Improved Webelos Transition
Tiger Cubs To Venturing
Few boys join Tiger Cubs BSA with the intent of remaining in Scouting
until their 21st birthday as a Venturer. However, Scouting offers a
continuous program that becomes progressively more challenging.
Cub Scouting takes place largely in the family. Beginning Tiger Cubs
must be under the age of 8, have completed kindergarten or be in the
first grade or be age 7. Cub Scouts must have completed the first grade
but not completed third grade or be age 8 or 9. And Webelos Scouts must
have completed third grade but not completed fifth grade or age 10 but
not yet 11 1/2.
Boy Scouting is designed for boys 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 ...
Cub Scout Pack
Boy Scout Troop
Unit Commissioner
District Webelos Transition Chair
By planning and coordinating their efforts, the pack and troop can ...
- Help make the Webelos-to-Scout transition seamless.
- Give all Webelos Scouts a chance to experience the fun and excitement of Boy Scouting.
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