About the Rank

The Arrow of Light is the highest award in Cub Scouting and holds great significance. It marks a Cub Scout’s transition from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouts, signifying their readiness to take on more advanced challenges and responsibilities.

To be eligible for the Arrow of Light award, a Cub Scout must be in the fifth grade (or the equivalent) and have completed the requirements for the Arrow of Light adventures. This award is open to both boys and girls.

The Arrow of Light adventures focus on a range of skills, including outdoor activities, character development, community involvement, and preparation for Boy Scouts. Scouts work on these adventures during their Webelos years. The Arrow of Light adventures are designed to give Webelos Scouts a taste of the types of activities they will encounter in Boy Scouts. They cover a variety of subjects, including camping, first aid, citizenship, fitness, and more.

Earning the Arrow of Light award requires demonstrating commitment, leadership, and Scout Spirit. Scouts are encouraged to participate actively in their den and pack, lead their peers, and live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Earning the Arrow of Light is a significant achievement and is celebrated with a special ceremony at our annual Blue & Gold Banquet. The Arrow of Light award is followed by a crossover ceremony, where Webelos Scouts transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. This ceremony emphasizes the continuity of the Scouting journey and the new challenges that lie ahead.

After receiving the Arrow of Light, Scouts are encouraged to wear the award on their Boy Scout uniform. This serves as a reminder of their accomplishments and their readiness to embrace the adventures of Boy Scouting. The Arrow of Light award is unique among Cub Scout awards because it can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform and even on the adult leader uniform.

The Arrow of Light award holds a special place in the hearts of Scouts and their families. It symbolizes not only the completion of the Webelos program but also the beginning of a new chapter in a Scout’s life as they embark on their Boy Scouting adventure.

The Webelos rank is earned by completing four required adventures and one optional adventure described below:

Rank Requirements

1. Be active in your Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old.

2. Complete the four required adventures: 

• Building a Better World

• Duty to God in Action

• Outdoor Adventurer

• Scouting Adventure

2. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet entitled How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide. 

Electives

Outside of the required adventures, Webelos Scouts can also complete any of the eleven elective adventures of their den’s or family’s choosing.

• Aquanaut

• Art Explosion

• Aware and Care

• Build It

• Castaway

• Earth Rocks!

• Engineer

• Game Design

• Into the Wild

• Into the Woods

• Sports