Cub Scouts in the Massanutten District

Tiger Cubs are first grade boys. The Tiger Den works on one of 16 "Big Ideas" each month, selected from their Tiger Cub Activity Book. Each Tiger has a "Partner", either Mom or Dad or some other family member who cares about him. Tiger Cubs earn "Paw-Prints" when they have completed requirements from the book.

The first badge that a Cub Scout earns is the Bobcat. To earn this rank a boy must learn and recite the Cub Scout Promise and The Law of the Pack by which he promises to do his best for his God, his family and his Country, and to help other people. A Scout must also learn and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, know the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake. He must know the Cub Motto: "Do Your Best" and the meaning of Webelos (We'll be loyal Scouts). All new Scouts must first earn the Bobcat rank no matter how old they are when they join.

Scouts in the second grade work toward the rank of Wolf. There are 12 required "Achievements". These requirements cover areas such as citizenship and duty to God, as well as lots of fun stuff to do at home. The Scout's parents or Guardian signs requirements in the Wolf Handbook as they are completed, and the Den Leader records each Scout's advancement. After earning the Wolf badge a Scout can earn "Arrow Points" to be worn underneath the Wolf badge on his uniform. To earn arrow points Scouts do a wide variety of fun things that teach them new skills.

Third grade boys work toward the Bear rank in Cub Scouting. There are 12 achievements that must be completed off of along and varied list. In order to earn the Bear badge the Scout must do one Achievement for God, three for Country, four for family and four for self (new skills). After earning the badge the Scout may earn Arrow Points by electing to complete other requirements from the Bear Handbook. Most of this work is done at home, signed by the parent and recorded by the Den Leader.

Fourth and Fifth grade boys are in "Webelos" Dens. Webelos is an acronym for "We'll be Loyal Scouts". The Webelos Scouts earn activity pins, mostly in their Den Meetings or on field trips. There are twenty different activity pins in five groups: Physical Skills, Mental Skills, Community, Technology, and Outdoor. In order to earn the Webelos Badge the Scout must earn the "Fitness" pin from the Physical Skills group and two other pins from two different groups. In addition to earn the Webelos Badge there are several smaller requirements which deal with Citizenship, family and God. After the Webelos Badge is earned, the Scouts can go on to earn their Compass Badge and gold "Compass Points" by earning more activity pins.

The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the "Arrow of Light". It is the culmination of a Cub's four year experience, but only the precursor of the great challenges ahead in Boy Scouts. To complete earning the Arrow of Light a Scout must have already earned the Webelos Badge, must earn a total of eight activity pins (at least one from each group), and must learn a lot about the ranks and emblems of the Boy Scouts. He must also learn and recite the Boy Scout Oath and Law, attend an activity with a Boy Scout Troop, camp overnight with his Den, go to a regular Scout Troop Meeting and fill out a Boy Scout registration. After earning the Arrow of Light, a Scout crosses over to Boy Scouting usually within the next month.