Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities: Chart

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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OUTDOOR SKILLS

 TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) 		WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS		 WEBELOS SCOUTS BOY SCOUTS OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS
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.

SPORTS

 TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) 		WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS		 WEBELOS SCOUTS BOY SCOUTS OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS
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        

TOOLS

 TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) 		WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS		 WEBELOS SCOUTS BOY SCOUTS OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS
Axes        
Bow Saws      
Hand Ax        
Hand Tools  
Pocketknife  
Power Tools        

TREKKING

 TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) 		WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS		 WEBELOS SCOUTS BOY SCOUTS OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS
Backpacking—Overnight,
Backcountry		        
Bike Treks—Day Ride      
Bike Treks—Multiple Overnights        
Horse Treks          
Search and Rescue Missions          
Search and Rescue Practice        
Ski Touring—Multiple Days
and Nights Carrying Gear		        

VEHICLES

 TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) 		WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS		 WEBELOS SCOUTS BOY SCOUTS OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS
Driving Derbies          
Motorized Off-Road Bikes          
Snowmobiles          

AIRCRAFT

 TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) 		WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS		 WEBELOS SCOUTS BOY SCOUTS OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS
Commercial Flight Experience  
Ground School          
Hands-On Flying Experience          
Orientation Flight  

SHOOTING

 TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) 		WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS		 WEBELOS SCOUTS BOY SCOUTS OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS
.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  

AQUATICS

 TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) 		WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS		 WEBELOS SCOUTS BOY SCOUTS OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS
Canoeing—Flat Water Council/District Outdoor Programs Only  
Canoeing—Flowing Water        
Kayaking—Flat Water Council/District Outdoor 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 Council/District Outdoor Programs Only  
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        

CLIMBING

 TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) 		WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS		 WEBELOS SCOUTS BOY SCOUTS OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS
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