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How Scouting Works: Year 2015

Council Pilot Roll-out

Art Anderson, Webelos Pilot ChairJoe Wiltrout, Deputy Scout ExecutiveNicole Christianson, Webelos Pilot Advisor

Year 2015 – The Goal

Improved Retention!

The approach: Addressing barriers within our units– Reduce obstacles for youth – make it easy and fun– Coordinated programs – supportive vs. competing– Advancement flows between programs, no start and stops– Shared leadership with parent involvement– Unit Commissioner support

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Year 2015 – Webelos Program

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Positive

• New challenges and opportunities at a younger age

• Achieve Arrow of Light Badge within the one year framework

• Reduce duplication

– Arrow of Light and Scout rank have many overlapping requirements

• Cub Scouts that want to advance are not held back

• Advancement is a consistent flowing process

• More seasoned campers (at summer camp)

Year 2015 – Webelos Program

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Positive

• Transition to the Boy Scouts earlier thus increasing retention

• Seamless transition- Reduce or eliminate decision – Am I moving on?

• Increase transition to more scouting adventures

• Den Leaders transition with Webelos to become the New Boy Patrol

Assistant Scoutmasters

• Retain Webelos Leaders by training them as Assistant Scoutmasters

• Den Chiefs transition with the New Boy Patrol and become Patrol

Leaders

Year 2015 – Webelos Program

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Frequently asked questions: • Why would the Boy Scouts even consider such a change?

– One year Webelos program was used until 1986

• How do the boys benefit?– More troop involvement as a Cub Scout will help encourage them to

join the troop. – Successful completion of the Summit Award will come naturally

• The pack and troop must work together to ensure that all Webelos transitioning into a troop have the opportunity to enjoy the complete Scouting adventure to earn this award.

Year 2015 – Webelos Program

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Frequently asked questions: •How do the parents benefit?

– Scouts are more engaged– Scouts are excited about experiencing new challenges and

opportunities– Parents join troop sooner (more hands off than pack involvement)

•How does the Council benefit?– Retain more Scouts – Increases the interest of youth in Scouting.

MUSTANG DISTRICT PILOT

David Cousins, District Commissioner

Heidi Groven, Assistant District Commissioner

Year 2015 – Webelos II Program

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New Webelos II Timeline:• April/May 2014 – Complete Webelos Badge; begin working on Arrow of Light

• Summer 2014- Attend District Badge Activities & Navajo Webelos Camp

• September 2014- Become a member of New Boy Patrol at Troop

– Focus on basic Scout skills and complete Arrow of Light (as needed)

• Fall Attend District Webelos Woods/Camporee with the Troop

• November 2014– Receive Arrow of Light at District Cross Over with pack and register with the Troop

• December 2014– Receive Scout Badge and continue work on to Tenderfoot

• January 2015 – Join Boy Scout Troop

Year 2015 – Webelos I Program

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New Webelos I Timeline:• Sept/Dec 2014 – complete Webelos Badge requirements

• Feb//May 2015 – begin working on Arrow of Light

• Summer 2015- Attend District Badge Activities & Webelos Camp

• September 2015- Become a member of New Boy Patrol at Troop

– Focus on basic Scout skills and complete Arrow of Light (as needed)

• Fall Attend District Webelos Woods/Camporee with the Troop

• November 2015– Receive Arrow of Light at District Cross Over with pack and register with the Troop

• December 2015– Receive Scout Badge and continue work on to Tenderfoot

Year 2015 Webelos I draft Program

Sept: (Intro) 3,4,5,6, Law and Den Chief

October:*

November:*

December: #8 Faith & Service Project

January:

Feb:**

March:

April:**

May: Family Camp

Webelos Camp and on to Troop

Year 2015 Webelos I draft Program (continued)

SUMMER:

AOL Badges

Belt loops, pins

Den camping

Webelos Camp

FALL:New Boy Patrol Focus: AOL Requirements Cooking Hiking / Biking Games/Skits/Songs

District Camporee

AOL District Crossover Ceremony

Pack and Troop Action Steps:

Decide to Participate

Sign MOU

Attend/Provide District AOL Activity

Attend Navajo Camp

Train Leaders/Troop Guides

Do/Develop Troop Meeting Activities

Fall Camporee

AOL District Cross Over Ceremony

2014 - 2015 – Webelos II Implementation Handout

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Packs: – Decide on participating– Determine which troop(s) to join– Let Commissioner know. Sign MOU– Start AOL requirements and Summit Award– Attend district Activity Badge sessions – Sign youth up for Navajo camp– Den Leader takes ASM Training– Take Webelos II scouts to Troop meeting / family event?– Plan District AOL Ceremony and Crossover

2014 - 2015 – Webelos II Implementation Handout

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Troops: – Decide on participating– Let Commissioner know / sign MOU– Assign Troop Guide and ASM for New Boy Patrol– Lead District AOL Activity Badges– Select age appropriate activities for Troop meetings and events– Mentor New Boys at fall Camporee/Webelos Woods– Attend District AOL Ceremony and Crossover– January: Start Path to First Class requirements

Year 2015 – DRAFT District MOU

District Agreement:

• Support units in offering a program of excellence that enhances opportunities and offers new challenges to Webelos Scouts.

•Designate a unit commissioner to participating units

• Communicate commissioner findings with the council

Year 2015 – Draft Pack/Troop MOU

- Provide a program of excellence that enhances opportunities and offers new challenges to Webelos Scouts.

- Have at least one leader attend pilot training

- Communicate information monthly: Times the Webelos patrol met with the troop Troop activities patrols participated Scouts still active/number of Scouts transitioned

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WEBELOS TRANSITION PILOT

For More Information Contact the Following

Webelos Transition Pilot Staff Advisor:Nicole Christianson <nchristianson@northernstarbsa.org>

District Webelos Transition Coordinator: TBD