Parent’s Handbook

Den 3 Sr. Webelos

Howlers

Updated 11/28/09

Webelos to Scout Transition

We have set up some troop visits and activities for your Scout to learn about the different troops in our area. Each troop will provide information about the activities they offer during the year, provide some stats (number of boys, number of Eagle Scouts, meeting dates, etc.) and generally try to give you a feel for their philosophy/culture. By visiting at least 2-3 troops, your Scout will get a perspective as to which troop will be the best fit for him. These also satisfy some of the requirements for the Arrow of Light award. Here are some important dates:

• Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - Troop 849 visit at El Segundo Driving Museum
• Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - Troop 860 visit at Hermosa Beach Rotary building
• Saturday, January 9, 2010 - Troop 860 Griffith Park Hike
• Saturday-Sunday, January 23-24, 2010 - Troop 849 rocket hike overnighter
• Troop 773 - TBD

Our den calandar is here.

Arrow of Light

Most boys are very close to completing all of the requirements for their Arrow of Light. This is the highest award within Cub Scouting.

Please be sure your Scout is learning the Scout promise, law, motto and slogan. He must be able to repeat these from memory and explain what they mean and how he is practicing them in everyday life. These are on pages 54 to 59 of the Webelos handbook.

Activity Badge Information

If you have any questions regarding your Scout’s status of various activity badges, or Arrow of Light, please ask Joanne or myself.

If you Scout completed any activity badge requirements at home, please have him talk with Joanne or myself to get him signed off. He should bring in his projects, charts and other items he completed for the badge to share with the Den and Den leaders.

General Webelos Guidance

Similar to merit badges earned in Boy Scouts, Activity Badges help contribute to your Son's advancement within Webelos. As part of the parent meeting, we will go over some of the specifics as to how the Webelos program works.  In the meantime, here is some initial guidance:

• The Webelos Scout, has badge requirements signed off by a den leader or badge counselor (an adult who may lead a group or all of the boys in completing a particular activity badge). In some instances, the parent will be the badge counselor.
   
• Before working on any activity badges (at home or with the Den), please be sure to have you and your son read portion of the Webelos Handbook that includes the pages following the requirements list for that badge. All the information, including specific activities to complete the badge, are contained in those pages.
   
• For projects done at home, please try to keep any projects items (i.e. worksheet showing meal plans for a week as part of the Fitness badge requirements).  These can be presented at a den meeting as part of sharing with the other Den members. Also, if it helps, a journal can help keep track of some of the activities completed to help remind the boys what they can share.
   
• Boys are encouraged to obtain the Religious Emblem of your faith
   

Camping Basics

Coleman webpage for discount pricing is here.

At the October 15 meeting, I handed out a sheet with some camping basics. Please take the time to review each of the areas on the sheet with your Scout. He should know these and practice these on every Scout outing he attends.

• Frontcountry guidelines for the Leave No Trace Award. Boys should remember, understand and practice the following principles as part of earning the LNT award. “I promise to apply the Leave No Trace frontcountry principles wherever I go”:
• Plan ahead
• Stick to trails
• Manage your pet
• Leave what you find
• Respect for visitors
• Trash your trash
   
• Learn about the 10 essential items you need for a campout. Assemble your own kit of essential items. Explain why each item is “essential.”

  First aid kit Filled water bottle Flashlight Trailfood Sunscreen

  Whistle Map and compass Rain gear Pocket knife Matches or fire starters

• Follow the buddy system. Explain how the buddy system works and why it is important to you to follow it. Tell what to do if you are lost.
• Everyone has a buddy
• Your buddy goes everywhere with you and you go everywhere with him.
• Know where your buddy is at all times.
• The buddy system is important. If you get hurt or lost, your buddy will be able to help you. Two people can often solve a problem better than one

Questions?

Contact me at den3@pack759.org

or by cell: 310-850-5076

or at home: 310-798-2070