ScoutHitch
Back to Hitch Guide

Arrow of Light

Cub Scouts · Rank

Printable worksheet (PDF)

Arrow of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouts and your bridge to Scouts BSA. You'll camp with a patrol, learn real first aid, serve your community, and practice skills older Scouts use every day. Finishing it is something to be proud of.

Why it's worth it

Arrow of Light is the top of Cub Scouts and the bridge to a Scouts BSA troop. Your fifth grader learns real first aid, cooks on a camp stove, plans service, and works in a patrol where kids lead kids, just like in a troop. It's also the one Cub Scout badge they can keep wearing on a Scouts BSA uniform. Most important, this is the year your family visits troops and picks the one that fits, so your Scout shows up on day one already knowing faces and skills.

Start this week

  1. Ask your den leader which Scouts BSA troops nearby welcome Arrow of Light visits, and pick one meeting to attend this month.
  2. Look at the pack calendar for the crossover date and count back. That's your target for finishing the rank.
  3. Let your Scout choose a patrol name idea and two electives they're excited about before the first patrol meeting.
  4. Start a short list of questions your family wants to ask each troop you visit. Add to it after every visit.

Plan ahead: Crossover is often in late winter or spring, so the year is shorter than it looks. Start Bobcat's troop visit early, and begin Personal Fitness's 14 days of tracking whenever you have two calm weeks.

Requirements · 7

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

    Bobcat

    Tip: Bobcat sets up your patrol. Pick a patrol name, choose a leader, and visit a Scouts BSA troop.

    For example: Bobcat turns the den into a patrol. Your Scout helps pick a name, votes for a patrol leader, and visits a troop meeting. Many families use that first visit to start comparing troops.

  2. Requirement 2

    Outdoor Adventurer

    Tip: Outdoor Adventurer is a campout with your patrol or a troop. Help plan the gear and set up camp.

    For example: Outdoor Adventurer is a real overnight with the patrol or a troop. Your Scout packs the Scout Basic Essentials, helps lay out the kitchen and tents, and sees how older Scouts run a campsite.

  3. Requirement 3

    Personal Fitness

    Tip: Personal Fitness has you track your activity for two weeks. A simple chart on the fridge works great.

  4. Requirement 4

    Citizenship

    Tip: Citizenship means doing at least two hours of service. Pick a project your patrol cares about.

    For example: For Citizenship, the patrol might spend two hours stocking shelves at a food pantry or clearing litter from a creek trail, after planning it together with the SAFE Checklist.

  5. Requirement 5

    First Aid

    Tip: First Aid teaches you how to help in an emergency. Build your own small first-aid kit to keep.

  6. Requirement 6

    Duty to God

    Tip: Duty to God is about your family's faith and values. Talk with a parent about what it means to you.

  7. Requirement 7

    Complete any 2 elective adventures

    Tip: Choose two electives that match your interests, like Cycling, Fishing, or Engineer.

    For example: Electives can preview troop life. Knife Safety, Fishing, and Paddle Craft all build skills Scouts use in their first year, while Engineer or Into the Woods suit kids who love to figure things out.

Places to visit

Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.

  • Two or three Scouts BSA troop meetings

    Troops differ a lot in size, schedule, and style. Comparing a few helps your Scout find one where they'll feel at home.

    How: Ask your den leader or the troop's Scoutmaster for a visit night. Go as a family or with the patrol, and ask questions like: How often do you camp? Who plans meetings? How do new Scouts get help?

  • A troop campout or court of honor

    A campout shows how youth leaders run things, and a court of honor shows how the troop celebrates Scouts' progress.

    How: Ask the Scoutmaster if your patrol can join part of a campout or attend a court of honor. A parent or den leader goes along.

Talk about it together

  • What did you notice at the troop visits that made one feel like a good fit?
  • What's a job in your patrol you'd like to try, and what would you do in it?
  • Which skill from this year do you think you'll use most in a troop?
  • What are you a little nervous about for crossing over, and who could help with that?
  • How have you changed since you were a Lion, Tiger, or the year you joined?

Good questions to ask your den leader

  • Which troops have Webelos or Arrow of Light Scouts from our pack joined, and how did it go?
  • Can our patrol visit a troop meeting or campout together?
  • Which requirements should we finish before crossover, and what happens if we're not done?
  • How does crossover work in our pack, and when is it?
  • Who at the troop should we contact to arrange a visit?

Helpful reads

For leaders & parents

  • Connect with a local troop early so scouts can visit, camp, and meet older Scouts before crossing over.
  • Use the patrol method now so scouts practice leading themselves before they join a troop.

People & places that can help

Pairs well with

Arrow of Light adventures

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