The Bobcat Trail - When a boy is between the ages of eight and eleven years old or has (at least) completed 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 "Wolf Cub Scout Book" (BSA Publication No.33234, 1998)

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." 
   
   Meaning of the Cub Scout Promise:
   Duty to God means: Put God first. Do what you know God wants you to do. And my country means: Do what you can for your country. Be proud that you are an American. To help other people means: Do things for others that would please them. Obey the Law of the Pack means: Be a good Cub Scout. Be proud that you are one.
   

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. " 
    
   Meaning of the Law of the Pack.
   The Cub Scout follows Akela (say Ah-KAY-la) means: Akela is a good leader. Your mother or father is Akela. In the Pack, your Cubmaster is Akela. Your Den Leader is Akela. At school, your teacher is Akela. The Cub Scout helps the Pack go means: Come to all the meetings. Do what you can to help. Think of others in the pack. The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow means: You can have fun when you are a part of the pack. Learn things from others. Do things with them. The Cub Scout gives goodwill means: Smile. Be happy. Do things that make others happy. They don't have to be big things. Little Things help, too.
   

3. TELL WHAT "WEBELOS" MEANS.

   "WE'll BE LOyal Scouts"
    

4. SHOW THE CUB SCOUT SIGN. TELL WHAT IT MEANS. 
     
   Meaning of the Cub Scout sign:
   Make the sign with your right hand and with your arm held straight up. The two fingers stand for two parts of the Promise - "to help other people" and "to obey." They look like a wolf's ears ready to listen to Akela. Give the Cub Scout Sign when you say the Cub Scout Promise or the Law of the Pack.
   
   
5. SHOW THE CUB SCOUT HANDSHAKE. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.
   
    
   
6. SAY THE CUB SCOUT MOTTO. A MOTTO IS A RULE. 
   
       The MOTTO is: "DO YOUR BEST. " 
       
     
7. GIVE THE CUB SCOUT SALUTE. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.
   
    
   
   Meaning of the Cub Scout Salute:
   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
   
   
8. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the parent's guide, "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse". (See the link below for the guide.)