WE'LL
BE LOYAL SCOUTS
The boy becomes a Webelos Scout upon graduation from the Bear. Boys
new to Cub Scouting can become Webelos if they are 10 years old or have
completed third grade, and have earned the Bobcat badge.
The Webelos badge is the fifth rank in Cub Scouting (coming after Tiger
Cub, Bobcat, Wold, and Bear.) To earn the Webelos badge you must be
active in your den for at least 3 months and complete the requirements.
You'll be proud to earn the Webelos rank and receive your badge at a
pack meeting.
Webelos Scouts are Cub Scouts preparing to be Boy Scouts. The Webelos
Scouts learn about Boy Scouts and may participate in Boy Scout meetings
and activities. Their den meetings are typically held on evenings or
Saturdays. They do not follow the monthly theme of the Pack, but have
their own program. They are the oldest Scouts in the Pack and as such
carry the responsibility of being good role models to the younger Cub
Scouts. It falls upon the Webelos Scouts to help explain what exciting
activities await the younger Cubs and to help the Cubs during Pack activities.
The den is central to Webelos Scouting. Webelos Scouts take more responsibility
for the running of their den. And they do more things as a den. The
emphasis shifts from home-centered activities to group-centered activities
similar to those they will encounter in Boy Scouting.
The major goal of Webelos Scouting is to give the Scouts a taste of
what it is like to be a Boy Scout and to get them use to how Boy Scouting
is structured. Webelos Scouts learn that it is their responsibility
to earn their activity badges. They are helped by their den leaders
and Activity Badge Councilors (adults who volunteer to host an activity
badge) and it is the den leaders who pass the Webelos Scout on the requirements.
Parents play a new, more supportive, and less directive role with Webelos
Scouts.
In short, Webelos Scouting is the transitional program between Cub
Scouting and Boy Scouting. Webelos are still under the direction of
the Cubmaster, but hold their own activities and do many things too
advanced for younger boys.
At the end of the Webelos program, the Scouts truly have a taste for
what Boy Scouting is all about and have a head start in proceeding through
the Boy Scout program.
THE WEBELOS TRAIL
The den conducts some projects that can be credited towards the ranks
and activity badges that the boys earn, but not all of 
the
requirements are addressed at den meetings. This is deliberate. The
Webelos Scouts learn that if they wish to advance, they are responsible
for meeting the requirements outside den meeting times. This is patterned
after the merit badge and advancement process in a Boy Scout Troop.
The activities, themselves, are designed to appeal more to the older
boy and are patterned after Boy Scout merit badge requirements.
It is in Webelos that world of outdoor Scouting begins to open up.
With their parents, the Webelos are able to camp and go on other outdoor
activities with their den and with Boy Scout Troops. They also may participate
in Boy Scout Troop meetings and other Scouting events.
As with all Cub Scout ranks, you must first earn the Bobcat Badge to
be eligible to work for this award. Also, your Webelos Den Leader will
now sign off your activities (your parent or guardian does not sign
off the activities as they did when you were a Wolf or Bear).
THE WEBELOS UNIFORM
The uniform is integral to the Scouting program. It identifies the
boys and adults with Webelos and gives them a sense of 
belonging
to the den, the pack, and the Boy Scouts of America. The uniform distinguishes
Webelos from other Cub Scouts. Scouts and leaders should wear it to
all den meetings, pack meetings, and special pack activities.
Webelos may continue to wear their blue Cub Scout uniforms for as long
as the den chooses or they can choose to transfer to the tan uniform.
Reasons for this change are: when the scouts earn their Webelos rank
badge, the new oval Webelos badge can be used in the same location that
Boy Scout rank badges will be placed, the tan shirt can be used in Boy
Scouts, when doing Arrow of Light activities with a Boy Scout troop
the Webelos will fit in, further distinction as the 'senior' group in
the Pack. Each Webelos den should learn to work as a patrol. To help
with that patrol identity, each den can choose a Patrol Patch and create
a patrol flag, name, and yell. There is a new tan/green Webelos hat
that matches the tan uniform instead of the blue one.
The Uniform
Inspection Sheet has insignia placement guides.
The Webelos den leader wears the official Cub Scout leader uniform
and the Webelos Cub leader neckerchief.
Uniform details and other scouting gear can be found at the Atlanta
Area Council Scout Shop or online from the BSA
National Supply Division.
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