Whether cubs should be given awards or advancement ranks is a much
discussed item. Some will argue that kids are already overstressed
at school so that an additional pressure in the free-time program is
not productive. Others underline that a small reward is one of the
few very effective ways to boost the participation of the kids in
the program. I personally think that both sides have their good points.
There is, however, one thing you have to keep in mind all the time:

A reward is only a valid option if *all* kids are physically and mentally
able to obtain it. You should also be very careful not to create a
fault between a group of kids who always get all rewards and the rest
of the kids.

The bottom line: If you use awards, use them with intelligence.