Learn How To Earn Your Bobcat Badge!

THE BOBCAT TRAIL

When a boy is between the ages of seven and eleven years old or is (at least) in the first grade, he can become a Cub Scout. But, regardless of a qualifying boy’s age, he must complete the Bobcat Trail as the first step in his Cub Scouting adventure.

In Rudyard Kipling’s story, The Jungle Book, the black panther Bagheera is the mighty hunter that teaches the cubs the skills of the jungle.

In Cub Scouting we use the symbol of the Bobcat. You’ll find his trail in the Tiger Cub Handbook (BSA 34713),
and the Wolf Handbook (BSA 33450), the Bear Handbook (BSA 33451), and the Webelos Handbook (BSA 33452)

Along this trail the Cub Scout learns the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto.

These are the three most important things a boy must learn because they will help him through all of the trails of Scouting.

THE BOBCAT TRACKS

To earn the Bobcat badge the boy must complete these eight tracks of Akela:

1. LEARN AND SAY THE CUB SCOUT PROMISE

“I ____(name)____ promise to do my best,
to do my duty,
to God and my country,
to help other people,
and to obey the Law of the Pack.”

… AND COMPLETE THE HONESTY CHARACTER CONNECTION.

Know: Discuss these questions with your family.
What is a promise? What does it mean to “keep your word?”
What does honesty mean? What does it mean to “do your best?”

Commit: Discuss these questions with your family.
Why is a promise important?
Why is it important for people to trust you when you give your word?
When might it be difficult to keep your word? List examples.

Practice: Discuss with family members why it is important to be trustworthy and honest and how can you do your best to be
honest when you are doing the activities in Cub Scouting.

2. SAY THE LAW OF THE PACK. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

“The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout Grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill.”

3. TELL WHAT “WEBELOS” MEANS.

“WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts”

4. SHOW THE CUB SCOUT SIGN. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

1. MAKE THE SIGN WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND. 2. AND WITH YOUR ARM HELD STRAIGHT UP. BOBCAT TRACK NUMBER FOUR The two fingers stand for the two parts of the Cub Scout Promise “TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE” and “TO OBEY.” They look like a wolves ears ready to listen to Akela. Give the Cub Scout sign when you say the “Cub Scout Promise” and the “Law of the Pack.” When a Cub can give the Cub Scout sign and tell what it means, he has completed Bobcat track number 4.

5. SHOW THE CUB SCOUT HANDSHAKE. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

1. HOLD OUT YOUR RIGHT HAND JUST AS YOU ALWAYS DO TO SHAKE HANDS. 2. PUT YOUR FIRST TWO FINGERS ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE OTHER BOYS WRIST. BOBCAT TRACK NUMBER FIVE The Cub handshake means that you “HELP” and that you “OBEY” the Law of the Pack. When a boy can shake hands as a Cub Scout and tell what it means, he has completed Bobcat track number 5.

6. SAY THE CUB SCOUT MOTTO. A MOTTO IS A RULE.

The MOTTO is: “DO YOUR BEST.”

7. SHOW THE CUB SCOUT SALUTE. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

1. SALUTE WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND. 2. HOLD YOUR FINGERS AS YOU DO FOR THE CUB SCOUT SIGN. 3. KEEP THE TWO STRAIGHT FINGERS CLOSE TOGETHER. 4. TOUCH THE TIPS OF THOSE FINGERS TO YOUR CAP. 5. IF YOU ARE NOT WEARING A CAP, TOUCH YOUR EYEBROW. BOBCAT TRACK NUMBER SEVEN A salute is a way to show respect to your leaders. It shows that you look up to them and respect them. We salute the flag to show respect to our country. When a Cub can give the Cub Scout salute and tell what it means, he has completed Bobcat track number 7.

8. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises
in the parent’s guide, “How to Protect Your Children
from Child Abuse”.

When you and your boy have followed the eight tracks
of the Bobcat, your boy may wear his Bobcat badge.

The badge should be ceremoniously presented as
soon as possible at an upcoming Pack meeting.

Once the Bobcat badge is earned it is worn upside down
until…

Hey, Bobcat ! Do a good turn…
( …then turn it over ! )

How and when do I turn it over?

By doing a good deed such as, cleaning up your room or helping
someone with a chore, without Akela telling you to do so!
Then Akela will turn it up for you.

The Bobcat Badge is the first ‘earned’ rank of a Cub Scout!