Several years ago joining and advancement requirements for Cub Scouts were changed to a grade basis (with age as backup).  Age is still used by some packs whose national organization has made that determination.  As a refresher, here are some age/grade requirements.  Keep in mind that grade is the primary determination and age is the backup (note the word or):

The Scout rank changes as of June 1^st each year.  For instance, if your son is currently a Tiger Cub, he will advance to Wolf status on June 1^st.  A Wolf scout moves on to Bear, a Bear to Webelos I, and Webelos I on to Webelos II.

Tiger Cubs:

These cubs are boys in the first grade (or 7 years old).  You and your Tiger Cub will have many wonderful opportunities to search out new activities, discover new things, and share them with each other.  The Tiger Cub motto is “Search, Discover, Share”.

Tiger Cub Uniform

To earn the Tiger badge, a scout must complete 15 achievements in 5 categories.

1.  Making My Family Special
2.  Where I Live
3.  Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe
4.  How I Tell It
5.  Let's Go Outdoors

Tiger Cub Field Trips

The Bobcat Trail:

The Bobcat is not a scouting rank; however, each boy must earn his Bobcat badge before he is eligible for the Wolf badge, Bear badge, or Webelos badge.

To earn the Bobcat badge, a scout must complete 8 tracks.

1.  Learn and say the Cub Scout Promise.
2.  Say the Law of the Pack.  Tell what it means.
3.  Tell what "Webelos" means.
4.  Show the Cub Scout Sign.  Tell what it means.
5.  Show the Cub Scout Handshake.  Tell what it means.
6.  Say the Cub Scout Motto.
7.  Give the Cub Scout Salute.  Tell what it means.
8.  With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the parents guide, "How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse."

Wolf Scouts:

These scouts are boys who have completed the first grade (or 8 years old).

Wolf Uniform

To earn the Wolf badge, a scout must complete 12 achievements, each of which contain multiple requirements.

1.  Feats of Skill
2.  Your Flag
3.  Keep Your Body Healthy
4.  Know Your Home and Community
5.  Tools for Fixing and Building
6.  Start a Collection
7.  Your Living World
8.  Cooking and Eating
9.  Be Safe at Home and on the Street
10. Family Fun
11. Duty to God
12. Making Choices

After becoming a Wolf Scout, a scout may complete ten (10) elective arrowheads to earn a Gold Arrow Point.  Ten (10) more elective arrowheads are required to earn each Silver Arrow Point.

Wolf Field Trips

Bear Scouts:

These scouts are boys who have completed the second grade (or 9 years old).

Bear Uniform

To earn the Bear badge, a scout must complete 12 out of 24 achievements.  The achievements are organized in four categories.

God (do 1 of the following)
1.  Ways We Worship
2.  Emblems of Faith

Country (do 3 of the following)
3.  What Makes America Special?
4.  Tall Tales
5.  Sharing Your World with Wildlife
6.  Take Care of Your Planet
7.  Law Enforcement is a Big Job

Family (do 4 of the following)
8.  The Past is Exciting and Important
9.  What's Cooking?
10. Family Fun
11. Be Ready!
12. Family Outdoor Adventure
13. Saving Well, Spending Well

Self (do 4 of the following)
14. Ride Right
15. Games, Games, Games!
16. Building Muscles
17. Information, Please
18. Jot It Down
19. Shavings and Chips
20. Sawdust and Nails
21. Build a Model
22. Tying It All Up
23. Sports, Sports, Sports
24. Be a Leader

Afterwards, he can continue to work on achievements and electives to earn arrow points.

Bear Field Trips

Webelos I and Webelos II Scouts:

These scouts are boys who have completed the third grade (or 10 years old).

Webelos Uniform

Webelos Scouts don’t do achievements and electives as Cub Scouts do; they work on 20 hobby and career subjects called activity badges.  These scouts also work toward earning their Arrow of Light Award, the highest award in Cub Scouting.

Physical Skills Activity Badges:
1.  Aquanaut
2.  Athlete
3.  Fitness
4.  Sportsman

Mental Skills Activity Badges:
5.  Artist
6.  Scholar
7.  Showman
8.  Traveler

Community Activity Badges:
9.   Citizen
10. Communicator
11. Family Member
12. Readyman

Technology Activity Badges:
13. Craftsman
14. Engineer
15. Handyman
16. Scientist

Outdoor Activity Badges:
17. Forester
18. Geologist
19. Naturalist
20. Outdoorsman

Webelos Badge:
To earn the Webelos Badge, the scout must:
a. Have an adult family member read the Parent Guide,
b. Be an active member of a Webelos den for 3 months,
c. Know and explain the meaning of the Webelos badge,
d. Know about the Webelos uniform,
e. Earn the Fitness activity badge and two other activity badges from different groups,
f. Plan and lead a den flag ceremony,
g. Show knowledge of the requirements to be a Boy Scout, and
h. Earn the religious emblem or do two other religious activities.

Webelos Field Trips

Cub Scout Patrol Calls

seal - sharp bark
crow - "caw caw caw"
otter - "hoi-oi-oik"
raven - "kar-kaw"
hawk - shrill high whistle
panther - "keeook"
eagle - shrill "kreeee"
porcupine - teeth chatter
buffalo - long "um-mooww"
gull - "kow-howk"
bob white - whistle Bob bob white
moose - "Oh-ah, oh-ah, oh-ahhhh"
raccoon - whine "mm, mm, mmm"
antelope - shrill snort
woodpecker - "tap, tap, tap"
bat - high squeak
cuckoo - "cook-koo"
flaming arrow- "whssssss"
whipporwill - whistle "whip-poor-will"
heron - "quawk quawk"
flying eagle - shrill "kreee"
bear - growl
rattlesnake - rattle pebbles in can
beaver - clap hands once
owl - loud hoo
alligator - grunting hiss
pelican - clap-clap-clap
wolf - howl "how-ooo"
pine tree - rustled paper
fox - bark