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."
    

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.
   
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.
   
    
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. A bobcat badge is pinned to the boy 's uniform upside down at first. Then when your Cub does his first good turn, you may turn it right side up and sew it on his pocket. Here is a guide to tell you how to sew on the uniform insignias.

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