Cubs Progression: A Guide to Skills, Badges and Moving On to Scouts

What Is Cubs Progression?

Cubs are the third section of the Scouts programme, for young people aged 8 to 10½.

For many young people, Cubs is where their skills and confidence really start to develop.

They are old enough to take on more responsibility, but still young enough that fun, play and adventure remain at the heart of the programme.

Cubs provides opportunities to:

• Learn practical skills
• Explore the outdoors
• Take part in adventures
• Work as a team
• Develop leadership skills
• Solve problems
• Try unfamiliar activities
• Build confidence
• Take responsibility
• Discover new interests

The Scouts programme isn’t simply about collecting badges.

It’s about giving young people opportunities to learn by doing.

THE BIG IDEA

Progression isn’t measured by how many badges are on a uniform.

It’s measured by how much a young person has learned, experienced and grown in confidence.

How Does Cubs Progression Work?

There are several ways a Cub can progress through the programme.

These include:

• Membership Award
• Challenge Awards
• Activity Badges
• Staged Activity Badges
• Joining In Awards
• Leadership Stripes
• Moving On Award
• Chief Scout’s Silver Award
• Other programme awards and opportunities

The current Cubs programme has seven Challenge Awards, which form the core of the Chief Scout’s Silver Award.

Starting Cubs

When a young person first joins Cubs, the first priority is settling into the Pack.

They may already have experience of Beavers, or Cubs may be their first involvement with Scouts.

A new Cub needs time to:

Once they’ve made their Promise, they can earn their Membership Award.

For someone moving up from Beavers, the change should feel like a natural progression rather than starting again from scratch.

From Beavers to Cubs

The move from Beavers to Cubs is an opportunity to build on existing skills.

For example:

Beavers: Follow a simple trail.

Cubs: Use a map and follow a route.

Beavers: Learn simple knots.

Cubs: Use knots as part of a practical project.

Beavers: Help put up a tent.

Cubs: Take more responsibility for camping equipment and camp tasks.

Beavers: Learn basic safety.

Cubs: Begin identifying hazards and suggesting ways to make activities safer.

The skill doesn’t necessarily need to become dramatically more complicated.

Instead, the Cub should gradually become more capable and more involved in the process.

The Seven Cubs Challenge Awards

The current Cubs programme has seven Challenge Awards:

1. Our World Challenge Award
2. Our Skills Challenge Award
3. Our Outdoors Challenge Award
4. Our Adventure Challenge Award
5. Teamwork Challenge Award
6. Team Leader Challenge Award
7. Personal Challenge Award

All seven are required for the Chief Scout’s Silver Award.

Together, they cover a broad range of experiences including:

• Outdoor adventure
• Practical skills
• Community
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Personal development
• Trying new things

Our World Challenge Award

The Our World Challenge Award encourages Cubs to understand their local community and their place within it.

For example, Cubs can explore:

• Their local area
• Community services
• People who help others
• How communities work
• Ways they can make a positive difference

One current requirement involves creating a community map and identifying local services, followed by taking part in an activity that benefits the local community.

This is an opportunity to demonstrate that being a Scout isn’t just about outdoor adventure.

It’s also about being part of a community.

Our Skills Challenge Award

The Our Skills Challenge Award focuses on learning and developing practical skills.

This can include activities such as:

• Cooking
• Creativity
• Practical tasks
• Writing
• Learning new techniques
• Problem-solving
• Developing an existing interest

It’s a particularly useful award because it encourages Cubs to discover that skills improve through practice.

A Cub doesn’t need to be immediately good at something.

They need to be willing to learn.

SKILLS TIP

Don’t always choose activities that Cubs already know they can do.

Give them opportunities to discover something they’re not yet good at.

Our Outdoors Challenge Award

The Our Outdoors Challenge Award encourages Cubs to experience the natural world and develop outdoor skills.

Current Scouts material includes activities such as:

• Building shelters
• Sleeping outdoors
• Camping
• Outdoor exploration
• Developing practical outdoor skills

This provides an excellent foundation for topics such as:

• Shelter building
• Knots
• Navigation
• Fire safety
• Campfires
• Cooking outdoors
• Weather awareness
• Water safety
• First aid
• Survival skills

OUTDOOR PROGRESSION

A Cub doesn’t need to become an expert survivalist.

The goal is to become confident, safe and capable outdoors.

Our Adventure Challenge Award

Adventure is an important part of Cubs.

The Our Adventure Challenge Award encourages young people to step outside their comfort zone and try activities they may not normally choose.

Adventure could include:

The important part isn’t how extreme the activity is.

For one Cub, adventure might mean climbing.

For another, it might mean spending a night away from home.

For another, it might simply mean trying something they’ve never done before.

ADVENTURE TIP

Adventure should feel exciting, not frightening.

The right level of challenge is one that encourages a Cub to stretch themselves while remaining properly supported.

Teamwork Challenge Award

As Cubs become older, teamwork becomes increasingly important.

The Teamwork Challenge Award gives Cubs opportunities to work together towards a common goal.

