Webelos to Boy Scouts
Barry C Runnels (Barry_C_Runnels@MMACMAIL.JCCBI.GOV)
Wed, 29 Oct 1997 10:06:21 CDT
>Preparation for Boy Scouts is only number 9. As a parent I would be upset
>if an 18 month program would be devoted for the benefit of what comes
>later.
After five years of this stuff, only number nine says it, but most of the
other points are intended to get the Webelos ready for Scouts.
>A bridge is normally build from two sides. Even when in some cases
>cub scout leaders are guilty of such a loss, boy scout leaders not taking
>responsibility but blaming cub scouts will not help us get the problem
>solved.
Our Pack learned real fast, don't count on the Troops to help in recruiting
Webelos. Yes it is a big part of their job but so is running a Troop and a
lot Troops have big problems there. If you want the job done right, do it
yourself.
I do think a major objective of the Webelos program is get them ready for
Troops. If it wasn't meant to be that way, it should be because it not only
help our Webelos to Scouts Program, it helped our whole Pack program. The
problem is most leaders think you have to treat Webelos like a small Troop
to get them ready for Boys Scouts. We don't really do that. Yes, some of
our leaders have patrols and we do camp but that's not really it.
The whole idea of a Boy Scouts is teaching a boy to be responsible, build
confidence, teach leadership. OK there is a lot more but what I am saying
is treat your Webelos to act their age. We ask our Webelos to lead all Pack
ceremonies. They come to meeting 30 minutes early and teach the Color Guard
Den how to carry the flags, where to stand, what each command means. We
have two second year Webs to stand up front and lead with two first year
Webs standing next to them in training. You can't imagine how much joy I
get watching my Webelos teach Tigers, Wolves or Bears how to be in the
color guard. Then to start the meeting on time with signs up, would you
please stand for our Flag Ceremony, etc. The only part where adults get
invovled is giving the prayer.
Our Pack has the Webelos perform at least one skit every meeting. Usually
two, I have 16 Webelos, so I try to do three. At first I give them the
skits to practice. As they get more confident, I give them a choice of
three, then I just give them a book. They usually take 15 minute to
practice. They are very good. You should have seen our campfire this year.
I used an idea I got from Scout L. I divided my guys into three groups. Two
groups had to do two skits plus two more the SM gave them ten minutes
before the start of the campfire. The third group had to plan a fire and
perform the ceremony. I gave the fire guys 50 feet of wire, a battery,
matches and a rocket motor ignitor. Showed them how that stuff worked then
sent them off to plan a ceremony. We have some Indian ceremonial stuff,
head dresses, bells and other neat stuff. They could choose what they want
to use if any of it. With just a little help from my assistant who is a
perfectionist and can't stand to not get involved, My Webelos Den 67 had a
better flag and fire starting ceremony than most District campfires. And
the skits?, well in our Pack, good skits are a given.
There is a lot more to a good Pack/Webelos program, but my point you should
do more than camping and learning Scout skills to get Webelos ready for a
Troop. In our Pack, only the Webelos are asked to wear full uniforms yet
most all our Scout are in full uniform. We have a 100% crossover of Bears
to Webelos and a 100% crossover of Webelos into Scouts. Our Tigers, wolves
and bears try to perform up to a Webelos standard. Our whole Pack is better
because of the Webelos program. Our Webelos are very confident, mature and
excited about Troops. This is my last year in Cubs so I spend a lot time
explaining to our new CM why our Webelos program is so important to the
whole pack. He didn't see it they way it used to be. I hope he is
listening.
These examples are a very small part of our whole Webelos program but they
give you and idea of the program philosophy. Is this hard work for
leaders?. I think I spend less time at it than most. How much work can it
be to give a few boys some skits and tell them they have to perform it this
evening. How hard is to gather the group after a meeting and say "once
again guys, your Flag ceremony was great, your skits where performed
wonderfully as usual, you guys are the best!".
I loose my 16 guys in a few months to a different Troop, things never seem
to go the way we plan, but their new SM is very excited to get them. I
don't think he is good enough for them but he will learn.
Seems I am just now learning how to lead from the heart. I love this
Scouting Stuff.
Barry Runnels
"Mighty" Pack 339
Webelos Den 67 "Big Dogs"
Edmond OK
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