Cub Scout Ranks, Explained

Cub Scout ranks line up with school grade, so it’s easy to know exactly where your child fits. Here’s the path from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Lion — Kindergarten The newest rank in Cub Scouting, designed for kindergarteners and built around a “family and friends” approach — an adult partners with the Scout at every meeting. Lions focus on simple, playful activities that introduce the basics of Scouting: teamwork, imagination, and their very first taste of den life.

Tiger — 1st Grade Tigers still pair with an adult partner but start taking on a bit more independence. The Tiger rank introduces basic outdoor skills, community helpers, and simple science and nature activities, all wrapped in high-energy, short-attention-span-friendly fun.

Wolf — 2nd Grade Wolves start exploring more on their own within their den. Activities lean into practical skills — basic first aid, simple cooking, and hands-on nature and science projects — along with an early introduction to good citizenship.

Bear — 3rd Grade The Bear rank ramps up independence and critical thinking. Scouts tackle more complex projects, from engineering challenges to fitness goals to learning more about their community and the world around them.

Webelos — 4th Grade Short for “We’ll Be Loyal Scouts,” Webelos marks the bridge toward Scouts BSA. The program gets more structured, with an emphasis on outdoor skills, leadership basics, and starting to prepare for what comes after Cub Scouts.

Arrow of Light — 5th Grade The capstone rank of Cub Scouting, and the only Cub Scout rank that carries over into Scouts BSA. Arrow of Light Scouts take on more challenging outdoor adventures, deepen their leadership skills, and often join activities alongside older Scouts to help them transition smoothly to the next level.

No matter where your child starts — kindergarten or catching up mid-program — every rank is designed to be achievable, age-appropriate, and genuinely fun. Scouts don’t move faster or slower than their grade; they simply grow into each new rank together with their den.