Webelos Scout Program

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.

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.
2. 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.
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 boys to become a team. Taking their flag along on a campout or hike and announcing themselves with their yell is pretty fun.

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 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.

More Webelos Scout Information to use.  Some of these links will direct you to other websites.  Use your browser Back button to return to this page:

  Webelos Scout Activity Badges - Tasks to perform to earn the Webelos badge and Arrow of Light award
  Webelos Scout Awards - see what awards are available to Webelos scouts
  Webelos Scout Games - den or pack games just right for 4th and 5th graders
  Webelos Scout Graces - fun meal graces
  Webelos Scout Jokes - funny, gross, and silly jokes for scouts
  Webelos Scout Projects - community or conservation projects for your Webelos den
  Webelos Scout Recipes - tasty food crecipes you can make with your scouts for fun snacks at campfires or on overnighters
  Webelos Scout Skits - skits that Webelos Scouts like to do
  Webelos Scout Songs - songs for scouts
  Webelos Scout Stories - choose stories that Webelos scouts will enjoy and understand
  Webelos Scout Uniform - make sure you put all those badges and patches in the right spots
  Cub Scout Academics & Sports - extra recognition opportunities
  Webelos Scout Tests - online tests for Webelos Scouts to test their knowledge
  Webelos Scout Schedule - sample schedule of meetings and activities

Virtues are good character traits.

As Webelos, we will take advantage of opportunities to build these Webelos and Boy Scout virtues in ourselves.