Welcome to Webelos1 -Den 3

Post date: Aug 26, 2014 11:49:11 PM

Welcome to Webelos -Den 3

In preparation for the upcoming Webelos scout year (starting in just a few weeks-I'll be sending out a different note with details of days and times), I wanted to take a moment to give a high-level overview of the Webelos program, request a helping hand to plan, run, or participate in some of the meetings, and go over some of the difference in this program as compared to other Cub Scout years (Bears, Wolves, Tigers).

The Webelos program is different from the Tiger, Wolf, and Bear programs in several ways:

• Webelos is a transitional program between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. During the next year and a half, we will be doing more traditional scout skills like first aid, fitness, outdoor skills, and scout craft (knots and things like that).

• Instead of working on achievements, your son will be earning activity badges. The badges are vocation and interest oriented.

• We will spend the first few months working on the Webelos badge. After the Scouts earn that badge, they will be working on their Arrow of Light award.

What Are Activity Badges?

Webelos work on Activity badges. When your son completes the requirements for a badge, he will receive a pin to wear on his uniform. There are twenty activity badges which are grouped into five different groups:

• Physical Skills Group: Aquanaut, Athlete, Fitness, and Sportsman

• Technology Group: Craftsman, Engineer, Handyman, and Scientist

• Mental Skills Group: Artist, Scholar, Showman, and Traveler

• Outdoor Group: Forester, Geologist, Naturalist, and Outdoorsman

• Community Group: Citizen, Communicator, Family Member, and Readyman

The requirements for the badges can be found in your son’s Webelos handbook. If you have any expertise in any of these areas, then your help with the badge would be greatly appreciated. Or maybe you have a relative or friend who could come to one of our meetings and give a presentation related to the badge we are working on.

How Does My Son Earn the Webelos Badge?

• He must learn some things about Webelos and Boy Scouts

• He will lead a flag ceremony

• He must complete the Faith components of the requirements.

• He must earn the Fitness activity badge, the Citizen activity badge, and one other activity badge from the Technology, Mental Skills, or Outdoor group.

• You must read the Parent’s Guide in the front of the Webelos handbook and sign the book to indicate you have read it.. This is one of the requirements for the badge.

We will try to do most of the requirements during meetings, but he might have to do some things at home also. Our goal is for all of the Scouts in our den to complete the Webelos badge requirements by February of their first Webelos year.

How Does My Son Earn the Arrow of Light Award?

• He must earn his Webelos badge first.

• He will need to earn the Outdoorsman activity badge, the Readyman activity badge, and three more activity badges – including one from the Mental Skills group and one from the Technology group. These must be in addition to the activity badges he earned for the Webelos badge requirements.

• He must continue to learn about Boy Scouts.

• He must do some camping or hiking.

• He must visit the Boy Scout troop with you and talk to the Scoutmaster.

• There are a few other requirements also.

Once again, we will try to do most of the requirements during our meetings. Our goal is for all of the Scouts in our den to complete the Arrow of Light requirements by January of their second Webelos year.

Why Is the Arrow of Light Award Important?

The Arrow of Light award is the highest award a Cub Scout can earn. In addition, boys who have earned the Arrow of Light can join the Boy Scout troop even if they are only 10 years old. If he doesn’t earn the Arrow of Light, he cannot join the troop until he is 11.

Working on this award is also important because it prepares your son to be a Boy Scout. The Boy Scout program is much different than the Cub Scout program. The experience your son gains while working on his Arrow of Light award will help him transition smoothly into the Boy Scout troop.

The Webelos Uniform

Webelos can continue to wear the dark blue Cub Scout shirt or they can wear the tan Boy Scout shirt. There is no need to go out and purchase a tan shirt right away, but if your son is outgrowing his dark blue shirt, purchase the tan shirt as a replacement. Then he can continue to wear the tan shirt when he joins the Boy Scout troop.

I look forward to seeing everyone in September for our first den meeting!

-Eero