Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities

Age- and rank-appropriate guidelines have been developed based on the mental, physical, emotional, and social maturity of Boy Scouts of America youth members. These guidelines apply to Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Venturing crews.

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	Tiger Cubs (With Adult Partner)	Wolf/Bear Cub Scouts	Webelos Scouts	Boy Scouts	Older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers
OUTDOOR SKILLS
Camping—Day
Camping—Family
Camping—Resident
Camporees			Visit Only
Conservation Projects
Cooking Outdoors
Fire Building
Fishing
Fueled Devices
Hiking—Day
Hiking—Multiple Day
Horseback Riding
Hunting					Venturers Only
Map and Compass	Map Only
Mountain Bike Day Rides
Mountaineering/ Scrambling/ Cross-Country Travel
Orienteering
Pioneering
Rope Bridges*
Survival Training
Winter Camping
* Check requirements for height restrictions.

 

	Tiger Cubs (With Adult Partner)	Wolf/Bear Cub Scouts	Webelos Scouts	Boy Scouts	Older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers
SPORTS
Field/Wide Games
Flag Football
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Ice Skating
Martial Arts—Defensive
Roller Blades/Skates
Scooters—Nonmotorized
Skateboarding
Skiing/Snowboarding
Sledding/Tubing
Soccer
Street Hockey

 

	Tiger Cubs (With Adult Partner)	Wolf/Bear Cub Scouts	Webelos Scouts	Boy Scouts	Older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers
TOOLS
Axes
Bow Saws
Hand Ax
Hand Tools
Pocketknife
Power Tools

 

	Tiger Cubs (With Adult Partner)	Wolf/Bear Cub Scouts	Webelos Scouts	Boy Scouts	Older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers
TREKKING
Backpacking—Overnight, Backcountry
Bike Treks—Day Ride
Bike Treks—Multiple Overnights
Horse Treks
Search & Rescue Mission
Search & Rescue Practice
Ski Touring—Multiple Days and Nights Carrying Gear

 

	Tiger Cubs (With Adult Partner)	Wolf/Bear Cub Scouts	Webelos Scouts	Boy Scouts	Older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers
VEHICLES
Driving Derbies
Go Carts (Commercial)
Motorized Off-Road Bikes
Snowmobiles

 

	Tiger Cubs (With Adult Partner)	Wolf/Bear Cub Scouts	Webelos Scouts	Boy Scouts	Older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers
AIRCRAFT
Commercial Flight Experience
Ground School
Hands-On Flying Experience
Orientation Flight

 

	Tiger Cubs (With Adult Partner)	Wolf/Bear Cub Scouts	Webelos Scouts	Boy Scouts	Older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers
SHOOTING
.22 Rifle
Archery—Field
Archery—Target, Action (Moving targets)	Council/District Outdoor Programs Only
BB Guns	Council/District Outdoor Programs Only
Catapults
Shotgun
Slingshots	Council/District Outdoor Programs Only

 

	Tiger Cubs (With Adult Partner)	Wolf/Bear Cub Scouts	Webelos Scouts	Boy Scouts	Older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers
AQUATICS
Canoeing—Flat Water	Council/District Outdoor Programs Only
Canoeing—Flowing Water
Kayaking—Flat Water			Council/District Programs Only
Kayaking—Flowing Water
Motorboating—Adult Operated		Council/District Outdoor Programs Only
Motorboating—Youth Operated
Rafting—Flat Water	Council/District Outdoor Programs Only
Rafting—Flowing Water
Rowing—Flat Water
Rowing—Flowing Water
Sailboarding
Sailing—Adult Operated	Council/District Outdoor Programs Only
Sailing—Youth Operated
Discover Scuba Training
Scuba
Snorkeling (For swimmers only)
Surfing
Swimming
Tubing
Waterskiing

 

	Tiger Cubs (With Adult Partner)	Wolf/Bear Cub Scouts	Webelos Scouts	Boy Scouts	Older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers
CLIMBING
Belaying
Bouldering
Caving (Other than simple novice activities)
Climbing—Commercial or Horizontal Wall
Climbing—Rock
Climbing—Vertical Wall or Tower
Initiative Games
Lead Climbing
Project COPE				A Few Low-Course and High-Course Activities
Rappelling
Snow and Ice Climbing