The October 2009 Cubcast from BSA National is available (free).

Part 1 has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the November “Cub Scout Salute” theme.

Part 2 has information on Webelos-to-Scout Transition and MyScouting.

Part 1 mp3 file

Part 2 mp3 file

[Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net]

A recent advisory from BSA National warns that any ceremonies (e.g., some Webelos graduation ceremonies) that involve a flaming neckerchief are prohibited.

As stated in the Guide to Safe Scouting and elsewhere:  “The use of liquid fuels for starting any type of fire is prohibited.”

Link [Photo: Wikimedia.org]

If your pack is like mine in presenting a new Boy Scout Handbook to the fifth-grade Webelos Scouts at your pack graduation ceremony, you will have a pretty cool-looking book to give them in 2010.

This is the cover of the upcoming Centennial (12th) Edition of the Boy Scout Handbook (designed by enventys).

Link [Via Boyandgirlscouts.com]

The January 2009 Cubcast from BSA National is available (free). It has ideas for den meetings and more utilizing the February “American ABC’s” theme.

The program also has a number of suggestions on having an effective Webelos Transition.

Link [Photo: Wikipedia]

As of today, here are the results of the October 15 poll asking “What month in 2009 will your pack graduate your 5th grade Webelos Scouts?” 

About 75% of the respondents said their 2009 5th grader graduation will be in February or March.

Thanks to everyone who voted.

“The Cub Scout Cycle” (#13027A) is a helpful chart from BSA that shows the recommended beginning and ending points of each level of the Cub Scout program.

Tigers (first graders), Wolfs (second graders), and Bears (third graders) each begin their respective program years on June 1st.

First-year Webelos Scouts (fourth graders) also begin on June 1st. They become second-year Webelos Scouts (fifth graders) the following June.

Second-year Webelos Scouts should graduate from the Cub Scout pack in February and begin meeting with their new Boy Scout troop in March.

The Cycle chart can be downloaded via the link below.

Link

BSA National has recommendations at its website on facilitating the transition from Webelos to Boy Scouts. It has information on the respective roles of the Cub Scout Pack, the Boy Scout Troop, the unit commissioner, and the district Webelos transition chair in helping fifth graders make a successful transition from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts.

Link

If your Webelos program goes dormant for the summer, that is three months’ worth of missed opportunities to keep your boys excited about scouting. Summer is a great time for hiking, outdoor games, Cub Scout day camp, Cub Scout resident camp, and lots of other cool activities.

Summer is when boys have the most free time, and it is when they need scouting the most.

If you keep doing cool Webelos stuff during the summer, you improve your Webelos scouts’ chances of having a successful transition into Boy Scouts.

Hiking and the outdoors are a big part of Boy Scouts. Doing regular hikes of at least two miles is not only lots of fun for your Webelos scouts, it helps them be better prepared for the exciting outdoor adventures they will have in Boy Scouts.