A source of new boys is vital to the continuance of the Boy Scout troop, and troop leaders are looking for help!
Although the unit leader can get help from any places, its special when it comes from you. Being there in person, you're the first one to offer personal support.
Many Boy Scout troops have eight boys or less. Even the larger troops may find recruiting difficult. Though many Webelos Scouts leave their den when reaching Scouting age, they're not sure about going into the troop.
With little effort, you can be the key person helping both the Boy Scout troop and the Cub Scout pack to fulfill their needs.
More than 84 % of graduating Webelos Scouts join troops when the Webelos-to-Scout transition program is used. Leaders can do it themselves when someone gets them started ... and you're that someone.
Do you want to know how it's done?
.What's In It For You?
Many Webelos Scouts will go on into Scouting with no help at all. But at least half of them need to know more about their opportunities for fun and adventure in the Scout troop.
That's really the purpose of the Webelos-to-Scout transition plan: to give the Webelos Scout a sampling of the troop program, troop leadership, personal advancement, a training and learning experience and an appreciation of troop organization and relationships.
It will be the boy's (and his family's) decision so we owe it to them to demonstrate some of the fun experiences and to let him know that he is wanted. Certain key Scout Leaders are better able to show the Webelos Scouts the various elements of Scouting. So we need to include everyone, starting with the Webelos Scouts themselves. That makes the transition plan an unlimited opportunity.
The boy's Webelos badge and Arrow of Light Award reach into the requirements bordering on Scouting skills, giving him a view of Scouting advancement. He sees boy leadership at work and senses his own potential as a junior leader. He becomes more confident and enthusiastic about the patrol method, a district camporee, about summer camp, and maybe even a national jamboree.
In short, the boy's desire for troop membership is the result of this gradual change in appetite for troop oriented activities.
For the Scoutmaster, it means more boys - boys already versed in Boy Scout and Tenderfoot requirements and boys whose families have been supporting them in pack activities.
For the Webelos den leader, it means fulfillment. It means direct help with advancement requirements, father/son overnighters, as well as a pleasant association with the troop. The time spent with a boy is productive as seen in the boy's desire to continue.
To the Cubmaster it means assurance of a stable Webelos den, more graduations and better ceremonies, the ready access to den chiefs and pack meetings that feature a lively Webelos den and Boy Scout troop guests.
For complete information on the qualifications and responsibilities of leaders, see the Cub Scout Leader Book, No. 3220A.
A registered Scout, active in the troop and selected by his Scoutmaster to serve with the Webelos den as a program assistant to the Webelos leader. He is trained either by the troop junior leaders or by the Webelos den leader. He should be at least a Second Class Scout and skilled in conducting ceremonies, leading songs, teaching skills, giving demonstrations, leading games and helping to prepare the Webelos Scouts in advancement for the troop experience up ahead.
An assistant Scoutmaster is appointed to be liaison between the troop and the Webelos den. He helps the Webelos den leader to plan joint pack and troop activities, including exciting graduation ceremonies. His principal job is to ensure smooth transition of Webelos Scouts into the troop by working closely with the den chief, Webelos den leader and Scoutmaster.
In packs having more than one Webelos den, he is the coordinator between dens. He plans activities, selects resources, contacts Scoutmasters, participates with Webelos dens at pack meetings, and keeps the Cubmaster informed.
This adult is usually a family member of a Webelos Scout and has knowledge in one of the activity badge areas. Recruited by the Webelos den leader or the Webelos den leader coach, this person serves as a den helper at various times of the year. Not to be confused with merit badge counselors in Boy Scouting, activity badge counselors help Webelos Scouts gain self-confidence in dealing with new subjects and adults.
The transition plan utilizes, key people in specific roles designed to attract Webelos Scouts into the Boy Scout troop.
It creates a team spirit for the Webelos den leader, the Cubmaster and the Scoutmaster, and it enhances the Scouting family concept both in and out of the chartered organization.
The Webelos-to-Scout transition plan calls for a joint roundtable for Webelos den leaders and Boy Scout troop leaders to be held twice a year - one in October and one in March or April.
With the Boy Scout leader roundtable staff serving as the host and with the knowledge of the Cub Scout leaders! roundtable staff, Webelos den leaders are invited to attend and cover major subjects related to pack-troop demonstrations.
This serves as a primary opportunity for Webelos den leaders and Scoutmasters to meet and to share mutual program ideas affecting Webelos graduations. The agenda is designed to promote good pack/troop or Webelos den/troop happenings and thereby hold the Webelos Scouts in the program until they reach Boy Scouting age.
The participants get an opportunity to share with the group any successes in joint activities and graduation ceremonies.
In your commissioners notebook, list names, addresses, phone numbers, etc., of leaders in the Webelos den, pack, and troop.
