Cub Scouts is for kindergarten through fifth grade, roughly ages 5 to 10. Dens are led by adults and a parent stays involved throughout. Scouts BSA is for ages 11 to 17, and it is run by the youth themselves — Scouts plan the outings, elect their leaders, and cook their own meals, with adults supervising rather than directing. Troop 25 is a Scouts BSA troop.
Side by side
| Cub Scouts | Scouts BSA | |
|---|---|---|
| Ages | 5–10 (grades K–5) | 11–17 (or 10, see below) |
| Unit | Pack, divided into dens by grade | Troop, divided into patrols |
| Who leads | Adult den leaders; parents attend | Elected youth leaders; adults advise |
| Ranks | Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light | Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Eagle |
| Camping | Family camping, day camp, short overnights | Weekend campouts, week-long summer camp, high adventure |
| Eagle Scout | Not applicable | The highest rank, earned before turning 18 |
How a Cub Scout moves up
Fifth graders "cross over" from a pack into a troop, usually in late winter or spring. A Cub Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light — the highest Cub Scout rank — can join Scouts BSA at 10. The Arrow of Light is also the only Cub Scout award that can be worn on a Scouts BSA uniform.
Troop 25 works with local packs on crossover, and hosts pack events so Cub Scouts can meet the troop before they decide. If your Cub Scout is in fourth or fifth grade, visiting a troop meeting now is a good idea.
What changes most for families
The biggest shift is independence. In Cub Scouts, a parent is at nearly everything. In Scouts BSA, Scouts pack their own gear, plan menus with their patrol, and make decisions — including some that do not work out, which is the point. Parents stay involved as drivers, merit badge counselors, and committee members, but step back from directing the program.
Is Scouts BSA the same as Boy Scouts?
Essentially, yes. The program many parents grew up calling Boy Scouts is now called Scouts BSA, and the national organization is Scouting America. It has been open to girls since 2019, in single-gender troops. Troop 25 runs both: Troop 25B for boys and Troop 25G for girls.
Worth noting separately: Girl Scouts of the USA is a different organization entirely. See how Troop 25G compares if that is the choice in front of you.
Next steps
Check the exact age requirements, look at what Scouting costs, or visit a meeting on a Wednesday night.