1. Scott Whitmire – Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 407
Former Webelos Den Leader, Pack 407
Former Scoutmaster, Troop 453

2. 20-month Webelos Plan Webelos is really a 20 month program
1st year – 4th grade, 12 months
2nd year – 5th grade, 8 months
Arrow of Light in December or January of the second year
Join the troop in February
Graduate as a patrol and stay as a patrol in the Troop
Webelos to Scout Transition

3. First Year of Webelos Start with Resident Camp
End by attending your district’s Camporee
Focus on advancement
Webelos Badge
Required Activity Pins
Boy Scout knowledge
Go camping!
Webelos to Scout Transition

4. Second Year of Webelos Start with Resident Camp
Have the boys start to function as a Patrol
Select a Patrol name
Make a patrol flag
Wear a patrol emblem/patch
Elect patrol officers
Rotate patrol positions
Focus on Arrow of Light and transition to Boy Scouts
Webelos to Scout Transition

5. Why 20 months? Better retention
Early transition is important so they are ready to go to summer camp
The Scouts get to know the boys before they go to summer camp
70-80% of Boy Scouts were Webelos
300% better chance of retaining a scout if they attend summer camp their first year
The boys are looking forward to summer time fun
Webelos to Scout Transition

6. Pack Responsibilities
Working Relationships
Calendars
Den Chiefs
Overnight Activities
Troop Visits
Invitations to your Pack Activities
Meaningful Crossover Ceremony
Webelos Leaders to Assistant Scoutmaster or Troop Committee member
No Troop? – Create one!
Develop a working relationship with the leadership of a Boy Scout troop or troops in the community. Most troops should have either an assistant Scoutmaster or a committee member assigned to new Scouts. Your unit commissioner can help put you in contact with troop leaders.
Compare calendars of troop and pack activities to coordinate activities. Community events can be done together, and planning can help prevent conflicts in use of equipment and facilities.
Work with troop leaders to secure den chiefs for each Webelos den and Cub Scout den.
Work with troop leaders to plan and conduct Webelos overnight activities.
Work with troop leaders to plan visits to troop meetings. Never show up without first calling in advance.
Invite the Scoutmaster and troop youth leaders to special pack activities. This will help create familiarity and a level of comfort for the Webelos Scouts and their parents as they ease into the troop.
Plan a meaningful crossover ceremony at the pack's blue and gold banquet. Include troop leadership to be present to accept the Webelos Scouts as they graduate to Boy Scouting. The local Order of the Arrow lodge can often be a valuable resource in conducting ceremonies.
Webelos leaders should be strongly encouraged to move into the troop with the boys, either as assistant Scoutmasters or troop committee members. This will give the new Scouts a familiar face at troop meetings and a connecting link to Boy Scouting.
If a troop does not exist in your community, discuss with the head of the pack's chartered organization the possibility of organizing a troop. A graduating Webelos den can form the nucleus of a new troop.
Webelos to Scout Transition

7. Troop Responsibilities
Den Chiefs
Webelos Overnight Activities
Orientation meeting with Bear Cub Dens
Webelos Troop Visits
List of Annual Troop Activities
Webelos Leaders transition to Scout Leadership
Scoutmaster Conference
Participate in Crossover
Select Scouts to serve as den chiefs for each Webelos Scout den and Cub Scout den. Arrange for Den Chief Training.
Serve as a resource for overnight activities. The troop can be of service to provide equipment, leadership, and logistics for Webelos parent-son campouts. Webelos den/Scout troop campouts should show Webelos Scouts and their parents what to expect when they move into the troop. The troop should cook and camp by patrol, and use skills that the Webelos Scouts can participate in.
Conduct an orientation in the Bear Cub Scout dens to explain the changing role as boys become Webelos Scouts and then again as they become Boy Scouts. Explain how being a Webelos Scout will help prepare them for Boy Scouting.
Arrange for Webelos dens to visit a troop meeting. This should be planned several weeks in advance.
Provide each Webelos Scout a copy of the troop's activities for the upcoming year.
Work with Webelos den leaders to encourage them to plan to move into the troop with their Webelos Scouts and to serve either as committee members or assistant Scoutmasters.
Conduct a Scoutmaster conference under the guidance of the Scoutmaster or the assistant designated by the Scoutmaster. This conference should cover the meaning of the Scout Oath and Law, the advancement program, troop camping, the patrol method, summer camp, and personal equipment.
Work with the Cubmaster in planning a meaningful crossover ceremony at the pack's blue and gold banquet. Coordinate the ceremony and arrange for each Webelos Scout to receive a troop neckerchief and Boy Scout Handbook along with his Arrow of Light Award. Members of the Order of the Arrow may assist in the ceremony.
Webelos to Scout Transition

