Belt Loops and Pins are by far the most popular awards that Cub Scouts can earn. 
Clicking on the Academics web page will list all of the Academic Belt Loop and pins available that Cub Scouts can earn. Clicking on the Sports web page will list all of the Sports Belt Loops and pins available that Cub Scouts can earn.
Cub Scout Pack 188's policy on earning Belt Loops and pins are as follows:
Credit for joining a school, recreation, council, Den or Pack sporting event.
Credit for joining a school, recreation, council, Den or Pack academic event.
So if your Cub Scout is in recreation or school soccer, (or attends a Belt Loop midway that offers soccer) and after reading the requirements for earning the soccer belt loop, your registered Scout of Pack 188 is then eligible to receive the soccer Belt Loop. You need to notify his leader that your son has completed the requirements for the soccer belt loop. If a Scout completes the requirements for a Belt Loop at the Pack or council level, make sure your leader is notified of this also. Just playing soccer in the backyard with mom or dad will NOT qualify your Scout for the Belt Loop.
Belt Loops can also be earned by going to a council sponsored Belt Loop midway. Pins can ONLY be earned AFTER earning the Belt Loop. However, if during the course of an event (sports or academics) you complete the requirements for both the Belt Loop and Pin, both will be awarded them both from the Pack after notification from your Scouts leader.
The Cub Scout Academics and Sports program is a supplemental enrichment program that complements the existing Cub Scout program. The Academics subjects and Sports activities allow Scouts to learn new techniques, increase scholarship skills, develop sportsmanship - and
have fun! Boys participating in the program will be recognized for enjoying teamwork, developing physical fitness and discovering and building new talents. The Academics and Sports program encourages a Scout to
DO HIS BEST!All registered Tiger Cubs, Wolf Cubs, Bear Cubs and Webelos Scouts of Pack 188 have the opportunity to participate in the Academics and Sports program. Adult participation by a parent or adult relative is strongly encouraged for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts and is
required for Tiger Cubs.
To earn a Belt Loop: There are three (3) specific requirements for each Belt Loop. As a Cub Scout completes these requirements, he is encouraged to do his best to learn about the activity. Academic Belt Loops are gold and Sports Belt Loops are silver in color. Belt Loops may be worn with the Cub Scout uniform on the "BLUE" Cub Scout belt. Webelos Scouts who have chosen to wear the khaki uniform may still wear the "BLUE" Cub Scout belt so as to display the belt loops they have earned.
To earn a Pin: Once the Scout has earned the Belt Loop, he may choose to stop; however, some Scouts will want to continue with the activity. The Scout may complete additional requirements to earn a pin. Pins may be worn on the Cub Scout Academics and Sports letter (listed below).
Each Scout that earns at least
One (1) Academics and Sports Belt Loop from the program, will be awarded a Participation Emblem Patch from Pack 188. This is let all the other Scouts in the program know that he participated in the Academics and Sports program and earned at least One (1) Belt Loop.
Once the Scout has earned at least
One (1) Academic and Sports Pin from the program, he will be awarded a Academics and Sports Letter. The letter representing "Cub Scouts" can be worn on a sweater or jacket or displayed or framed. It does
NOT go on the uniform. It can be used to display all the pins that the Cub Scout has earned.
Activity medals may also be awarded to Scouts for "Special Recognition" in the Academics and Sports program.
Cub Scout Academics
Cub Scout Academics is a great way to help fulfill the aims of Scouting-building character, developing citizenship and encouraging mental and physical fitness. Through the 12 subjects currently offered in the Cub Scout Academics program, a Scout can stretch his mind-exploring the wonders of science, learning to better appreciate the arts, improving his sense of respondsiblity and understanding and valuing his heritage.
Academic Belt Loops and PinsCub Scout Sports**
Cub Scouts Sports program provides Cub Scouts with the opportunity to become aquantied with and participate in all kinds of sports-summer and winter sports, indoor and outdoor sports, active and less-active sports and finally team and individual sports. When implemented properly, the program is an active physical fitness program for Cub Scouts in Pack 188. Throughout his experience in the sports program, the Cub Scout is encouraged to learn and practice good sportsmanship and to do his best!
**Loops and pins for archery and BB-Gun shooting can be earned ONLY in day camps, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camps, Patriots' Path Council family camping programs, or at Patriots' Path Council activities where there is properly trained supervision, and ALL guidelines for B.S.A. shooting sports are implemented. Archery and BB-Gun shooting Belt Loops and Pins CANNOT be earned at the Pack, Den or individual level.