Webelos Scout Resources for a Great Program
These requirements are out of date.
Use the new Webelos Scout requirements.
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.
How to Join:
- Go to BeAScout.org
- Click the 'Cub Scouts' tab.
- Enter your zipcode and click the arrow button.
- Click on a Pack near you to see its contact info so you can call the Pack or your local Council about joining.
- Complete a BSA Youth Application and Health Record and give them to the Cubmaster of the Pack you choose.
Our Webelos den has been very exciting to watch as the boys change from being squirrely 3rd graders mostly intent on running around and playing to being a patrol that can recognize a goal, the requirements to fulfill the goal, and the ambition to accomplish the goal. The trail to the destination is as rewarding as the destination, but they learn to plan the work and work the plan and enjoy the process. Of course, we did not turn everything over to the boys at the First Webelos Meeting - we gradually give them more tasks to do, such as taking attendance, checking uniforms, leading flag ceremonies, making announcements, preparing snacks, planning Webelos activity badge outings, organizing campouts, and leading entire meetings.
We are having very good success running the Webelos program more adult-led up through January of the 4th grade, gradually passing responsibility to the scouts. By that time, each scout earns his Webelos rank badge so it is a good time to change from blue shirts to tan, receive the Webelos badge, and start morphing into a patrol.
It is also a good point to start promoting the fact that each scout is responsible for his own advancement and there will be few 'den-wide' completions of activity badges - each boy will complete on his own schedule. We concentrate on having more patrol games, contests, and skill-building rather than activities directly related to an activity badge at our den meetings - this causes each scout to perform more of the activity badge requirements on his own and then contact the den leader for sign off. Again, this is a gradual change over a few months and we still do activity badge projects and tasks at the meetings, but not all of them.
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:
- 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. - 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.
- 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. - 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:
- Work directly with other den and pack leaders to ensure that the den is an active and successful part of the pack.
- Plan, prepare for, and conduct den meetings with the assistant den leader and den chief.
- Attend pack leaders' meetings.
- Lead the den at pack meetings and activities.
- Ensure the transition of Webelos scouts to Boy Scouts.
More Webelos Scout Information to Use:
Webelos Scout Activity Badges - Activities to earn the Webelos badge and Arrow of Light award
Track Webelos Activity Pin Completions
Webelos Activities - great den meeting ideas
Webelos Scout Awards - see what awards are available to Webelos scouts
Webelos Scout Ceremonies - a few ceremonies
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 recipes for fun snacks at campfires or on overnights
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
Comments:
Jan 25, 2013 - Serina
Jan 26, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Serina - Check out the Boy Scout joining requirements in the BSA Youth Application. There are three ways he can meet the joining requirements: 1. He has completed the fifth grade AND is at least 10 years old. 2. He has earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old. 3. He is age 11.
Feb 28, 2013 - Jim
Feb 28, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Apr 29, 2013 - Roxanne
Apr 29, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Jul 03, 2013 - Brian
Oct 08, 2013 - Awards Chair
Oct 08, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Oct 10, 2013 - Happy Hitchhiker
Oct 11, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Nov 04, 2013 - Jeff Mayes
Nov 04, 2013 - Happy Hitchhiker
Nov 04, 2013 - Arrggg
Nov 25, 2013 - EVEN MORE FRUSTRATED
Nov 25, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Dec 04, 2013 - Teresa
Dec 04, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Dec 05, 2013 - Teresa
Dec 05, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Dec 08, 2013 - Beth Brown
Dec 08, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Dec 09, 2013 - Beth Brown
Dec 19, 2013 - ann
Dec 19, 2013 - Scouter Paul
Jan 08, 2014 - Brian
Jan 09, 2014 - David
Jan 09, 2014 - Yukon Jack
Jan 10, 2014 - Ann
Jan 13, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Jan 29, 2014 - Erma
Jan 29, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Feb 17, 2014 - Angry Dad
Feb 17, 2014 - A Den Leader for Weblos
Feb 17, 2014 - Yukon Jack
Feb 24, 2014 - Angry Dad
Feb 24, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Apr 04, 2014 - Terry
Apr 04, 2014 - Scouter Paul
@Terry - Those are some sad statistics you've shared. :-( First, to answer your question, there is only one troop meeting visit and one boy scout outdoor activity visit required of your den - and that is just for the Arrow of Light award. Each individual scout family should choose which troop seems like the best fit for that scout. If there are multiple troops from which to choose, it sure makes sense to me to check them all out. It sure sounds like your Pack/Troop relationship is in dire need of help. Losing virtually all your Webelos is not the way the program should work. Both the Pack leadership and Troop leadership need to work together to transition Webelos to Boy Scouts. See this BSA page - I wonder how much of that actually happens in your community.
Apr 07, 2014 - Rose
Apr 09, 2014 - Jeff
Apr 29, 2014 - HappyHitchhiker
May 04, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Aug 23, 2014 - Kelly
Aug 23, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Aug 24, 2014 - Amy
Aug 26, 2014 - Scouter Paul
@Amy - The requirement specifically says a rowboat, which does not include a canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or any other floating device. Also, please see Age-appropriate Activities from the BSA. Webelos can kayak, but only on flat water at council/district programs. The same is true for rowing. A den can not go on a rowing or kayaking outing on their own.
Sep 01, 2014 - Kayla
Sep 12, 2014 - Darla
Sep 12, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Oct 11, 2014 - Scout mom
Oct 12, 2014 - Scouter Paul
Nov 08, 2014 - robertd
Feb 03, 2015 - Scouter Paul
Feb 22, 2015 - Melissa Ashby
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