The Webelos
Scout program is a two-year transition program between Cub Scouts
and Boy Scouts.
The boy becomes a Webelos Scout upon graduation
from the Bear program in the spring of third grade. He has all summer
to get started on Webelos activities.
(Important Note: Boys new to Cub Scouting can join Webelos
if they are 10 years old or have completed third grade. Their
advancement to the rank of Webelos starts when they join.
They do need to earn the Bobcat badge before being granted
the rank of Webelos. Previous membership in a Cub Scouts Wolf
and/or Bear Den is not a requirement to become a Webelos
Scout and they can join at any time of the year. )
The end of the Webelos Scout program is when the Webelos Scouts
graduate into a troop, typically in February or March of their fifth
grade year for those areas holding early graduations. Other groups
may graduate at the end of fifth grade when the school year ends.
BSA
Troop 91 invites all Webelos from all packs to campouts, events,
and meetings to get a taste of the Boy Scout program.
During these two years, the Webelos Scouts have two badges of rank
they can earn and 20 activity badges. These two ranks are: Webelos
badge and the Arrow of Light award. Usually the boys earn the Webelos
badge during the first year, and the Arrow of Light during the second
year. It is possible for a boy who joins scouting at the start of
fifth grade to earn both his Webelos badge and his Arrow of Light
award before it is time to graduate into a troop, but it takes a lot
of planning and effort to accomplish this. The achievements, as were
the Bear and Wolf activities, are primarily done at home and signed
off by an adult family member after the boy has completed each one.
The book is then shown to the Den Leader who records the progress
and also signs the boy's book.
Instead of working on achievements and electives, each Webelos
Scout works to complete a series of hobby and career Activity Badges.
The emphasis shifts from home-centered activities to a series of
group-centered activities conducted by the Webelos den.
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