Recognition is important to young boys. The Cub Scout advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding as adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.

The Bear Trail is for boys who have completed the Third grade or are 9 years old. Your Bear Den Leader is assisted by other Den parents and Assistant Den leader(s).

Many of the activities in your Bear book can be completed at home with your family or during your Den meetings. Once you finish an activity requirement you can have Akela sign your book showing that you have successfully completed the activity. You can have several Akela's that will help you with your activities and sign your book including your parents, your Den leader, and other adult caretakers.

As with the Wolf and Webelos ranks, you must first earn your Bobcat Rank before you can earn your Bear Rank. For detailed Bobcat Rank requirements check here.

There are 24 Bear achievements in four categories; boys must complete 12 of these to earn the Bear badge.  These requirements are more difficult and challenging than those for the Wolf badge.  When the boy has earned his Bear badge, he may work on electives for credit toward Arrow Points. His parent or guardian approves his work and signs his book.  He may work on electives in the Bear Book for credit toward Arrow Points until he completes third grade.  When he completes third grade, a Cub Scout may be recognized in a pack ceremony as he enters a Webelos den. 

24 Bear Achievements
GOD (Do ONE of the following)
1. Ways We Worship
2. Emblems of Faith 
COUNTRY  (Do THREE of the following)
3. What Makes America Special?
4. Tall Tales
5. Sharing Your World With Wildlife
6. Take Care of Your Planet
7. Law Enforcement is a Big Job 
FAMILY  (Do FOUR of the following)
8. The Past is Exciting and Important 
9. What's Cooking?
10. Family Fun
11. Be ready!
12. Family Outdoor Adventure
13. Saving Well, Spending Well 
SELF (Do FOUR of the following)
14. Ride Right
15. Games, Games, Games!
16. Building Muscles
17. Information Please
18. Jot it Down
19. Shavings and Chips
20. Sawdust and Nails
21. Build a Model
22. Tying it All Up
23. Sports, Sports, Sports
24. Be a Leader 

Arrow Point Electives

You can begin earning Arrow Points from the electives section as soon as you get your Bear book. These will be "banked" until you earn your Bear Rank. Once you become an official Bear you will be awarded all Arrow Points you have earned. 

It's also important to note here that any extra rank achievments that you earned over and above what was required for your Bear Rank may be counted as an Arrow Point elective. 

For the first 10 Arrow Point electives you complete, you will be awarded a Gold Arrow Point. Each additional 10 Arrow Point electives completed will earn you a Silver Arrow Point. There is no limit to the number of Silver Arrow Points you can earn while a Bear. For detailed Bear Arrow Point requirments click here.

Below are the categories you will be working in while earning Arrow Point electives:

Arrow Point electives
1. Space
2. Art
3. Repairs
4. Weather
5. Masks
6. Backyard Gym
7. Radio
8. Photography
9. Swimming
10. Electricity
11. Nature Crafts
12. Sports
13. Boats
14. Magic
15. Sales
16. Aircraft
17. Landscaping
18. Collecting Things
19. Things That Go
20. Water & Soil Conservation
21. Maps
22. Cub Scout Band
23. Farm Animals
24. Native American Life

Bear Cub's may also participate in the Sports and Academic Belt Loop program, the Religious Emblem Program and the Family Activity Program.

Information on this page is taken directly from the Bear Scout Book. An excellent resource for bear cubs is http://www.usscouts.org/advance/cubscout/beararrow.html

Bear Cub Advancements  |  What are Bear Cubs  |  Bear Cub Uniforms