Webelos to Scout Transition

A Parents’ Guide

Boy Scouts is a whole lot different than Cub Scouts or Webelos. The idea of graduating from a Cub Scout pack to a Boy Scout troop may be intimidating for some Webelos Scouts and their parents. Some Webelos may not be sure they want to cross over into Boy Scouts because they believe it will just be more of the same thing that they did in Cub Scouts.

The best way to make your decisions, to choose the right troop, and to get your questions answered is to visit several troops that meet close to your home. This guide is designed to help the Webelos Scout, his parents, and his den begin the Webelos to Scout transition.

Below are some FAQ’s to help you in the process

My son wants to be a Boy Scout, how does the transition begin?

During the fifth grade, a typical Webelos den continues to meet until February. During this time, the Webelos will earn additional activity badges and work to complete the Arrow of Light. A review of the requirements for the Arrow of Light will show that it is designed to prepare a Webelos Scout to join a Boy Scout troop. The requirements for the Arrow of Light include learning the basics about Boy Scout (Scout Oath, Scout Law, motto, slogan, handshake, salute, and uniform differences).

The requirements also call for the entire den to visit both a troop meeting and to participate in a troop outdoor activity. After all of the other requirements are complete, the last Arrow of Light requirement is for the Webelos Scout and his parents to visit a troop and meet with the Scoutmaster to complete the Boy Scout application. Remember, the requirement is to complete the application. You don’t have to join a troop at that point.

When do Webelos Scouts cross over into a troop?

After the list of troops has been narrowed down a bit, it might be useful to invite the Scoutmasters of those troops to one of your Webelos den meetings to meet the parents and to answer questions. By the end of January, every Webelos Scout should have a good idea of what troop they want to join and they can begin attending weekly meetings with that troop at that time. Most Cub Scout packs have a crossover ceremony for the graduating Webelos during the Blue and Gold in February or during the pack meeting in March. It can be earlier if the Webelos Scouts have completed the requirements for the Arrow of Light. Representatives from the appropriate troops participate in the crossover ceremony to welcome the new members. Most troops present the new members with some welcoming gift.

How does a Webelos Scout select a troop to join?

Selecting a Boy Scout troop to join is an individual decision for each Webelos Scout and his parents. Every troop is different in the kinds of activities they schedule and in their personalities. Each family must choose the troop they feel will best meet their needs. In selecting a troop, you should consider the following factors.

Are the troop activities the kind that you would enjoy?
How do the Scouts interact with each other?
How do the older Scouts interact with the younger Scouts?
Are there older Scouts active in the troop? (This indicates if the troop’s program is exciting and interesting for a variety of ages.)
Is the troop “boy led” or is it run by the adults? (The best answer is the troop is “boy led”.)
Are you comfortable with the adult leaders in the troop?
Are the adult leaders trained, do they follow BSA policy, and do they welcome input and participation by all parents?

In practice, the decision of which troop to join usually comes down to two factors: convenience of the weekly troop meetings (meeting night and location) and which troop a boy’s best friends are in.

A Scout does have the freedom to transfer to another troop if, for any reason, he changes his mind after joining a troop. When comparing troops it is not too important how large a troop is, or how many Eagle Scouts it has, or how many high-adventure trips they go on. The measure of a successful troop is how well it meets the three aims of Scouting: encouraging participatory citizenship, building strong moral character, and helping boys to grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In other words, do boys leave the troop a better person than they were when they joined? There are many excellent troops in our area. Any one of them would be a good choice.

Below are some items to consider as you visit and evaluate the troops.

Troop Overview

Troop Focus: Most troops have established a focus or theme, like Indian folklore, backpacking, kayaking, etc. Each troop sets its own activity calendar and decides what to focus on.
Troop Meetings: When and where the Troop meets must fit with the overall family calendar. Some troops meet weekly, some less often. Some events may be mandatory, so it is important that your son’s schedule allow him to participate. Most troops have optional meetings, which allow flexibility for homework, sports, etc. Most troops realize that your son is involved in other actitivies.
Troop size: The number of active scouts in the troop has an impact on the number of activities that can be offered, the level of “intimacy” of the troop, and the potential demands on parents to lead trips.
Rank advancements: Advancements are be strongly emphasized in some troops. Other troops focus less on rank advancements, a good environment for boys less motivated by ranks and more interested in activities and doing.
Troop Leadership: Troops can be run by the Scouts, by the Adult leaders or some combination thereof. Troops that are run by Scouts develop strong leadership skills but can be somewhat chaotic at times while the boys are learning these skills. Adult run troops are more structured and predictable but offer less opportunity for Scouts to learn by leading. Areas where the leadership ownership must be determined within a troop may include running the weekly meetings, establishing the annual calendar, organizing outings, and conducting the rank advancement classes.

Type and Breadth of Activities Offered

Boy Scout troops typically offer a wide range of outings; however each troop generally develops an activity profile that reflects the level and type of activities that the Scouts in the Troop prefer.

High Adventure: These are trips that can be physically demanding and generally require substantial preparation. Examples include long (50 plus miles) backpacking trips and class 4 white water rafting.
Outdoor Outings: Included here are such events as camping, shorter backpack trips, day hikes, caving and rappelling, submarine trips.
Educational Activities: These tend to be activities that focus on the mental and skills development rather than on physical skills. Examples are CB Radioing, woodworking, tours of local businesses and museums.
Service Projects: All Scout troops offer some level of service projects. They can range from Scouting for Food to Trail repair to visitations at senior centers.

Parental Participation

There are two elements to research here. Note that Scouting can provide one of the best ways that parents can stay involved with their son and his friends as the boys reach teenage years.

What level of involvement is expected from each family? Troops can vary from expecting every family to be actively involved to desiring but not requiring involvement.
What parent opportunities are available within the troop? Typically the opportunities are leadership/committee, Activity support, or general support roles (merit badge counselor, Public Relations, quartermaster)

Social Element

Are any of your son’ friends or schoolmates involved in the Troop? It has been found that if your son has at least one friend in the Troop he is more likely to embrace Scouting and the Troop.
Are there adults in the Troop that you know? This may or may not be important to you.