They might:

Good teamwork isn’t about one person taking over.

It’s about everyone having an opportunity to contribute.

Team Leader Challenge Award

The Team Leader Challenge Award takes this a step further.

Cubs can begin developing genuine leadership skills.

Current requirements include activities such as:

• Leading their Six in an activity
• Helping a new Cub join in
• Teaching another Cub a skill
• Asking their Six what they’d like to do and helping make it happen

These are excellent examples of age-appropriate leadership.

A Cub doesn’t need to be in charge of everyone.

They need opportunities to:

Plan.

Communicate.

Listen.

Help.

Take responsibility.

Personal Challenge Award

The Personal Challenge Award is particularly important because it recognises that every Cub is different.

Each Cub completes two personal challenges:

• One chosen by the Cub
• One chosen with their leader

The challenges should be something the Cub finds difficult but can achieve with effort and commitment.

Examples might include:

The challenge is personal.

That means two Cubs don’t need to be working towards the same thing.

Why Personal Challenges Matter

This is where progression becomes particularly meaningful.

Imagine a Cub who is nervous about speaking in front of others.

Their challenge could be to explain something they’re interested in to the Pack.

Another Cub might struggle with organisation.

Their challenge could involve remembering their equipment for several weeks.

Another might be nervous about trying a new activity.

Their challenge could simply be:

“Have a go.”

Success isn’t about being perfect.

It’s about making progress.

Activity Badges

Alongside the seven Challenge Awards, Cubs can work towards Activity Badges.

These allow young people to explore individual interests.

The current Cubs programme includes activities ranging from athletics and astronomy to photography and pioneering, with a broad range of subjects available.

This is one of the great strengths of the programme.

Not every Cub needs to enjoy the same thing.

One might love:

• Camping

Another:

• Cooking

Another:

• Photography

Another:

• Astronomy

Another:

• Pioneering

Another:

• Water activities

Activity Badges give young people the opportunity to find something that’s theirs.

Staged Activity Badges

Staged Activity Badges are particularly useful for long-term progression.

Rather than completing one badge and stopping, young people can continue developing the same skill through different Scout sections.

Depending on the activity, Cubs may be able to begin or continue staged badges in areas such as:

• Navigation
• Emergency Aid
• Swimming
• Music
• Digital skills
• Water activities
• Hikes Away
• Nautical skills
• Air activities

This provides continuity between Cubs and Scouts.

A young person can start developing a skill at one level and continue progressing as they get older.

The Chief Scout’s Silver Award

The Chief Scout’s Silver Award is the highest award a Cub can earn.

To complete it, a Cub must achieve:

All Seven Challenge Awards

Plus:

Six Activity or Staged Activity Badges

The six badges can be chosen by the Cub.

This creates a useful balance.

The Challenge Awards provide a broad programme.

The Activity Badges allow the Cub to follow their own interests.

Silver Award Progression

The Silver Award shouldn’t be treated like an exam that needs to be completed as quickly as possible.

Cubs can work towards it at their own pace. Scouts specifically encourages Cubs to take charge of their own award and make suggestions about what they would like to work towards.

This is an important step towards the greater independence expected in Scouts.

🥈 SILVER AWARD TIP

Think of the Chief Scout’s Silver Award as a record of a Cub’s journey, rather than a race to collect badges.

What If a Cub Doesn’t Finish the Silver Award?

There’s no need to panic.

If a Cub hasn’t completed everything before moving up to Scouts, Scouts allows them to finish the outstanding requirements during their first term in the Scout Troop.

The Silver Award can also be worn on the Scout uniform until the young person earns the Chief Scout’s Gold Award.

So missing one requirement before the move to Scouts doesn’t mean the entire achievement has been lost.

Outdoor Skills and Cubs Progression

This is where Cubs can really start developing the outdoor skills introduced in Beavers.

A progression might look like this:

Shelter

Beavers: Help build a simple den.

Cubs: Build a shelter as part of a team.

Developing: Decide what materials and design would work best.

Knots

Beavers: Learn simple knots.

Cubs: Use several knots for a practical purpose.

Developing: Explain to someone else how to tie them.

Navigation

Beavers: Follow a simple trail.

Cubs: Use a map and compass on a short route.

Developing: Help plan a route.

Fire Safety

Beavers: Understand that fire can be dangerous.

Cubs: Learn safe behaviour around a supervised fire.

Developing: Help with appropriate fire-related tasks under close supervision.

Camping

Beavers: Experience a sleepover.

Cubs: Take part in camping and help with camp routines.

Developing: Take greater responsibility for their equipment and tasks.

Progression Through Camping

Camping is one of the best ways to develop multiple skills at once.

A Cub can learn about:

A Cub who once needed help with everything may eventually be able to explain:

“This is what I need, this is why I need it, and this is how I use it safely.”

That’s genuine progression.

Progression Through Navigation

Navigation is another skill that can develop throughout the Cub years.

Beginner

Learn basic map symbols.

Developing

Orientate a simple map.

Next Step

Follow a short route.

More Confident

Use map and compass together.

Advanced for Cubs

Help plan a route and explain the decisions made.

