The Webelos den is a 2 year transition period to prepare your son for the Boy Scouts. Think of these next 2 years as less hand-holding and more independence for your son. Of course, with this transition comes with greater responsibility. The activities are long-term and require time management skills that your son may only be starting to use. He will also complete many of these away from the den on his own time. Needless to say, you will earn the title of Akela assisting him! The handbook describes the badges needed to obtain the Webelos Badge, which is required for Webelos II. It can get very difficult in knowing exactly what is needed to earn the Webelos Badge and even a Den Leader needs to re-read the requirements lest he forgets an important requirement! The following text is a broad look at what is required to earn the Webelos badge.
Note: This page is for the Webelos I scouts. There will be a separate page for the Webelos II scouts.
What's Required
1. Citizen Badge
2. Fitness Badge
3. One more badge from one of the following groups:
- Mental Skills
- Technology Skills
- Outdoor
In addition to earning these 3 badges, your son will need to know the following:
Have an adult member of your family read and sign the WEBELOS Scout Parent Guide that comes with the WEBELOS Scout BookBe an active member of your WEBELOS den for 3 months (Active means having good attendance, paying den dues, working on den projects).Know and explain the meaning of the WEBELOS badge.Point out the three special parts of the WEBELOS Scout uniform. Tell when to wear the uniform and when not to wear it.Earn the Fitness and Citizen activity badges and one other activity badge from a different activity badge group.Plan and lead a flag ceremony in your den that includes the U.S. flag.Show that you know and understand the requirements to be a Boy Scout. - Demonstrate the Scout salute, Scout sign, and Scout handshake. Explain when you would use them.
- Explain the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan.
- Explain and agree to follow the Outdoor Code.
Faith - Earn the religious emblem for your faith OR do two of the following: - Attend the mosque, church, synagogue, temple, or other religious organization of your choice, talk with your religious leader about your beliefs.
- Tell your family and your WEBELOS den leader what you learned.
- Discuss with your family and WEBELOS den leader how your religious beliefs fit in with the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and what character-building traits your religious beliefs have in common with the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
- With your religious leader, discuss and make a plan to do two things you think will help you draw nearer to God. Do these things for a month.
- For at least a month, pray or meditate reverently each day as taught by your family, and by your church, temple, mosque, synagogue, or religious group.
- Under the direction of your religious leader, do an act of service for someone else. Talk about your service with your family and WEBELOS den leader. Tell them how it made you feel.
- List at least two ways you believe you have lived according to your religious beliefs.
After completing the rest of requirement 8 (Faith), do these:
Know: Tell what you have learned about faith.
Commit: Tell how these faith experiences help you live your duty to God. Name one faith practice that you will continue to do in the future.
Practice: After doing these requirements, tell what you have learned about your beliefs.
After your son obtains his Webelos Badge, he can earn the Compass Points emblem. It is awarded after you earn 7 activity badges - four more in addition to the three he earned for the Webelos Badge. The Compass Points emblem is attached to the button on the right pocket.
It doesn't stop there. Your son can earn 3 more compass points by learning 12 more activity badges for a total of 19 activity badges for the emblem and 4 compass points!