Graduate Webelos Scouts Into a Troop

The year-round growth plan is designed to facilitate Scout recruitment and pack-troop relations. To carry out the plan, the troop membership chair will need to remember some important guidelines:

1. Work closely with a nearby Cub Scout pack.
2. Prepare an effective Webelos-to-Scout plan.
3. Make new Scouts and their parents feel welcome.

At the beginning of the recruitment process, the troop should align with a Cub Scout pack in the community. If more than one troop draws its new Boy Scouts from this pack, contact the leadership of the other troops and design a plan to work together with the pack. Offer the use of your troop's equipment and expertise to the Cubmaster and the Webelos den leaders, and work with them to develop an effective Webelos-to-Scout plan, following the year-round calendar provided on this Web site.

Use the Second-Year Webelos Scout Tracking form to collect information on each second-year Webelos Scout. The information will be invaluable as the year-round plan is implemented. The form helps track the Webelos Scouts' progress toward becoming Boy Scouts.

Lastly, ensure that the Scouts and their parents have a smooth transition from the Webelos den to the Boy Scout troop. Make the Scouts and their parents feel welcome and at ease in the new troop environment, and recruit parents of the new Boy Scouts to become assistant Scoutmasters and troop committee members.

The activities recommended in this plan will help stimulate youth interest in the Boy Scout program. Implementing the plan involves the active involvement of adult and youth leaders of the Boy Scout troop as well as the leadership of the Cub Scout pack.

For more information on graduating Webelos Scouts into a troop, see the Webelos-to-Scout Transition DVD and brochure, No. AV-02V012.

For more information about joining Scouting, see http://www.thescoutzone.org.

Get names, addresses, and telephone numbers of second-year Webelos Scouts. Record the information on the Webelos Scout Tracking form.

Plan a joint Boy Scout troop/Webelos den camping trip for October.

Plan a program of upcoming events to present at a Webelos den meeting visit in November.

Select a den chief for each Webelos den.

Mail a letter of introduction from the Boy Scout troop to second-year Webelos Scouts to introduce them to the troop.

Put second-year Webelos Scouts on the mailing list to receive the troop newsletter.

Continue planning the joint camping trip for October.

Conduct the joint camping trip with the Webelos den.

Attend a Webelos den meeting to teach the Webelos Scouts how the Boy Scout troop works.

Have den chiefs attend a local council or district training course.

Set a date for Webelos Scouts and their parents to visit a Boy Scout troop meeting in January.

If desired, send a small holiday gift to each Webelos Scout.

Host Webelos Scouts and their parents at a Boy Scout troop meeting.

Plan a bridging ceremony for the blue and gold banquet in February to welcome graduating Webelos Scouts to their new troop.

Attend a meeting of first-year Webelos Scouts to introduce them to Boy Scouting.

Hold the bridging ceremony at the blue and gold banquet.

Get new Scouts actively involved with the troop through troop activities.

Recruit parents of new Scouts to become assistant Scoutmasters or troop committee members.

Plan a troop activity for new Scouts to get them involved with their new troop.

Conduct summer camp orientation to encourage troop involvement.

Attend a meeting of Bear Cub Scouts to introduce them to Boy Scouting.

Sponsor a troop activity for the new Scouts.

Work closely with new Scouts and parents during their transition to the Boy Scout troop, ensuring their needs are met and that their move has been natural and fun.

Work on rank advancement with new Scouts.

Ensure that all new Scouts attend summer camp.

Work closely with new Scouts and parents during their transition to the Boy Scout troop, ensuring their needs are met and that their move has been natural and fun.

Work on rank advancement with new Scouts.