Webelos 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As spring fast approaches, many Webelos Scouts are making preparations to transfer into Boy Scout troops. Be sure that your troop holds a Troop Open house to encourage local Webelos Scouts to join! This is a crucial transition and it helps ease both Scouts and parents concerns about this big change. For more information on how your troop can conduct a Troop Open House, contact Andrea Nuccio at the Council office. And, be sure to submit Boy Scout applications for these new boys as soon as possible.  Keep in mind that there is a $1 transfer fee to transfer a boy from a pack to a troop. This is an exciting time in a Webelos Scout’s life—let’s make it one he’ll remember!