Welcome to Webelos Scouting, the senior level program in Cub Scouting. It is meant to help transition the boys from Cub Scouting into Boy Scouting. It is your job to help them make this transition in a fun and adventurous way. The major goal of Webelos Scouting is to give the Scouts a taste of what it is like to be a Boy Scout and to get them used to how Boy Scouting is structured.
Before you get started, read the Hints for Cub Scout Leaders page and read the pack policies. This basic information is applicable to you, too.
Webelos are the oldest Cub Scouts in the Pack and as such carry the responsibility of being good role models to the younger Cub Scouts. It also falls upon the Webelos to help tell what exciting activities await the younger Cubs and to help the Cubs during Pack activities.
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.
In Tiger, Wolf and Bear dens the family unit is central to the forming of the Cub Scout and activities revolve around the family unit. The emphasis in Webelos scouting shifts from these home-centered activities to group-centered activities similar to those they will be encountering in Boy Scouts. Webelos Scouts learn that it is their responsibility to earn their activity badges. They are helped by their Webelos Den Leaders and Activity Badge Counselors (adults who volunteer to host an activity badge).
Webelos dens pick a patrol name after all the boys have earned their Webelos badge. (Before you choose a patrol name, sample patrol emblems are available for you to borrow and show the boys from the Cubmaster.) The patrol structure is central to both Webelos Scouting and Boy Scouting. Because Webelos Scouts do most of their activities as a patrol, parents play a more supportive and less directive role in Webelos scouting.
Webelos do not follow the monthly theme of the Pack, but have their own program centered around the activity badges that are earned. The boys should be involved in program planning. They will learn simple leadership skills and they will surprise you with their ideas. The Webelos should also get involved in setting a code of discipline for the group. They will learn what it is like to set rules and live by them.
The patrol conducts some projects that can be credited towards the ranks and activity badges that the boys earn, but not all of the requirements are addressed at patrol meetings. This is deliberate. The Webelos Scouts learn that if they wish to advance, they are responsible for meeting the requirements outside patrol meeting times. These requirements are challenging, but very reachable by boys in this age group. These surmountable obstacles and steps to overcome them help a boy grow in self-reliance and the ability to help others. This is patterned after the merit badge and advancement process in a Boy Scout Troop.
Webelos Scouts also take on more responsibility for the running of their den, however, the actual responsibility resides with you, the Webelos Leader. This is to get the boys used to making their own decisions. When they enter Boy Scouts they will run the entire show. Adults will advise and guide.
It is in Webelos that the world of outdoor Scouting begins to open up. The Webelos are able to camp with a parent and go on other outdoor activities. Most of these activities are not with the Pack, but with their patrol, other Webelos patrols and with Boy Scout Troops. They also participate in Boy Scout Troop meetings, Camporees and other Boy Scout events.
Q. Are Webelos Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts?
A. Webelos Scouting is the senior level program in Cub Scouting. It is meant to help transition the boys from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting. Webelos are still under the direction of the Cubmaster. They are allowed to wear the khaki and olive colors of the Boy Scouts, but wear Cub Scout insignia on the uniform. Webelos Scouting has more outdoor activities than in the other parts of Cub Scouting but less than Boy Scouting. See the "Guide to Safe Scouting" and "Planning the Webelos Overnight Campout" in the Cub Scout Leader Book for a little information on what is part of the Webelos outdoor experience.
Q. When do the Scouts change to the khaki and olive uniform?
A. Families choose when they wish to change to khaki. Many families purchase the khaki uniform when the blue one is either outgrown or damaged. Don't buy the Boy Scout (olive) belt, see the next question and answer.
Q. How do I get the belt loops on the Boy Scout (olive) belt?
A. The belt loops do not fit on the Boy Scout (olive) belt. Webelos Scouts can either wear their blue Cub Scout belt, or any narrow belt that the belt loops will fit on.
Q. Do we call our group of Webelos a patrol or den?
A. Webelos patrols are usually called dens until all the boys earn their Webelos badge. They choose a patrol name and obtain patrol insignia patches from the Scout Shop to replace the den number on the uniform. Show the boys the Scout Catalog and let them pick a badge from there. Patrol names are sacred to the boys, so let them choose it themselves. This will also help teach them the democratic skills they will need when they get into Boy Scouts. The name should be 'theirs' and it is encouraged to allow the boys to be creative. For example, they don't need to be the Eagles. They can be the 'Soaring Eagles'. Make sure other leades refer to them by their "earned" patrol name.
