Badge. These requirements consist of an exciting series of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in the first grade.  After completing the fifteen achievements required for the Tiger Cub Rank Badge, the Tiger Cub can be awarded Tiger Track Beads for completed electives.  One bead is awarded for each group of TEN Electives the Tiger Cub completes. A boy can work on both achievements and electives concurrently, but he can't receive Tiger Track beads until he has earned the Tiger Cub Badge.  After graduating from Tigers or transferring into the pack, all boys must first earn the Bobcat Badge before beginning work on his Wolf Badge.  To fulfill the requirements for the Bobcat Badge, each scout must demonstrate knowledge of Cub Scout basics, such as the Cub Scout motto, salute, promise, and law.
	Wolves The Wolf program is for boys who have completed first grade.	To earn the Wolf Cub Badge, a boy must complete 58 out of 74 tasks, from twelve achievements.  The requirements at this rank involve simple physical and mental skills.  After a Wolf Cub earns his Wolf Badge he may begin earning Arrow Points for completed electives ("Arrow Point Trail").  One gold arrow point is awarded for the first 10 arrow points completed in the electives section of the Wolf Handbook, and silver arrow points are awarded for each 10 arrow points completed thereafter.  A Wolf Cub may work on his "Arrow Point Trail" at any time, however he cannot receive Arrow Points until after he has earned the Wolf Badge.
	Bears The Bear rank is for boys who have completed second grade.	There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories. The Cub Scout must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge.  The achievements are grouped in 4 major areas, GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY, and SELF. Within each group, a required number of achievements must be completed.  Any achievements not used to earn the Bear Badge may be used to earn Arrow Points.  Unlike the Tiger and Wolf ranks, Bear Cubs can go back and do requirements from the ACHIEVEMENTS section of the Bear Handbook and use them as requirements for arrow points, as long as they do not count any requirements from achievements that they used to earn the Bear Badge.  Unused parts of achievements that were used for the Bear badge may NOT be counted toward Arrow Points.  One gold arrow point is awarded for the first 10 arrow points completed in the electives section of the Bear Handbook, and silver arrow points are awarded for each 10 arrow points completed thereafter.  A Bear Cub may work on his "Arrow Point Trail" at any time, however he cannot receive Arrow Points until after he has earned the Bear Badge.
	Webelos I & II Scouts may begin working on their Webelos badge when they have completed third grade.	(Specific requirements for this rank)   The structure of the Webelos program varies a bit from the other Cub Scout ranks.  Instead of completing a number of individual achievements that contribute toward the badge of rank, boys complete achievements clustered around a specific skill or activity. Once they have completed the requirements for each activity, they are awarded an activity badge or pin, such as naturalist, aquanaut, communicator, sportsman, engineer, and citizen.  Activity badges are metal emblems that are pinned on the Webelos cap.    Webelos scouts earn their Webelos badge once they complete the fitness and two other activity badges, and demonstrate knowledge of the Webelos and Boy Scout programs (e.g., Webelos symbol, Scout Law, Scout Motto).   After the Webelos scout earns his Webelos badge, the scout earns his compass points emblem by completing four additional activity badges (or a total of seven activity badges, including the three earned for the Webelos badge). A compass point (a small brass arrow head worn on the compass points emblem) is awarded for completing four additional activity badges. A scout can earn the three compass points (E, W, and S positions) and the compass point emblem by completing a total of 16 activity badges beyond the 3 required for the Webelos badge itself.   After a boy has completed the fourth grade and earned the WEBELOS badge, the next step on the WEBELOS trail to becoming a Boy Scout is earning the Arrow of Light Award. This is the highest award a Cub Scout can earn, and is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout Uniform. The advancement continues throughout Cub Scouts until the boys achieve the highest badge -- the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light indicates that the scout is ready to advance into Boy Scouts. It is the only badge from Cub Scouts that can be worn on a Boy Scout uniform.

Belt Loops, Pins & Letters

In addition to the rank advancements outlined above, Cub Scouts may earn additional achievements by demonstrating proficiency in certain sports, art, and academic skills. It is not part of the normal requirements towards ranks (except were used in obtaining the Webelos Sportsman and Athlete activity badges). Its purpose is to assist the Scouts in learning a new skill, or improving one they already posses.

The following achievements are recognized by awarding belt loops, pins, and letters.

Belt loops are awarded to boys that have learned the rules by reading or being instructed by a Den Leader using the sports, arts, or academic guide books and by demonstrating knowledge and skill in the activity. For example, a volleyball belt loop may be awarded to a scout that has learned the rules and play of game for volleyball and played volleyball as a den activity. Belt loops are relatively easy to earn and earn the boys early recognition for their achievements. The activities required to attain a belt loop will often be incorporated into weekly den activities. Cub Scouts accumulate the belt loops by slipping them onto their Cub Scout belts and wearing them as part of their uniform. Belt Loops are available for the following activities. 

Sports

• Archery
• Badminton
• Baseball
• Basketb
  all
• BB Gun
•  
  Bicycling
• Bowling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Marbles
• Physical Fitness
• Skating
• Skiing
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Volleyball

Academic

• Art
• Communicating
• Music
• Science

Each belt loop can be earned twice in Pack 434 during a scout's tenure -- once as a Wolf or Bear Scout and once as a Webelos Scout. Certain loops must be earned as a Webelos Scout in fulfillment of the requirements for the Webelos badge.

Academic and sports pins can also be awarded to scouts for participating in any of the academic or sports activities listed above for at least 30 hours during any 3-month period. Participation in a teams sporting activity for an entire season, for example, typically will fulfill the requirements for a sports pin.  Please note there are special requirements for the BB-Shooting and Archery sports pins.  Adults may also earn the pin if they, too, participate in the activity for at least 30 hours during the same 3-month period. If both the Cub Scout and his adult partner earn an academic or sports pin, the scout is eligible to receive a sports or academic letter. The pins and letters may be worn on a red badge vest or other piece of clothing, but they are not part of the official Cub Scout uniform.

For more specific information on the Cub Scouts Academics and Sports Program, refer to the "Advancement" page of the US Scouting Service Project website.

Other Achievements

In addition to advancements, badges of rank, and academic and sports awards, there are other achievements that may be earned by Cub Scouts. These include the Cub Scout World Conservation Award, official religious emblems, National Summertime Award, Quality Unit Award, Recruiter Strip, and Activity Medals. The Cub Scout World Conservation Award is awarded for completing naturalist and conservation achievements and participating in a den or pack conservation project (e.g., stream cleanup). Official religious emblems are awarded for completing the requirements established by individual faith or religious denominations (e.g., Lutheran Church, United Church of Christ, Church of Latter Day Saints, National Hebrew Council). Quality Unit Awards are awarded on an annual basis to an entire pack for fulfilling certain requirements, such as trained leadership, full participation in Boys Life, timely chartering of the organization, and conducting a complete scouting program. The Recruiter Strip is awarded to a scout for recruiting a new scout member to the pack. Activity medals are awarded at special pack activities, such as the Pinewood Derby, Fitness Day, and other District activities.