Contact the Webelos den leader, Cubmaster, and Scoutmaster to set up a time and place for a common meeting of all three. Let each describe his (her) needs in the program.
At this meeting, establish a plan f6r regular communication through specific key people (den chief, assistant Scoutmaster, etc.) regarding advancement, graduations, joint events and training opportunities.
Encourage the troop leaders to assist with Webelos ovenighters in equipment and troop leaders.
Maintain an up-to-date schedule of Webelos graduations that the Webelos den leader shares with the troop representative.
Since you're feeling successful, there are some other things you might do:
Mark on your Scouting calendar the dates of the troop, pack, and Webelos den meetings, the committee meetings, leaders roundtables, training sessions and district commissioner meetings.
Share with the commissioner the progress of the pack(s) or troop(s).
Attend Webelos graduations with the Scoutmasters. See that the Webelos families are introduced to the Scoutmaster
Encourage the Scoutmaster to have a heart-to-heart talk with his Boy Scouts about personal relationships with the Webelos Scouts. Rumored threats of initiations or harassment, even in jest, can halt Webelos graduations into the troop.
Accompany the troop's assistant Scoutmaster on the first visit to the Webelos den and introduce him to the Webelos den leader. Let each discover what the other does in the transition plan.
Report progress on pack/troop relationships to the district commissioner. Include details of how many Webelos Scouts were graduated.
When speaking with pack or troop committee chairmen, explain the benefits of the pack, Webelos den and troop joint activities.
Encourage the Scoutmaster to visit the Webelos den and get to know the boys personally.
Encourage the Webelos den leader, Cubmaster, and Scoutmaster to attend leaders's roundtables. Discuss your progress with the transition plan.
At the earliest opportunity, get information on "Webelos Woods or Webelos Day (if held in your council) and promote it in the Webelos den.
With the approval of the Webelos den leader, show Time of Your Life, a recruiting video that can be borrowed from the local council service center.
Have adequate information-on the Cub Scout day camp. Emphasize the Webelos program at day camp.
When there is no Webelos den leader, visit the pack committee meeting as soon as possible and assist in recruiting a new leader.
Explain and implement the selection of a Webelos den chief when visiting the troop. If one is not needed now, he soon will be.
On visiting the troop committee, encourage the selection of an assistant Scoutmaster (if not yet selected) to visit and represent the troop at Webelos den meetings.
Encourage the Scoutmaster to give regular recognition to the Webelos den chief for his efforts in bringing new boys into the troop.
Explain and suggest to the Webelos den leader the recruitment of activity badge counselors for help in leadership and activity badge work.
Encourage attendance by the Webelos den leader, Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and Webelos resource person at the twice-a-year joint roundtables.
Attend Webelos graduations and ask the Cubmaster to take part in the Arrow of Light recognition ceremony.
Encourage the Webelos den chief -to help the Webelos Scouts in their work on the Webelos badge and Arrow of Light Award.
Maintain a written schedule of Arrow of Light presentations and encourage Scoutmasters to attend.
Tell the Scoutmaster about the leadership and service of the Webelos den chief.
Make the Webelos den chief aware of his personal responsibility in teaching advancement requirements.
Assist the Webelos den chief in attending the earliest den chief conference in the district or council.
Encourage and assist the Webelos den leader, Cubmaster, and Scoutmaster in eaming their appropriate training award or key. Check their personal accomplishments, and training progress records. Let them know that you're interested in seeing them receive this recognition.
Assist the Webelos den leader in the training and recognition of the Webelos den chief.
Remind the Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and the Webelos den leader about completing their basic training.
After talking with your district executive, contact the Scouting coordinator and chartered organization head. Explain the Webelos-to-Scout transition plan and their roles in making it happen.
Personally assist the Webelos den leader, Cubmaster, or Scoutmaster with transportation to an outdoor event or activity.
Encourage the district commissioner. to use his (or her) influence in setting up two Cub Scout-Boy Scout roundtables a year.
Offer your personal help and resources to the Webelos den leader, Cubmaster, and Scoutmaster for use in meetings, training, and advancement.
See that the Webelos den leader is recognized at pack meetings for his help in graduating Webelos Scouts into troops.
Talk to the Boy Scout leaders roundtable commissioner about the joint roundtable plan for Webelos den leaders, Cubmaster, and Scoutmasters.
Attend the annual pack program planning conference and Webelos planning conference. Be sure the den chiefs and Scouting coordinator are invited.
Contact the district training chairman for information or get help in getting key people in the transition plan trained.
Give the district commissioner, in writing, any pertinent membership information regarding the Webelos-to-Scout transition effort for his report to the district committee and the council commissioner.
If It's To Be ... It's Up To Me!