Webelos also have a patrol yell and a patrol flag. The flag should be brought to each patrol meeting, pack meeting, and other relevant activity. Patrol yells and flags are created by the boys. Have the boys yell the patrol yell when they receive awards at the pack meeting.
Q. Do we wear the activity pins on the hat or on the shoulder ribbons?
A. The activity pins the boys earn are patterned after merit badges in Boy Scouts. In our pack, the boys wear them on a set of ribbons called the Webelos Colors. The colors are worn on the arm, just below, and touching, the American flag. We have decided not to have the boys wear pins in their hat due to (1) potential head injuries and (2) if the boys lose thier hats, they lose their pins.
Q. The leader's guide said that I need to build a relationship with a Scout Troop. When and how do I do this?
A. Work with the Araphoe District Executive at the Council (303-455-5522). Scout Troops normally have an Assistant Scoutmaster assigned to Pack - Troop relations. Make your initial contact during the first year. Webelos can participate in a number of Troop activities. The troops can also help you accomplish some of your Webelos requirements.
Q. Does the Webelos Leader teach the boys about the activity pins?
A. Yes and no. It is highly discouraged to have the Webelos Leader do all the teaching. In Boy Scouting (which we are trying to introduce), the boys go to Merit Badge Counselors who assist the boys in achieving their badges. It is encouraged that you get the parents to act as Activity Pin Counselors to help the Webelos through their activity pin requirements.
Q. Do we follow the Pack's Cub Scout monthly theme?
A. No, you will be busy enough trying to cover one activity pin a month. Make sure the Webelos know what the monthly theme is, but unless you are putting on a skit, don't spend a lot of time on it. Nearly everything the den does is focused on one of the 20 activity pins, the Webelos badge, or the Arrow of Light. The few exceptions are when the Webelos take part in such pack events as the Pinewood Derby and the blue and gold dinner.
Q. Is there a certain order we should follow in covering the activity badges?
A. Some activity badges are designed to challenge fourth graders and others fifth graders. Refer to the Cub Scout "Webelos Scout Program Helps" for a suggested calendar. If you follow this calendar you will be synchronized with articles in Boys Life magazine and presentations held at the District Round Tables. Note that if you follow the suggested calendar, the boys should be ready to receive their Webelos Badge by February of their first year, and bridge to Boy Scouts in January of their second year.
Q. Should we try to achieve all 20 activity pins?
A. The program is not designed for the boys to normally earn all 20 activity pins. The reason for the 20 pins is so that there will be enough to keep the very active boy from getting bored. It is YOUR job to pace the boys and not run out of things to do. (However, boys who earn all 20 pins also earn a "Twentier" patch.)
Q. When is the earliest the Webelos can become Boy Scouts?
A. The earliest is six months after completing fourth grade (normally the end of November in their second year). This is the earliest they can earn their Arrow of Light.
Q. When is it recommended that the Webelos become Boy Scouts?
A. A Webelos Scout is eligible to join a Boy Scout troop when he completes all the requirements for the Arrow of Light Award. Normally in our pack, the boys earn their Arrow of Light by January of the second year, take a break off in February and start with a troop they've chosen in March.
Q. If the Scouts will bridge in January, why do the program guides show a two year program?
A. The activity pin program is designed for 24 months to accommodate those who need the entire time. However, if the program is followed, a Webelos scout will earn the proper number and type of pins to qualify for the Arrow of Light by January.
Q. Can the Scouts continue to earn activity pins after they bridge into Boy Scouts?
A. No, activity badges are for Cub Scouts. As Boy Scouts, they will be very busy earning their First Class Rank during their first year, and earning merit badges.
Q. When can the Webelos use the Boy Scout salute, handshake and oath?
A. In the process of earning their Webelos badge, the Scouts learn the Boy Scout salute, handshake and oath. At your discretion, they can start to use these instead of the Cub Scout equivalents.
Q. Where can I get more information?
A. Go to Roundtable. At Roundtable, you will meet Webelos Leaders and Scoutmasters who will help you establish a fun and adventurous program.
Also get trained. Not only will you obtain official information, but you will also network with other Webelos Leaders who will act as resources. If you have already attended Cub Leader Basic, review the Webelos section of the Fast Start Tape (available from the Pack Library) and attend Webelos Leader Outdooor Training.
Adapted from www.usscouts.org.