Webelos Scout Resources for a Great Program

Webelos Meaning: We'll Be Loyal Scouts
A youth that has completed third grade may start earning the Webelos rank, and expand their Cub Scouting experience by learning outdoors skills and participating in many adventures. The scout receives a Webelos handbook, neckerchief, and neckerchief slide when beginning the Webelos portion of their scouting trail. A blue Cub Scout Uniform will also be needed. Like each rank in Cub Scouts, Webelos is intended to take one school year, preparing the scout to join an Arrow of Light den for 5th grade.

A well-run group of Webelos is a gradual change from being an 'adult-run' den to being a 'scout-run' patrol. 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.
It is fine for a youth to start their scouting adventure as a Webelos since it does not rely on previous Cub Scout ranks.

How to Join:

1. Go to BeAScout.org
2. Click the 'Cub Scouts' tab.
3. Enter your zipcode and click the arrow button.
4. Click on a Pack near you to see its contact info so you can call the Pack or your local Council about joining.
5. Complete a Youth Application and Health Record and give them to the Cubmaster of the Pack you choose.

2024 Webelos Advancement
Webelos do adventures described in their Webelos handbook that advance them towards their Webelos rank. By completing six required adventures and two elective adventures, the Webelos rank is earned.

Webelos Rank Requirements:

1. Complete each of the six Webelos required adventures:
   1. Bobcat
   2. Webelos Walkabout (Outdoors)
   3. Stronger, Faster, Higher (Personal Fitness)
   4. My Community (Citizenship)
   5. My Safety (Personal Safety)
   6. My Family (Family & Reverence)
2. In addition to the six required adventures listed, complete at least two Webelos elective adventures of your den's or family's choosing: Aquanaut, Art Explosion, Aware and Care, Build It, Catch the Big One, Chef's Knife, Earth Rocks!, Let's Camp, Math on the Trail, Modular Design, Paddle Onward, Pedal Away, Race Time, Summertime Fun, Tech on the Trail, Yo-Yo

There are a few major changes between Cub Scouts and Webelos scouts that are very important to the success of your program.

1. Advancement Sign Off - each Webelos scout is supposed to take the 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 the Scouts BSA program. There is more responsibility put on the scout to remember and bring the 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 adventure 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 Adventure Pins - Lion, Tiger, Wolf, and Bear scouts earned belt loops. Webelos earn pins which can be displayed on the Adventures Colors device. This moves closer to the Scouts BSA merit badge system where recognition items are displayed on a sash.
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 new skills. Each Webelos scout needs to have an adult responsible for the scout 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.

Webelos Den Leader:
A well-trained Den Leader is critical to the success of a Webelos Den. The Webelos Den Leader makes advancement opportunities available to the scouts and tracks their advancements. The den leader can also recruit other adults to plan and organize individual adventure 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 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. Plan overnight campouts and other outdoor activities.
4. Attend pack leaders' meetings.
5. Lead the den at pack meetings and activities.
6. Help the den earn the National Den Award.
7. Work with local scoutmasters to ensure the transition of Webelos scouts to Scouts.

There are many resources available to help the den leader plan and run a successful, interesting program for the scouts on scouting.org, but there is no current Webelos Den Leader Guide. A Webelos Den Leader Guide from the previous version of this program might still be helpful for some adventures in 2024.

Tip: The Cub Scout motto of Do Your Best should still be a key part of the Webelos program. There is no level of competence or skill required to complete adventures. Putting in personal effort and having fun with fellow scouts is success.

Tip: Some available Awards are never earned by Webelos. Learn about additional awards offered to your scouts, and try to work them into your schedule, especially for scouts that are completing the adventures quickly.

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