Cub Scouts
Arrow of Light – Fifth Grade

About the Rank

​The highest rank & award in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. It is one of the few Cub Scout badges that a Scout can wear on their Scouts BSA uniform. Scouts work on outdoor skills, physically fitness, and learn more about citizenship and working with others.
Upon completion of the requirements for Arrow of Light, a Scout can bridge into a Scouts BSA troop. Webelos Scouts that are working toward their Arrow of Light rank & award are commonly called Arrow of Light Scouts, similar to the younger ranks in Cub Scouting.
Like all other new Cub Scouts, an Arrow of Light Scout must first earn the Bobcat rank then go on to complete the requirements for the Arrow of Light rank and the many electives that are offered.

The requirements for Webelos and Arrow of Light may be worked on at the same time but the tenure requirements for each must be met and the awards must be earned and presented sequentially (if both are earned instead of just Webelos or just the Arrow of Light).

For Ages 10/11 or 5th Grade

Den Leaders

Shopping List

Your scout needs a rank-appropriate uniform and handbook that they will use throughout the year.   Rank-specific shopping lists (including optional items) can be found below.  All of these items can be purchased in-person or online at a Scout Shop. There are three locations in the area:

Purchase items here: Scout Items

Handbook

The official handbook is a Scout’s guide to their year in Cub Scouting.  It is where they can find everything they need to complete requirements and many other Family Scouting activities.

Uniform

Scouts working toward their Arrow of Light Ranks are beginning the transition from Cub Scouts to the Scouts BSA Program.  

  • New Scouts should purchase the Scouts BSA uniform as shown below.  
  • Existing Scouts can continue wearing their Cub Scout Uniforms until they cross over into Scouts BSA, however we encourage Scouts to purchase the khaki uniform should they need a larger size and especially if they expect to continue into the Scouts BSA Program.
  • Existing Scouts can re-use their existing patches or purchase new ones.

Additional information on the Cub Scout Uniform including where to buy it and how to place patches can be found in Episode 2 of the New Member Boot Camp series.  Consult the Boy Scouts of America’s Guide to Awards and Insignia for more information (Cub Scout-specific Guide).

Optional Gear

The following items are encouraged, but optional for participation in the program.

  • Uniform Web Belt
  • Uniform Cap, Plaid
  • Uniform pants, shorts, or skirt

Additionally, you may choose to purchase the Cub Scout six essentials and other camping / hiking gear (i.e. a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat) from any outdoor store.

Requirements

The requirements and information necessary to earn the Webelos rank are included in the Webelos Cub Scout Handbook.

  1. Be active in your Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade or at least six months since becoming ten years old.
  2. Complete each of four required Adventures:
    • Building a Better World
    • Duty to God in Action
    • Outdoor Adventurer
    • Scouting Adventure
  3. In addition to the five required adventures listed, complete at least one elective Adventure of your den or family’s choosing for a total of at least five adventures. (See below.)
  4. With your parent or adult partner, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide, and earn the Cyber Chip award for your age.

Electives

Scouts can choose from the following Adventures (but cannot repeat an Adventure from their first year as a Webelos.

    • Adventures in Science
    • Aquanaut
    • Art Explosion
    • Aware and Care
    • Build It
    • Build My Own Hero
    • Castaway
    • Earth Rocks!
    • Engineer
    • Fix It
    • Game Design
    • Into the Wild
    • Into the Woods
    • Looking Back, Looking Forward
    • Maestro!
    • Moviemaking
    • Project Family
    • Protect Yourself Rules
    • Sports
    • Yo-Yo