Webelos stands for "WE'll BE LOyal Scouts".
Webelos Scouts are Cub Scouts preparing to be Boy Scouts. The Webelos Scouts learn about Boy Scouts and may participate in Boy Scout meetings and activities. Their den meetings are typically held on evenings or Saturdays. They do not follow the monthly theme of the Pack, but have their own program. They are the oldest Scouts in the Pack and as such carry the responsibility of being good role models to the younger Cub Scouts. It falls upon the Webelos Scouts to help explain what exciting activities await the younger Cubs and to help the Cubs during Pack activities.
The den is central to Webelos Scouting. Webelos Scouts take more responsibility for the running of their den. And they do more things as a den. The emphasis shifts from home-centered activities to group-centered activities similar to those they will encounter in Boy Scouting.
The major goal of Webelos Scouting is to give the Scouts a taste of what it is like to be a Boy Scout and to get them use to how Boy Scouting is structured. Webelos Scouts learn that it is their responsibility to earn their activity badges. They are helped by their den leaders and Activity Badge Councilors (adults who volunteer to host an activity badge) and it is the den leaders who pass the Webelos Scout on the requirements. Parents play a new, more supportive, and less directive role with Webelos Scouts.
The den conducts some projects that can be credited towards the ranks and activity badges that the boys earn, but not all of the requirements are addressed at den meetings. This is deliberate. The Webelos Scouts learn that if they wish to advance, they are responsible for meeting the requirements outside den meeting times. This is patterned after the merit badge and advancement process in a Boy Scout Troop. The activities, themselves, are designed to appeal more to the older boy and are patterned after Boy Scout merit badge requirements.
It is in Webelos that world of outdoor Scouting begins to open up. With their parents, the Webelos are able to camp and go on other outdoor activities with their den and with Boy Scout Troops. They also may participate in Boy Scout Troop meetings and other Scouting events.
In short, Webelos Scouting is the transitional program between Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting. Webelos are still under the direction of the Cubmaster, but hold their own activities and do many things too advanced for younger boys.
At the end of the Webelos program, the Scouts truly have a taste for what Boy Scouting is all about and have a head start in proceeding through the Boy Scout program.
As with all Cub Scout ranks, you must first earn the Bobcat Badge to be eligible to work for this award.
Also, your Webelos Den Leader will now sign off your activities (your parent or guardian does not sign off the activities as they did when you were a Wolf or Bear).
- Have an adult member of your family read the Webelos Scout Parent Guide that comes with the book, and sign it.
- Be 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 Fitness and Citizen activity badges and one other activity badge from a different activity 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, Scout handshake. Explain when you would use them.
- Explain the: Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout Motto, Scout slogan
- Explain and agree to follow the Outdoor Code.
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Faith
After completing the rest of requirement 8, do these (a, b, and c):
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Know: Tell what you have learned about faith.
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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.
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Practice: After doing these requirements, tell what you have learned about your beliefs.
And do one of these (d OR e):
Earn the religious emblem of your faith*
Do two of these:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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List at least two ways you believe you have lived according to your religious beliefs.
* If you earned your faith's religious emblem earlier in Cub Scouting, and your faith does not have a Webelos religious emblem, you must complete requirement 8e.
Completion of requirement 8e does not qualify a youth to receive the religious emblem of his faith.
After you've earned the Webelos badge, you can earn the compass points emblem. It is awarded after you earn seven activity badges, four more in addition to the three you earned for the Webelos badge.