2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000,
1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1990
You as a Webelos leader will guide the boys through this transition time. If you keep their interests going in the direction of Boy Scouts, they will enter a whole different structure where they will help make more decisions on their own. We will start to play more of a supportive role than directive role as leaders and parents.
Webelos scouts learn that it is their responsibility to earn their activity badges. The boys should become more involved in planning the program for the den. They will learn simple leadership skills. They may surprise you with their ideas. They should help set a code of discipline for the group. They will learn what it is like to set rules and live by them. They need to learn that to advance in Boy Scouts, you need to earn them on your own with the guidance and help of leaders.
It is in Webelos that the world of outdoor Scouting begins to open up. The Webelos are able to camp and go on other outdoor activities. Most of these activities are not with the Pack, but with their den, other Webelos dens, and with Boy Scout troops. In short, Webelos Scouting is the senior level program in Cub Scouting. It is meant to help transition the boys from Cubs Scouting into Boy Scouting. Webelos are under the direction of the Cubmaster, hold their own activities, and do many things too advanced for the younger boys. At the end of the Webelos program, the Scouts should have a taste for what Boy Scouting is all about and have a head start in proceeding through the Boy Scout program.
The reason behind bridging the 2nd year Webelos in Feb or March, is to give them a chance to get to know the Boy Scouts and attend Boy Scout summer camp with a Troop. This way the boys don�t sit around for the summer wondering what to do. The Boy Scout program runs year-round. They continue to meet all summer long and plan a lot of outdoor camping and hiking and such activities to help the new Boy Scouts start earning their first ranks in the older boys� program.
Contact your local Boy Scout Troops by the time the boys reach their second year as Webelos Scouts. Start introducing the Webelos to activities in conjunction with the Troop. Go to Council-sponsored events that include Troops and second year Webelos.
Two Boy Scouts that we know had this to say about Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. They said that Cub Scouts is where you start learning the skills for Boy Scouts. If you don�t go on to Boy Scouts, it�s like building a wishing well, but never throwing a penny into it. It would be a shame to miss out on all the fun times in Boy Scouts because it is so different from the Cub Scouting program. Don�t miss out on the fun!
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PLANNING
PREPARATION
PERFORMANCE
SUCCESS
You must PLAN ahead for what you are going to do to get the Webelos sent on to Boy Scouts. You then must PREPARE for this transition with activities built along this plan. You must PERFORM the completion all of these activities, not just part of them, in order to achieve SUCCESS. Follow these steps to help guide you on the journey towards Boy Scouts.
Following are the roles different Scouters have in the preparation and completion of a successful Webelos to boy Scouts transition. This will help clarify everyone's responsibilities to insure the best solutions for the Scouts and their families.
The importance of a good Webelos Leader
The leader must accept the need for a good outdoor program
Must have knowledge of outdoor skills, fire building, cooking, wood tools and knots, camping, sanitation, tents and equipment (Outdoor Webelos Leader Training or have people help you that know these skills
Should be Scoutmaster Fundamental trained if possible
The Webelos Den Leader Role
Most influential in the boys� preparation
Should have the Webelos function as a patrol by the second year
Ensure the boys attend Camp Akela
Verify the presence of the necessary Scout Skills
Attend Roundtables and get to know Scoutmasters
Attend troop meeting and recruit a Den Chief
Plan the graduation/bridging ceremony and promote Troop summer activities
Verify the transfer of documents (the boys� records)
The Scoutmaster�s Role
Include the Webelos in summer camp reservations
Discuss camp and troop activity costs with the Webelos� parents
Have Webelos and their parents attend troop meetings
Become part of the Pack graduation ceremony
Assist in finding Den Chiefs for Webelos Dens
Ensure all forms are completed
Invite the Webelos Den Leader to become part of the troop
Hold a pre-summer camp orientation for Scout skills
The Assistant Scoutmaster�s Role
Helps to form the new Scout patrol
Makes sure the Webelos feel welcome and they belong to the troop
Works with the Troop Guide in planning instruction of Scout skills and patrol learning
Assists with advancement up to the Star rank
Verify and reinforce the basic Scout skills
The Den Chief�s Role
A resource for Scout skills
Helps form the patrol and patrol spirit
Assists in the Arrow of Light and Cross Over ceremonies
Counts as Leadership time
The Cubmaster�s Role
NOW-Search for Scout Troops; develop point-of-contact for the Troop; examine membership levels and activities within the Troop
OCTOBER-Confirm the February Graduation; invite the Scoutmaster(s) to the Blue and Gold Banquet; encourage visitation to Troop meetings
FEBRUARY TO APRIL-Conduct the Graduation; ensure the boys� funds get transferred
The Unit Commissioner�s Role
Determine which Troop can accommodate more Scouts
Contact District Executive to start more Troops, if necessary
Ensure graduations are planned
Track graduating Scouts and ensure they get registered as Boy Scouts
Attend graduations
For those Webelos who do not join a Troop, determine why
Family moving?
