Webelos To Scouts Transition

One of Scouting's greatest challenges is to make the next level of Scouting readily available for a young man once he meets the joining requirements.

I would like to introduce myself (Meg Struttman) and Frank Colomer to most of you. We are honored to be your Webelos to Scout Transition coordinator for Sycamore District within the Blackhawk Area Council. Frank and I have had many years of experience dealing with the transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.

I would like to give you a little information of what you and the Webelos Leaders in your pack should be doing to have a successful transition to Boy Scouts.

I would like to ask of you and your Leaders to contact me with all information as to which Troops your Webelos Scouts will be transitioning to. With your information we can track your Scouts through to Boy Scouts on their way to becoming an Eagle Scout.

Upcoming Sycamore Troop Activities for your Webelos to Visit...
Note: these events are generally sponsored by individual units - not the District/Council

File Name:	(bytes):	File Type:
20091024 T164 Campout.pdf	1088380	PDF File
20091109 Troop 957 Visit.pdf	36223	PDF File
20091121 T164 Campout.pdf	1088380	PDF File
20091121 T329 Hollows Outing.pdf	41115	PDF File
20091204 Dad and Lad Flier.pdf	45427	PDF File
20091205 Troop 927 Readyman.pdf	1366479	PDF File
20100122 Troop 927 Winter Campout.pdf	20580	PDF File

Boy Scouting is designed for boy’s ages 11 through 17, who are old enough to be on their own in the out-of-doors. While adults serve as key leaders, Boy Scouts hold leadership positions and plan the troop's program.

The passage from Cub Scout pack to Boy Scout troop should be smooth, with no time lost in between. By the time Webelos Scouts are ready to cross over, they and their families should be familiar and comfortable with the youth and adult leaders of the troop, their role in the troop and troop activities, and feel excited about beginning this new adventure. The Webelos Scout's graduation ceremony should clearly signify his transition to a new level of Scouting, and could include the presentation of his Arrow of Light Award, a Boy Scout Handbook, and a troop neckerchief.

A Webelos Scout who has earned the Arrow of Light Award has now completed all the requirements for the Scout badge and may join a Boy Scout troop.

The key factor to improved Webelos transition is the ongoing working relationship of the leaders of a Cub Scout pack and a Boy Scout troop. Ideally a community organization would have both a pack and a troop with leaders who work together to help move Webelos Scouts into a Boy Scout troop the same way schools move students from elementary school to middle school.

There are a number of ways a pack and troop can work together to enhance the Scouting experience of their boys. To help assure maximum transition requires cooperation between the ...

Pack Responsibilities

The Cub Scout Pack

It should be the goal of the Cubmaster and Webelos den leaders to graduate every Webelos Scout into a Boy Scout troop. The key to accomplishing this is to begin promoting Boy Scouting when Cub Scouts are still in their Tiger, Wolf, and Bear dens, and to sell the sizzle of the great outdoors. Scouting should be viewed as an ongoing adventure, and the progression should be as normal as moving from elementary school to middle school.

1a) 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.

1b) 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.

1c) Work with troop leaders to secure den chiefs for each Webelos den and Cub Scout den.

1d) Work with troop leaders to plan and conduct Webelos overnight activities.

1e) Work with troop leaders to plan visits to troop meetings. Never show up without first calling in advance.

1f) 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.

1g) 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.

1h) 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.

1i) 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

Troop Responsibilities

The Boy Scout Troop

Boy Scout troops should assign an assistant Scoutmaster or a troop committee member to be responsible for new Scouts, which would include developing a relationship with the Cubmaster and the Webelos den leaders. This person serves as a resource during Webelos overnight activities and builds enthusiasm among boys and their parents for the exciting challenges that await them in Boy Scouting.

2a) Select Scouts to serve as den chiefs for each Webelos Scout den and Cub Scout den. Arrange for Den Chief Training.

2b) Serve as a resource for overnight activities. The troop can be of service to provide equipment, leadership, and logistics for Webelos parent-son campouts.

2c) 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.

2d) 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.

2e) Arrange for Webelos dens to visit a troop meeting. This should be planned several weeks in advance.

2f) Provide each Webelos Scout a copy of the troop's activities for the upcoming year.

2g) 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.

2h) 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.

2i) 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.

Unit Commissioner Responsibilities

The Unit Commissioner

The unit commissioner is the connecting link in the chain between the troop and the pack. Often, the same unit commissioner will serve both a pack and troop in the same community.

3a) Be a catalyst in developing good relationships between troop and pack leaders.

3b) Promote communication by scheduling a meeting of key volunteers.

3c) Help plan a Webelos den visit to a troop meeting and other joint activities.

3d) Keep the pack and troop on schedule as plans develop for the crossover ceremony at the blue and gold banquet.

3e) Attend the crossover ceremony.

3f) 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.

3g) Work with the pack and troop in their charter renewal process to help ensure Webelos Scouts are moved from pack rosters to troop rosters.

3h) 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.

3i) Be sure Webelos Scouts join a troop in time to prepare for Boy Scout summer camp.

District Contact Info

Meg Struttman

Phone: 815-788-5130

Email: Email Meg

Frank Colomer

Phone 815-344-5626

Email: Email Frank
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