Mom2ThreeScouts

My district runs a "Webelos-Ree" along side the Camporee. The Webelos have their own activities, games that teach scout skills, and their own campsite. However, they are right next to the Boy Scouts and can visit the troops and observe some of the Boy Scout competitions. My Webelos I den will be attending in April.

As far as what to do with Webelos, mine are keeping very busy. So far, since we bridged in June, the boys have gone to day camp (same ole, same ole), Webelos resident camp, our Council's centennial encampment, and a district Webelos weekend camp (where they pitched their own tents and, with the help of parents, cooked their own dinner and breakfast). In addition to being the Webelos I Den Leader, I run the pack Hiking Team (Hiking Club seem to exclusive a name) so most of my Webelos attend the Pack monthly hikes. So far we have kept quite busy.

This is my third son to go through Cub Scouts so I am very familiar with the program and I am blessed with wonderful, active parents. Most of the parents are very enthusiastic about outings, both day hikes and overnighters. We are slowly converting the one reluctant scout (and parent) to the wonders of sleeping in a tent. We are are going on a camp out in March and another one in May. Our Pack has a pack camp out in June and we will be attending a different Webelos resident camp in August. At the end of September we will probably do a "Good Bye to Summer" camp out. There are a handful of troops in the area that plan events for Webelos II and we will, of course, be starting to visit the different troops. The boys have earned their Webelos Rank and are well on their way to Arrow of Light. I anticipate a very busy 12 months until they cross over into Boy Scouts.

Is National going to change the designation of the Arrow of Light from an Award to a Rank? That is the only way calling the second part of Webelos "Arrow of Light Scouts" makes sense. It is the highest award a cub scout can earn and the only cub scout emblem worn on a boy scout uniform. If it gets elevated to rank status, will boys scouts continue to wear a cub scout rank on their boy scout uniform.

Well, I guess Angela was wrong. I have been waiting for on-line leader specific training, but still nothing on MyScouting. My district just announced the next Leader specific training. So now I can choose between getting the training ASAP or leading the last summer pack activity that I planned, a hike combined with an educational program offered at an observatory.

Our pack encourages the boys to wear field uniform to Pack meetings. I have been the Den Leader for the Webelos I den since they were Tigers. I have always given a choice of field or activity for den meetings. If I anticipate a messy or sweaty den meeting I will suggest activity uniform for that particular meeting.

Den and Pack outing uniform depends on what the activity is. A 3 mile hike in the foothills calls for activity uniform, a visit with the mayor or to a museum calls for field uniform. Of course, a boy is allowed to participate no matter what he shows up in.

Our pack accepts the navy blue slacks and shorts that are the required uniform of the parish school in place of "official" cub scout slacks and shorts.