Arrow of Light Rank
The six required Arrow of Light Adventures and their requirements, Bobcat first, then the thirteen electives under one choice that keeps only the ones your Scout is doing.
10 steps (112 parts inside them). 80 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 1 November 2026 · About Arrow of Light Rank
No questions answered
This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the question at the address above takes out the parts that are not for you.
Which of this applies to you
You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering one question will take out the parts that are not for you.
The steps
Stage 1 of 5
1 step
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An Arrow of Light year: fifth grade Milestone
Arrow of Light is the rank for youth who have finished fourth grade or are 10, and the last rank before Scouts BSA. The den works as a patrol.
Stage 2 of 5
1 step
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Work to the Adventures as they stand this program year Document
Cub Scout Adventures are republished from time to time. Changes take effect at the start of the next program year, which begins June 1, unless a change says otherwise.
Usually comes after An Arrow of Light year: fifth grade.
Cub Scout Adventures are revised from time to time. Guide to Advancement 4.0.0.1 says a change to a badge of rank or an Adventure takes effect at the start of the next program year unless it says otherwise, and 4.1.0.1 puts the start of the program year at June 1. This page records the date its copy of each Adventure page was read. Check the Adventure page before relying on this one.
Stage 3 of 5
2 steps
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Bobcat Arrow of Light Requirement
The first required Adventure, done as a patrol: a patrol name and leader, the Scout Oath and Law, a Code of Conduct, the Scout sign, salute and handshake, the slogan and motto, a troop visit, and a parent's booklet done at home.
Usually comes after Work to the Adventures as they stand this program year.
8 parts
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Requirement 8. The Parent's Guide, at home Often forgotten This one is done at home, not at a den meeting: a parent or legal guardian works through the booklet "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide" with the Cub Scout. It is the Bobcat requirement most often still open at the end of the year.
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Any two elective Adventures Decision
Two of the thirteen, chosen by the family and patrol, and more if you like. Some need water, an outing, a campout or the summer months.
Usually comes after Work to the Adventures as they stand this program year.
80 parts
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Requirement 2. Pick one of the three fields Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Civil, electrical and mechanical engineers.
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Requirement 3. Blueprints or specifications Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 2. Pick one of the three fields.
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Requirement 4. A project to build Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 2. Pick one of the three fields.
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Requirement 5. Build it the engineering way Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 2. Pick one of the three fields and Requirement 4. A project to build.
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Requirement 2. Plan with the SAFE Checklist Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Plan the fishing trip.
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Requirement 3. Where the fish live Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Plan the fishing trip.
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Requirement 4. Equipment list Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Plan the fishing trip.
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Requirement 5. The right knot Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Plan the fishing trip.
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Requirement 6. Rod and tackle Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Plan the fishing trip.
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Requirement 7. Fish for an hour or more Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Plan the fishing trip.
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Requirement 2. A model of its ecosystem Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Visit, choose and watch an animal.
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Requirement 3. Living alongside other animals Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Visit, choose and watch an animal.
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Requirement 4. People and its ecosystem Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Visit, choose and watch an animal.
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Requirement 5. Wildlife management Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Visit, choose and watch an animal.
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Requirement 2. Deciduous or evergreen? Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. A tree inventory, and one tree.
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Requirement 3. Native or introduced? Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. A tree inventory, and one tree.
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Requirement 4. Your tree and wildfire Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. A tree inventory, and one tree.
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Requirement 5. Wildlife and your tree Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. A tree inventory, and one tree.
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Paddle Craft Optional May not apply Requirement 1 is passing the Scouting America swimmer test before attempting requirements 5 to 9. The page requires supervision by an adult 21 or older trained in Safety Afloat, at least one leader trained in first aid including CPR, and a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on everyone on the water.
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Requirement 5. Jump in and swim in a life jacket Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Pass the swimmer test first.
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Requirement 6. Getting in and out of the craft Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Pass the swimmer test first and Requirement 2. Pick your paddle craft.
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Requirement 7. If you tip over or fall off Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Pass the swimmer test first.
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Requirement 8. Two paddle strokes Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Pass the swimmer test first.
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Requirement 9. Thirty minutes or more of paddling Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Pass the swimmer test first and Requirement 2. Pick your paddle craft.
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Requirement 2. Learn the race rules Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Build a car or a boat.
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Requirement 5. Race Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 4. Plan your sportsmanship.
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Summertime Fun AOL Optional May not apply The three Cub Scout activities must fall between May and August. Outside those months this elective cannot be worked on.
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Swimming Optional May not apply The page requires swimming to be supervised by a responsible adult aged 21 or older who is trained in Safe Swim Defense. Adults supervising should complete the Safe Swim Defense course on my.scouting before the swim.
Stage 4 of 5
5 steps
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Personal Fitness Requirement
A camp meal, two weeks of tracked activity, exercise with others, and a look at your health form with a parent.
The Personal Fitness page says the Knife Safety Adventure must be completed first when cooking involves using a knife. If the camp meal in requirement 1 needs knife work, plan Knife Safety first. It is an elective, so it can be one of the two.
4 parts
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Requirement 2. Fourteen days of activity Often forgotten
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Requirement 4. Your health and medical record Often forgotten
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First Aid Requirement
The Protect Yourself Rules video and first aid: what to do, hurry cases, choking, shock, everyday injuries, and a first-aid kit.
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Duty to God Requirement
Faith and the Scout Law, a faith-based service to people in crisis, and what Duty to God means to you.
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Citizenship Requirement
Planning a service project safely, and two hours of service.
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Outdoor Adventurer Requirement
A campout with the patrol or a troop: the Scout Basic Essentials, gear, the SAFE Checklist, the map, setting up camp, food safety, and a look back.
8 parts
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Requirement 8. Look back on the campout Usually comes after Requirement 5. Go on the campout.
Stage 5 of 5
1 step
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Arrow of Light rank, presented with a troop Milestone
Once all six required Adventures and two electives are done and the den leader has approved them, the rank is presented in a ceremony that, the Guide says, should involve Scouts from a local troop. A Scout of 10 or older who has earned it may join Scouts BSA.
Usually comes after Bobcat Arrow of Light, Personal Fitness and 5 others.
For Arrow of Light, the den leader signs for approval of every requirement unless they delegate it (Guide to Advancement 4.1.0.3). The parent or trusted-adult verification allowed for Lion through Webelos does not apply to this rank.
This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.