Just as Cub Scouts can earn individual awards for themselves, they can also work together to earn awards for their whole den or their pack. Getting together to work on these awards is a great way to practice teamwork and to show every Cub Scout how important he is as a member of his den or pack.

National Den Award

The National Den Award recognizes dens that have a quality, year-round program. The award goes to dens that do service and conservation projects, Cub Scout Academics and Sports, field trips, character building, and camping. Dens earn the award as a team, not as individual den members. The recognition is a ribbon for the den flag or den doodle.

National Summertime Pack Award

A pack can earn the National Summertime Pack Award by doing three pack activities when school is out for the summer—one activity each in June, July, and August. Packs that qualify get a colorful streamer for their pack flag. Dens that have at least half of their members at the three summer pack events can earn a den ribbon. Pack members who take part in all three events are eligible for the National Summertime Pack Award pin, to wear on the right pocket flap of their uniform.

If a pack is in a “year-round school” (or is part of a home-school association), the pack could earn the Summertime Pack Award by having a special pack activity during school breaks.

National Quality Unit Award

The Quality Unit Award recognizes outstanding packs (and also troops, teams, crews, and ships) that have quality programs for their members. To earn this award, packs need well-trained leaders and they must meet several other requirements, such as holding regular pack meetings, qualifying for the National Summertime Pack Award (above), going on an outdoor activity, doing a service project, having at least three-fourths of the Scouts advance in rank, and having all Scouts subscribe to Boys’ Life magazine.

All members, both youth and adults, of a pack that earns this award may wear the Quality Unit emblem on their uniforms. The pack may also display a streamer on the pack flag.

Veteran Unit Emblem

This emblem is a gold embroidered bar worn by boys and adult leaders of packs that have been chartered 50 years or longer. It is worn just below the council patch, above and touching the pack numeral.

William T. Hornaday Unit Award

The Hornaday Awards program encourages learning about natural resources, conservation, and the environment. Respecting the outdoors is an important part of Scouting. Scouts learn to understand and take care of natural resources and to protect the environment.

A Cub Scout pack may earn this award by doing a big, special conservation project. More than half of the pack’s members must take part. This award is granted through the Conservation Service of the BSA National Council. Packs must apply for the award through their local council.

Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award

Tiger Cubs, Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts may earn the Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award. This award recognizes the Scout for taking part in outdoor recreation and conservation projects. In many cases, you can earn this award while doing other Scouting activities. Click here for more information about this award.

Religious Emblems

To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, many religious groups have programs for young people to earn a religious emblem. The Boy Scouts of America approves of these programs and allows the religious emblems to be worn on the official uniform.

For a list of emblems programs, and a list of awards provided by each faith or religious group, see the Religious Emblems Programs page.

Cub Scout World Conservation Award

Webelos Scouts can earn the Cub Scout World Conservation Award by earning the Forester, Naturalist, and Outdoorsman activity badges and taking part in a den or pack conservation project.

Cub Scouting’s Leave No Trace Awareness Award

Leave No Trace is a plan that helps people take better care of the environment and protect it for future generations. Cub Scouts and their leaders may earn the Leave No Trace Awareness Award. Click here for more information.

Emergency Preparedness Award

“Emergency preparedness” means being ready for all kinds of emergencies. It means you’re ready and able to help in times of trouble to save lives and property and to help a community—or even a nation—get back to normal after a disaster happens. To encourage Scouts of all ages to be prepared for emergencies, the BSA has approved an Emergency Preparedness Award program for members of all ages. To learn more about the award requirements and to download an application form, visit the Emergency Preparedness Award page.

Medals

Cub Scouts who compete in Cub Scout derbies, field days, and other competitive events can win medals to wear on their uniform.

Belt loops and pins are a great way to help fulfill the aims of Scouting—build character, develop citizenship, and encourage mental and physical fitness.  Through a variety of subjects, you can stretch your mind and abilities by exploring the wonders of science, learning about the world, and expanding skills in new areas.