Parent problem?
Scout problem?
Troop problem?
Transportation?
Finances? (be discreet)
A good Webelos Den Leader will:
Train the boys to be good Scouts
Enforce the requirements for camping and Troop visitation (at least 2 or 3 are best)
Enforce the importance of the Arrow of Light Award (it�s as important as the Eagle Award)
Work for February to April graduation plan (to keep them interested)
Why a two year Webelos plan if they are going to graduate in Feb. to April:
Better retention
Early transition is important so they are ready to go to summer camp
70-80% of Boy Scouts were Webelos
300% better chance of retaining a Scout if they attend summer camp their 1st year
The boys are looking forward to summer time fun
May is the end of the year for school, sports, and the usual graduation in Cub Scouts
Earn the Arrow of Light in February and join a Troop fight away
Graduate as a patrol and stay as a patrol in the Troop
The SM and SA get to know the boys before they go to summer camp
Second Year Webelos:
Have the boys begin to function as a patrol, not a den
Choose a patrol name, make a patrol flag, and wear the patrol patch they choose
Elect patrol officers
Rotate patrol positions
Use of Den Chiefs:
Resource for Scout skills and help training
Assists in operating the patrol
Assists in the patrol graduation
Counts as leadership time
Find a Troop Early:
Contact Commissioners, Scout Executives and professional Staff for local Troops
Ask other Scouters
Ask at Scoutmaster Fundamentals
Ask at Webelos Overnight Training
Plan joint activities
Summer camp funds savings
Build a good relationship with the boys of the Troop
Makes the transition natural and fun
Planning the Transition:
The Scoutmaster and Webelos Den Leader should meet in Nov. or Dec.
of the second year to:
Share rosters
Plan the transition graduation/bridging ceremony
Review camp plans and fees
Set a date for the Scoutmaster to meet with the Webelos� parents
Troop and Pack Committee:
Share the responsibility for the graduation ceremony
Transfer Cub Scout Camp accounts
Ensure the transfer of records and transfer application is complete
Graduation Briefing to Webelos:
Remind the Webelos that Activity Badges are like Merit Badges
Accuracy is important
Neatness is important
Timeliness is important
The Arrow of Light qualifies the Webelos for the Scout Badge
The Webelos Badge required them to earn Fitness and that has the requirement of the course for substance and child abuse, which is part of the Scout Badge requirement
The Arrow of Light Ceremony equates to the Eagle Ceremony for Boy Scouts. Ensure that the AOL Ceremony is just as nice
An impressive ceremony will instill in the boys the desire to continue
Show that the Scoutmaster and Troop junior leaders really want the boys in their Troop
Always remember that most boys will never think of continuing unless we give them a good program with all the right reasons to advance into the Boy Scouting program. What better satisfaction than to know that you�ve done well at your role as a guiding force in the lives of the Webelos Scouts! Thank you for all your hard work and time well spent.
