As a den leader, the first thing people ask is, "Where does this patch go?" Well, that all depends on the patch. There are permanent patches, temporary patches, rank badges, activity beltloops and pins, etc... Following is a small list of some of the most common badges and patches and where they go.
For a complete listing along with exact placement and rules, see the BSA Insignia Guide Online.
When your Cub first gets his Blue Uniform Shirt, It will be fairly bare. It should come with the U.S. flag and a strip that says Boy Scouts of America already attached. You will need to purchase the Worldcrest, Council strip, and pack numbers and sew them on. The left pocket is on the same side as the left hand (you would be suprised how many people have problems figuring this out).
World Crest |
Council Strip and Pack Numbers |
Left Sleeve |
Right Pocket |
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The fist thing your cub should earn is a Tiger Cub Imediate Recognition Totem if he is a Tiger Cub, or a Progress towards Rank Totem if he is a Wolf or a Bear. This will be attached underneath the pocket flap to the button of the right Pocket.
Tiger Cub Imeditate Recognition Totem |
Progress Towards |
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The first actual BADGE your cub will earn will be his Bobcat badge. No matter what den he is in, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, he must earn his Bobcat badge before earning any other badge of rank. The Bobcat badge goes on the left pocket, centered, and touching the center point of the pocket flap. If he is a Tiger Cub, he then can earn the Tiger Cub Badge, which goes on the left pocket, directly below the Bobcat badge. The Wolf and Bear badges go on each side of the Bobcat and Tiger badges to form a diamond shape.
When your cub joins a Webelos den, he has a couple options. He can wear the blue uniform, or the tan uniform shirt with green pants like Boy Scouts. Check with your cubmaster to see which is preferred for your pack. If he has not earned the Tiger Cub Badge, he can wear the diamond shaped Webelos rank badge where the Tiger Cub badge would normally go. If he has earned the Tiger Cub Badge, then he should remove all rank badges and wear only the oval Webelos rank badge.
Diamond Webelos Badge |
Oval Webelos Badge |
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Electives and additional activity badges
For Tigers, Wolf, and Bear, after your cub has earned his badge of rank, he can work on electives. For Tiger Cubs, he will recieve a yellow elective disc for every 10 electives he completes which goes on the Tiger Totem shown above. For Wolf and Bear cubs, they recieve a gold arrow point for the first 10 electives and a silver for each additonal 10 electives completed. The gold arrow point is centered under the rank badge for which it was earned and then the silver arrow points are centered below the gold.
Webelos Colors and Activity Badges - Right Sleeve, under and touching the US Flag, Activity Badges are pinned to the Webelos Colors.
Webelos Compass Points Emblem - Right Pocket Button
Temporary Patches and Other Award Patches
Throughout his career as a Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos Scout, your son has the opportunity to earn many, many patches, badges, and pins. It is impossible to list them all here, so this will be an abbreviated list.
Temporary Patches - "Temporary patches" is a general name for any one of several patches your son WILL earn. If he goes to a council sponsored campout, he will recieve a patch. If he sells popcorn, he will recieve a patch. There are also temporary patches he can earn by completing different tasks. The most common will be council sponsored campouts. These usually have a loop attached to the top of the patch that is used to hang the patch from the button of the right pocket like the Tiger Totem and Progress Towards Rank Totems. Some will need to be sewn on and will be centered on the right pocket.
Cub Scouting Leave no Trace Awareness Award - Centered on Right pocket
Cub Scout World Conservation Award - Centered on Right Pocket
**A word on temporary patches. Your scout may only wear one temporary patch at a time. According to the BSA Insignia Guide, he may, however, wear the Tiger Totem or the Progress Towards Rank Totem in addition to 1 (ONE) sewn on temporary patch. These are the BSA policies, but most packs will use their own judgement for this so contact your cubmaster with questions about temporary patches.
Other Awards - Not Temporary Patches
Outdoor Activity Award - The Outdoor Activity Award can be earned each year. The first time it is earned, the cub recieves a large colorful pocket flap patch that is sewn onto the right pocket flap, each year after thay, a wolf track pin is awarded and attached to the original pocket flap patch. (This is not considered a temporary patch)
Perfect Attendance Award with 1 Year Bar - Above Left Pocket
National Summertime Pack Award - Centered on Right Pocket Flap
Recruiter Strip - Centered Below Right Pocket
Quality Unit Award - Right Sleeve 4" Below Shoulder Seam (only most current can be worn)
Emergency Preparedness Award - Centered on Left Pocket Flap
For a complete listing along with exact placement and rules, see the BSA Insignia Guide Online.