Following Akela's Trail

When Baden-Powell started the Scouting movement, he felt that any Scout who took the time and trouble to master skills should be rewarded. He gave to each Scout who passed certain tests a badge to wear on his uniform. It recognized the importance of what the Scout had done and let others know of his achievement.

Cub Scouting is based on one of the stories in Rudyard Kipling’s "Jungle Book". It was called Mowgli’s Brothers. We know it as the Story of Akela and Mowgli. In Kipling’s story the black panther, Bagherra, is the mighty hunter who teaches the cubs the skills of the jungle. In Cub Scouting we use the symbol of Bobcat. (Award the Bobcat rank.)

The next adventure is the Wolf Trail. This is a big adventure for a boy. The Wolf Trail is much longer than the Bobcat trail. A Scout should "Do His Best". That’s a part of the promise he made to become a Bobcat. (Award the Wolf rank.)

In the Bear book, we learn how Baloo, the wise old brown bear, teaches Mowgli the Law of the Pack. The requirements are a little bit more difficult that those for the Wolf badge. "Obey the Law of the Pack" is another part of the promise he made to become a Bobcat. (Award the Bear Rank).

Webelos Scouting is an integral part of Cub Scouting. It has some distinct differences from the program for younger Cub Scouts, but it shares in Cub Scouting’s main purposes. In Webelos Scouting, he learns new ways to "Help Other People at All Times", another part of the promise he made to become a Bobcat. (Award the Webelos Rank)

The highest award a Cub Scout can receive is the Arrow of Light. Usually awarded during a special ceremony, it is important to mention this light at the end of the Cub Scouting tunnel. This "Light" with all the skills and tools it represents, is carried forward to brighten the new world of Boy Scouting. It is in Boy Scouting and after that a boy will keep the final promise he made when became a Bobcat - "Duty of God and Country".

  Return to Scouting Bear's Cave.