Pack 345 San Francisco Join us
A den leader pinning a badge on a scout at a pack meeting

Badges, ranks and awards

Advancement

How the ranks work, and what else a Cub Scout can earn.

The ranks

Bobcat
Everyone, first
The first rank every scout earns when they join, at any grade. Learn the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Cub Scout motto and sign, and complete a Youth Protection exercise with a parent.
Lion
Kindergarten
An introduction to scouting done almost entirely alongside an adult partner. Short, playful adventures.
Tiger
1st grade
Tigers work through achievements and electives in their handbook with an adult partner at their side for everything.
Wolf
2nd grade
Twelve achievements, each designed to teach a simple skill and start a family conversation about values, citizenship or health.
Bear
3rd grade
Complete twelve of twenty-four achievements. This is also when a scout can earn the Whittling Chip and carry a pocketknife.
Webelos
4th grade
A step toward Scouts BSA. Webelos work on the Webelos badge and a set of activity badges, and start camping more independently.
Arrow of Light
5th grade
The highest rank in Cub Scouting, and the only one a scout can wear on their uniform for the rest of their scouting life. Then they cross over to a troop.

Everything runs through ScoutBook

ScoutBook is where you see what a requirement actually asks for, and where you sign it off once your scout has done it. Trouble getting in? Email info@pack345sf.org.

Beyond the ranks

There is also a long list of awards, patches and belt loops a Cub Scout can earn. A partial list:

Awards for bravery and lifesaving

  • Honor Medal
  • Heroism Medal
  • Medal of Merit

Program awards

  • Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award
  • World Conservation Award
  • Leave No Trace Awareness
  • Emergency Preparedness Award
  • Whittling Chip (Bear and up)
  • National Summertime Recognition Pin
  • Academics and Sports belt loops, pins and letters

Patches, strips and recognitions

  • Pinewood Derby and Regatta patches and medals
  • Camp patches, hiking and trail patches, family camping patch
  • District camporee patches
  • Interpreter strips, Recruiter strip, Denner cord
  • Service stars, attendance awards, Tiger graduation patch
  • International Activity Patch

Religious emblems

If your family follows a religion, your scout can earn an emblem for their faith and wear the square knot on their uniform. Entirely optional — and Pack 345 itself is not religious.

Our own tradition: the hiking stick

Fifty miles of pack hikes earns a Pack 345 hiking stick. How Pack Miles work