Bear Rank
The six required Bear Adventures and their requirements, Bobcat first, then the seventeen electives under one choice that keeps only the ones your Bear is doing.
10 steps (136 parts inside them). 106 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 1 November 2026 · About Bear Rank
No questions answered
This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the 2 questions 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 2 short questions will take out the parts that are not for you.
Your progress
126 steps can be started now; 17 are waiting on something else.
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The steps
Stage 1 of 5
1 step
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A Bear year: third grade Milestone
Bear is the rank for youth who have finished second grade or are 8.
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 A Bear year: third 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,
1 ticked
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Bobcat Bear Requirement
The first required Adventure: the den, the Scout Oath and Law, a den Code of Conduct, the denner, the sign, salute and handshake, Do Your Best, and a parent's booklet done at home.
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 seventeen, chosen by the family and den, and more if you like. Chef Tech needs Whittling done first; others need a pack event, water, an outing or the summer months.
Usually comes after Work to the Adventures as they stand this program year.
101 parts, 2 ticked
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Requirement 3. Three regulations and why Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 2. Local fishing regulations.
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Requirement 2. Use four tools Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Basic tools and tool safety.
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Requirement 4. Plan the tools and materials Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 3. Choose a project.
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Requirement 5. Build it Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 4. Plan the tools and materials.
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Bears Afloat Optional May not apply Requirement 1 is passing the Scouting America swimmer test before attempting requirements 6 and 7. The page also requires everyone on the water, Cub Scouts and adults, to wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, and continuous qualified adult supervision. Adults leading it should complete Safety Afloat training on my.scouting.
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Requirement 6. How the craft responds 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. 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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Chef Tech Optional May not apply The Chef Tech page says each Cub Scout must have completed the Whittling Adventure before starting this one, and to review the Cub Scout knife safety rules. Whittling is an elective too, so choosing Chef Tech means choosing Whittling as well.
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Requirement 2. Its safety guidelines Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Pick a kitchen appliance.
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Requirement 4. Make the recipe Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Pick a kitchen appliance and Requirement 3. Find a recipe.
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Requirement 5. Improve the appliance Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. Pick a kitchen appliance.
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Requirement 3. Caring for your chosen pet Optional May not apply Usually comes after Requirement 1. A good pet for your family.
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Let’s Camp Bear Optional May not apply Needs a campout. The page notes that for a pack overnighter at least one registered adult leader who will be there must have completed BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) training.
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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 3. Make it faster 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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Salmon Run 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.
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Summertime Fun Bear Optional May not apply The three Cub Scout activities must fall between May and August. Outside those months this elective cannot be worked on.
Stage 4 of 5
5 steps
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Bear Strong Requirement
Food groups, exercise with others and alone, rest, and a look at your health form with a parent.
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Standing Tall Requirement
Staying safe: the Protect Yourself Rules, personal space, a family device policy, and safety gear.
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Bear Habitat Requirement
A one-mile walk, planned step by step around the Leave No Trace principles, then walked.
9 parts
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Requirement 9. Walk the mile Usually comes after Requirement 1. Get ready for a one-mile walk and Requirement 2. Know before you go.
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Fellowship Requirement
Family and faith. Earned by its four requirements, or by a religious emblem of the family's choosing.
5 parts
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Paws for Action Requirement
Citizenship: the U.S. flag, national symbols, a non-profit, and a service project.
Stage 5 of 5
1 step
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Bear badge of rank, at the next pack meeting Milestone
Once all six required Adventures and two electives are done, the badge is presented at the next pack meeting. Belt loops are given out as each Adventure is earned.
Usually comes after Bear Strong, Standing Tall and 4 others.
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.