Bobcat starts your Arrow of Light year by turning your den into a patrol, just like in a Scouts BSA troop. You'll choose a name and a leader, learn the Scouts BSA sign and motto, and visit a troop. It's your first taste of what's next.
Why it's worth it
This is the year your den becomes a patrol, the same way Scouts BSA troops work. You'll pick a name, elect a leader, and make decisions together, with adults helping but not running everything. You'll also visit a real troop, see what older Scouts do, and start picturing yourself there next year.
Start this week
- Come up with two patrol name ideas and a drawing for a patrol flag.
- Practice the Scouts BSA sign, salute, and handshake with your adult.
- Ask your den leader when your patrol can visit a Scouts BSA troop meeting.
Requirements · 8
Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).
Note: Do this adventure first; after it, the other Arrow of Light adventures can be done in any order
- Requirement 1
Show how the patrol method works: pick a patrol name and elect a patrol leader; talk about why the patrol method helps
Tip: Brainstorm patrol names together and vote. Talk about why scouts leading scouts works well.
For example: The patrol method means Scouts lead Scouts. Your patrol might pick a name like the Hawks, vote for a patrol leader for a few months, and talk about why deciding things yourselves helps you learn faster.
- Requirement 2
Get to know the members of your patrol
Tip: Play a game where everyone shares a favorite hobby, food, or summer memory.
- Requirement 3
With your patrol, say the Scout Oath and Scout Law
Tip: Practice the Oath and Law together at each meeting until everyone knows them.
- Requirement 4
Make a Code of Conduct together with your patrol
Tip: Work together on rules like listening and helping each other, then have everyone sign it.
For example: A patrol Code of Conduct might say: we listen when someone is talking, we include everyone, we try before asking for help, we clean up together, and we follow the Scout Law.
- Requirement 5
Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake used in Scouting America; show how each is used
Tip: Practice the Scouts BSA sign, salute, and handshake with a buddy and talk about when to use each.
- Requirement 6
Learn the Scouting America motto and slogan
Tip: Learn the motto and slogan, then share a time you were prepared or did a good turn.
For example: The motto is "Be Prepared" and the slogan is "Do a Good Turn Daily." Share a time you were ready for something, like bringing a jacket when it got cold, and a good turn you did for someone.
- Requirement 7
Visit a Scouting America troop with your patrol or your parent or legal guardian
Tip: Ask your leader to set up a visit to a troop meeting. Bring questions for the older Scouts.
For example: At a troop visit, watch who runs the meeting. Ask the Scouts: What's your favorite campout? What do new Scouts do the first year? How do patrols work here?
- Requirement 8
At home with a parent or legal guardian, complete the activities in the Parent's Guide youth protection booklet on protecting children from abuse
Tip: Set aside a quiet evening with a parent or guardian for the Parent's Guide activities.
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
A Scouts BSA troop meeting
You'll see youth leaders run the meeting, patrols working together, and the skills you'll learn next year.
How: Have your den leader or parent contact the troop's Scoutmaster to set up a visit night. Go with your patrol or a parent or guardian.
Talk about it together
- What did you notice at the troop meeting that you liked?
- What makes someone a good patrol leader?
- How did your patrol decide on its name, and how did it feel to choose together?
- What question do you still have about joining a troop?
- How can you help a patrol member who is having a hard time?
Helpful reads
- Cub Scouts: a guide for families, How Cub Scout ranks and adventures work from kindergarten through fifth grade, what an adult partner does, and how to keep it fun at meetings and at home., Families · Leaders · 4 min read
- From Arrow of Light to a troop, What changes when you join a Scouts BSA troop, how to visit and choose one, good questions to ask, and how to make your first year a great one., Youth · Families · 4 min read
For leaders & parents
- Let the patrol run its own elections and decisions so scouts practice leading.
- Reach out to a few local troops early to set up visits.
People & places that can help
- Local Scouts BSA troop — Visit a meeting and meet older Scouts.
- Scouting America (opens in a new tab) — Youth protection info and official requirements.
- BeAScout (opens in a new tab) — Find Scouts BSA troops near you to visit.
- Scouting America: Scouts BSA (opens in a new tab) — What happens in a troop and how Scouts BSA works.
Pairs well with
Counts toward
More Arrow of Light adventures
- Duty to God, Required, Adventure · 3 requirements
- First Aid, Required, Adventure · 7 requirements
- Personal Fitness, Required, Adventure · 4 requirements
- Champions for Nature, Elective, Adventure · 6 requirements
- Cycling, Elective, Adventure · 7 requirements
- Engineer, Elective, Adventure · 5 requirements
- Estimations, Elective, Adventure · 4 requirements
- Fishing, Elective, Adventure · 7 requirements
- High Tech Outdoors, Elective, Adventure · 4 requirements
- Into the Wild, Elective, Adventure · 5 requirements
- Into the Woods, Elective, Adventure · 5 requirements
- Knife Safety, Elective, Adventure · 5 requirements
- Paddle Craft, Elective, Adventure · 9 requirements
- Race Time, Elective, Adventure · 5 requirements
- Summertime Fun, Elective, Adventure · 1 requirement
- Swimming, Elective, Adventure · 4 requirements
Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.