8. Unit Commissioner Responsibilities
Develop Relationships
Promote Communication
Help Plan Webelos Visits
Keep Pack and Troop on Schedule
Attend Crossover
Assist with Documentation, Retention, and Timing of Transition
Be a catalyst in developing good relationships between troop and pack leaders.
Promote communication by scheduling a meeting of key volunteers.
Help plan a Webelos den visit to a troop meeting and other joint activities.
Keep the pack and troop on schedule as plans develop for the crossover ceremony at the blue and gold banquet.
Attend the crossover ceremony.
Be sure new Scouts have completed a Boy Scout application, that they have a copy of the troop's activities, and that they know when and where the troop meets.
Work with the pack and troop in their charter renewal process to help ensure Webelos Scouts are moved from pack rosters to troop rosters.
Work with the Webelos transition chair to follow up on boys who have not yet joined a troop. Make sure they are invited to join a troop.
Be sure Webelos Scouts join a troop in time to prepare for Boy Scout summer camp.
Webelos to Scout Transition

9. District Webelos Transition Chair
Contact all Packs
Coach Cubmasters and Webelos Leaders
Make Reports, Maintain Records
Work with Unit Commissioners on Retention
Contact all packs in early fall to update a list of all fifth-grade Webelos Scouts.
Coach Cubmasters and Webelos den leaders in the transition process at roundtables, training courses, and through personal contact.
Report to the membership committee chair, and keep the district committee informed. Track and maintain records of Webelos graduation by using a wall chart that lists the transition record of each pack.
Work with unit commissioners to follow up on Webelos Scouts who have not joined a troop. Work toward 100 percent Webelos transition.
Webelos to Scout Transition

10. Boy Led – What does that mean?
The Senior Patrol Leader, with the help of Patrol Leaders and the Patrol Leader’s Council, plan monthly activities and trips
All outings and camping trips are chosen by the boys
Meals are planned for by the scouts. Theses meals are then purchased and prepared by the scouts as well.
Meetings are run by the Senior Patrol Leader (or a lieutenant)
Camping trips are organized, directed, and held together by the Senior Patrol Leader (or lieutenant)
The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the senior Boy Scout, the CEO of the troop
Parents bring their concerns to the SPL or the Scoutmaster who works through the SPL
All leaders are elected by the Scouts
Webelos to Scout Transition

11. Boy Led is the Patrol Method
"Get an easy chair and place it in a corner of the Troop meeting room. If you [the Scoutmaster] can sink into it just after the opening ceremony and just sit throughout the meeting, without a worry for its success, without lifting a finger or moving a foot until time comes for the closing-well, then your Troop is run on the Patrol Method-your boy leaders are actually leading.“ Handbook for Scoutmasters, Volume One. © 1936 Boy Scouts of America, Compiled by Bill Hillcourt.
Webelos to Scout Transition

12. Adult Supervision
Meetings are supervised by the Scoutmaster and his assistants for safety and to avoid any dangerous situations
Adults sit in on the Patrol Leader’s Conference; however, they have no power to vote. Adults are simply there to act as mentors and advisors on planning meetings and other events. The final decision is made by the PLC.
Adults provide transportation and extra set of eyes to the Senior Patrol Leader
Adults handle all funds, insurance, and medical records
When the SPL has a question, he will turn to one the adult leaders
Webelos to Scout Transition

13. Troop Committee Ensures adult leadership is recruited and trained
Supports leaders in carrying out the program
Is responsible for finances, adequate funds, and disbursements
Serves on Boards of Review for rank advancement
Helps with the Friends of Scouting campaign
Supports the SM and ASM(s) to carry out the Scouting Program
Webelos to Scout Transition 13

14. Troop Communication
Troop Meetings - Most of the Troop information is distributed at the meetings, signup and organization meetings for events all happen at Troop meetings.
Troop Calendar - On the Troop Website. Indispensable, helps keep you up to date on activities.
Scout Book - BSA Boy Scout Handbook, required for each Scout as he works through rank advancements
Patrol Method - Information that is time critical or reminders flow down through the Senior Patrol Leader to the Patrol Leaders to the Patrol members. If your scout is not getting regular calls from his Patrol Leader or a Troop Guide, let an adult leader know.
Webelos to Scout Transition 14

