HOW THE TRANSITION PLAN HELPS THE BOY

Many Webelos Scouts will go on into Scouting with no help at all. But at least half of them need to know more about their opportunities for fun and adventure in the Scout troop. That's really the purpose of the Webelos-to-Scout transition plan:

• To give the Webelos Scout a sampling of the troop program, troop leadership, personal advancement, a training and learning experience and an appreciation of troop organization and relationships.

• It will be the boy's (and his family's) decision so we owe it to them to demonstrate some of the fun experiences and to let him know that he is wanted.

Certain key Scout Leaders are better able to show the Webelos Scouts the various elements of Scouting. So we need to include everyone, starting with the Webelos Scouts themselves. That makes the transition plan an unlimited opportunity.

• The boy's Webelos badge and Arrow of Light Award reach into the requirements bordering on Scouting skills, giving him a view of Scouting advancement.

  • He sees boy leadership at work and senses his own potential as a junior leader.

  • He becomes more confident and enthusiastic about the patrol method, a district camporee, about summer camp, and maybe even a national jamboree.

  • In short, the boy's desire for troop membership is the result of this gradual change in appetite for troop oriented activities.