Scout Prism

United States of America · Interamerican

Scouting America

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Last updated 2026-09-23 · 7 sections

Age Specific Program

Cub Scouts[1][2][3]

Ages 5–10

Grades K–5; grade-based dens form a pack, with one grade-based rank per year.

  1. Lion[2]

    Kindergarten rank; six required and two elective Adventures, done with a parent or caring adult.

  2. Tiger[2]

    For youth who have completed kindergarten or are 6; six required and two elective Adventures with an adult partner.

  3. Wolf[2]

    For youth who have completed first grade or are 7; six required and two elective Adventures.

  4. Bear[2]

    For youth who have completed second grade or are 8; six required and two elective Adventures.

  5. Webelos[2]

    For youth who have completed third grade or are 9; acronym for "WE'll BE LOyal Scouts."

  6. Arrow of LightHighest award[2]

    For youth who have completed fourth grade or are 10; Cub Scouting's final rank before joining Scouts BSA, and the only Cub badge worn on the Scouts BSA uniform.

Exploring Clubs[4][5][6][7]

Ages 10–14

Middle-school career education program of Learning for Life, an affiliate of Scouting America; hands-on activities and mentorship in 12 career fields, led by local business and community leaders. Coed.

No confirmed progression stages.

Scouts BSA[8][3][2]

Ages 11–17

Ages 11–17 in troops; seven ranks earned in sequence up to Eagle Scout.

  1. Scout[2]

    First rank every Scout earns: Scout Oath, Law, motto, slogan, troop operations and safety basics.

  2. Tenderfoot[2]

    Skills-oriented rank; Scout through First Class requirements may be worked on simultaneously but earned in sequence.

  3. Second Class[2]

    Continues outdoor skills, fitness and citizenship learning.

  4. First Class[2]

    Last of the skills ranks; Venturers and Sea Scouts who reach First Class may continue Scouts BSA advancement until 18.

  5. Star[2]

    Upper rank involving merit badges, service and positions of responsibility; non-merit-badge requirements must follow the previous rank's board of review.

  6. Life[2]

    Rank just below Eagle; continues merit badges, service and leadership.

  7. Eagle ScoutHighest award[2][8][3]

    Highest rank and award for youth members; must be completed before the 18th birthday, including an Eagle Scout service project.

Venturing[2][9][10]

Ages 14–20

Coed ages 14–20 in crews, run on the ALPS model (Adventure, Leadership, Personal growth, Service).

  1. Venturing[2][9]

    Beginning of the Venturing experience; learns the program and commits to its principles. No board of review.

  2. Discovery[2][9]

    Participation and preparing for leadership; takes part in two crew activities.

  3. Pathfinder[2][9]

    Establishes a reputation as a skilled leader; leads a crew adventure.

  4. SummitHighest award[2][9]

    Venturing's highest rank: servant leadership, mentoring and a Summit service project; completed before the 21st birthday.

Sea Scouts[11][12]

Ages 14–20

Coed ages 14–20 in ships, focused on seamanship, water safety and maritime heritage.

  1. Apprentice[12]

    Scouting ideals, courtesies, ship organization and uniform, basic swimming and seamanship, safety, service hours.

    Official summary

  2. Ordinary[12]

    Builds seamanship, boat handling and rules of the road; plans events and an overnight cruise.

    Official summary

  3. Able[12]

    Demonstrates seamanship, anchoring, piloting and navigation, maritime environment; Long Cruise badge required.

    Official summary

  4. QuartermasterHighest award[12][2]

    Highest Sea Scout rank: advanced seamanship, exceptional leadership and a major community service project; Quartermaster bridge of review.

    Official summary

Exploring Posts[4][5][6][7]

Ages 14–20

Career education program of Learning for Life, an affiliate of Scouting America, for youth 14–20; posts sponsored by organizations in 12 career fields (law enforcement, fire & EMS, health care, aviation, etc.) offer hands-on experience and mentorship. Coed.

No confirmed progression stages.

