Den Leader Guide: Arrow of Light (5th Grade)

Overview

Arrow of Light (AOL) is the highest rank in Cub Scouting and the only Cub Scout award that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform. The AOL program prepares fifth graders to join a Scouts BSA troop. The den leader’s most critical mission at this level is ensuring every Scout earns their Arrow of Light badge and crosses over to a troop in a meaningful, well-planned ceremony.

Target crossover timing: January or February — this allows Scouts to attend a couple of troop campouts before summer and register for summer camp with the troop.

Key Facts


School grade	5th Grade
Meeting frequency	Typically twice a month
Overnight camping	Yes — BALOO required for any adult leading the overnight
Den chief	Encouraged
Patrol formation	AOL Scouts form an Arrow of Light patrol as part of the Bobcat Adventure
Den number (2024–25)	Den 5
Current leader	[vacant]

Critical Focus: Crossover

The AOL den leader’s top priority is getting every Scout into a troop. This requires:

Connect with local troops early — Attend Roundtable to meet Scoutmasters; identify 1–2 troops your Scouts might join
Troop visit — Arrange for your den to visit a troop meeting (required as part of the Bobcat Adventure)
Joint activities — Plan meaningful joint activities with a local troop (hikes, campouts, service projects)
Crossover ceremony — Coordinate with the Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and troop’s youth leaders for an impressive ceremony; typically at a February pack meeting
Follow up — Even after crossover, follow up with Scout families to confirm they are active in their troop

The Arrow of Light Patrol

AOL Scouts form an Arrow of Light patrol as part of the Bobcat Adventure. The patrol has a patrol leader who takes on youth leadership responsibilities at den meetings:

Helps set up the meeting place
Helps with gathering activity
Leads Scouts in putting the room back in order after the meeting

This is the first taste of Scouts BSA-style patrol leadership.

Meeting Structure

Before the Meeting — Den leader, assistant, and den chief make final preparations; patrol leader helps set up
Gathering — Scouts join a game or activity; patrol leader assists; den leader takes attendance and checks requirements
Opening — Scout Oath, Scout Law, Pledge of Allegiance
Activities — Adventures focused on crossover readiness, outdoor skills, citizenship, and leadership
Closing — Reminders, closing thought, brief ceremony; patrol leader leads cleanup
After the Meeting — Den leader, assistant, and den chief discuss next meeting

Arrow of Light Uniform

AOL Scouts begin wearing the Scouts BSA uniform to prepare for the transition:

Tan Scouts BSA uniform shirt (not the navy Cub Scout shirt)
Green shorts, pants, or skorts
Scout belt
Blue shoulder loops on epaulettes
Green Scout socks
Adventure Colors (three colored ribbons for displaying Adventure pins)

Training and Resources

Required: YPT + Den Leader Position-Specific Training (CS19) at my.Scouting.org
Recommended: BALOO for any overnight
Scoutbook: Access AOL meeting plans and record advancement
Handbook: Cub Scout Arrow of Light Handbook (QR codes link to meeting resources)
Source guide: docs/Training/Positions/Den Leader/New Arrow of Light Den Leader Guide.md

Tips for AOL Den Leaders

Start troop connections in the fall — January crossover requires relationships built months earlier
Not all Scouts will join the same troop; support each family’s choice
It only takes five Scouts to start a new troop — if your families aren’t connecting with existing troops, this is an option
The Arrow of Light award is the only Cub Scout rank that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform — make the ceremony meaningful