1

Objectives

• To learn the fundamentals of Cub Scouting

• To learn what Cub Scout leaders do• To learn how to make Cub Scouting work• To learn how to have fun with my den

and pack• To learn how to have successful den and

pack meetings and activities

2

Cub Scouting …

• Is for boys aged 7 to 11 or in the first through fifth grade

• Is family oriented• Builds independence • Is designed to develop participatory

citizenship, character, and personal fitness

• Has age-appropriate activities and lessons

• Is the young-boy program of the Boy Scouts of America

3

The Foundations of Scouting• BSA Mission Statement• The Scout Oath• The Scout Law• The Vision Statement• The Aims

4

Purposes of Cub Scouting

• Character Development• Spiritual Growth• Good Citizenship• Sportsmanship and Fitness• Family Understanding• Respectful Relationships• Personal Achievement• Friendly Service• Fun and Adventure• Preparation for Boy Scouts

5

12 Core Values of Cub Scouting

6

Character Connections

• Know what values mean.• Commit to doing what feels morally right.• Practice living according to the Core Values.

7

The Methods of Cub Scouting• Living the ideals• Belonging to a den• Using advancement• Involving family and home• Participating in activities• Serving home and neighborhood• Wearing the uniform• Making Character Connections

8

Age-Appropriate Programs

Rank GradeAge

Tiger Cubs First 7

Wolf Cubs Second 8

Bear Cubs Third 9

WebelosArrow of

Light

FourthFifth

10

9

Safeguarding Our Youth• Youth Protection

– Two-deep leadership– Online training and the resources available

• Health and Safety– What activities are age-appropriate?– What are the BSA policies?– Training available throughout the year– Guide to Safe Scouting

• http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx

10

Fun comes from . . .

• The Cub Scout month• Pack organization• Annual program planning conference• Unit budget plan• Parent involvement—how to get help• Activities (pack, district, and council)• Resources and information

11

The Cub Scout Month

• Two or More Den Meetings– Boys and leaders– Activities and advancement

(including outings)

• Pack Meeting– Fun– Recognition– Show, share, and succeed!

12

Pack OrganizationChartered Organization Chartered Organization

Representative

Pack Committee

Cubmaster

Cub Scout Den Leaders

Assistant Cub ScoutDen Leaders

Den Chief

Tiger Cub Den Leaders

Adult Partners

Pack Trainer

Assistant Cubmaster

Webelos Den Leaders

Assistant Webelos Den Leaders

Den Chief

Local Council

13

Cub Scout Program

• Prepared den meeting and pack meeting plans

• How to have fun for a month• Ideas for den and pack meetings• Supported by Den & Pack Meeting

Resource Guide, Scouting magazine, and Boys’ Life

• Answers the question: What should we do?

14

Cub Scout Program

FPO

15

12 Core Values

Month Core Value Pack Activity

September Cooperation Pack open house

October Responsibility Fire prevention activities

November Citizenship Pack service projects

December Respect Blue and gold workshop

January Positive attitude Derby workshop

February Resourcefulness Pack in uniform

March Compassion First-aid night

April Faith Campfire workshop

May Health and fitness Sports workshop

June Perseverance Bike Safety, bike rodeo

July Courage Leave No Trace

August Honesty Water carnival

16

The Cub Scout Year• Annual program planning conference• Decide what to do the following year• Add your own activities– Pinewood derby®

– Space derby– Raingutter regatta– Field trips

• Ensure a year-round program– Summertime Pack Award– Day/resident/family/pack camping

• Journey to Excellence Award– http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/Awards/

JourneyToExcellence/scorecards/2014.aspx

17

Pack Budget Plan

• Funding the pack• Pack money-earning ideas• Dues• Council-supported fund-raising

programs• Make Scouting affordable

18

Parent Involvement• Encourage all parents to participate• Ask for help

– Start with just one job– Ask them to do something specific

• Ask them to register– Insurance coverage– Closer relationship to the unit– Scouting magazine

• Consider– Single-parent families– Grandparents

• Parent and Family Talent Surveyhttp://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/

FamilyTalentSurveySheet2008.pdf

19

Activities

• Advancement• Academics and Sports belt loops• Summer camps

– Day camp– Resident camping

• Pack camping overnighters at council-approved facilities

• Family camping• Field trips• Tour Planning Checklist

20

National Cub Scouting Resources• Leader Book• Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide• Leader How-To Book• Webelos Leader Guide• Scouting magazine• Boys’ Life• Youth Protection training• National Web sites

– www.myscouting.org– www.scouting.org– www.scoutingmagazine.org– www.scoutstuff.org– www.scoutparents.org

