Webelos Scout Resources for a Great Program

 

Webelos Meaning: We'll Be Loyal Scouts  Webelos Goal: Prepare a Cub Scout to be a Boy Scout    Webelos Rank Requirements Arrow of Light Requirements

Webelos is a 20 month program for 4th and 5th grade boys to prepare to join a Boy Scout troop while learning outdoors skills and participating in 20 different activity badges. A well-run group of Webelos is a gradual change from being an 'adult-run' den to being a 'boy-run' patrol ready to fit right into an adventurous scouting troop. This migration requires the parents and den leaders to give the scouts more and more control, decision-making power, and responsibility as they progress in skills, abilities, and maturity. A good program also provides the scouts with many opportunities to grow in the Webelos Virtues.

Webelos Program:
The Webelos program has two major milestones - the Webelos rank badge to be earned around February of 4th grade and the Arrow of Light to be earned around February of 5th grade. The final part of Webelos is bridging over into a Boy Scout troop selected individually by the scout.

Once the goals of Webelos are understood, the methods of the program make a lot of sense! There are a few major changes between Cub Scouts and Webelos scouts that are very important to the success of your program. Some adult leaders and parents find it difficult to adjust to these changes so a Parent Meeting to discuss expectations and changes from Cub Scouts is critical to your success. Use parents to plan and lead individual activity badges. The Webelos den leader will have more paperwork and tracking than the wolf or bear den leader.

 
Important differences from Cub Scouts to Webelos:

1. Advancement Sign Off - each Webelos scout is supposed to take his handbook to the den leader or assistant den leader for sign off when a requirement is completed. This is a change from having a parent sign off every activity. This change prepares the scout to have a ScoutMaster sign off each advancement requirement in Boy Scouts. There is more responsibility put on the scout to remember and bring his handbook to meetings and get it signed.
   Tip: Help the scouts along until they get the routine. Have them bring their Webelos handbook to every meeting and reward them for bringing them until they get it. Have a list of activity badge requirements that you plan on completing at a meeting so you, your assistant, or a parent on your behalf can sign off those that are completed right away. This will help the scouts understand the importance of the handbook.
2. Webelos Activity Badges - Bear and Wolf scouts earned red or yellow progress towards rank beads to string on a totem. Once enough were earned, they received the rank badge. Webelos moves closer to the Boy Scout merit badge system with a recognizable pin for each activity badge earned. Individual scouts may earn different badges at different times and there are only a couple badges that are mandatory to earn ranks. This change gives the scout more control over his advancement and lets him choose areas he enjoys more.
3. Camping - Webelos dens should Camp! Cub Scouts can camp as a pack, but Webelos should go out as a den as much as possible to give the scouts opportunities to learn and use their Outdoorsman, Naturalist, Forester, and Readyman skills. Each Webelos scout needs to have an adult responsible for him on each camping trip. Campouts in the backyard with dinner and s'mores made on a gas grill can be a great way to ease your scouts into the world of camping. Taking your den to a district or council organized summer Webelos camp should be a required part of your program. Most councils have a one or two day overnight camp every summer for Webelos. A Packing List is helpful for a short campout.
   Tip: Be sure you follow Rules for Safe Scouting practices on your camping trips.
4. Patrols - a patrol is just another name for the den but it does have some significance. Boy Scouts are organized into Patrols, each with their own name, flag, yell, leader, and emblem. As Webelos, a den can begin to operate as a patrol and select an emblem for their uniform, make up a yell, name, and flag. This can really get the scouts to become a team. Taking their flag along on a campout or hike and announcing themselves with their yell is pretty fun.
   Tip: A great time to start working as a patrol is when everyone in the den earns their Webelos rank. Have a den meeting with the goal of becoming a patrol - choosing a name, selecting an emblem, coming up with a yell, and designing a flag. You might also elect a patrol leader (a denner) to serve for the next month. Each month, a new patrol leader should be elected so each scout has the opportunity to practice his leadership skills. The den leader should spend some extra time with the patrol leader explaining how to run a meeting and giving him encouragement to lead his friends.

 

Webelos Den Leader:

A well-trained, organized, and caring Den Leader is critical to the success of a Webelos Den. The Webelos Den Leader takes on the responsibility of making advancement opportunities available to the scouts and then tracking their advancements. The leader also recruits other adults to plan and organize individual activity badge meetings and outings. One of the main roles of the Webelos den leader is to give each scout opportunities to lead and make decisions, both individually and for the den. Every parent should be expected to lead two of the 20 Webelos activity badges. A den should be able to complete an activity badge each month. The first two or three activity badges should be led by the den leader or assistant den leader as examples to the other parents on what is expected. Having parents actively leading lets the scouts interact with other adults and lets parents have a sense of ownership of the success of the group. An actively supportive parent is crucial for any scout hoping to attain the Eagle Scout rank since there will be many times when a parent is asked to help out with that boy's progress.

