Geared towards Webelos leaders, this guide is to help make the transition to boy scouting easier.
Show Notes:
- Planning information from Scouting.org for Graduating Webelos Scouts Into a Troop.
- Eight tips to help take the discomfort out of camping from Scouting Magazine.
- The Webelos transition from “Voice of the Scout”
- Arrow of Light Plaque (Amazon)
- Nature-Watch Arrow of Light Cub Scout Kit (Amazon)
- Keep Calm I’m Webelos Scout Leader, Tshirt for Scout Leaders (Amazon)
Transcript:
In recent years the cub scouting program has changed to include more camping and outdoor requirements than in years past, which is a boon to the boy scouting program that relies heavily on the outdoor experience in the program.
With some troops this has been a difficult transition.
While camping has been encouraged within the cub program, many still do not take full advantage of this.
There are lots of reasons, chief among them that the leaders in the cub scouting program may not have the background and experience, or even the desire to camp. Add to this that for every cub, there must be an accompanying adult, and it quickly becomes a non-starter for some families and dens.
I offer you two ways to combat this.
The first is to contact your local troop. Most troops would be happy to take cubs on their own outdoor trip. While in my council, they have specific cub oriented experiences in the outdoors, this is a large scale effort with activities and many troops involved.
Doing a smaller trip with a few boy scout leaders, and scouts is a simpler alterative.
These can be set up to be a one-night trip, where scouts and cubs come together to early in the day, set up tents and play games, ending with dinner and a fire, and in the morning breaking camp. This can give the cubs a real taste of the boy scout experience.
Another option, may appear a bit radical. Winter camping.
Cabins at many councils have indoor cots and stoves. Some even have indoor plumbing kitchens and electricity.
Talk to your local scout camp, and you can book a camping experience without the need to set up tents and deal with outdoor critters. It’s a nice touch in the water for those parents that do not want to sleep on the ground. It does however give you the opportunity to experience your local scout camp without the masses of other scouts.
As the Webelos program is about a year and half, if you planned your time right, you should have time at the end of your program before transitioning.
This is a good opportunity to spend some weeks teaching scouts to cook, I did this with my own dens and it gave the cubs the chance to make simple things like grilled cheese, or pancakes.
It’s good experience and a great den activitiy that will give them life skills. But this is what works for us.
Take what you like and leave the rest, and as we say in Woodbadge, feedback is a gift, leave yours below in the comments, with the hope we can all learn together.
I’m Scoutmaster Dave, and this was preparing for the Webelos Transition.