This is a chance to try something new, do your best, and earn recognition all at the same time.

Academics and Sports Belt Loops

You earn a belt loop to wear with your uniform when you complete three specific requirements for each Academics or Sports activity. You can take part in three ways: (1) by yourself or with your family, (2) in your den or pack, or (3) in school.

Additional Recognitions

Besides the belt loops and pins, there are other kinds of recognitions for the Academics and Sports program. These include pocket cards, medals, trophies, and a program emblem.

For all of your recognition needs visit your Local council service center, Scout Shop or online at www.scoutstuff.org .

Download Den Recognition Report

Academics and Sports Letter and Pins

Once you have earned the belt loop, you can stop. But if you want to do more with the activity, you may complete extra requirements to earn a pin. A good place to display Academics and Sports pins is on the Academics and Sports letter. You can wear the letter on a sweater or a jacket, or display or frame it. The letter does not go on the Cub Scout uniform. There are no special requirements for earning the letter, because it’s just for displaying the pins.
* Loops and pins for archery and BB-gun shooting can be earned only in day camps, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camps, council-managed family camping programs, or at council activities where there is properly trained supervision, and all guidelines for BSA shooting sports are implemented. Archery and BB-gun shooting belt loops and pins cannot be earned at the pack, den, or individual level. Requirements therefore are not included.

Bobcat

No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A boy must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include:

• Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Cub Scout Promise, and the Law of the Pack and tell what they mean;
• Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what they mean; and
• Show that you understand and believe that it is important to be honest and trustworthy.

Tiger Cub

To begin his path to the Tiger Cub rank, the Tiger Cub (age 7) must learn the Cub Scout promise, the Cub Scout sign, and the Cub Scout salute. When he has learned these, he gets his Tiger Cub emblem, which is a tiger paw with four strings for beads. He wears the emblem on his right pocket.

As a boy finishes each part of the five Tiger Cub achievements, he earns an orange bead (for den activities), a white bead (for family activities), or a black bead (for “Go See Its”). When the boy has earned five beads of each color, he can receive his Tiger Cub badge. The Tiger Cub badge is given to the boy’s adult partner at a pack meeting. Then, during a grand ceremony, the adult gives the badge to the boy.

Wolf

The Wolf rank is for boys who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must pass 12 achievements. His parent or guardian approves each achievement by signing his book. When the boy has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to his parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the boy.

After he has earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Cub Scout can work on the 23 Wolf electives until he finishes second grade (or turns 9 years old). He can choose from more than 100 elective projects that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes 10 elective projects, he earns a Gold Arrow Point to wear under the Wolf badge. For each 10 elective projects after that, he earns a Silver Arrow Point.

Bear

The Bear rank is for boys who have finished second grade (or are 9 years old). There are 24 Bear achievements in four groups. A boy must complete 12 of the achievements to be a Bear Cub Scout. These requirements are harder and more challenging than those for the Wolf badge. When a boy has earned his Bear badge, he may work on electives to earn Arrow Points to wear under his Bear badge.

Webelos

Webelos dens are for boys who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). The Webelos den program is different from the Cub Scout den program. Everything in the Webelos Scout program is more challenging than what younger boys in the pack do. Webelos Scouts get to work on the 20 Webelos activity badges:

Webelos Scouts work on requirements during their weekly den meetings. Once a boy learns a skill, he practices it at den meetings and at home on his own. His family helps him at home. Webelos Scouts bring the projects they do at home to the den meetings to show others, and to have the Webelos den leader approve their projects.

When a boy has done the requirements for an activity badge, the Webelos den leader or activity badge counselor, rather than a parent, approves most of the activity badges. It takes three activity badges, including Fitness and Citizen, to earn the Webelos badge.

Besides earning activity badges, Webelos Scouts can earn the compass points emblem. This emblem is awarded after a Webelos Scout has earned seven activity badges. For each four activity badges a Webelos Scout earns after that, he receives a compass point—east, west, north, and south.

