The Webelos
Scout program is a two-year transition program between Cub Scouts
and Boy Scouts. The second year is known as Webelos 2. A Webelos
2 is a boy who has graduated from 4th grade and is entering
or attending 5th grade.
The boy starts his trail to Boy Scouting as a Webelos Scout upon
graduation from the Bear program in the spring of third grade.
(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 Boy Scout Troop, typically in February or March
of their fifth grade year. 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. The book is then shown to the Den Leader
who records the progress and 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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