Webelos to Scout Transition

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Webelos to Scout Transition
David Mitchko Mercer Area District Commissioner
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Why is it Important?

• Almost all of your recruits are Webelos.
• You cant assume where they are coming from and
  whether or not they are interested in joining.
• Some will be a sure thing, but not all
• You need to be sure that the Webelos parents help
  their son make an informed decision about whether
  and where they join.
• There are many misconceptions about Boy Scouting
• The Webelos and their parents need to be prepared
  to transition into Boy Scouting.
• Boy Scouting is more of a commitment and the
  parents need to know the benefits of the program
  - they mostly control what activities their sons
  will be involved with.

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Well Be Loyal Scouts

• The WEBELOS program and the Arrow of Light award
  both help the Cub Scout prepare for Boy Scouting.
  
• Become familiar with these programs, especially
  where your Troop can help, especially with
  camping and the Boy Scout requirements.
• For some of the requirements, Troop, Den Chief or
  Scoutmaster involvement is needed.
• Webelos Badge 7 Show that you know and
  understand the requirement to be a Boy Scout.
• AOL 4 Den visit to Troop meeting and Boy
  Scout-oriented outdoor activity
• AOL 6 Visit a Troop you think you might join.
  Have a conference with the Scoutmaster

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Help your Feeder Pack

• Invite the Webelos to go camping with your troop
• Provide a Den Chief if needed
• Sit in on a Pack committee meeting
• Give out award certificates at their Pinewood
  Derby
• Keep in touch with the Pack leaders and parents
  all year long
• Assign someone in your troop to do this
  ideally, this position is the Assistant
  Scoutmaster for new scouts.
• Recruit a Parent of a new scout who crossed over
  last year
• And/or still has a son in the pack
• And/or still has a leadership position in a pack
  

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Get to Know the Parentsof your Feeder Pack

• Get some face time with the boys parents at a
  Den or Pack meeting.
• Mention how last years Webelos are doing and
  which parents are involved.
• Ask each parent if their boy is interested in
  joining a Troop.
• Find out what concerns these parents might have.
• Have the parents fill out a brief survey
• Getting to know these parents better will help,
  especially with the ones that get nervous about
  sending their sons camping with adults they
  dont know.

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Sell the Program

• Dont assume the parents know about boy scouting
  and how the program will benefit their son.
• At the Troop Open House, take the parents aside
  and talk to them about the Boy Scout Program.
• Emphasis on character development, physical and
  mental fitness in a safe and fun environment.
• Talk about leadership, teamwork, decision making
  and taking on responsibilities.
• Mention how Merit Badges introduce boys to
  potential vocations or avocations.
• Let them know how much the scouting experience
  will affect their sons lives well into the
  future.

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Sell Your Troop

• Give parents current status and a brief history
• Mention the SPL and how he runs his troop
• Talk about how the patrol method works, how your
  patrols are set up and how the new scouts fit in.
  
• Highlight your outdoor program and any special
  events
• Mention your trained Youth and Adult Leaders
• Talk about how your troop committee works
• For your traditional feeder pack, send a letter
  of introduction in the fall to each Webelos scout
  

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Be a Source of Information

• Keep the Webelos parents informed about upcoming
  troop activities
• Troop Calendar with campout dates in advance
• Permission slips for camping with the troop
• How to join a scout troop
• Joining requirements Age, AOL and school grade
• Youth application form
• Youth protection pamphlet
• Explain the difference between Cub and Boy
  Scouting and between how and Pack and a Troop are
  run
• Provide a list of what a new scout needs for his
  first campout