Webelos to Scout Transition Scott Whitmire – Webelos Den Leader. Pack 407 Former Scoutmaster, Troop 453 Former Cubmaster, Pack 469 1

Objectives Prepare adults for successful participation: –As parents of a Boy Scout –As adult members of the Troop Keep the boys in Scouting for the full benefit of the program Understand differences from Cub Scouts in rank progression and program Understand the importance of the “Boy-Led” nature of the program – and how to help it happen 2

Retention Issues Competing Activities Burn-Out –Been there – Done that –“Kid Stuff” Boy Scouts is NOT “Advanced Cub Scouts”! Choosing a Troop If he takes a sabbatical anyway… make a fresh start 3

20-month Webelos Plan Webelos is really a 20 month program –1 st year – 4 th grade, 12 months –2 nd year – 5 th grade, 8 months Arrow of Light in December or January of the second year Join the troop in February Don’t require/expect everyone in the Den to go to the same Troop 4

First Year of Webelos Start with Resident Camp End by attending your district’s Camporee Focus on advancement –Webelos Badge –Required Activity Pins –Boy Scout knowledge Go camping! 5

Second Year of Webelos Start with Resident Camp Start to function as a Patrol –Select a Patrol name –Make a Patrol flag –Wear a Patrol emblem/patch –Elect Patrol officers –Rotate Patrol positions Focus on Arrow of Light and transition to Boy Scouts 6

Why 20 months? Better retention 70-80% of Boy Scouts were Webelos 300% better chance of retaining a scout if they attend summer camp their first year Early transition helps the Scouts get to know the boys before they go to summer camp 7

Choosing a Troop Go on outings with troops –Klondike, Camporee –Service projects, “family” campouts Use a few Den Meetings for Troop Shopping –The choice of a troop should be the boys’ choice. –There is no such thing as a “broken den” Last Visit Trick ;-) 8

Choosing a Troop Troop Meeting Visits –Initial by Appointment –Follow up visit(s) What to look for –Who appears “in charge” –Who is doing most of the talking –Asses impact of the peanut gallery –Do Patrols sit together? –What kinds of activities or games? Participation? 9

Pack Responsibilities Working Relationships Calendars Den Chiefs Overnight Activities Troop Visits Invitations to your Pack Activities Meaningful Crossover Ceremony Webelos Leaders to Assistant Scoutmaster or Troop Committee member No Troop? – Create one! 10

Troop Responsibilities Den Chiefs Webelos Overnight Activities Orientation meeting with 1 st Year Webelos or Bear Cub Dens Webelos Troop Visits List of Annual Troop Activities Webelos Leaders transition to Scout Leadership Scoutmaster Conference Participate in Crossover 11

Unit Commissioner Responsibilities Develop Relationships Promote Communication Help Plan Webelos Visits Keep Pack and Troop on Schedule Attend Crossover Assist with Documentation, Retention, and Timing of Transition 12

District Webelos Transition Chair Contact all Packs Coach Cubmasters and Webelos Leaders Make Reports, Maintain Records Work with Unit Commissioners on Retention 13

Program differences from Scout’s Perspective Communication –Who to ask about Troop Program/Activities –And getting that information HOME! –Merit Badge Counselors Electing and Supporting Youth Leaders Getting Outfitted Making Rank… 14

“Boy-Led” - What does that mean? The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is the senior Boy Scout, the CEO of the troop The Senior Patrol Leader and the Patrol Leader’s Council (PLC) plan monthly activities and trips All outings and camping trips are chosen by the boys Meals are planned, purchased, and prepared by Scouts Meetings are run by the Senior Patrol Leader (or a lieutenant) Camping trips are organized by the PLC and directed by the Senior Patrol Leader (or lieutenant) Parents bring their concerns to the SPL or the Scoutmaster who works through the SPL All leaders are elected by the Scouts 15

Boy-Led is the Patrol Method "Get an easy chair and place it in a corner of the Troop meeting room. If you [the Scoutmaster] can sink into it just after the opening ceremony and just sit throughout the meeting, without a worry for its success, without lifting a finger or moving a foot until time comes for the closing-well, then your Troop is run on the Patrol Method-your boy leaders are actually leading.“ Handbook for Scoutmasters, Volume One. © 1936 Boy Scouts of America, Compiled by Bill Hillcourt. 16

Adult Supervision Meetings are supervised by the Scoutmaster and his assistants for safety Primary job of SM is to train and mentor the SPL The SM/ASMs sit in on the Patrol Leader’s Council but have no vote. Adults provide transportation Adults handle all funds, insurance, and medical records When the SPL has a question, he will turn to one the adult leaders 17

Boy Scout Ranks Scout rank is the same for Scouts as Bobcat for Cubs – joining criteria. simultaneouslyTenderfoot through 1 st Class can (and should) be worked on simultaneously. These cover the basic skills needed to plan and perform a successful outdoor activity. Star, Life, Eagle, Eagle Palms all have merit badge, service, leadersihp, and time-in-rank requirements Eagle must be completed by age 18 18

Earning Boy Scout Ranks Not “automatic” nor annual like Cubs No schedule (though ideally we want them to make 1 st Class in the first year or so). Responsibility of the Scout (and the Patrol up to 1 st Class), NOT the Scoutmaster corps. 19

Merit Badges Merit badges not needed until 1st Class and up, but can be worked on earlier. Merit badges are for fun, too. The Scout needs to arrange/find a counselor, advancement chair has a district list. Some MB clinics arrange counselor’s for you. Summer Camps offer several MB programs 20