• Other books and pamphlets

21

Local Cub Scouting Resources• Local council service center• District executive and other support

staff• District and Unit Commissioner• Scout executive• Camping facilities• Program support• Fund-raising programs• Activities

22

Local Information Sources

• Training– Cub Scout Leader Fast Start (online)– Cub Scout Leader Position-Specific Training– This Is Scouting (online)– Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation

(BALOO)– Outdoor Leader Skills for Webelos Leaders

(OWLS)– Health and Safety

• Youth Protection Training• Weather Hazards• Safe Swim Defense• Safety Afloat• Physical Wellness

23

Local Information Sources

• Web Sites– Patriots' Path Council• http://www.ppbsa.org

– Watchung Mountain District• http://wm.ppbsa.org

• Other Sources– Council Newsletter (bi-weekly)– District Announcements (weekly)

24

Local Information Sources

• Roundtable– Monthly meeting– For all leaders and interested parents– Conducted by the district– Program ideas and fun

• Council Web site, newsletters, others• Commissioners service

25

Unit Information Sources

• Pack trainer• Other leaders• Pack library• Visit another den meeting• Ask for advice• Ask for help

26

Webelos and Arrow of Light Den

27

Planning a WebelosDen Meeting

• Be guided by the Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide.

• Cover all parts of the meeting.• Focus on how the advancement

activities will be handled.

• Are no more than 75 minutes long.

28

Webelos Scouts Are Boys

• Fourth- and fifth-grader (age 10) behavior.

• Inquisitive but growing• School is now routine; boys are looking

for new challenges.• Some are new to Scouting, some are

previous Cub Scouts.• Build trust.• They have a new leader—you!

29

Webelos Scouts Are Boys

• Parental involvement is needed.• They need hands-on projects.• More independence should be expected

of the boys.

• Follow a code of conduct in meetings and other locations.

• Teach individual responsibility.

30

Webelos Advancement

• Encouragement and recognition of achievement

• Grade-related and age-appropriate• Webelos den leader encourages,

ensures, and approves advancement.

31

Webelos Advancement

• Bobcat badge• Webelos activity badges• Webelos badge• Compass points emblem• Arrow of Light

32

Webelos Activity Badges

• Mental SkillsArtistScholarShowmanTraveler

• TechnologyCraftsmanEngineerHandymanScientist

• Physical SkillsAquanautAthleteFitnessSportsman

• Outdoor ActivityForesterGeologistNaturalistOutdoorsman

• CommunityCitizenCommunicatorFamily MemberReadyman

33

Activity Badge Counselor

• Helps Webelos Scouts earn activity badges

• Provides instruction at Webelos den meetings

• The service is temporary and is not a registered BSA position

34

Earning the Webelos Badge

• Eight total requirements• Complete three activity badges

– Fitness (Physical Skills)– Citizen (Community)– One from any of the three other groups:

• Outdoor Activities• Mental Skills• Technology

• Boy Scout preparation and knowledge

35

Earning the Arrow of Light

• Six months in the den• Preparation to join a Boy Scout troop• Eight activity badges, including the

three for the Webelos badge

• Troop visit• Campout

36

Recognition

• Immediate– Webelos colors

• At pack meeting– Activity badges– Compass points emblem

• Belt loops and pins– Academics and Sports

37

The Field Trip

• A monthly field trip• Opportunity for boys to discover new

things• Will be related to handbook

advancement or the monthly Core Value

• In the immediate locale• Remember the age group

(10- to 11-year-olds)• Have fun!

38

Planning Webelos Field Trips• Prior planning is a must.• Share the planning and execution.• Involve your field trip location contact.• Use a Tour Planning Checklist.

39

Record Keeping

40

Webelos Activities

• Pack meeting participation• Activity-badge-related outings• Camping!

– Pack overnighters– Family camping– Webelos den camping– Boy Scout troop joint campouts– Day camps– Resident camp

• Good Turn

41

Webelos-to-Scout Transition• Start early.• Visit troop meetings.• Organize joint den/troop campouts.• Visit troop activities and camporees.

– Webelos Scouts may not participate in activities or stay overnight

– The hosts should provide organized Webelos activities

• Discuss options with adults and boys.• Explain that not all boys will go to the

same troop.• Encourage completing the Arrow of Light.• Encourage movement to Boy Scouts of

Webelos Scouts and parents.

42

The Den Chief

• Boy Scout or Venturer leadership position

• Older boy influence• Helps the den leader.• Leads activities.• Positive attitude• Leads by example.

43

The Denner and Assistant Denner

• Boy leadership• Help the Den Leader and Den Chief.• May lead activities.• Denner service teaches responsibility.

