This is a handout John put together to be distributed at Roundtable on this subject. Some of this is Council & District specific, but your group should have some corresponding events. Feel free to use it or ignore it!!

Webelos to Boy Scout Planning Suggestions

Ideas:
This idea list is designed for Webelos den leaders (both years) to use in planning for preparing their boys to be able to enter Boy Scouting. These ideas are gleaned from being both a Webelos leader and a Scout leader, as well as many conversations with Webelos and Scout leaders about the difficulty of bringing Webelos from Cub Scouting into Boy Scouting. Since the statistics show that only about 50% of Webelos make it into Boy Scouting, making the transition work can take a lot of effort.

Vision:
The most important thing to keep in mind is VISION. The boys and the parents must BOTH know what lies ahead in Boy Scouting. Unfortunately for you, the Webelos leader, you probably do not have first hand experience in the Boy Scout program (unless you were a Boy Scout). The best way for you and your boys and parents to learn about Boy Scouting is to spend time with Boy Scouts (and their leaders). So without any further explanation, here are some ideas: (use them as you see fit)

Joint Campouts and activities:
Spend as much time camping with Boy Scouts as possible. The District Rendezvous is the perfect opportunity to camp with a Troop - make plans NOW! Also, each Troop should have a published calendar of upcoming campouts - ask your favorite Troop (or three) for a copy, and ask if you can tag along on a campout or two. If your Pack does a Pack-O-Ree day event or campout, ask a Troop to help you run it, or to put on a special Boy Scout type activity at your Pack-O-Ree. Ask a Troop to help you run a special Pack meeting (Pinewood derby, Space Derby, etc.).

Troop Visits:
Start early! Visit at least 2 or 3 Troops, and your favorite Troops more than once. Here are some ideas on what to look for: Is the Troop run by boys? (or adults) - a good Troop should be boy run (it may be a little rough around the edges, but that 's how they learn; Do they have monthly campouts or activities? - year round; Do they have good attendance at Summer camp?; Do they have a High-Adventure program? (activities for older scouts); Are the youth leaders trained on a regular basis?; Do the boys plan and run the program?; Are the Scouts respectful and disciplined?; Are Scouts advancing regularly?; Are there many Scouts in the higher ranks?; Does the Troop have many Scouts drop out each year?; Is the Troop growing, and are the Scouts excited?; Are the adults involved and well trained?; you can begin to get the idea! Attend a Court of Honor (awards ceremony) or two - and bring the parents of your Webelos with you (bring them to Troop meetings as well). Ask for a Troop newsletter (get on the mailing list), if the Troop has one, and pass them on to parents.

Other Troop interaction:
Ask for and use Den Chiefs (Boy Scouts who help run Den meetings). Get to know Troop leaders by visiting with them at Roundtables. Ask questions about the Troop program. Find out about Summer Camp, tell your boys about it, and make sure the parents know about it.

Training:
Attend Boy Scout Basic Leader Training as early as you can. This will fill you in on the basics of Boy Scouting, and enable you to start training your Den to start functioning like a Patrol. When you learn about the Patrol Method, and learn about how Boy Scouts are to lead amongst themselves, you will be able to steer your Webelos in that direction. At the very least, buy and read the Scoutmasters Handbook - this will answer many of your questions! Attend Roundtables and spend more time with the Boy Scout leaders as your Webelos get closer to graduation.

Early Transition:
This is a fairly new concept (National recommends it), and our Troop has had EXCELLENT results. Plan to finish your Webelos program (Arrow of Light award) by your Blue & Gold dinner (in February). This is a great time to have a Boy Scout crossover ceremony. The new Boy Scouts will have 3 or 4 months functioning in a Troop environment before going to Summer Camp. This is important, because going to camp really cements a boy into Scouting like nothing else will. Some Troops don't take new Scouts to camp the first summer because they think that they are not ready yet - however, if they join a Troop early, they will be ready! Another reason to transition early is that it is not a natural time for a break. Most Packs go to a minimal program, or stop entirely for the summer. We lost several Scouts over a summer when they came into the Troop late, stopped for the summer, and never started again.

Questions:
I can practically guarantee that Scout leaders are willing to talk almost forever about Boy Scouting. So, if you have questions, feel free to call me, or contact any other Boy Scout leader that you know. Feel free also to call the Council office and seek input there as well (that's why they re there!).

Yours in Scouting, John Economides - Troop 55

Date: Sun, 8 Sep 1996 15:42:48 -0400
From: "Michael F. Bowman"

One of the things that often gets overlooked in the Webelos-to-Scout transition amid the flurry of activity badges, is the importance of helping to see that each Webelos Scout gets a chance to find a good match with a Scout Troop. Too often there is an implied assumption that a Pack's graduating Webelos will all go to Troop X. It is far more important to give the Webelos exposure to area Troops with differing programs and help see what choices are out there. At a minimum, however, the Webelos Den Leader should be checking the following in considering which Troops his Webelos might visit (borrowed from Pete Farnham):

1. Trained, two-deep, uniformed adults.

2. An active outdoor program, including summer camp?

3. Boy led.

4. Quality unit?

5. Participation in district activities?

6. Attention to proper uniforming?

7. Scout spirit?

8. Size - right fit?

If a Troop checks out, then the chances are that if a Webelos joins the Troop he'll stay longer.

Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman Dep.Dist.Commissioner-Training, G.W.Dist., NCAC, BSA (Virginia) U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area) ftp1 or ftp2.scouter.com/usscouts E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org