The Tiger Trail
The Tiger Trail (getting started)
Tiger Scouts is an exciting introduction to the scouting program for first grade boys (or 7 years old) ready to get going! Tigers do stuff - lots of stuff - and all with their adult partners. This program is intended to open up the world to inquisitive minds along with the caring guidance of adults. The first steps along the Boy Scout Trail are laid here and every rank advancement through the scouting program builds on the basic activities done as Tigers.
If a boy has completed kindergarten (or is 7 years old) and has earned the Bobcat Badge, he may start earning the Tiger rank. He will need a Tiger Scout handbook, Tiger neckerchief, and Tiger neckerchief slide. He will also need a blue Cub Scout Uniform. This part of the boy scout trail is intended to take one school year, preparing the scout to begin his Wolf adventures after he completes first grade.
To earn the rank of Tiger Cub, you scout will need a Tiger Handbook to begin working on the Tiger Trail. Below is an outline of the material covered in the handbook.
Note: The Bobcat rank must be earned before the Tiger rank, then Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat... Once he earns his Bobcat Badge he can skip it in other handbooks as he advances through the ranks.
The Tiger Trail (the program)
The Tiger Cub program runs on two levels. The scout and his adult partner do Do-At-Home Projects as a family. Then, the scout and adult partner meet with the rest of the Tiger Den at den meetings, den outings, and pack meetings. Meeting sounds pretty boring, but a good scout meeting is active, fun, and interesting. The hour is often packed with games, activities, and safe adventure.
Tiger Advancement
Tiger Scouts spend their time doing adventures that move them ahead towards their Tiger rank. By completing adventures, the Tiger rank is earned. The Tiger's adult partner participates the entire way, but the recognition items are only for the scouts.
Tiger Rank Requirements & Electives
With your parent or adult partner, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide, and earn the Cyber Chip award for your age.*
* If your family does not have Internet access at home AND you do not have ready Internet access at school or another public place or via a mobile device, the Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by your parent or guardian.
Akela is the name given to the Cub Scout's leader. This is the Tiger's adult partner, and that person is responsible for acknowledging completion of each adventure requirement by signing and dating the appropriate spot in the Tiger's handbook. There is also a spot for the Tiger Den Leader to sign for each requirement. Pages in the back of the Tiger handbook can be used by the Tiger to track his progress all in one place, and some dens use advancement charts or den doodles to publicly display advancement.
Once a Tiger has completed enough adventures to earn his rank, he's not finished. There are still many more adventures to explore until it's time to move on to a Wolf den. Some scouts strive to earn the remaining dozen adventure belt loops.
Note to Parents
Your Den Leader will track the Den Activities
You should use the Scout Handbook to especially track each of the Family Activities. There are places to "Sign Off" on each activity in the handbook.
So, use your handbook to track each of the family activities (among others) your scout completes.
Start a Scout Folder to store papers and projects as your scout completes them.
Bring the Handbook (and folder) to a Den meeting to have your family activities recorded by the Den Leader.