In Rudyard Kipling's story, The Jungle Book, the black panther Bagheera is the mighty hunter that teaches the cubs the skills of the jungle. In Cub Scouting we use the symbol of the Bobcat. The Bobcat is the Americanized version of the Panther. He is the mighty hunter that teaches the cubs the skills of the jungle.

When a boy is between the ages of eight and eleven years old or has (at least) completed the first grade, he can become a Cub Scout. But, regardless of a qualifying boy's age, he must complete the Bobcat Trail as the first step in his Cub Scouting adventure.

Along this trail the Cub Scout learns the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout Motto. These are the three most important things a boy must learn because they will help him through all of the trails of Scouting. When you and your boy have followed the eight tracks of the Bobcat, your boy may wear his Bobcat badge.

The badge should be ceremoniously presented as soon as possible at an upcoming Pack meeting.