Webelos Den Leader is a registered volunteer BSA position. Every Webelos Den is required to have a registered den leader whose responsibilities are:

1. Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that the den is an active and successful part of the pack.
2. Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the assistant den leader and den chief.
3. Attend pack leaders' meetings.
4. Lead the den at pack meetings and activities.
5. Ensure the transition of Webelos scouts to Boy Scouts.

Webelos Badge Requirements

 

1. Have an adult member of your family read and sign the Parent Guide in the front of the Webelos Scout Book.
2. Be an active member of your Webelos den for 3 months.
3. Know and explain the meaning of the Webelos badge.
4. Point out and explain the three parts of the Webelos Scout uniform. Tell when to wear the uniform and when not to wear it.
5. Earn the Fitness and Citizen activity badges and one other activity badge from a different activity badge group.
6. Plan and lead a flag ceremony in your den that includes the U.S. flag.
7. Show that you know and understand the requirements to be a Boy Scout.
   1. Demonstrate the Scout salute, Scout sign, and Scout handshake. Explain when you would use them.
   2. Explain the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan.
   3. Explain and agree to follow the Outdoor Code.
8. Faith
   After completing the rest of requirement 8, do these (a, b, and c):
   1. Know: Tell what you have learned about faith.
   2. Commit: Tell how these faith experiences help you live your duty to God. Name one faith practice that you will continue to do in the future.
   3. Practice: After doing these requirements, tell what you have learned about your beliefs.

And do one of these (d OR e):

4. Earn the religious emblem of your faith*
5. Do two of these: (Use this Worksheet to track activity)
   • Attend the mosque, church, synagogue, temple, or other religious organization of your choice, talk with your religious leader about your beliefs. Tell your family and your Webelos den leader what you learned.
   • Discuss with your family and Webelos den leader how your religious beliefs fit in with the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and what character-building traits your religious beliefs have in common with the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
   • With your religious leader, discuss and make a plan to do two things you think will help you draw nearer to God. Do these things  for a month.
   • For at least a month, pray or meditate reverently each day as taught by your family, and by your church, temple, mosque, synagogue, or religious group.
   • Under the direction of your religious leader, do an act of service for someone else. Talk about your service with your family and Webelos den leader. Tell them how it made you feel.
   • List at least two ways you believe you have lived according to your religious beliefs.

 
Study Guide
Online Webelos Badge Test

 

 

Compass Points Emblem Requirements

1. Earn the Webelos Badge.
2. Earn four more activity badges for a total of seven to receive the compass points emblem.
3. Earn one compass point pin for each additional four activity badges.
   • 11 activity badges – first point
   • 15 activity badges – second point
   • 19 activity badges – third point

Arrow of Light Award Requirements

 
The highest award in Cub Scouts is earned by Webelos that have been active participants in their den and are ready to join a Boy Scout troop. Many of the requirements for the Arrow of Light are intended to familiarize the scout with a local troop and hopefully show him that crossing over into a troop is the next step to take in scouting. A scout that earns his Arrow of Light patch has also completed nearly all the requirements to earn the Scout badge in the troop so he has already begun his Boy Scout trail.

1. Be active in your Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade (or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old), and earn the Webelos badge.
2. Show your knowledge of the requirements to become a Boy Scout by doing all of these:
   • Repeat from memory and explain in your own words the Scout Oath or Promise and the 12 points of the Scout Law. Tell how you have practiced them in your 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)

See the Boy Scout Study Guide.
Use this handy Memorization Wheel to learn and review the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan, and Outdoor Code.

3. Earn five more activity badges in addition to the three you already earned for the Webelos badge. These must include:
   • Fitness (already earned for the Webelos badge)
   • Citizen (already earned for the Webelos badge)
   • Readyman
   • Outdoorsman
   • At least one from the Mental Skills Group
   • At least one from the Technology Group
   • Two more of your choice
4. With your Webelos den, visit at least
   • one Boy Scout troop meeting
   • one Boy Scout-oriented outdoor activity.

(If you have already done this when you earned your Outdoorsman activity badge, you may not use it to fulfill requirements for your Arrow of Light Award.)

5. Participate in a Webelos overnight campout or day hike.
   (If you have already done this when you earned your Outdoorsman activity badge, you may not use it to fulfill requirements for your Arrow of Light Award requirements.)
6. After you have completed all five of the above requirements, and after a talk with your Webelos den leader, arrange to visit, with your parent or guardian, a meeting of a Boy Scout troop you think you might like to join. Have a conference with the Scoutmaster.
7. Complete the Honesty Character Connection.

1. Know: Say the Cub Scout Promise to your family. Discuss these questions with them. What is a promise? What does it mean to keep your word? What does it mean to be trustworthy? What does honesty mean?
2. Commit: Discuss these questions with your family. Why is a promise important? Why is it important for people to trust you when you give your word? When might it be difficult to be truthful? List examples.
3. Practice: Discuss with a family member why it is important to be trustworthy and honest. How can you do your best to be honest even when it is difficult?

 
Online Webelos Arrow of Light Test