Badges and Insignia
When a boy first joins Cub Scouting, his uniform will display only those badges that identify his status: the World Crest, the national flag, his council strip and his pack number. As he progresses, the Cub Scout will earn badges, pins, medals, and other insignia that tell of his accomplishments in Scouting. These items should be added to the uniform only after they have been earned.
World Crest
This patch is worn by all Scouts and Leaders to signify membership in the World Scouting Movement and to show brotherhood with millions of Scouts around the world. This patch is worn centered above the left pocket in the middle between the top of the pocket and the shoulder seam.
United States Flag
Most uniforms come with the flag already attached to the right sleeve. Some previously used uniforms may have it taken off but additional ones can be purchased. The Boy Scouts of America emblem over the right pocket is also attached to uniforms when purchased.
Journey to Excellence
Scouting’s Journey to Excellence is a new performance recognition program that is replacing the Quality Awards Program beginning in 2011. The program provides a framework for evaluating a pack in areas such as advancement, leadership and service projects. Performance is recognized as various levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Council Patch
This patch is worn by all Scouts and Leaders to indicate the Council that represents their pack. Each Council develops their own design although the shape and position on the uniform are the same. Our Council is the Northern Lights Council. This patch is worn on the left sleeve just below the shoulder seam.
Unit Numerals
This patch is worn by all Scouts and Leaders to signify membership in a pack. You will see two versions of this patch: a one-piece patch or the pack number can be made up of two individual numeral patches that are sewn on next to one another. Unit numbers are worn on the left sleeve just below the council patch.
Den Number Strip or Patrol Emblem
This patch indicates the number assigned to the den for which a Scout is a member. Webelos Scouts (and Leaders) who’s den has chosen to use a Patrol Emblem for identification would wear the Patrol Emblem instead. There are numerous emblems available, however not all packs assign a den number or emblem. These emblems are worn on the right sleeve directly below the American Flag.
Badges of Office and Training
All Cub Scout leaders wear round cloth badges of office on the left uniform sleeve, centered directly below the pack numeral. All are gold embroidered on a dark blue background with a gold border except the Cubmaster emblem, which has silver embroidery and border.
Trained Leader
When Cub Scout leaders have completed Fast Start and basic training for their position, they are eligible to wear the Trained Leader strip below the badge of office on the left uniform sleeve.
Rank Badges
The following patches are worn on the uniforms of Cub Scouts from Tigers through Webelos Scouts. These patches are Rank Badges and are earned as the Cubs progress through the various ranks in the pack.
Bobcat Badge
This badge is the first badge earned before any other badge can be earned. It is worn on the left pocket.
Tiger Cub Badge
The Tiger Cub badge is for boys who have completed all 15 parts of the five achievements, that is, five family activities, five den activities, and five Go See It outings. It is worn on the left pocket.
Tiger Cub Pocket Totem
As the Tiger Cub completes requirements, beads are earned and are displayed on the Tiger Cub Totem. Beads go on the first three strands for completed requirements. The fourth strand is for Tiger Track beads which signify completed electives. It is worn on the right shirt pocket bottom. A boy receives totem beads as he completes each part: a white bead for each family activity, an orange bead for each den activity, and a black bead for each Go See It. A yellow bead is earned for each 10 electives completed.
Wolf Badge
This badge is earned by boys who have completed the 12 Wolf Achievements. It is worn on the left pocket.
Bear Badge
To earn the Bear badge, a boy must complete 12 of the 24 specified achievements. He can select the ones he wants to do from four different groups: God, Country, Family, and Self. It is worn on the left pocket.
Progress Towards Ranks
As the Wolf and Bear Scouts complete requirements, beads are earned and are displayed on the Progress Towards Ranks patch. It's a diamond with a plastic thong attached and is worn on the right shirt pocket button. As a Wolf, a gold bead is earned for each three achievements completed. After the fourth gold bead is earned, the boy will receive his Wolf badge at a pack meeting. As a Bear, red beads are presented for each three achievements completed. After the fourth red bead, the boy will receive his Bear badge at a pack meeting. Cub Scouts may continue to wear this emblem after ranks are earned until they become Webelos Scouts.
Gold and Silver Arrow Points
A Wolf or Bear Cub Scout can pick from numerous electives. For each 10 electives completed, Arrow Points are earned. The first Arrow Point earned is a gold one, with only one gold arrow point earned during the Wolf year and one during the Bear year. It is worn 3/4" below and centered under the current rank badge (Wolf and Bear). After earning a Gold Arrow Point, a Cub may complete ten more electives to earn a Silver Arrow Point. Under his Wolf or Bear badge, he may wear as many Silver Arrow Points as he earns. They are worn in rows of two below, centered, and touching the Gold Arrow Point or previously earned Silver Arrow Points for each rank.
Webelos Badge
The Webelos rank is the first step in a boy's transition towards a Boy Scout troop. Webelos only wear the current badge of rank. Those who have not earned the Tiger Cub rank may wear all rank badges earned with the diamond shaped Webelos badge on the left pocket. The oval badge is worn centered on the left pocket, with no other rank badges.
