Are you a Cub Scout or the parent of a Cub Scout looking to advance in their Scouting journey? Completing Bobcat advancement is the first major milestone a Cub Scout will face. Bobcat is the basic rank that all new Cub Scouts must complete before they can begin working on other ranks and awards. In this article, we’ll provide you with a complete advancement guide to help you navigate the process of earning the Bobcat award.
Overview of Bobcat Requirements
The Bobcat Rank is the first rank a Cub Scout must earn. To do so, a Cub Scout must complete the following three tasks:
- Complete the Cub Scout academics and sports program.
- Live by the Cub Scout Oath and Law.
- Complete an approved project or activity that demonstrates a Cub Scout’s understanding of the Cub Scout Promise.
Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Complete the Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program
The Cub Scout Academics and Sports Program is designed to help Cub Scouts learn or improve physical fitness, teamwork, and citizenship skills. The program consists of 23 activities that cover a wide range of topics, from archery to woodworking.
To complete the Academics and Sports Program, each Cub Scout must complete at least 11 of the 23 activities. The exact activities chosen are up to each individual scout and their parents or guardians. It is recommended that the Cub Scout choose activities that interest them and will help them grow in areas they find challenging.
Step 2: Live by the Cub Scout Oath and Law
The Cub Scout Oath and Law are the moral framework of Scouting. All Cub Scouts must live by the Oath and Law, as they are the promises they make to themselves and to others. The Oath and Law are the foundation of the Scouting program, and each Cub Scout must strive to live up to them.
The Oath is: “I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack.”
The Law is: “A Cub Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
Step 3: Complete an Approved Project or Activity
Once a Scout completes the Academics and Sports Program and lives by the Oath and Law, they must complete an approved project or activity in order to earn the Bobcat rank. This project or activity should demonstrate the Scout’s understanding of the Cub Scout Promise and illustrate their commitment to the values of Scouting.
Projects or activities can be completed individually or as part of a pack. The project should encompass all of the elements of the Cub Scout Promise – trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, friendliness, courtesy, kindness, obedience, cheerfulness, thriftiness, bravery, cleanliness, and reverence.
Conclusion
Earning the Bobcat Rank is a major milestone in a Cub Scout’s journey. By following this guide, you can make sure that your Cub Scout is ready to take on their next Scouting challenge. Good luck and happy Scouting!