The Cub Scout Program has two basic features, Rank Advancement, and the Academics and Sports Program.

The first badge all Cub Scouts earn, regardless of age, is the Bobcat Badge. After earning the Bobcat Badge, they proceed to work on advancement specific to their age level. As part of these requirements, they must learn the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto.

Cub Scouts joining as First Grade boys enter the Tiger Cub Program. Tiger Cubs, complete Achievements to earn the Tiger Cub Badge, and complete Electives to receive Tiger Track Beads to wear from a belt emblem. A new Tiger Cub Handbook was issued in the summer of 2001. Some minor changes took effect in June 2006, including dropping the former "Tiger Cub Motto" which was replaced by the Cub Scout Motto, and the requirement that Tiger Cubs earn the Bobcat Badge BEFORE the Tiger Cub badge, instead of after that badge.

In the Second Grade, Cub Scouts work toward the Wolf Badge, then toward a Gold Arrow Point and one or more Silver Arrow Points The requirements for these badges are found in the Wolf Cub Scout Book.

In the Third Grade, Cub Scouts work toward the Bear Badge, then they, too, work toward earning a Gold Arrow Point and Silver Arrow Points. The requirements for these badges are found in the Bear Cub Scout Book.

The Webelos Program is a two year program for Fourth and Fifth Grade Boys.  In both years, they work toward earning Webelos Activity Badges in twenty different areas, arranged in five groups. Fourth Grade Boys work toward the Webelos Badge. After earning the Webelos Badge. Fifth Graders, after earning the Webelos Badge, earn the Arrow of Light. In addition to the two rank badges, after earning the Webelos Badge, boys work toward the Compass Point Emblem and Metal Compass Points as they earn additional Activity Badges.