44

Six Great Webelos Den Leader Secrets• Be tolerant regarding boys’ increasingly

busy schedules.– We must never make the boys choose between Sports and

Scouting or Religion and Scouting

– We make the necessary accommodations so the boys can participate in all three

• Boys need a fast-moving program.• Alternate energetic activities with

quiet ones.• Hands-on activities are better than lectures.• Boys will learn self-control when

given guidelines.• Guide boys to Boy Scouts.

04/10/14 45

Webelos to Scout Transition

04/10/14 46

How To Approach It Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are not two separate

activities.

– There is only one activity- SCOUTING

– Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are simply age-appropriate Scouting programs.

The 5th grade Scouting program starts in a Cub Scout Pack and continues in a Boy Scout Troop in February

Arrow of Light Dens and Boy Scout Troops work together

– Prepare both Scouts and parents for the entire year's program

– This includes the Troop's week at summer camp between the 5th and 6th grades.

04/10/14 47

Preparing Webelos for Boy Scouts Tan Uniform Advancement Method (it's more like Troop) Den Camping (in addition to Pack camping) Scout Oath, Law, Sign, Salute (at Den

Meetings) Joint Activities with Troop

Campout Service Project

Concept of 5th Grade Program

04/10/14 48

Working with a Troop Packs and Troops each designate a “Webelos to

Scout Transition Coordinator” Troop presentation to Arrow of Light Den

members and parents at a September Den Meeting

Arrow of Light Den mailing list shared with Troop Joint Arrow of Light Den & Troop Campout in

October Arrow of Light Den participates in a Troop

service project Troop provides a Den Chief Crossover ceremony at February Pack Meeting

04/10/14 49

FAQ 1 Q: Since some/many/most/all of the boys in my

Arrow of Light Den don't plan to join Boy Scouts, what do I do in that case? A: The 5th grade program makes this a moot point;

there are simply no Den or Pack activities for 5th graders after February (except AoL Den alumni participation in District Pinewood Derby)

5th graders joining a Troop in February is no different from boys who complete 2nd grade then moving on to Bear. We don't postpone the transition from Wolf to Bear, and we don't postpone the transition from Webelos to Scouts.

They're registered until December of 6th grade, so give Boy Scouts a try; maybe they'll have fun.

04/10/14 50

FAQ 2 Q: A boy who is not yet 11 years old didn't complete

Arrow of Light by February; what do we do since his Den no longer exists and he's too young to join Boy Scouts?

A: Have him participate in Troop activities while keeping him registered in the Pack. If possible, help him earn his Arrow of Light as he's also working on Boy Scout advancement.

On the earliest of (i) his 11th birthday, (ii) he earns the Arrow of Light, or (iii) June 1, register him as a Boy Scout.

While a Cub Scout, his (typically) father will need to accompany him on Troop overnight activities (as per Cub Scout rules).

04/10/14 51

FAQ 3 Q: Since the Webelos program includes Den

camping, what training do I need? A: As with any Cub Scout camping, there needs to be

two BALOO-trained adults present. In order to work with the boys on their outdoor-related

Activity Awards, Outdoor Webelos Leader Skills (OWLS) is highly recommended.

To kill two birds with one stone, Patriots' Path Council offers a combined OWLS/IOLS course, so you'll be trained for both Webelos and Boy Scout outdoor activities at the same time.

Remember, it's only 18 months from when you start as a Webelos Den Leader until you're an Assistant Scoutmaster.

04/10/14 52

Additional Resources

Everything you need is available from the Watchung Mountain District web page visit http://wm.ppbsa.org, then click on the Webelos

to Scout header, or go right to http://wm.ppbsa.org/WtoS/WtoS.htm

A useful summary is at http://wm.ppbsa.org/WtoS/FifthGradeProgram.htm

04/10/14 53

http://wm.ppbsa.org/WtoS/WtoS.htm

Webelos to Scout Transition

04/10/14 54

Know Your Unit Commissioner Unit Commissioner Page

– http://wm.ppbsa.org/Commissioner/commissioner.htm

– Includes what a UC does for you Who is your Unit Commissioner

– The link is on the above page, or go right to http://wm.ppbsa.org/Commissioner/WMDCommissioners.html

– Sorted by Name, Unit Number, and City/Town

04/10/14 55

Overall Objectives The Webelos Program is a Transition from Cub

Scouts to Boy Scouts Working with a Troop, Including Having a Den

Chief, Helps Prepare the Webelos Scouts for Boy Scouts

Webelos Cross Over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts in February of the 5th Grade

The key factor to improved Webelos transition is the ongoing working relationship of the leaders of the

Cub Scout pack(s) and the Boy Scout troop(s)..