Losing Webelos
ALICERAE@AOL.COM
Wed, 9 Dec 1998 15:03:46 EST
I have seen many postings regarding Webelos, motivation, retention and
crossing over to Boy Scouts. Here's my take on it:
I have been teaching a class on Webelos to Scout Transition for 4 years. I
have made many inquiries and observations about this transition and have done
much research. It has been proven that 70-80% of Webelos Scouts do cross over
into Boy Scouting. However, of that percentage, 50% drop out within the first
year. WHY?
A posting I read today bothered me. It mentioned that "if a troop wants the
boys trained, the troop can train them after they cross over". What type of
leader is this? Is our main goal not to make sure the boys get the best
possible program? Aren't we in the business of "preparing" boys for the
future? Why wouldn't we want to prepare them for what lies ahead -- not fully
train them in Boy Scout ways, but give them a taste of what will prepare them
to feel more comfortable and confident as they move up to the big world of Boy
Scouting. It's a scary time for little boys -- they aren't sure of
themselves, they're not confident about themselves, let alone skills in
Scouting.
If you check the requirements for the Scout and Tenderfoot rank, they are very
similiar (and sometimes repetitious) to many of the requirements for activity
pins that Webelos earn for their Arrow of Light. If a Leader is aware of this
similarity, they can "PLAN" a program for the boys, not just have a meeting.
Have you ever heard of a den chief? This is a perfect way to have someone
else teach the boys the skills they need for activity pins and also to prepare
them for Boy Scouts. What about a joint activity with a troop? Ever take
your den camping with a Scout troop and let the Boy Scouts teach your Webelos
skills: knots, cooking, hiking, map/compass?
Webelos are yes, still Cub Scouts, however, this is a transition period and
should be treated as such. The Webelos program is supposed to bridge the gap
between them and Boy Scouts -- read the BSA publication "Webelos to Scout
Transition" No. 33870 and it will explain to you this program. They are NOT
Cub Scouts -- they are Scouts preparing to become Boy Scouts and it is YOUR
responsibility to prepare them, not train them, but prepare them and give them
a sampling of what lies ahead.
I have been teaching this class "Webelos to Scout Transition" for 4 years now.
We teach it at our Webelos Leaders Outdoor training and try to focus on Bear
and 1st year Webelos Leaders. I also teach it at a Boy Scout training to try
and get Boy Scout leaders involved in making a difference by offering more
joint activities and boy leaders to help the den transition.
I could talk all day about this subject -- we make the difference, but only if
we look at what lies ahead and make sure the boys are ready to face it.
Alice Rae
Scoutmaster, Troop 26
Napa, California
Mt. Diablo Silverado Council
"a gool 'ol Bobwhite, too" -- YOU BETCHA!
