As the highest award in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light is often mentioned by Scout parents and volunteers. So what is the Arrow of Light?

The award goes to Cub Scouts who have completed the Webelos rank and prepares them to become Boy Scouts. In fact, Arrow of Light is its own rank, marking a milestone in a Cub Scout’s growth. 

The award is significant in the Scouting experience – so significant it is one of the only Cub Scout badges that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. There are Eagle Scouts out there still representing the Arrow of Light award alongside their Eagle Scout medals.

The Bridge
Crossing a bridge from a Cub Scout Pack to a Boy Scout Troop is a symbolic act. A Crossover Ceremony (sometimes called a Bridging Ceremony) is an event packs choose to host to recognize the Scouts moving from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. Often, a Crossover Ceremony sends Cub Scouts to walk across a mini-bridge to symbolize their move to Boy Scouts (think of it as a Cub Scout graduation).

What’s Presented During the Crossover
Since with each level in the pack there’s been a corresponding neckerchief, if the troop has a troop neckerchief, presenting one to each Webelos Scout crossing over is an appropriate symbolic gesture. The Webelos neckerchief is removed, and the pre-folded troop neckerchief is placed around the Webelos’ neck, either with the same slide or with one provided by the troop. Doing so, ceremoniously, with the friendly participation of assigned troop leaders creates a memorable moment. In conjunction with this, exchanging the blue shoulder loops with olive green shoulder loops provides added impact. A Boy Scout Handbook as well as the troop’s unit numeral (if different than that of the pack’s) can also be presented at this time.