| 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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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 |
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| Camping Family |
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| Camping Resident |
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| Camporees |
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Visit Only |
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| Conservation Projects |
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| Cooking Outdoors |
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| Fire Building |
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| Fishing |
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| Fueled Devices |
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| Hiking Day |
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| Hiking Multiple Day |
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| Horseback Riding |
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| Hunting |
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Venturers Only |
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| Map and Compass |
Map Only |
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| Mountain Bike Day Rides |
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| Mountaineering/Scrambling/
Cross-Country Travel |
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| Orienteering |
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| Pioneering |
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| Rope Bridges* |
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| Survival Training |
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| Winter Camping |
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| * 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 |
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| Flag Football |
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| Gymnastics |
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| Ice Hockey |
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| Ice Skating |
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| Martial Arts Defensive |
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| Roller Blades / Skates |
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| Scooters Nonmotorized |
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| Skateboarding |
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| Skiing / Snowboarding |
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| Sledding / Tubing |
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| Soccer |
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| Street Hockey |
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TOOLS |
TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) |
WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS |
WEBELOS
SCOUTS |
BOY
SCOUTS |
OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS |
| Axes |
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| Bow Saws |
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| Hand Ax |
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| Hand Tools |
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| Pocketknife |
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| Power Tools |
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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 |
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| Bike Treks Day Ride |
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| Bike Treks Multiple Overnights |
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| Horse Treks |
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| Search and Rescue Missions |
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| Search and Rescue Practice |
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Ski Touring Multiple Days and Nights Carrying Gear |
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VEHICLES |
TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) |
WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS |
WEBELOS
SCOUTS |
BOY
SCOUTS |
OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS |
| Driving Derbies |
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| Go Carts (Commercial) |
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| Motorized Off-Road Bikes |
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| Snowmobiles |
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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 |
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| Ground School |
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| Hands-On Flying Experience |
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| Orientation Flight |
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SHOOTING |
TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) |
WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS |
WEBELOS
SCOUTS |
BOY
SCOUTS |
OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS |
| .22 Rifle |
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| Archery Field |
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Archery Target, Action (Moving targets) |
Council / District Outdoor Programs Only |
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BB Guns
(Moving targets) |
Council / District Outdoor Programs Only |
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| Catapults |
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| Shotgun |
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| Slingshots |
Council / District Outdoor Programs Only |
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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 |
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| Canoeing Flowing Water |
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| Kayaking Flat Water |
Council / District Outdoor Programs Only |
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| Kayaking Flowing Water |
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| Motorboating Adult Operated |
Council / District Outdoor Programs Only |
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| Motorboating Youth Operated |
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| Rafting Flat Water |
Council / District Outdoor Programs Only |
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| Rafting Flowing Water |
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| Rowing Flat Water |
Council / District Outdoor Programs Only |
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| Rowing Flowing Water |
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| Sailboarding |
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| Sailing Adult Operated |
Council / District Outdoor Programs Only |
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| Sailing Youth Operated |
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| Discover Scuba Training |
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| Scuba |
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| Snorkeling (For swimmers only) |
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| Surfing |
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| Swimming |
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| Tubing |
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| Waterskiing |
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CLIMBING |
TIGER CUBS
(with Adult Partner) |
WOLF AND BEAR
CUB SCOUTS |
WEBELOS
SCOUTS |
BOY
SCOUTS |
OLDER BOY SCOUTS,
VARSITY SCOUTS,
AND VENTURERS |
| Belaying |
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| Bouldering |
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| Caving (Other than simple novice activities) |
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| Climbing Commercial or Horizontal Wall |
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| Climbing Rock |
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| Climbing Vertical Wall or Tower |
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| Initiative Games |
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| Lead Climbing |
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| Project COPE |
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A Few Low-Course and High-Course Activities |
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| Rappelling |
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| Snow and Ice Climbing |
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