New Webelos and Arrow of Light Requirements

[sctmom]

This should be of interest to Scouters of Cubs AND Boys. The new Webelos handbook is out. There are changes to the requirements for the Webelos badge and the Arrow of Light. Existing Webelos do NOT have to go by these requirements. I think the rule is any boy becoming a Webelos AFTER August 1, 2005 has to follow these.

 

 

Some (not all) Other changes:

Webelos Badge requires Fitness and Citizen Activity Badges.

Arrow of Light requires Outdoorsman badge. AOL also required doing

the Honesty Character Connection (a detailed discussion about promises and honesty).

 

NEW requirements for Outdoorsman badge:

Do 2 of these:

1. Present yourself to your Webelos den leader properly dressed, as

you would be for an overnight campout. Show the camping gear you will

use. Show the right way to pack and carry it.

2. With your family or Webelos den, help plan and take part in an

evening outdoor activity that includes a campfire.

3. With your parent or guardian take part in a Webelos den overnight

campout or a family campout. Sleep in a tent that you have helped

pitch.

4. With your parent or guardian, camp overnight with a Boy Scout

troop. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch.

AND DO FIVE OF THESE:

5. During a Webelos den meeting, discuss how to follow the Leave No

Trace Frontcountry Guidelines during outdoor activities.

6. Participate in an outdoor conservation project with your Webelos

den or a Boy Scout troop.

7. Discuss with your Webelos den leader the rules of outdoor safety.

Using these rules, show how to build a safe fire and put it out.

8.With your accompanying adult on a campout or outdoor activity,

assist in preparing, cooking and cleanup for one of your den's meals.

Tell why it is important for each den member to share in meal

preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating

together.

9. Discuss with your Webelos den leader the things that you need to

take on a hike. Go on one 3-mile hike with your Webelos den or a Boy

Scout troop.

10. Demonstrate how to whip and fuse the ends of a rope.

11. Demonstrate setting up a tent or dining fly using two half

hitches and a taut-line hitch. Show how to tie a square knot and

explain how it is used.

12. Visit a nearby Boy Scout camp with your Webelos Den.

 

 

[Eamonn]

I don't know where I have been. This is the first time that I have seen these.

At this first glance, I think that they are really good.

Who knows, maybe now we will get a better turn out for the Webelos Den Leader Outdoor Training's.

Eamonn

[Bob White]

I think these create a number of terrific opportunities for Boy Scouts to interact with Webelos dens as instructors for these new requirements, as well as opportunities for troops to bond with Webelos dens through shared troop activities.

 

Bob White

 

 

[packsaddle]

I wish we had had these when I was a Webelos den leader. As it was we did most of this anyway and had a great time camping with the troop. But the new requirements will spread these activities through Cub Scouting more effectively and set a good standard, I think.

[CubsRgr8]

Dropped in the neighboring council's Scout Shop on Thursday, paged through the Webelos handbook, and was so pleased with it that I immediately picked up copies for my den. The format changes are very parent-friendly (sign-off in front) and scout-friendly (activity badges in alphabetical order). I especially like Character Connections being integrated into requirements.

 

I think switching Citizen to a Webelos rank requirement is a good idea, and so is adding Outdoorsman as an AOL requirement. For scouts who do not earn their religious faith emblem, the Faith requirement for rank is clarified, and for all scouts it is strengthened by the addition of the Character Connection. All in all, changes for the better.

 

[sctmom]

Also, camping and outdoor activities have been added as electives for Wolf and Bear. I think that is great. Should help in progressively teaching the boys about taking care of themselves out of doors.