Webelos to Scout Transition

BSA Mission Statement

To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the

values of the Scout Oath and Law.

The Boy Scout OathOn my honor, I will do my best to do my duty

to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times;

to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight

The Cub Scout PromiseI promise to do my best,

To do my duty to God and my country,To help other people, and

To obey the Law of the Pack

The Scout LawA Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly,

Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

The Cub Scout Law The Cub Scout follows Akela.

The Cub Scout helps the pack go.The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.

The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

10 Purposes of Cub Scouting

Character development Spiritual growth Good citizenship Sportsmanship and fitness Family understanding Respectful relationships Personal achievement Friendly service Fun and adventure Preparation for Boy Scouting

• Purposes map to points of Scout Oath and Law

Webelos Program

Boys are preparing for Boy Scouts Activity Badges earned in den setting Webelos Leader Guide—fantastic resource Use parent resources for activity badges Webelos 1 - goal is Webelos Badge and Compass

Points Webelos 2 - goal is Arrow of Light and transition into

Boy Scouts

Arrow Of Light

The “Eagle” of Cub ScoutingThis rank merits a special ceremony Once the Webelos Badge is earned, the scout can begin

work on the Arrow of Light BadgeThis is one of only two Cub Scout awards that may be

worn into Boy Scouting--the other is the Religious Emblem

Arrow Of Light Requirements

1.  Be active in the Webelos den for at least six months,and earn the Webelos badge

2.  Show knowledge of the requirements to become a Boy

Scout : Repeat from memory and explain the Scout Oath or Promise and

the 12 points of the Scout Law.  Tell how they have practiced them in everyday life

Give and explain the Scout motto, slogan, sign, salute and handshake

Understand the significance of the First Class Scout badge.  Describe its parts and tell what each stands for. 

Tell how a Boy Scout uniform is different from a Webelos Scout uniform

Tie the joining knot (square knot)

Arrow Of Light Requirements (cont)

3. Earn five more activity badges in addition to the three earned for the

Webelos badge.  Must include Fitness, Citizen, Readyman, Outdoorsman, at least

one from Mental Skllls and Technology groups, and one of his choice.

4. With the Webelos den, visit a Boy Scout troop meeting and a Boy Scout-oriented outdoor activity.

5. Participate in a Webelos overnight campout or day hike.

6. Arrange to visit, with parent or guardian, a meeting of a Boy Scout troop the boy thinks he might like to join.  Have a conference with the Scoutmaster.

7. Complete the Honesty Character Connection.

Webelos to Scout Transition

Webelos and Arrow of Light are not an ‘end’ in Scouting

The Scout is now ready to join the Boy Scout Troop

Cub Leaders should encourage Webelos to visit nearby troop to find a good “fit”

Webelos Leaders should plan many outings with Boy Scout Troops so the boys have a sense of continuation in scouting

A successful transition involves…. Cubmasters•Develop relationships with Scoutmasters•Coordinate activities with troops•Work with Troops to secure Den Chiefs•Work with Troop leaders to plan overnight camps and other activities

Scoutmasters•Develop relationships with Cub Leaders•Select Den Chiefs•Offer equipment assistance to Webelos •Conduct Webelos orientation meetings/campouts•Provides Troop Activity calendar to each Webelo

A successful transition involves…. Commissioners•Facilitates good relationships between Packs and Troops•Through the Pack leadership, encourages each Webelo to fill out Boy Scout Application•Promote ‘First Class in the First Year’ program•Work with Troop leaders to plan overnight camps and other activities

District Webelos Transition Coordinator•Work with Packs to identify fifth-grade scouts•Coach Pack and Troop leadership on transition process•Reporting to Membership and District Committee •Work with Commissioner staff to follow-up on Scouts who don’t join a troop•Goal is 100% Webelos transition

First Class in the First Year • Why this is important….

• Facilitates the Webelos to Boy Scout conversion activity.• Teaches new Scouts the skills needed to function

as a patrol during a weekend camping trip.• Provides a model for new Scout patrols to follow when planning for future camping trips.• Many ‘cool’ activities depend on age and / or rank

• Age 13 or 14• First Class Rank• Boys who are not challenged / engaged in

activities are more likely to drop in the first

year.

  'Scout' rank is the first advancement earned:      1. Meet the age requirement of fifth grade or 11 years old, or have

earned the Arrow of Light   2.  Complete a Boy Scout application

Requirement Arrow of Light Scout Rank

Pledge of Allegiance Yes Yes

Scout sign, salute, handshake Yes Yes

Square knot (joining knot) Yes Yes

Scout Oath, Law, motto, slogan and Outdoor Code

Yes Yes

Describe Scout badge Yes Yes

Pamphlet Guide Yes Yes

Scoutmaster’s Conference No Yes

First Class in the First Year

First Class in the First YearWebelos Skills Tenderfoot 2nd Class 1st Class

Proper dress / gear for activity X X X

Camping / proper tent setup X X X

Camp Cooking X X X

Citizenship / American Flag handling X X X

Fuse rope, knot tying X X X

Scout Oath, Law, motto, slogan, Outdoor Code

X

Hiking / hiking safety / swimming safety

X X X

Physical Fitness tests X

Plant / animal identification X X X

First Aid X X X

Ax / knife safety X

Activity Badges vs. Merit BadgesActivity Badge Merit Badge

Aquanaut Swimming, Lifesaving

Artist Art, Graphic Arts

Athlete Athletics

Citizen Community, Nation, World

Communicator Communications

Craftsman Wood Carving, Woodwork

Engineer Engineering

Family Member Family Life

Fitness Personal Fitness

Forester Forestry

Activity Badge Merit Badge

Geologist Geology

Handyman Home Repair, Electricity

Naturalist Nature

Outdoorsman Camping, Hiking

Readyman First Aid

Scholar Scholarship

Scientist Nuclear Science, Space Exploration, Weather

Showman Music, Theater

Sportsman Cycling, Golf, Sports

Traveler Aviation, Railroading

Keys to a successful transition

• Engage with your Cub Packs• Webelos Coordinator• Den Chiefs

• Activity Calendar to each prospective scout

• ‘First Class in the First Year’•Key to retention

•Webelos Leader Training•Train for your position•Baloo / Web Outdoor Training

•Complete required activity badges early in Web 1 year

• Fitness, Citizen, Readyman, Outdoorsman

•Engage with your Boy Scout Troops

• Not just ‘feeder’ troops• Webelos are the ‘lifeblood’ of every troop!

• Partner with the Scoutmaster• Get the boys outdoors !

First Class in the First Year • Introduce bridging to Boy Scouts in Web 1• Strong connection in Web 2

• Late August • Letters to Cubmasters & Webelos Parents & Leaders• Plan Joint Activities

• October• Visit Troops –’Shop for best price’

• November • Parent / Webelos Leader Introduction• Troop Activity / Overnighter

First Class in the First Year • January

• Letters to Webelos Parents • Transition Process / Dates / Requirements

• February• Blue & Gold / Crossover Ceremony • Create New Scout Patrol• Assign Experienced ASMs and Guides

• March – April• Teach Scout Skills

• Tenderfoot/Second Class• Camping Weekends

First Class in the First Year

• June / July• Summer Camp – a ‘must do’ experience for youth

• September - February• Target First Class• Additional Skills Training• Additional Camping

BSA Mission Statement

To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the

values of the Scout Oath and Law.