Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities

Age- and rank-appropriate guidelines have been developed based on tde mental, physical, emotional, and social maturity of Boy Scouts of America youtd members. tdese guidelines apply to Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Venturing crews.

To download a printable version, click here.


Tiger Cubs
(with Adult partner)

Wolf/Bear
Cub Scouts

Webelos
Scouts

Boy Scouts

Older Boy Scouts,
Varsity Scouts,
and Venturers

OUTDOOR SKILLS

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.

Tiger Cubs
(with Adult Partner)

Wolf/Bear
Cub Scouts

Webelos
Scouts

Boy Scouts

Older Boy Scouts,
Varsity Scouts,
and Venturers

TOOLS

Axes

Bow Saws

Hand Ax

Hand Tools

pocketknife

power Tools

Tiger Cubs
(with Adult Partner)

Wolf/Bear
Cub Scouts

Webelos
Scouts

Boy Scouts

Older Boy Scouts,
Varsity Scouts,
and Venturers

TREKKING

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

Tiger Cubs
(with Adult Partner)

Wolf/Bear
Cub Scouts

Webelos
Scouts

Boy Scouts

Older Boy Scouts,
Varsity Scouts,
and Venturers

VEHICLES

Driving Derbies

Motorized Off-Road Bikes

Snowmobiles

Tiger Cubs
(with Adult Partner)

Wolf/Bear
Cub Scouts

Webelos
Scouts

Boy Scouts

Older Boy Scouts,
Varsity Scouts,
and Venturers

AIRCRAFT

Commercial Flight Experience

Ground School

Hands-On Flying Experience

Orientation Flight

Tiger Cubs
(with Adult Partner)

Wolf/Bear
Cub Scouts

Webelos
Scouts

Boy Scouts

Older Boy Scouts,
Varsity Scouts,
and Venturers

SHOOTING

.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

Tiger Cubs
(With Adult Partner)

Wolf/Bear
Cub Scouts

Webelos
Scouts

Boy Scouts

Older Boy Scouts,
Varsity Scouts,
and Venturers

AQUATICS

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

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

Tiger Cubs
(With Adult Partner)

Wolf/Bear
Cub Scouts

Webelos
Scouts

Boy Scouts

Older Boy Scouts,
Varsity Scouts,
and Venturers

CLIMBING

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