The objective isn’t to turn a Cub into an expert navigator.

It’s to help them become comfortable finding their way and thinking about where they are.

Progression Through First Aid

Cubs can also take their first-aid knowledge further.

They can learn:

As with all first aid, activities should be age-appropriate and properly supervised.

Progression Through Fire and Campfires

Fire is an excellent example of how responsibility can gradually increase.

For younger children:

Understand the danger.

Then:

Learn the safety rules.

Then:

Take part in supervised activities around a fire.

Eventually:

Help with appropriate campfire tasks under adult supervision.

The important point is that increased skill should never mean abandoning supervision.

A Cub learning about fire should understand that even a small campfire can cause serious burns or start an uncontrolled fire.

Leadership in Cubs

Leadership becomes much more visible during the Cub years.

Cubs are organised into smaller groups called Sixes, and older or more experienced Cubs may become Sixers or Seconders.

These young leaders can take on responsibilities such as:

Scouts recognises this through Leadership Stripes.

LEADERSHIP TIP

Good leadership isn’t about being the loudest person.

A good Cub leader listens, includes people and helps the group succeed.

From Following to Leading

This is one of the most important progression steps in Cubs.

A younger child may initially ask:

“What do I do?”

A developing Cub might ask:

“Can I help?”

A confident Cub might say:

“I’ll show you.”

And eventually:

“I’ve got an idea. Can we try this?”

That’s exactly the kind of development the programme can encourage.

Don’t Compare Cubs

One Cub might have a huge collection of badges.

Another might have only a few.

That doesn’t necessarily tell you which one has progressed further.

One child might be developing confidence.

Another might be developing leadership.

Another might be learning to manage anxiety around unfamiliar activities.

Another might be developing an incredible practical skill.

Progression should be about individual development, not competition.

Progression Through Confidence

A Cub who was afraid of heights and eventually tries a climbing activity has progressed.

A Cub who couldn’t tie a knot and eventually teaches someone else has progressed.

A Cub who struggled to work in a team and eventually helps lead one has progressed.

A Cub who didn’t want to camp and eventually sleeps outdoors has progressed.

The badge is the visible achievement.

The confidence behind it is the real achievement.

Preparing to Move On to Scouts

Eventually, Cubs move on to Scouts.

Scouts says this usually happens between 10 and 11, and the Moving On Award helps prepare Cubs for their next adventure.

A good transition might include:

The aim is to make the move feel exciting rather than intimidating.

From Cubs to Scouts

The move to Scouts represents another significant step.

Cubs have already begun developing:

Scouts can then build on those foundations with more demanding activities and greater responsibility.

The journey continues:

Squirrels → Beavers → Cubs → Scouts

Each stage builds upon the previous one.

What Should a Cub Be Able to Do Before Scouts?

There isn’t a single list of skills that every Cub needs to master.

However, by the time they move on, they may have developed experience in:

Personal Skills

• Looking after their belongings
• Taking responsibility
• Setting personal goals
• Persevering with difficult tasks

Teamwork

• Working in a Six
• Listening to others
• Sharing responsibility
• Helping new members

Leadership

• Leading a game or activity
• Helping other Cubs
• Teaching a skill
• Taking responsibility for their Six

Outdoor Skills

• Camping
• Navigation
• Knots
• Shelter building
• Outdoor safety
• Nature awareness

Practical Skills

• Cooking
• First aid
• Problem-solving
• Making and building
• Looking after equipment

Adventure

• Trying unfamiliar activities
• Taking part in outdoor challenges
• Spending nights away
• Exploring new environments

Cubs Progression Checklist

Confidence

Independence

Teamwork

Outdoor Skills

Leadership

Personal Development

Cubs Progression: The Bigger Picture

The Scout journey continues to grow with the young person:

Squirrels

Discover and explore.

Beavers

Try new things and build confidence.

Cubs

Develop skills, adventure and leadership.

Scouts

Take greater responsibility and develop independence.

Then come Explorers and Network, where young people can take even greater ownership of their activities and development.

Cubs is therefore an important bridge between the highly supported early years of Scouting and the greater independence that comes later.

Final Thoughts

Cubs is where many young people begin to realise that they are capable of much more than they thought.

They learn to:

Try.

Fail.

Try again.

Help others.

Lead.

Explore.

Take responsibility.

The seven Challenge Awards provide a broad framework for development, while Activity and Staged Activity Badges allow Cubs to follow their own interests. The Chief Scout’s Silver Award brings that journey together into one significant achievement.

But once again, the number of badges isn’t the most important thing.

A Cub who becomes more confident is progressing.

A Cub who learns to help others is progressing.

A Cub who takes responsibility is progressing.

A Cub who tries something they were previously afraid to do is progressing.

🐺 THE CUB PROGRESSION MOTTO

Learn a skill. Take an adventure. Help your team. Challenge yourself.

Every step prepares you for the next adventure.

Useful official resources

Scouts – Cubs

Scouts – Cub Awards

Chief Scout’s Silver Award

Scouts – Cub Activity Badges