Have your New Cub Scouts earned their Bobcat Rank? Be sure to Record and Recognize them!

Learning the Cub Scout Bobcat requirements is the first step that new Cub Scouts must take to earn their rank badge.

The Cub Scout Bobcat requirements are the first ones completed by all new Cub Scouts (except Lions) so that they can earn that Bobcat badge before working on anything else.

The Bobcat requirements can be completed very quickly – often in just one or two den meetings. This means that every new Cub Scout will get a rank badge shortly after joining.

There’s nothing like seeing those little first grade Tigers receive their first badge!

A Cub Scout who has completed advancement should be congratulated immediately and publicly. And though badges of rank should be reserved for the next pack meeting, it is best to present items such as belt loops and pins soon after they have been earned. If it is possible for the pack to report and purchase these awards quickly, they could be presented at a den meeting, rather than waiting for a pack meeting. If presented at den meetings, the accompanying pocket certificates can be used in a ceremony at a subsequent pack meeting—or vice versa with the pocket certificates at a den meeting. However this is done, it is important to note that advancement is an individual process, not dependent on the work or progress of others. Awards should not be withheld for group recognition. Likewise, a youth should not be presented with recognition that was not earned simply to avoid anyone “feeling left out.”

Cub Scouts—even those of the same age, grade, and gender—may have very different developmental timetables. For this reason, advancement performance in Cub Scouting is centered on its motto: “Do Your Best.” When a Cub Scout has done this—their best effort possible—then regardless of the requirements for any rank or award, it is enough; accomplishment is noted. This is why den leaders, assistants, and parents or guardians are involved in approvals. Generally they know if the effort put forth is really the Cub Scout’s best.

Be sure to Record your Scout’s Advancement using Scoutbook or via the Internet Advancement for those units not using Scoutbook.

Need help with recording Advancement? Contact your Commissioner or Jim Bollback [email protected], our Program Relations Exec.