Arrow of Light

The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light Award. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. Webelos Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light Award have also completed all requirements for the Boy Scout badge.

This award is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform when a boy graduates into a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light Award when they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their adult uniform.

• Personal equality – The uniform represents a democratic idea of equality, bringing people of different backgrounds together in the Scouting tradition.
• Identification – The uniform identifies youth and adult members of the Boy Scouts of America, visible as a force for good in the community. When properly and smartly worn, the uniform can build good unit spirit.
• Achievement – The uniform shows the wearer’s activity, responsibility, and achievement. The accomplishments of every youth and adult member can be recognized by the insignia worn on the uniform.
• Personal commitment – The uniform is a constant reminder to all members of their commitment to the ideals and purpose of the Scouting movement. It is a way of making visible members’ commitment to a belief in God, loyalty to country, and helping others at all times.

The leaders of Scouting—volunteer and professional—should promote the wearing of the correct, complete uniform on all suitable occasions.

This insignia guide presents detailed information to enable our members to wear the correct complete uniform on all suitable occasions.

• The content of these Web pages has been adapted from the BSA’s Insignia Guide, item no. 33066. A printed copy of this essential reference may be purchased online at www.scoutstuff.org or through your local council Scout shop. or through your local council Scout shop. or through your local council Scout shop. or through your local council Scout shop. www.scoutstuff.org or through your local council Scout shop.

  Official Policy

• Excerpts From the Rules and Regulations
• Special Regulations
• Tiger Cub Insignia
• Cub Scout and Webelos Scout Insignia
• Cub Scout Program Identification
• Cub Scout Advancement
• Cub Scout Academics and Sports
• Cub Scout Pack Badges of Office
• Cub Scout Participation and Achievement
• Cub Scout Leader Recognitions
• Religious Emblems for Cub Scouts
• Boy Scout Insignia
• Boy Scout Program Identification
• Patrol Emblems
• Boy Scout Troop Badges of Office
• Merit Badges
• Boy Scout Advancement
• Boy Scout Participation and Achievement
• Varsity Scout Activity Pins
• Religious Emblems for Boy Scouts
• Boy Scout Leader Recognitions
• Varsity Scout Insignia
• Varsity Scout Team Badges of Office
• Venturing Insignia
• Venturing Program Identification
• Venturing Advancement
• Venturing Training
• Venturing Crew Badges of Office
• Venturing Participation
• Religious Emblems for Venturers
• Venturing Leader Recognitions
• Sea Scout Insignia
• Sea Scout Program Identification
• Sea Scout Ship Badges of Office
• Leader Metal Insignia
• Sea Scout Advancement
• Universal and Nonunit Insignia
• National and Regional Badges of Office
• Council and District Badges of Office
• Employed Personnel Badges of Office
• Service Stars
• Veteran Recognitions
• Recognitions
• Religious Emblems for Adults
• Training Recognitions
• Jamborees
• International
• Medals and Embroidered Knots
• Order of the Arrow
• Scouter Dress Uniform
• National Eagle Scout Association
• National Camping School
• Regional Insignia
• Flags

Service projects may help the natural world, the community, or the chartered organization. Here are some service activities Cub Scouts can do.

1. Helping the natural world
   • Pick up litter around your neighborhood.
   • Clean up trash by a stream.
   • Plant seedlings or flowers.
   • Recycle glass, paper, aluminum, or plastic.
   • Make bird feeders.
2. Helping the community
   
   • Give a flag ceremony for a school.
   • Collect food for food banks.
   • Make cards for a care center.
   • Clean up a church parking lot.
   • Shovel snow or rake leaves for seniors.
   • Hand out voting reminders.
   • Hand out emergency procedure brochures.
   • Recycle family newspapers.
3. Helping the chartered organization
   • Do a cleanup project.
   • Plant and care for trees.
   • Conduct a flag ceremony.
   • Help set up for a special event.
   • Hand out programs or bulletins at a meeting of the organization.

These are only a few ideas for service projects. Can you think of others? Share your ideas with the members and leaders of your den.

