Bears

The Bear Trail After your Cub Scout has earned his Bobcat badge, he can start along the Bear trail.  This is a big adventure for a boy, one the Boy Scouts of America hopes all boys will complete. Once you have okayed the proper achievements, he will have achieved the rank of Bear Cub Scout.  How quickly your boy progresses is up to him—and you.  He should do his best to complete each achievement.  That's part of the promise he made to become a Bobcat, and it is the Cub Scout motto—Do Your Best.  Don't okay an achievement if you both know that he can do a better job.  Go on to something else, and then go back and try again. The important thing is to keep him interested by working on the trail with him as often as possible.

	Progress Towards Ranks Your son doesn't have to wait until he completes his entire Wolf trail before being recognized for his work.  When he completes achievements, his den leader can present the achievement loops to him.   Each time he completes achievements, he will receive another loop.  After he gets his last loop, he will be ready to receive his Wolf badge at a pack meeting. There are seven achievements in The Wolf Trail: Bear Claws Bear Necessities Fur, Feathers and Ferns Paws for Actio Grin and Bear It Fellowship and Duty to God One elective  A full listing of the achievements and electives can be found here:    2015-2016 Cub Scout Requirements

	The Elective Trail Your Cub Scout can also search the Elective trail.  On the Wolf trail, the main sections were called achievements, things that we would like all boys to do.  On the Elective trail, the main sections are called electives, choices that a boy can make on his own and with your guidance. Elective loops are presented at a pack meeting after he receives his Wolf badge. Your son should begin earning achievements toward his Wolf badge as soon as he complete the Bobcat requirements.  Completing electives generally should wait until after he has earned his Wolf badge.  He might, however, find some electives that he could be completing before he earns the Wolf badge.  Some of the activities in "Paws of Skill," might be examples.  As long as he completes these electives after he has earned his Bobcat, you may credit him for them, but be sure to keep him focused on the achievements until he completes them.

	Do Your Best When has a boy completed an elective or achievement?  When he, in your opinion as Akela, has completed the skill to the best of his ability.  In Cub Scouting, boys are judged against their own standard, not against other boys.  If your Cub Scout has a mental or physical disability that prevents him from attempting an achievement, talk to your Cubmaster about using an elective as an alternative.