1 Webelos-To-Scout Transition National Capital Area Council Evan H. Farr Webelos-to-Scout Transition Chair George Mason District

2 Purpose of the WTS Transition Get every Webelos Scout into Boy ScoutingGet every Webelos Scout into Boy Scouting Give every Webelos Scout a sampling of:Give every Webelos Scout a sampling of: –Troop programs and events –Troop leadership style –Boy Scout Advancement opportunities –Fun and Excitement of Boy Scouting Introduction to basic elements in Scouting through:Introduction to basic elements in Scouting through: –Webelos badge –Arrow of Light Award

3 Two Methods of Transition Webelos Den Boy Scout Troop Webelos Den Troop 1Troop 2Troop 3 One-to-ManyOne-to-One

4 Pros and Cons Pro:Pro: –Easier for Leaders. –Fewer troop visits. –Seamless transition. –Quick bonding. Con:Con: –May not be best fit for every Scout. –If bad fit, Scout likely to drop out. Con:Con: –Harder for Leaders. –More troop visits. –Not seamless. –More time bonding. Pro:Pro: –Each Scout finds best fit. –If bad fit, likely to find new troop. One-to-Many One-to-One

5 Troop Visits Arrange Through:Arrange Through: –Unit Commissioners –Scoutmaster –ASM for New Scout Patrol –Troop Webelos Coordinator

6 How Families Decide On A Troop Meeting Time and PlaceMeeting Time and Place Size of TroopSize of Troop Age and Rank Distribution of ScoutsAge and Rank Distribution of Scouts New Scout Patrol?New Scout Patrol? Chartering OrganizationChartering Organization Camping – how often, where, what type?Camping – how often, where, what type? Troop “Specialties”Troop “Specialties” Percentage of Eagle ScoutsPercentage of Eagle Scouts

7 How Many Conferences? BSA now recommends two Orientation Conferences for Parents and Webelos Scouts: Initial Orientation Conference at Beginning of Fourth GradeInitial Orientation Conference at Beginning of Fourth Grade Second Orientation Conference at Beginning of Fifth GradeSecond Orientation Conference at Beginning of Fifth Grade Plus the New Scout Conference Required for Arrow of Light Award

8 Initial Orientation Conference Who Plans?Who Plans? –Scoutmaster and Webelos Den Leader work together to plan all three conferences for all new Webelos Scouts and their parents or guardians. Cubmaster may also participate. Where?Where? –Either during a troop open house, during a regular troop meeting, or during a Webelos Den meeting.

9 Initial Orientation Topics When?When? –Early in the first year of Webelos. Discuss:Discuss: –How the Webelos Scout program works –How Webelos dens can work with troops –Level of participation of family members –The patrol method –Outdoor and overnight events –Troop programs

10 Second Orientation Conference When?When? –Early in the second year of Webelos Why?Why? –Reinforce den-troop partnerships Discuss Arrow of Light Requirements:Discuss Arrow of Light Requirements: –Scout Oath and Law –Scout motto, slogan, sign, salute, and handshake –Significance of the First Class Scout badge –How Boy Scout uniform differs from Webelos Scout uniform Discuss Boy Scout advancement programDiscuss Boy Scout advancement program Discuss graduation and summer campDiscuss graduation and summer camp

11 New Scout Conference When? Month or two before graduation.When? Month or two before graduation. Part 1: Conducted one-on-one by Scoutmaster or ASM, in view of at least one other adultConducted one-on-one by Scoutmaster or ASM, in view of at least one other adult Unhurried; boy should be made to feel at easeUnhurried; boy should be made to feel at ease Scout encouraged to set his own goals (short-term and long-term)Scout encouraged to set his own goals (short-term and long-term) May review Tenderfoot requirements, Scout Oath and Law, advancement program, patrol method, campingMay review Tenderfoot requirements, Scout Oath and Law, advancement program, patrol method, camping

12 New Scout Conference Part 2: Includes Parent or Guardian and Discusses:Includes Parent or Guardian and Discusses: –Costs, equipment, uniforms –Parent involvement (complete resource survey) –Troop calendar and upcoming events –Advancement program and rank requirements –Goals of parent –Education values of the program

13 Duties of Webelos Den Leaders Teach Scout Oath, Law, PromiseTeach Scout Oath, Law, Promise Complete Webelos RankComplete Webelos Rank Earn Arrow of LightEarn Arrow of Light Discuss differences between Cub/Boy ScoutsDiscuss differences between Cub/Boy Scouts Discuss new adventures to comeDiscuss new adventures to come Reinforce their readiness to move upReinforce their readiness to move up Visit TroopsVisit Troops Compare / contrast troops visitedCompare / contrast troops visited

14 Duties of Webelos Den Leaders Work with Troop to Plan Cross-Over CeremonyWork with Troop to Plan Cross-Over Ceremony Integrate Boy Scout topics into meetingsIntegrate Boy Scout topics into meetings Remember that Arrow of Light can be awarded prior to graduation / cross-overRemember that Arrow of Light can be awarded prior to graduation / cross-over Get a Den Chief Get a Den Chief Ask a troop to help with your Webelos Den overnight campingAsk a troop to help with your Webelos Den overnight camping

15 Preparing Families Involve families in troop visits / decisionInvolve families in troop visits / decision Prepare family for boy’s desire to move upPrepare family for boy’s desire to move up Inform family of parental role in Boy Scouts, financial / time commitmentsInform family of parental role in Boy Scouts, financial / time commitments Prepare family for “boy-lead” organizationPrepare family for “boy-lead” organization Set expectation of “chaotic maturation”Set expectation of “chaotic maturation”

16 Webelos-to-Scout Transition: What Makes It Easy? All Boy Scout requirements are included in the Arrow of LightAll Boy Scout requirements are included in the Arrow of Light Activity badges are like merit badgesActivity badges are like merit badges Both have outdoor programsBoth have outdoor programs Cooperation of Scoutmasters and Webelos den leadersCooperation of Scoutmasters and Webelos den leaders Same uniformSame uniform

17 Duties of Boy Scout Leaders Put an ASM in charge of Cub Scout RecruitmentPut an ASM in charge of Cub Scout Recruitment Contact Individual Cub Scout Packs Every Summer to Arrange for 1 st Year Orientation and a 2 nd Year OrientationContact Individual Cub Scout Packs Every Summer to Arrange for 1 st Year Orientation and a 2 nd Year Orientation –Can be on same night as the Troop Open House. –Can offer to attend Webelos Den Meetings Invite Individual Packs to Your Fall and Spring Camping EventsInvite Individual Packs to Your Fall and Spring Camping Events Offer Scouts to Help Pack with Cub Scout Family Camping EventsOffer Scouts to Help Pack with Cub Scout Family Camping Events Participate in Fall Camporee and Offer to “Partner” with one or more PacksParticipate in Fall Camporee and Offer to “Partner” with one or more Packs Offer to Participate in Arrow of Light Ceremonies and Bridging CeremoniesOffer to Participate in Arrow of Light Ceremonies and Bridging Ceremonies

18 How to Learn More Contact your Unit CommissionerContact your Unit Commissioner Attend District RoundtableAttend District Roundtable Attend Your District’s Troop ExpoAttend Your District’s Troop Expo

19 More Info on District Website

20 Welcome to Boy Scouting! National Capital Area Council Evan H. Farr Webelos-to-Scout Transition Chair George Mason District