Leaders

Adult Leaders (Scouters)[10][13]Adult Leaders

Ages 18+

LeaderOfficial summary

Registered adult volunteers, including unit leaders (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Venturing Advisor, Sea Scout Skipper).

No confirmed progression stages.

Sources

  1. Cub Scouts | Scouting America · Scouting America · Accessed 2026-09-23
    Ages: Boys and Girls Grades K-5
  2. Guide to Advancement 2025 — Section 4. The Mechanics of Advancement (PDF) · Scouting America · Accessed 2026-09-23
    4.1.1.0 Cub Scout Ranks (p.15) · 4.1.1.1 Lion, Tiger, Wolf, and Bear (p.15) · 4.1.1.1 Lion, Tiger, Wolf, and Bear (p.15); 4.1.1.2 Webelos and Arrow of Light (p.16) · 4.1.1.2 Webelos and Arrow of Light (p.16) · 4.1.1.2 (joining requirements) · 4.2.0.1 · 4.2.0.1 Scouting Ranks and Advancement (pp.17–18) · 4.3.0.0 Mechanics of Advancement in Venturing (p.24) · 4.3.1.0–4.3.1.1 Advancement in Venturing / The Venturing Ranks (pp.24–25) · 4.3.1.0–4.3.1.1 Advancement in Venturing / The Venturing Ranks (pp.24–25); 4.3.2.0 The Venturing Summit · 4.0.0.2 (Eagle Scout, Summit, or Quartermaster rank)
  3. Boy Scouts of America to Become Scouting America (press release, 2024-05-07) · Scouting Newsroom (Scouting America) · Accessed 2026-09-23
    rebrand effective February 8, 2025 · fifth anniversary of welcoming girls · "Scouting's highest rank of Eagle Scout"
  4. New Post/Club Application (524-565, PDF) · Learning for Life (Exploring) · Accessed 2026-09-23
    CLUBS: at least 10 years old but not yet 15 … completed the fifth grade but have not yet completed the eighth grade · POSTS: completed the eighth grade and are at least 14 years old and not yet 21. Applicants age 18 and older must complete an adult application.
  5. About Us - Exploring.org · Learning for Life (Exploring) · Accessed 2026-09-23
    Exploring clubs serve middle schoolers, aged 10 – 14, in sixth through eighth grades; affiliate of Scouting America · Exploring posts serve older youth 14 – 20 years old
  6. Exploring - Discover Your Future · Learning for Life (Exploring) · Accessed 2026-09-23
    Clubs 10-14 yrs old; 12 career fields · Posts 14-20 yrs old; 12 career fields
  7. Awards & Recognitions - Exploring.org · Learning for Life (Exploring) · Accessed 2026-09-23
    Career Awareness Award · Career Achievement Awards; Proficiency Awards
  8. Scouts BSA | Scouting America · Scouting America · Accessed 2026-09-23
    Ages: Youth 11-17 · Eagle Scout Award
  9. Venturing | Scouting America · Scouting America · Accessed 2026-09-23
    Coed Ages 14-20 · Rank Advancement
  10. Youth Protection and Adult Leadership (Guide to Safe Scouting) | Scouting America · Scouting America · Accessed 2026-09-23
    18 – 20 Adult Leader/Program Participant Policy · Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over…; 18 – 20 Adult Leader/Program Participant Policy
  11. Join | Sea Scouts - Scouting America · Scouting America · Accessed 2026-09-23
    Co-ed 14-20 years old; 'must be 14 years old (or 13 years and completed the eighth grade) but not yet 21'
  12. Advancement Central | Sea Scouts - Scouting America · Scouting America · Accessed 2026-09-23
    Advancement Central · Advancement Central — rank list (Apprentice) · Advancement Central — rank list (Ordinary) · Advancement Central — rank list (Able) · Advancement Central — rank list (Quartermaster)
  13. Guide to Advancement 2025 (web page) · Scouting America · Accessed 2026-09-23
    What Does "Unit Leader" Mean?