Uniforms
Uniforms
Cub Scout activities are centered around earning badges that are specific to each school grade level. This badge represents a rank. Advancement refers to the progress a Cub Scout makes toward their badge of rank. All of the activities for each rank are in the Cub Scout handbooks.
Scouts are referred to by the rank they are working to complete. In other words, our First Graders are "Tigers" although they are working to earn the Tiger rank and will not wear it on their uniform until the end of the season and the next school year.
Based on different topics such as hiking, nature, science, citizenship, first aid, sports, and more, adventures are earned as a Cub Scout advances toward their badge of rank. Once an adventure is completed, a Cub Scout receives recognition in the form of an adventure loop or adventure pin which they display as a part of their uniform.
Button down shirts are referred to as "Class A" uniforms. Our less formal attire is a Pack t-shirt which is referred to as a "Class B". Before purchasing any uniform items, please reach out to the Pack. We usually have gently used hand-me-downs available.
Kindergarten - Lions
The Lion rank was re-introduced to Cub Scouts in 2017 as a Kindergarten level program. Lions are not required to wear a button down shirt or neckerchief. The official uniform is a navy blue Lion t-shirt and matching hat. In 2020, BSA starting offering a neckerchief, but it is optional.
In our Pack, we do not require official BSA pants or socks. Scouts will begin earning belt loops as Lions, so, we do recommend that parents/guardians purchase the belt at this level (it is adjustable and should last until you graduate to tan shirts and khaki belts as 5th graders).
We recommend that parents/guardians also purchase a hard copy of the Lion handbook. Lion & Tiger Handbooks are 8.5”x11” workbooks with 64 pages of activities, and come with Adult Partner Guides & Resources to Deliver Program. For Scouts at this age who are still learning to read, it is an age appropriate and fun way of engaging with their adventure requirements!
Tiger Handbook: We recommend hard copies of the handbook especially at this age. Lion & Tiger Handbooks are 8.5”x11” workbooks with 64 pages of activities, and come with Adult Partner Guides & Resources to Deliver Program. For First Graders who are still honing their reading skills, it is an age appropriate and fun way of engaging with their adventure requirements!
1st Graders - Tigers (orange)
The Pack will provide:
Orange Tiger neckerchief and corresponding slide
Belt loops and rank patch (when earned)
Caregivers please provide:
Blue button-down shirt (short or long-sleeved)
Belt
Patches
Pack 100 patch
Den patch
Council Patch (the Woburn Scout Shop sell shirts with the Council Pack pre-sewn on the shirt!)
2nd Graders - Wolves (red)
The Pack will provide:
Red Wolf neckerchief and corresponding slide
Belt loops and rank patch (when earned)
Caregivers please provide:
Blue button-down shirt (short or long-sleeved)
Belt
Patches
Pack 100 patches (a single patch with "100" numerals instead of 3 separate numeral patches can be purchased from the Pack at cost)
Den patch
Council Patch
Wolf Handbook
3rd Graders - Bears (light blue)
The Pack will provide:
Light blue neckerchief and corresponding slide
Belt loops and rank patch (when earned)
Parents please provide:
Blue button-down shirt (short or long-sleeved)
Belt
Patches
Pack 100 patches
Den patch
Council Patch
Bear Handbook
4th Graders - Webelos (plaid)
The Pack will provide:
Plaid Webelos neckerchief, corresponding slide, and Webelos colors (to hold pins)
Pins and Rank patch (when earned)
Parents please provide:
Blue button-down shirt (short or long-sleeved)
Belt
Patches
Pack 100 patches
Den patch
Council Patch
Webelos Handbook
5th Grade - Arrow of Light
The Arrow of Light is both a rank and an award. It is the highest achievement in Cub Scouting, and the only Cub Scout Award that can still be worn once a scout enters Scouts BSA. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light Award may show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their uniform.
Fifth graders work toward the Arrow of Light rank. If a fourth-grade Cub Scout has completed the Webelos rank, they may begin to work on the Arrow of Light. To begin working on AOL, a 4th grader should be active in your Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old.
5th Graders - Arrow of Light
The Pack will provide:
Neckerchief, colors, and slide
Pins and Rank patch (when earned)
Parents please provide:
Tan button-down shirt (short or long-sleeved)
Belt
Patches
Pack 100 patch
Den patch
Council Patch
AOL Handbook (as of June 2024, the AOL Handbook contains contents from Scouts BSA Handbook on Scout Badge of Rank requirements)
Other Uniform Notes
For all ranks, the following are available from the Scout Shop, but not required by Pack 100:
BSA uniform pants or skort - you may wear bottoms of your choice (shorts or pants), but you should be able to tuck in the shirt and have beltloops. Jeans are acceptable. You may wish to consider convertible hiking pants as your Scout gets older. A quick-drying fabric with zip-off pant legs can be very convenient!
Socks (please wear socks, but they do not need to be BSA official socks.)
For all Class A uniforms: rather than sewing 3 individual Unit Numeral patches onto your Scout's shirt to identify Pack 100, a single patch with "100" can be purchased from the Pack at cost (~$7).
A handbook is available for each rank of Cub Scouts. If caregivers prefer, the adventure requirements are available online and the handbook can be purchased for Kindle. As of Spring 2024, new handbooks are available with the updated Cub Scout Program. The handbooks are easier to navigate with tabs for each adventure. In the handbook, there are also 3D barcodes printed in the book for each adventure which will direct adults to the leader guide when scanned.
The easiest way for a new Scout to put together a uniform is to visit a local Scout Shop and work with the kind experts there. Our nearest Scout shop is in Woburn at Tower Office Park, 2R, Woburn, MA 01801. If you can't make it to Woburn, you can also shop online; if you do so, we recommend that you shop by rank/grade to find the essentials for your Scout.
Before purchasing, you may reach out to the Pack; we maintain a "closet" of gently used, hand-me-down uniform pieces. You are welcome to take anything you need!
Patch Placement
Confused about patch placement? There are great resources online that can help before you start ironing or stitching!
The official BSA guidelines to insignia placement for Cub Scouts can be found in this document.
Adult Leaders
All Den Leader uniform have the following parts;
Shirt—The official tan uniform shirt is available with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets. Den leaders wear blue shoulder loops. The Cub Scout Den Leader position patch is placed on the left sleeve.
Hat—Optional, if an adult chooses they may wear any official BSA adult hat.
Neckerchief—Optional, Den Leaders may wear any official BSA neckerchief. They do not wear youth neckerchiefs.
Neckerchief slide—Optional, Den Leaders may use an official BSA slide or may wear handmade neckerchief slides.
Den leaders may choose pants/shorts of their choice; our Pack does not require the official BSA bottoms.
Class B Uniforms
Our Class B uniform is specific to our Pack. Both youth and adult members can wear this royal blue cotton t-shirt for casual, outdoor activities such as Cubmobile or hiking. When an event is planned, you will be informed which uniform is appropriate.
Our Pack 100 Racing t-shirt may be purchased from the Pack at cost. Please email the Pack at westfordpack100@gmail.com or your Den Leader if you need a new Class B shirt.