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Bobcat

Cub Scouts · Adventure, Required

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Bobcat is where every Tiger starts. You'll get to know your den, learn the Scout Oath and Law, and practice the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake. It's the beginning of your Scouting story.

Why it's worth it

Bobcat is where every Tiger begins. You'll learn the names of the kids in your den, say the Scout Oath, and learn the sign, salute, and handshake that Cub Scouts everywhere use. These are the words and signals that connect you to millions of Scouts, and you'll use them at every den meeting and pack event this year.

Start this week

  1. Say the first line of the Scout Oath with your adult at breakfast, and add a line each day.
  2. Practice the Cub Scout sign in a mirror: hold up two fingers like a wolf's ears.
  3. At your next den meeting, learn one fun fact about two other Tigers, like their favorite animal.

Requirements · 6

Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).

  1. Requirement 1

    Get to know the other Scouts in your den

    Tip: Play a name game or share your favorite animal so you learn something about each den member.

    For example: Play "Animal Name Game": each Tiger says their name and a favorite animal, like "I'm Sam and I like sharks." The next Tiger repeats it before adding their own.

  2. Requirement 2

    Say the Scout Oath together with your den and your adult partner

    Tip: Say the Scout Oath a little each day with your adult partner, like at breakfast or in the car.

  3. Requirement 3

    Have your adult partner or den leader read you the Scout Law, then show you understand being trustworthy, helpful, or friendly

    Tip: Pick trustworthy, helpful, or friendly and act it out, like helping a friend clean up.

    For example: Pick helpful and act it out: when the den finishes a craft, you pick up scraps and put away markers without being asked. Then tell the den which part of the Scout Law you showed.

  4. Requirement 4

    Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake, and when each one is used

    Tip: Practice the sign, salute, and handshake with your adult, and talk about when you'd use each one.

    For example: Use the sign when the den says the Oath or when a leader wants quiet. Use the salute for the flag. Use the handshake to greet another Cub Scout. Practice all three with your adult.

  5. Requirement 5

    At a den meeting or at home, tell your adult partner about a time you showed the Cub Scout motto "Do Your Best"

    Tip: Think of a time you kept trying at something hard. Tell your adult partner about it at a den meeting or at home.

    For example: "I did my best when I learned to read a whole book by myself. Some words were hard, but I sounded them out." Tell it to your adult partner at a den meeting or at home. A drawing can help you tell the story.

  6. Requirement 6

    At home, work through the youth protection booklet (A Parent's Guide) activities together with a parent or legal guardian

    Tip: Find a quiet evening to do the Parent's Guide activities with your parent or guardian.

Talk about it together

  • Which part of the Scout Oath or Law do you like best, and why?
  • What is something new you learned about someone in your den?
  • When did you show you were trustworthy, helpful, or friendly this week?
  • What is something hard you kept trying until you got better?
  • Why do you think Scouts have their own sign and handshake?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • Start meetings with the Oath so Tigers learn it by repetition.
  • Share the Parent's Guide with families early and let them complete it at home.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Counts toward

More Tiger adventures

Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.