Webelos to Boy Scout Transition

“A critical step in the journey of Scouting”

PLANNING
                      - PREPARATION
                                                       -  PERFORMANCE
                                                                                             - SUCCESS

You must plan ahead for what you are going to do, to recruit Webelos Scouts into your Troop or (from a Webelos Leader’s point of view) what you are going to do to get the Webelos sent on to Boy Scouts.  You must then prepare for this transition with activities built along this plan.  You must complete all of these activities, not just part of them, in order to achieve success.

The importance of a good WEBELOS Leader
•	The leader must accept the need for a good outdoor program
•	Must have knowledge of outdoor skills, fire building, cooking, wood tools and knots, camping, sanitation, tents and equipment.
•	Should be Scoutmaster Fundamental trained (outdoor program section)

The Webelos Den Leader Role
•	Most influential in the boys’ preparation
•	Should have the Webelos function as a patrol
•	Ensure the boys attend camp 
•	Verify the presence of the necessary Scout Skills
•	Attend Roundtables and get to know Scoutmasters
•	Attend troop meeting and recruit a Den Chief
•	Plan the graduation/bridging ceremony and promote Troop summer activities
•	Verify the transfer of documents (the boys’ records)

The Scoutmaster’s Role
•	Include the Webelos in summer camp reservations
•	Discuss camp and troop activity costs with the Webelos’ parents
•	Have Webelos and their parents attend troop meetings
•	Become part of the Pack graduation ceremony
•	Assist in finding Den Chiefs for Webelos Dens
•	Ensure all forms are completed
•	Invite the Webelos Den Leader to become part of the troop
•	Hold a pre-summer camp orientation for Scout skills

The Assistant Scoutmaster’s Role
•	Helps to form the new scout patrol
•	Makes sure the Webelos feel welcome and they belong to the troop
•	Works with the Troop Guide in planning instruction of scout skills and patrol learning
•	Assist with advancement up to the Star rank
•	Verify and reinforce the basic scout skills

The Den Chief’s Role
•	A resource for scout skills
•	Helps form the patrol and patrol spirit
•	Helps to operate the patrol
•	Assists in the Arrow of Light and Cross Over ceremonies
•	Counts as  Leadership time

The Cubmaster’s Role
•	NOW –Search for Scout Troops; develop point-of-contact for the Troop; examine membership levels and activities within the Troop
•	OCTOBER—Confirm the February Graduation; invite the Scoutmaster(s) SPL(s) and ASPL(s) to the Blue and Gold Banquet; encourage visitation to Troop meetings
•	FEBRUARY TO APRIL—Conduct the Graduation; ensure the boys’ funds get transferred

The Unit Commissioner’s Role
•	Determine which Troops can accommodate more Scouts
•	Contact District Executive to start more Troops, if necessary
•	Ensure graduations are planned
•	Track graduating Scouts and ensure they get registered as Boy Scouts
•	Attend graduations
•	For those Webelos who do not join a Troop, determine why
•	Family moving?
•	Parent problem?
•	Scout problem?
•	Troop problem?
•	Transportation?
•	Finances? (be discreet)

A good Webelos Den Leader will:
•	Train the boys to be good scouts
•	Enforce the requirements for camping and troop visitations (at least two and three best)
•	Enforce the importance of the Arrow of Light Award (it’s as important as the Eagle Award)
•	Work for February to April graduation plan (to keep them interested)

Why a two year Webelos plan if they are going to graduate in Feb. to April
•	Better retention
•	Early transition is important so they are ready to go to summer camp
•	70-80% of Boy Scouts were Webelos
•	300% better chance of retaining a scout if they attend summer camp their first year
•	the boys are looking forward to summer time fun
•	May is the end of the year for school and sports
•	Webelos is really a 22 month program
•	1st year – 4th grade, 12 months
•	2nd year – 5th grade, 10 months
•	Arrow of Light in January of the second year
•	Join the troop in February
•	Graduate as a patrol and stay as a patrol in the Troop
•	The SM and SA get to know the boys before they go to summer camp

Second Year Webelos Leaders
•	Have the boys begin functioning as a patrol and not a Den 
•	Choose a patrol name
•	Make a patrol flag
•	Wear a patrol emblem/patch
•	Elect patrol officers
•	Rotate patrol positions

Use of Den Chiefs
•	Resource for scout skills and help training
•	Assists in operating the patrol
•	Assist in the patrol graduation
•	Counts as leadership time

Find a troop early
•	Contact Commissioners, Scout Executives and professional Staff
•	Ask other Scouters
•	Ask at Scoutmaster Fundamentals
•	Ask at Webelos Overnighter Training
•	Plan joint activities
•	Summer camp funds savings
•	Build a good relationship with the boys of the troop
•	Makes the transition natural and fun

Planning the transition
•	The Scoutmaster and the Webelos Den Leader should meet in Nov. or Dec. to:
•	Share rosters
•	Plan the transition graduation (bridging ceremony)
•	Review camp plans and fees
•	Set a date for the scoutmaster to meet with the Webelos’ parents

Troop and Pack Committee
•	Share the responsibility for the graduation ceremony
•	Transfer Cub Scout Camp accounts
•	Ensure the transfer of records and transfer application is completed

Graduation briefing to Webelos
•	Remind the Webelos that Activity Badges are like Merit Badges
•	Accuracy is important
•	Neatness is important
•	Timeliness is important
•	The Arrow of Light qualifies the Webelos for the Scout Badge
•	The Webelos Badge required them to earn Fitness and that has the requirement of the course for substance and child abuse, which is part of the Scout Badge requirement
•	The Arrow of Light Ceremony equates to the Eagle ceremony for Boy Scouts. Ensure that the AOL ceremony is just as nice
•	An impressive ceremony will instill in the boys the desire to continue
•	Shows that the Scoutmaster and Troop junior leaders really want the boys in their Troop