– Academic and Sports Program (Belt Loops and Pins)

Cub Scouts of all ages from Tiger Cubs to Webelos can participate in the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program and earn a belt loop or pin for each activity.  Activities can be done individually, in the Den, or as a Pack. (NOTE:  Archery and BB-Gun Shooting can only be earned through a certified instructor, not at a Den or Pack level.)  A Cub Scout participating on school teams or other organized teams may use those activities to fulfill requirements of this scouting program.

Activities are divided into two categories: Academics and Sports. Each category has many skills and activities from which Scouts may choose. The Cub Scout belt loop and pin program encourages a boy to do his best while learning skills and promoting good sportsmanship.

There are currently 28 sports activity areas: 

  • Archery
  • BB Gun Shooting
  • Badminton
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Bicycling
  • Bowling
  • Fishing
  • Flag Football
  • Fitness
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Hiking
  • Hockey
  • Horseback Riding
  • Ice Skating
  • Kickball
  • Marbles
  • Roller Skating
  • Skateboarding
  • Snow Ski and Board Sports
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Table Tennis
  • Tennis
  • Ultimate
  • Volleyball

There are also 25 academics activity areas: 

  •  Art
  • Astronomy
  • Chess
  • Citizenship
  • Collecting
  • Communicating
  • Computers
  • Disabilities Awareness
  • Family Travel
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Good Manners
  • Heritages
  • Language & Culture
  • Map & Compass
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Nutrition
  • Pet Care
  • Photography
  • Reading and Writing
  • Science
  • Video Games
  • Weather
  • Wildlife Conservation

A variety of recognition items are available for the Cub Scouts participating in this program.

  • Belt loops are awarded to Cub Scouts completing the three belt loop requirements in an academic subject or sport. Academic belt loops are gold, and Sports belt loops are silver, except for the Archery and BB-gun Shooting belt loops, which are brass colored. Belt loops are worn on the Cub Scout belt.
  • Pins are awarded to Cub Scouts that continue participating in an academics or sports area and meet the specific requirements for each pin. Pins typically require completion of the corresponding belt loop requirements plus 5 or 6 more challenging requirements.
  • Pins are displayed on the Academic and Sports letter (which can be sewn a patch vest).

Here are the official requirements for belt loops and pins under Cub Scouting’s Academic and Sports Program:

Program Guide – 2009 Edition – 02032010  This is a very large file.  

You may also find the requirements on this website:  http://www.usscouts.org/advance/CubScout/a-sindex.asp