Scouts are grouped into dens by grade. Each den works through a set of age-appropriate adventures — six required and two electives — that build outdoor skills, character, fitness, citizenship, safety awareness, and teamwork. The adventures get more challenging each year, but the structure stays consistent: learn by doing, earn your rank, have a good time.
LION
KINDERGARTEN
This is where it starts. Lions explore Scouting through play, stories, and simple outdoor activities. Everything is parent-and-child together — families are part of every meeting. The goal is to get comfortable, make friends, and have fun showing up on Wednesdays.
- Exploring the outdoors through play
- Building friendships and early teamwork
- Learning through stories, games, and activities
TIGER
FIRST GRADE
Tigers take their first real steps in Cub Scouting. They start building curiosity, confidence, and basic outdoor skills — still with heavy family involvement, but with a little more independence than Lions. This is the year Scouting starts feeling like their thing.
- Outdoor adventures with family and friends
- Teamwork, safety, and respect for nature
- Short projects that introduce leadership
WOLF
SECOND GRADE
Wolves go deeper. They practice teamwork, learn first aid basics, and take on outdoor challenges with more responsibility. Adventure loops and badges start to accumulate, and Scouts begin to see what they’re capable of when they push a little.
- Expanding outdoor and survival skills
- First aid, fitness, and personal responsibility
- Earning adventure loops and badges
BEAR
THIRD GRADE
Bears hit their stride. This is where real skills show up — whittling, cooking, navigation, problem-solving. Scouts take on bigger projects and more independence. The shift from “my parent helps me” to “I can figure this out” happens here.
- Whittling, cooking, and navigation
- Bigger outdoor adventures and challenges
- Growing independence and problem-solving
WEBELOS
FOURTH GRADE
Webelos begin the transition toward Scouts BSA. They take on advanced outdoor skills, start leading activities, and gain the kind of independence that prepares them for a youth-led program. This year is about becoming someone the younger Scouts look up to.
- Advanced outdoor skills and independence
- Leading activities and mentoring younger Scouts
- Preparing for the transition to Scouts BSA
ARROW OF LIGHT
FIFTH GRADE
The final year of Cub Scouting and the highest rank a Cub Scout can earn. Arrow of Light Scouts refine leadership, serve as role models, and prepare to cross over into Scouts BSA. When they walk across that bridge at the end of the year, they’re ready.
- Mastering outdoor, teamwork, and leadership skills
- Serving as role models for younger Scouts
- Preparing for the crossover to Scouts BSA
How Rank Advancement Works
Every rank follows the same framework:
- Complete six required adventures (covering Scout traditions, outdoor skills, fitness, citizenship, safety, and teamwork)
- Choose two elective adventures based on your Scout’s interests — STEM, art, sports, cooking, conservation, and more
- Participate in a pack activity and demonstrate Scout spirit
Each den has its own adventure list tuned to that age group. Your den leader walks everyone through it — you don’t need to figure it out alone.