Cub Scout Pack 352

Raleigh, NC
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Introduction to Boy Scouts
 
Preparing for Boy Scouts
 
The minimum age for joining Boy Scouts is 11 years old (unless the boy is 10 years old and has completed the 5th grade or earned his Arrow of Light Award). Our boys typically bridge in February or March after the Blue & Gold.
 
During the Webelos program, the scouts should be checking out local troops to decide which one they want to join when they bridge to Boy Scouts. Many scouts from Pack 352 continue their scouting in Troop 352, which also meets at St. Francis, but scouts should look around and find the troop that best suits their interests. While camping, service, and leadership development should be common to all troops, other activities will vary from troop to troop and a boy will be most successful in a troop that matches his interests.
 
Note: For scouts that will be bridging from Webelos to Boy Scouts in the spring, it may be necessary to notify the new troop of the scout's intention to attend summer camp prior to bridging to ensure a spot at camp.
 
Boy Scout Ranks 
 
Unlike the Cub Scout program, which allows scouts to jump in at any rank, the Boy Scout ranks must be earned in sequence. Other than the minimum age requirements for the Scout Rank and the maximum age requirement (18 years old), there are no specific age requirements for each rank and scouts move through the ranks at their own pace. 
 
The early ranks include Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. These ranks have no minimum active time requirements and no merit badge requirements.
 
The later ranks include Star, Life, and Eagle. These require a minimum of time spent actively in each rank and require the completion of merit badges.
 
Eagle Palms are awarded for continued effort beyond the Eagle rank.
Boy Scout Merit Badges 
 
There are over 100 merit badges that Boy Scouts may earn. No merit badges are required in the early ranks, but merit badges may be earned while in any rank. 

* The Star rank requires the completion of six merit badges, including four from the list of merit badges required for the Eagle rank.

* The Life rank requires the completion of an additional five merit badges (11 total), including an additional three from the list of merit badges required for the Eagle rank.
* The Eagle rank requires the completion of ten additional merit badges (21 total), including the following:
 * Each Eagle Palm requires the completion of another five merit badges. 

 

Read the Introduction to Merit Badges page of the BSA web site for more information about earning merit badges.