No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A boy must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include:
- Learn and say the Cub Scout Motto, the Cub Scout Promise, and the Law of the Pack and tell what they mean;
- Show the Cub Scout sign, salute and handshake and tell what they mean; and
- Show that understand and believe that it is important to be honest and trustworthy.
Bobcat Badge Requirements
- Learn and say the Scout Oath, with help if needed.
“On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.“Meaning of the Scout Oath:
On my honor I will Do My Best: Saying on my honor is like saying “I promise.” It means that you will do your best to do what the Scout Oath says.
The Scout Oath has three promises…
TO DO MY DUTY TO GOD AND MY COUNTRY AND TO OBEY THE SCOUT LAW: A duty is something you are expected to do. At home, you might be expected to make up your bed or take out the trash. You also have duties to God and to your country. You do your duty to God by following the teachings of your family and religious leaders. You do your duty to your country by being a good citizen and obeying the law. You also promise to live by the 12 points of the Scout Law, which are described on the next page.
TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES: Many people need help. A friendly smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By helping other people, you are doing a Good Turn and making our world a better place.
TO KEEP MYSELF PHYSICALLY STRONG, MENTALLY AWAKE, AND MORALLY STRAIGHT: The last part of the Scout Oath is about taking care of yourself. You stay physically strong when you eat the right foods and get plenty of exercise. You stay mentally awake when you work hard in school, learn all you can, and ask questions. You stay morally straight when you do the right thing and live your life with honesty.
- Learn and say the Scout Law, with help if needed.
“A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty,
brave, clean, and reverent”Meaning of The Law of the Pack:
Trustworthy...
- Show the Cub Scout Sign. Tell what it means.
M
ake the sign with your right hand and with your arm held straight up. The two fingers stand for “The Scout Oath” and “The Scout Law”. The fingers look like the sharp ears of the wolf ready to listen to Akela. Always give the Cub Scout Sign when you say the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.
- Show the Cub Scout handshake. Tell what it means.
Using your right hand, place your first two fingers along the inside of the other boy’s wrist. This means that you help each other to remember and obey the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
- Say the Cub Scout Motto. Tell what it means.
“Do Your Best!”
A motto is a guiding principle and a rule for living
- Show the Cub Scout Salute. Tell what it means.
Point your first two fingers of your right hand out straight and close together. Touch the tips of the fingers to your cap or if not wearing a cap then to your eyebrow. A salute is a way to show respect. When you salute a leader (either adult or other scout), you show him or her that you respect their position. When you salute the flag, you show that you are proud of your country.
- With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide — Bobcat Requirements.
The above items are the basic information that ALL Cub Scouts learn, which is why EVERY boy who enters into Cub Scouting earns the Bobcat Badge.
