The Webelos to Boy Scout Transition | Katahdin Area Council

Commissioners > The Webelos to Boy Scout Transition

THE COMMISSIONER’S CORNER

Hey Scoutmasters - lets make them welcome! Can't Wait - By Norman Rockwell

Now is the time of year when a whole bunch of second year Webelos Scouts will either transition into a Boy Scout troop or will leave Scouting behind. One of the best methods of recruiting new Scouts for your troop is to ensure that each Webelos Scout receives a personal invitation to join the troop. It would be nice if the invite came from an older Scout. These boys should be given opportunities to interact with the troop so that they feel at home when the time comes for them to join the troop. After learning who these new Scouts are, a very meaningful crossover ceremony is in order. I read recently that the boys joining one troop are taken on a camp out directly after the cross over. This is a surprise to the boys but of course not a surprise to the parents. Our weather, this time of year, may not be ideal for camping but there are other memorable “big deal” activities that could be done for these new Scouts. Scoutmasters, if you do not have a feeder pack or you are not sure who the Webelos Scouts are in your area contact our Scout Executive, Gary Savignano, at the service center. He will be more than happy to help you in your recruiting efforts. He can tell you what boys dropped out of the program in prior years. Lets make sure that every boy in your area is extended an invitation to join the troop.

Until our trails cross again,

Steve Frost
Council Commissioner (2000)