The achievement plan is the heart of Cub Scouting. The 12 Achievements in the Wolf rank, as an example, will challenge your son with physical and mental tests. They will also spur him to learn something about himself, his neighborhood, his town, his country, and his religious heritage. The projects are things that experts consider basic to his growth.

His experience with his achievements will do more than help build his self-reliance. It will help him toward the discovery that he is now old enough to meet certain responsibilities toward other people. This is necessary as a foundation for good citizenship.

The achievement plan also provides a means for giving your boy the recognition he needs so much. A boy can develop behavior problems in seeking recognition. If he receives proper recognition, he may not have to do so many exasperating things in seeking it.

Since Cub Scouting is a program for families, it is only natural that the achievement plan is given family emphasis. The whole family can enjoy some of the projects with your son.

Your help is vital to his progress through the achievements. He will not be able to do some of them without aid. In addition to your help, he needs your approval. You must approve his work on each achievement and sign for it in the space provided in his Handbook.

Your son may do the achievements in any order, not necessarily in the order listed. Here are a few things to keep in mind as he works on the achievements:

• Reading the Book. - Some 6-9 year olds do not read very well. You may find it necessary to help your son. You'll be able to do this more effectively if you first read his Handbook yourself.
  • Study and talk over the process with him. DO this for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, unless his interest lasts longer. Stop when he loses interest and go back to it some other time - one of those times when he asks, "What can I do now?"

• Signing for His Achievements. - As already explained, when your son is ready to pass an achievement he will pass it to you. If he succeeds, sign his book. Only one signature is required, but if both parents take part, the achievement becomes more of a family project and more important in the eyes of your son.
  • When an achievement is signed, remind your son to take his Handbook to his den meeting so the Den Leader, Assistant, Den Chief, etc. can record it on the achievement wall chart (or achievement / advancement book)

• How Much Can You Expect. - Keep in mind your son's efforts as well as his efficiency. How hard he tries is as important as how well he does. Improvement while he practices is often a good sign. If he needs to be encouraged, urge him to try to beat his own record.
  • Most important, however, is the fact that you know your boy best. Try to measure his work with a yardstick corresponding to his age and abilities. Don't apply your yardstick of adult performance, or the yardstick of a more gifted boy / sibling.
  • The most significant measurement is whether he has done his best. With this as a standard, you will discourage him from trying to just get by. You will help him develop the attitude expressed in the Cub Scout Motto: DO YOUR BEST.

• How Fast Should He Advance. - Ideally, he should be allowed to find his own rate. A steady pace of 1 or 2 achievements a month is better than doing all 12 in 1 or 2 months. Your objective should be to encourage him at least to complete the achievements by the time crossover comes around and he moves to the next rank. This is so he can earn his badge, and start on the new achievement plan for the next rank, in the new year.
  • Try to avoid overpressure. Don't constantly remind him of the progress of the other boys. Don't feel, as a matter of family pride, that he must excel or even keep up with every other boy in his den or pack.

• How Much Help Should You Give. - While you should foster a close relationship with your son, you must always remember that he needs to feel more and more on his own. Throughout his Cub Scouting years he will grow increasingly independent. As you sense this, your task will be to strike the proper balance between too much help and too little. Work closely with your boy to show him you are interested and willing to give the kind and amount of help he needs.

When he has passed the achievements for his badge, he continues to work on other projects, called electives, until he crosses over into the next rank. For these electives he earns arrow points to go with his respective badge. He earns a gold arrow point for the first 10 electives and a silver arrow point for every 10 electives thereafter. These electives and achievements only apply to the Ranks of Wolf and Bear. After Bear, your Cub crosses over into Webelos. This is run more Boy Scout like, and has activity pins (20) and a few other specialized awards. Namely the Webelos badge, Compass points, and finally the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light is the highest BSA award earned in Cub Scouts, and can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. The requirements for these awards as well as the activity pins are all listed in your son's Webelos Handbook.