Dens & Ranks
About Cub Scout Dens
In Cub Scouts, youth typically join a Den of scouts their age, gender, and school grade. Their Den number remains the same as they grow, learn, and experience new adventures while achieving their rank and badges together.
Besides Pack events and meetings, Dens usually meet 1 or 2 evenings a month and may plan events of their own. At Den meetings, scouts can work on projects with their parents and Den Leaders, but they are also expected to do work at home and with their family. Den leaders and youth are often assisted by Den Chiefs - approved members of a local Scouts BSA troop. Projects the scouts work on help them complete "adventures" which help them progress through the ranks. These adventures cover such topics as:
Hiking
Camping
Nature
Outdoor skills
Nutrition
Physical fitness
Citizen service
Teamwork
Want to know more about our Dens? Contact us at pack73nj@gmail.com to find out what we're doing!
Cub Scout Ranks
The Ranks scouts earn are age specific - as are the requirements to achieve them. Cub Scout programs generally progress from learning about topics, to showing awareness, to demonstrating knowledge and skills. Cub Scouts don't have to earn the previous rank in order to earn the next, and a scout is not permitted to earn a rank below their current grade.
Rank Requirements
See the ranks below for general information or see the official BSA Advancement Trail page for rank and advancement details.
Lion
The Lions rank is for youth age 6 or in Kindergarten. To earn the Lion badge, scouts must complete five required adventures with their den or family. When a scout has met all requirements, they can receive the Lion badge.
Tiger
The Tiger rank is for youth age 7 or in first grade. To earn the Tiger badge, scouts must complete one elective and six required adventures with their den or family. As they complete each adventure, they will receive an adventure loop for their belt. When a scout has met all requirements, they can receive the Tiger badge.
Wolf
The Wolf rank is for youth age 8 or in second grade. To earn the Wolf badge, a scout must complete at least one elective and six required adventures with their den or family. As they complete each adventure, they will receive an adventure loop for their belt. When a scout has met all requirements, they can receive the Wolf badge.
Bear
The Bear rank is for youth age 9 or in third grade. To earn the Bear badge, a scout must complete one elective and six required adventures with their den or family. As they complete each adventure, they will receive an adventure loop for their belt. When a scout has met all requirements, they can receive the Bear badge.
Webelos
Webelos dens are for youth age 10 or in fourth grade. Webelos Scouts work on five required Webelos adventures and choose two of the elective adventures shared with the Arrow of Light rank. As they complete each adventure, the Webelos den leader approves it and they will receive an adventure loop for their belt. When a scout has completed all required adventures, they can receive the Webelos badge and continue working on the remaining shared Webelos and Arrow of Light electives.
Arrow of Light
Arrow of Light (AoL) dens are for youth who have completed their required Webelos adventures and electives (or if new to scouting - youth age 11 in fifth grade). AoL Scouts work on four required adventures and at least one of the remaining elective adventures shared with the Webelos rank. When a scout has completed all required adventures, they can receive the Arrow of Light badge, which is the only Cub Scout badge they carry forward into future Scouting programs.