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.

Thanks to Bill Nelson, Webelos Den Leader, Pack 878, Grand Canyon Council, Phoenix, Arizona, for
submitting the above description.
 

Webelos Requirements

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).

WEBELOS BADGE REQUIREMENTS

    1. Have an adult member of your family read and sign the Parent Guide in this book.
    2. Be an active member of your Webelos den for 3 months (attendance, den dues, den projects).
    3. Know and explain the meaning of the Webelos badge.
    4. Point out and explain the parts of the Webelos Scout uniform. Tell when to and when not to wear
    it.
    5. Earn Fitness and two other activity badges - one from each of two different activity badge groups.
    (shown as * in Webelos Activities section).
    6. Plan and lead a flag ceremony in your den.
    7. Show that you know and understand the requirements to be a Boy Scout.
        a. Understand and intend to live by the: Scout Oath or Promise, Scout Law, Scout Motto, Scout
        slogan
        b. Know the following and when to use them: Scout salute, Scout sign, Scout handclasp
        c. Understand and agree to follow the Outdoor Code.
    8. Earn the religious emblem of your faith.- OR - DO TWO OF THE FOLLOWING:
        1. Attend the church, synagogue, mosque, or othere religious organization of your choice, talk
        with your religious leader about your beliefs, and tell your family and Webelos den leader
        about what you learned.
        2. Tell how your religious beliefs fit in with the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and discuss with
        your family and Webelos leader what character-building traits your beliefs and the Scout Oath
        and Scout Law have in common.
        3. With your religious leader, list and do two things you think will help you draw nearer to
        God. (1) ______________________ (2) ______________________
        4. Pray to God daily as taught by your family, church, synagogue, or other religious
        brotherhood. Do this for at least 1 month.
        5. Under the direction of your religious leader, do an act of service for womeone else. Talk
        about your service with your family and Webelos leader. Tell them how it made you feel.
        6. List at least two ways in which you believe you have been a good example and lived in
        accordance with your religious beliefs. (1) _____________________ (2)
        _____________________
 

  COMPASS POINTS
 
 

After earning the Webelos badge, a Webelos may earn the Compass Points Emblem. It is awarded after
the Webelos earns four more activity badges in addition to the three he had earned for the Webelos
badge. This is a total of seven activity badges. The compass points emblem is worn attached to the button
on the right pocket of the Webelos uniform shirt.

After the compass points emblem is earned, the Webelos Scout may earn a metal compass point for each
four additional activity badges he earns. There is a maximum number of 3 metal compass points that may
be earned. (This makes a total of 16 activity badges beyond the 3 required for the Webelos badge to earn
all parts of the compass points emblem and its 3 metal compass points.)

ARROW OF LIGHT AWARD

This is the highest award that you can earn in the Cub Scout program and it is one of only TWO awards
that may be worn on your BOY SCOUT uniform when you become a Boy Scout. (The only other item that
may be carried over to the Boy Scout uniform is the RELIGIOUS EMBLEM if you received that as a Cub
Scout or Webelos Scout.)

ARROW OF LIGHT AWARD REQUIREMENTS:

    1. Be active in your Webelos den for at least 6 months since completing the fourth grade (or for at
    least six months since becoming 10 years old), and earn the Webelos badge.
    2. Show your knowledge of the requirements to become a Boy Scout by doing all of these:
        a. Repeat from memory and explain in your own words the Scout Oath or Promise and the 12
        points of the Scout Law. Tell how you have practiced them in your everyday life.
        b. Give and explain the Scout motto, slogan, sign, salute, and handclasp.
        c. Understand the significance of the Scout badge. Know its parts and tell what each stands for.
        d. Tell how a Boy Scout uniform is different from a Webelos Scout uniform.
    3. Earn five more activity badges for a total of eight. (You already earned three for the Webelos
    badge. The total of eight must include Citizen, Fitness, Readyman, and at least one from the outdoor
    group, one from the mental skills group, and one from the technology group.)
    4. With your Webelos den, visit at least one Boy Scout troop meeting, and one Boy Scout-oritented
    outdoor activity.
    5. Participate in a Webelos overnight campout or day hike.
    6. After you have completed all five of the above requirements, and after a talk with your Webelos
    leader, arrange to visit, with your parent or guardian, a meeting of a Boy Scout troop you think you
    might like to join. Talk to the Scoutmaster. Then get an "Application to Become a Boy Scout," fill it
    out and have your parent or guardian sign it. Show it to your Webelos leader and talk about your
    interest in becoming a Boy Scout.

Note, the ARROW OF LIGHT KNOT may be worn above the left shirt pocket.