Webelos Activity Badges and Webelos Colors
Webelos activity badges are sorted into five discipline-related groups: Community, Mental Skills, Outdoor, Physical Skills and Technology. Activity badges can be displayed on the front of the Webelos cap or on the Webelos Colors. The Webelos Colors are worn on the right sleeve immediately below the US Flag.
Compass Points Emblem and Compass Points
After the Webelos badge, the compass points emblem is awarded after earning seven activity badges: four more in addition to the three earned for the Webelos badge. Wear the compass points emblem attached to the button on the right pocket of the Webelos uniform shirt. After earning the compass points emblem, a metal compass point is earned for each four additional activity badges completed. Pin the compass points on the emblem in the "E," "W," or "S" positions, in any order.
Arrow of Light
After a boy has earned his Webelos badge, the next step on the Webelos trail to becoming a Boy Scout is earning the Arrow of Light Award. This is the highest award a Cub Scout can earn and is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout Uniform. It is worn centered below the left pocket.
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Displayed on the right pocket is the Progress Towards Ranks (Wolf and Bear Scouts). The Tiger Cub Totem or the Webelos Compass Points are also worn on the right pocket.
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Other Badges and Pins
Square Knot Insignia
The Universal Youth Religious Emblem may be worn by any Scout that completed a religious emblem program as a youth member. The award may be in the form of a certificate as well as a medallion or other memento. The religious emblem square knot is centered above the left uniform pocket flap.
Service Stars
Gold metallic numbered star is worn to indicate years of service in Scouting. Only the current year service star is to be worn on the uniform, placed above the left pocket.
Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award
The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award may be earned in each program year as long as the requirements are completed each year. The pocket flap patch will be awarded the first time, which is to be worn on the right pocket flap of the uniform shirt. Each successive time the award is earned, a wolf track pin may be added to the flap.
National Summertime Award
Boys must participate in at least 3 Scouting activities during the summer (June, July and August) to qualify for the individual National Summertime award. The pin is worn on the flap of the right pocket (note that the outer color of the pin differs by rank). If the Outdoor Activity badge has been earned, the pin is to be worn on the badge.
Recruiter Strip
This cloth strip is presented to boys for recruiting another boy into the program. This is worn by Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts centered, below, and touching the right pocket.
Temporary Insignia
Any insignia authorized by the local council for a particular purpose, such as Cub Scout day camp or popcorn sales, can be worn centered on the right pocket of the uniform shirt. Only one temporary patch in addition to the immediate recognition (Tiger Cub Totem or Progress Towards Ranks) or Compass Points emblem may be worn at a time. Below are examples of other temporary patches: World Conservation, Good Turn for America and Leave No Trace.
World Conservation Badge
The Cub Scout World Conservation badge consists of a giant panda on a violet Scout trefoil with violet trim and gold background. The emblem is earned by completing various requirements as well as a conservation project and is worn as a temporary patch, centered on the right pocket. This award can be earned only once while a Cub Scout.
Good Turn for America
Good Turn for America is a collaboration between the Boy Scouts of America and the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross and other community organizations. The three main issues addressed are: hunger, lack of adequate shelter, and poor health. Scouting for Food is an example. The emblem is worn as a temporary patch, centered on the right pocket.
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is a plan that helps Scouts to be more concerned for the environment and protecting it for future generations. The message encourages people who spend time outdoors to behave in a way that minimizes the impacts to the environment. After completing certain requirements, the patch is worn as a temporary patch, centered on the right pocket.
Academic and Sports
The Academic and Sports Program is an optional program for all Cub Scouts that contains a variety of academic subjects and sports activities. Scouts earn belt loops and pins for completing various requirements, which can be done on their own, at day camp, or with their den or pack.
Belt loops are awarded to boys who complete three specified requirements in an academic subject or sport. Academic belt loops are gold, and Sports belt loops are silver (except for the Archery and BB-gun Shooting belt loops, which are copper colored). Belt loops are worn on the scout belt. Pins are awarded to boys who choose to continue their involvement in an academics or sports area and earn the pin by meeting the appropriate requirements. Pins are worn on the Cub Scout Academic and Sports letter, a large Blue and Gold "C".
Scout Patch Vest
The Varsity “C” letter can be placed on the Scout Patch Vest, with the academic and sports pins placed on the letter. Metals from derbies or other activities can also be pinned to the vest along with other patches sewn on. This includes various temporary patches, such as Day Camp or other council sponsored event patches. Recall that only one temporary patch can be worn on the uniform at a time.
For further guidance on the proper placement of badges and insignia, see the BSA's Uniform and Insignia Guide or see the attached uniform inspection sheets. For more information on the various rank requirements as well as the Academic and Sports Belt Loop and Pin requirements, see the Advancements page on our website.
For more information about patch placement click here