Field Trips

Boys enjoy visiting museums, business establishments, parks, and other attractions. Here are some suggestions:

• How Things Are Made – Visit manufacturing plants such as aircraft, automotive, appliance, or electronic firms; chemical, paper, plastic, paint, furniture, or toy plants; and handicrafts or other small-craft industries.
• How Your City Runs – Visit power, water, and sewage plants; a gas company; police and fire stations; city hall; municipal buildings; the county jail; a telephone company; the post office; the Red Cross; hospitals; newspaper plants; and radio, television, and weather stations.
• How Your City Is Fed – Visit truck and dairy farms, flour mills, and bakeries; food processing, canning, or bottling plants; stockyards and meat or poultry packing houses; a fish hatchery; beverage, candy, and ice-cream companies; markets; and food distributors.
• Learn About Your Heritage – Visit art galleries, museums, and memorials; celebrated old homes, monuments, and other historic sites; places of worship; civic centers; important local buildings; summer theaters and band concerts; and local historical celebrations.

When these field trips are coordinated with the monthly theme or activity badge, they can help bring learning to life by allowing boys to experience firsthand the things they have been learning about.

“Go See It”

In keeping with the Tiger Cub motto “Search, Discover, Share,” Tiger Cubs and their adult partners should go on a Go See It outing each month. The Go See It may fulfill part of a Tiger Cub advancement requirement. By going on these outings, Tiger Cubs can learn about such things as their community or nearby communities, places where adults work, community services (fire, police, hospital, etc.), nature centers, animal care facilities, and other places of interest to young boys.

A well-planned Go See It will benefit everyone involved, providing an opportunity for boys and adults to acquire new interests and knowledge; develop a deeper understanding of and respect for other people; reinforce their attitudes of good citizenship, such as courtesy and kindness; and have fun.

Hikes

A hike is a journey on foot, usually with a purpose, a route, and a destination. Tiger Cub and Cub Scout dens will enjoy short hikes, and Webelos dens will have several opportunities for taking hikes related to activity badge requirements.

Here are some suggestions for different types of hikes:

• Homes Hike – Look for spider webs, nests, holes, and other homes in nature. Make a list.
• Stop, Look, and Listen Hike – Hike for a specified length of time or for a certain number of steps. Then stop and write down all that you see and hear. Make several stops.
• Puddle Hike – Hike in a gentle rain or just after a rain, with boys wearing appropriate rain gear. See how animals and insects take cover from the weather.
• Penny Hike – Flip a coin to see which direction you will go. Flip the coin at each intersection or fork in the road or trail.
• Color Hike – Look for objects of preselected colors. Make a list.
• Historical Hike – Hike to an historical spot. Know the history before going on the hike.
• City Hike – Look for scraps of nature between cracks in the sidewalk. Look at the buildings for various architectural details—carvings, cornices, etc. A vacant lot can provide a lot of interest; even one overturned rock can reveal surprises.

Games and Sports

Outdoor games and sports provide opportunities for teaching boys skills of good sportsmanship, including following rules, taking turns and sharing, getting along with others, and fair play. They provide the opportunity for every Cub Scout to learn the basic skills of a sport, game, or competition while learning good sportsmanship and habits of personal fitness in an environment where participation and doing one’s best are more important than winning.

For suggestions and instructions on games that could be played outside, see the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book and the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program Guide.

Planning Field Trips and Excursions

When planning a trip or excursion for your den or pack, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Make sure that all activities are age-appropriate. Especially for pack excursions, which include boys of various ages, make sure there’s something that appeals to everyone.
• While it’s OK to include some activities just for the fun of it, make sure the featured event of an excursion relates to the monthly theme or activity badge.
• Refer to the Guide to Safe Scouting to ensure that all activities are conducted in a safe manner.
• Be sure to file the proper forms and permits. A local tour permit is recommended whenever the den travels to a place other than its regular meeting place (even for short in-town trips) and an informed consent form (permission slip) should be signed by the parent or guardian of every boy.