15. What Your Son Will Need…
Scout Uniform
Scout Handbook
Camping Gear…Focus on the Essentials!
Webelos to Scout Transition 15

16. What You Will Need… A comfy folding chair A good book Camping gear
Learn how to cook!
And, a willingness to volunteer to help or serve on the Committee!
Webelos to Scout Transition 16

17. GEAR! Sleeping bag  Mummy design, 20º
Sleeping pad  Cheap closed-cell foam works
Flashlight  Headlamp
Clothing  Cotton is Rotten! Nylon is cheap and dries fast. Fleece is warm when wet.
Mess kit  Bowl, Cup, Spoon works
Boots  Good boots prevent blisters
Backpack  Get some professional guidance Internal v. External frame is matter of choice
Stove, Tent  Check with your Troop
Pocketknife  Lockblades are best
Water Filter  They are affordable and work
Webelos to Scout Transition 17

18. Backup Slides follow…
Webelos to Scout Transition 18

19. Glossary: Troop Scout Leadership
SPL - Senior Patrol Leader, senior Scout leader of the Troop, elected by the Troop
ASPL - Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, assistants to the SPL, usually appointed by SPL
PL - Patrol Leader, senior leader of each Patrol, elected by the Patrol members (while in the New Scout Patrols, there may be new PLs every month)
APL - Assistant Patrol Leader, assistant to the PL, usually appointed by the PL
Scribe - Responsible for taking notes at PLC meetings and distributing Troop meeting schedules to PLs for distribution to each Scout, elected by the Troop
Troop Guides - Experienced Scouts appointed by the Scoutmaster to assist new Scout patrols as they learn to attend outings with the Troop and work through rank advancements
Chaplain - Scout designated to lead Troop in prayer and provide similar services when called upon, elected by the Troop
Webelos to Scout Transition 19

20. Glossary: Troop Adult Leadership
Committee Chair - Volunteer parent who organizes planning that must by done by parents in the Troop, runs monthly Parent Meetings, signs important documents like the annual Troop Charter, Eagle Scout projects, etc.
SM - Troop Scoutmaster, assists the SPL in leading the troop with advice and direction as needed.
ASM - Assistant Scoutmasters, adults who help SM with his Scoutmaster responsibilities
Advancement Chair - Volunteer parent who keeps track of Scout advancement - merit badges earned, rank advancements, etc.
Patrol Parents - Volunteer parents who work with the Scouts in their sons' patrols as they prepare for outings and work through their rank advancements
Webelos to Scout Transition 20

21. Glossary: Meetings
Troop Meetings: Most troops meet weekly, hopefully year-round
PLC - Patrol Leader Council, monthly meeting of SPL, ASPLs, and PLs APLs
COH - Court of Honor, special Troop meetings, usually quarterly, to recognize advancements and awards earned by Scouts since the last COH.
Eagle Scout COH - Special Court of Honor to recognize accomplishments of and honor a specific new Eagle Scout. Planned by the Eagle Scout and his family
Parent Meetings - (Also known as Committee Meetings) Informative planning meetings held during regular Troop meetings. All parents are encouraged to attend and provide input.
Webelos to Scout Transition 21

22. Glossary: Outings
Fast Start Hikes - Series of outings designed for new Scouts (and interested parents) to prepare them for camping outings with the Troop
Grubmaster - Designated Scout for each "outing patrol" (not necessarily the same group as the Scout's regular Troop Patrol) responsible for purchasing all the food necessary for a particular outing and packaging it appropriately for the type of outing. The other members of his "outing patrol" reimburse the Grubmaster for their share of the food expense.
Permission Slip - Standard BSA form that parents must complete, giving permission for their son to attend each outing
Tour Permit - Standard BSA form that every Scout leading an outing must prepare, with adult assistance, and submit to the Chief Seattle Council scout office, to obtain Council permission for the outing
Helicopter Parent – A Parent that hovers around their scout at outings or camp, not allowing him to learn through the experiential method. From experience we know how hard this is to end and yes, we too did survive.
Ten Essentials – Items to be taken on all outings. Includes personal first aid kit, compass, matches and such. See Scout handbook for more details. Each scout will be getting assistance in creating his own “kit”.
Webelos to Scout Transition 22

23. Questions/Discussion
Webelos to Scout Transition