Rank Achievement Review Process Sign-off usually by senior Scouts and/or SM/ASM, subject to Scoutmaster Review. Committee “Board of Review” is a review through the Scout of the Troop and Scoutmaster Corps’ program/performance – not a re-review of requirements. Mom/Dad, DO NOT carry your Scout’s book to a Scoutmaster or senior Scout and ask them to sign for something your son has done!! 21

Parental Support in Rank Achievement Many (most?) Scouts are at the peak of “teenage” laziness. Parental foot-in-the-seat is essential For Merit Badges, the Scout needs to arrange/find a counselor – Parents can help here. Advancement chair has a district list. Some MB clinics arrange counselor’s for you. Incentives… 22

New spots for Leaders and Parents Troll Patrol Assistant Scoutmaster/Scoutmaster Committee Den Leader -> Merit Badge Counselor Parent with hobby/interest/specialty -> Merit Badge Counselor 23

What Your Son Will Need… Scout Uniform Scout Handbook Camping Gear…Focus on the Essentials! 24

What You Will Need… A comfy folding chair A good book Camping gear Learn how to cook! And, a willingness to volunteer to help or serve on the Committee! 25

Available Training New Leader Essentials isn’t just for New Leaders Leader Specific training is for everyone Leader Outdoor Skills Training (LOST) Roundtable –For Committee persons on certain occasions –For SM/ASM every month Wood Badge Philmont Conferences 26

Gear! Sleeping bag  Mummy design, 20º Sleeping pad  Cheap closed-cell foam works Flashlight  Headlamp Clothing  Cotton is Rotten! Nylon is cheap and dries fast. Fleece is warm when wet. Mess kit  Bowl, Cup, Spoon works Boots  Good boots prevent blisters Backpack  Get some professional guidance. Internal v. External frame is matter of choice Stove, Tent  Check with your Troop Pocketknife  Lockblades are best Water Filter  They are affordable and work 27

Questions/Discussion 28

Backup Slides follow… 29

Glossary: Troop Scout Leadership SPL - Senior Patrol Leader, senior Scout leader of the Troop, elected by the Troop ASPL - Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders, assistants to the SPL, usually appointed by SPL PL - Patrol Leader, senior leader of each Patrol, elected by the Patrol members (while in the New Scout Patrols, there may be new PLs every month) APL - Assistant Patrol Leader, assistant to the PL, usually appointed by the PL Scribe - Responsible for taking notes at PLC meetings and distributing Troop meeting schedules to PLs for distribution to each Scout, elected by the Troop Troop Guides - Experienced Scouts appointed by the Scoutmaster to assist new Scout patrols as they learn to attend outings with the Troop and work through rank advancements Chaplain - Scout designated to lead Troop in prayer and provide similar services when called upon, elected by the Troop 30

Glossary: Troop Adult Leadership Committee Chair - Volunteer parent who organizes planning that must by done by parents in the Troop, runs monthly Parent Meetings, signs important documents like the annual Troop Charter, Eagle Scout projects, etc. SM - Troop Scoutmaster, assists the SPL in leading the troop with advice and direction as needed. ASM - Assistant Scoutmasters, adults who help SM with his Scoutmaster responsibilities Advancement Chair - Volunteer parent who keeps track of Scout advancement - merit badges earned, rank advancements, etc. Patrol Parents - Volunteer parents who work with the Scouts in their sons' patrols as they prepare for outings and work through their rank advancements 31

Glossary: Meetings Troop Meetings - Most troops meet weekly, hopefully year-round PLC - Patrol Leader Council, monthly meeting of SPL, ASPLs, and PLs APLs COH - Court of Honor, special Troop meetings, usually quarterly, to recognize advancements and awards earned by Scouts since the last COH. Eagle Scout COH - Special Court of Honor to recognize accomplishments of and honor a specific new Eagle Scout. Planned by the Eagle Scout and his family Parent Meetings - (Also known as Committee Meetings) Informative planning meetings held during regular Troop meetings. All parents are encouraged to attend and provide input. 32

Glossary: Outings Fast Start Hikes - Series of outings designed for new Scouts (and interested parents) to prepare them for camping outings with the Troop Grubmaster - Designated Scout for each "outing patrol" (not necessarily the same group as the Scout's regular Troop Patrol) responsible for purchasing all the food necessary for a particular outing and packaging it appropriately for the type of outing. The other members of his "outing patrol" reimburse the Grubmaster for their share of the food expense. Permission Slip - Standard BSA form that parents must complete, giving permission for their son to attend each outing Tour Permit - Standard BSA form that every Scout leading an outing must prepare, with adult assistance, and submit to the Chief Seattle Council scout office, to obtain Council permission for the outing Helicopter Parent – A Parent that hovers around their scout at outings or camp, not allowing him to learn through the experiential method. From experience we know how hard this is to end and yes, we too did survive. Ten Essentials – Items to be taken on all outings. Includes personal first aid kit, compass, matches and such. See Scout handbook for more details. Each scout will be getting assistance in creating his own “kit”. 33

Glossary: Communication Troop Meetings - Most of the Troop information is distributed at the meetings, signup and organization meetings for events all happen at Troop meetings. Troop Calendar - On the Troop Website. Indispensable, helps keep you up to date on activities. Scout Book - BSA Boy Scout Handbook, required for each Scout as he works through rank advancements Patrol Method - Information that is time critical or reminders flow down through the Senior Patrol Leader to the Patrol Leaders to the Patrol members. If your scout is not getting regular calls from his Patrol Leader or a Troop Guide, let an adult leader know. 34