4th & 5th Graders work toward the Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks

Webelos is for 4th and 5th grade youth to prepare to join a Scouts BSA troop while learning outdoors skills and participating in many adventures. A well-run group of Webelos is a gradual change from being an 'adult-run' den to being a 'scout-run' patrol ready to fit right into an adventurous Scouts BSA troop. This migration requires the parents and den leaders to give the scouts more and more control, decision-making power, and responsibility as they progress in skills, abilities, and maturity.

The Webelos program has two major milestones - the Webelos rank badge to be earned toward the end of 4th grade and the Arrow of Light to be earned in 5th grade. The final part of Webelos is bridging over into a Scouts BSA troop selected individually by the scout.

Once the goals of Webelos are understood, the methods of the program make a lot of sense!

Webelos Meaning:

We'll Be Loyal Scouts

Webelos Goal:

Prepare a Cub Scout to be a Scout

There are a few major changes between Cub Scouts and Webelos scouts that are very important to Scout success

Advancement Sign Off - each Webelos scout is supposed to take the handbook to the Den Leader or Assistant Den Leader for sign off when a requirement is completed (this is a change from having a parent sign off every activity). This change prepares the Scout to have a Scoutmaster sign off each advancement requirement in the Scouts BSA program. There is more responsibility put on the Scout to remember and bring the handbook to meetings to get it signed.

Tip: Help the scouts along until they get the routine. Have them bring their Webelos handbook to every meeting and reward them for bringing them until they get it. Have a list of adventure requirements that you plan on completing at a meeting so you, your assistant, or a parent on your behalf can sign off those that are completed right away. This will help the scouts understand the importance of the handbook.

Webelos Adventure Pins - Tiger, Bear, and Wolf Scouts earned belt loops. Webelos earn pins which can be displayed on the Webelos Colors device. This moves closer to the Scouts BSA merit badge system where recognition items are displayed on a sash.

Camping - Webelos Dens should Camp! Cub Scouts can camp as a pack, but Webelos should go out as a Den as much as possible to give the Scouts opportunities to learn and use their new skills. Each Webelos Scout needs to have an adult responsible for the Scout on each camping trip. Campouts in the backyard with dinner and s'mores made on a gas grill can be a great way to ease a Scout into the world of camping.

Tip: Be sure you follow Rules for Safe Scouting practices on your camping trips.

Patrols - a Patrol is just another name for the Den, but it does have some significance. Scout BSA members are organized into Patrols, each with their own name, flag, yell, leader, and emblem. As Webelos, a Den can begin to operate as a Patrol and select an emblem for their uniform, make up a yell, name, and flag. This can really get the Scouts to become a team. Taking their flag along on a campout or hike and announcing themselves with their yell is pretty fun.

Tip: A great time to start working as a Patrol is when everyone in the Den earns their Webelos rank. Have a Den meeting with the goal of becoming a Patrol - choosing a name, selecting an emblem, coming up with a yell, and designing a flag. You might also elect a Patrol Leader (a Denner) to serve for the next month. Each month, a new Patrol Leader could be elected so each scout has the opportunity to practice leadership skills. The den leader should spend some extra time with the patrol leader explaining how to run a meeting and giving encouragement to lead the other scouts.