WEBELOSCEREMONIESArrow Of Light, Bridging or Crossover and Webelos Transition Into Boys Scouts

The Role of Ceremonies• Ceremonies are an important part of society and help us

make certain events special and memorable. Ceremonies are a key part of scouting and play an important role in acknowledging and recognizing the boys’ achievements.

• Webelos participate in two important Cub Scout ceremonies – the Arrow of Light ceremony and the Bridging or Crossover ceremony.

Arrow of Light Rank • Arrow of Light rank is the highest rank a Cub Scout can earn.

The Arrow of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouts – like the Eagle in Boy Scouts. The Arrow of Light is its own rank and award, marking a milestone in the Cub Scout’s growth. Earning the Arrow of Light rank prepares them to become Boy Scouts. The award is a significant step in the Scouting experience – so significant that it is one of two badges that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.

BridgingBridging is an event, a celebration of a Cub Scout’s transition into Boy Scouts and a way for the pack to make this transition memorable. Kind of like a graduation. Most non LDS packs combine these two ceremonies and hold a large event towards the end of the school year, since non LDS Cub Scouts use the school year and not birthdays to move cubs to the troop.

Challenges LDS Packs Face Holding Arrow of Light Ceremony & Bridging

One of the unique challenges LDS packs face is boys completing their AOL rank and leaving the pack at different times throughout the year. A lot of times AOL ceremonies are combined with a Webelos Bridging Ceremony and boys who have already transitioned into the troop often don’t have much interest in coming back to cross over especially if they have received their AOL award at a previous pack meeting.

Webelos scouts transition into the troop can be confusing when it is not recognized. One week they are meeting with their pack and the next with the troop.

How To Make Sure Both Ceremonies Are A Memorable Event• AOL can be held as a quarterly event and combined with

other packsAdvantages: - can make the ceremony focus on the AOL rank only- able to make the event stand out- able to plan ahead and prepare for the event - Better chance of having Order of Arrow conduct the ceremony

• Bridging can be done as part of a monthly pack meeting program

Advantages:- bridging will be more meaningful and memorable when held at the last pack meeting

the Webelos scout will attend- the ceremony is short and can be easily done for just 1 scout- allows the other Cub Scouts and leaders to formally say good bye to the transitioning

Webelos scout and makes the transition less confusing

AOL Ceremony & Order of The Arrow

A pack can choose to devise and come up with their own or have the Order of Arrow conduct the ceremony. The Order of the Arrow is a chapter of Boy Scouts in your district who spend their time serving the community. Each member has been nominated by their home unit to serve in the Order of the Arrow because of their zeal for scouting. The Order of the Arrow is run as an ideal Boy Scout unit ought to be - Scout-led with adult supervision.

AOL Ceremony & Order of The Arrow• Traditionally, the OA focuses on Native American-type

ceremonies. The ceremonies are very respectful, tasteful, and entertaining. The highlight of the ceremony is when the cubs receive their career arrows – which is a simple arrow with strips of colorful thread or vinyl that represent a boy’s advancement through the Cub Scout program. As part of the ceremony the Great Chief determines whether an arrow is worthy or not. It is a tradition to supply an extra arrow for the Chief to declare unworthy and with great theatrics break it in half and throw it away.

Hosting a Successful AOL ceremony

AOL is a wonderful and awe inspiring ceremony for the scouts. It is worth taking the time and effort!

Tips• Plan ahead! The best time to plan ahead for AOL ceremonies are at your yearly planning meeting. When setting the dates, consider the birthdates of aging out Webelos and plan the ceremonies around it. This will allow Webelos leaders and parents to prepare as well and make sure that all the boys will earn their AOL rank by the date. • Communicate clearlyMake sure all who are involved know exactly what to expect. Be clear when it comes to assignments. Never assume that someone will just know what they are supposed to do. That includes other leaders, parents and even the scouts! Make sure you communicate with the OA and they know exactly what your plans are.

• Prepare & PracticeA scout is prepared. Do your best to prepare but know that unexpected things will pop up, things will go wrong - just be flexible. To reduce the chances of things going wrong, practice!

• Be Flexible Sometimes you have to revise the program right then and there, don’t worry about it. If you have to forgo closing flag ceremony,then do so and don’t make a big deal over it. Just keep the program moving forward. Above all, enjoy it! The scouts will too!

Hosting a well attended and organized AOL ceremony makes the event even more memorable and enjoyable and not just for the boys but for the adults as well.

How To Request an AOL Ceremony

To contact your local OA chapter, simply go to SHAC. ORG and choose your district from the list. Then on your district home page, click on the OA chapter tab and select request an Arrow of Light Ceremony. Fill out a simple online form and submit it. You should request the ceremony at least 6 weeks ahead and it is wise to have a back up date in case the first one doesn’t work out. If you have not heard back from the OA representative in a week or so, send a quick e-mail to check. You will find the contact info on the AOL ceremony request page.

Be courteous and respectful of the OA members’ time and make sure to cancel or reschedule a ceremony if needed well in advance. The OA members often skip other fun activities they get invited to in order to serve at an AOL ceremony.

Making The Career Arrows• Paintyou can use acrylic paint and a paintbrush.Painter’s tape is helpful to make straight lines.

• Embroidery flosswrap the floss around the arrow shaft and secure it with Superglue or double sided tape. A tedious but looksamazing.Practice wrapping and gluing on a piece of dowel first.

• Self adhesive vinylsimply cut strips from vinyl

Whichever method is being used, give parents enough time to make these. At least 6 weeks.

Inside or Outside Ceremony• OutsideSome things to consider:- You can have a campfire which makes it more fun and special- S’mores!- Bad weather calls for being flexible, might have to change locations on short notice

• InsideSome things to consider:- Location might be easier to reserve- Bathrooms- Easier to set up- Not quiet as fun or memorable

Tip: go out of your way to decorate with a fake campfire and plants

Bridging & Transitioning Into The TroopCrossover or bridging is another significant event for a Cub

Scout.

Bridging marks the completion of the Cub Scout’s journey and starting their Boy Scout journey. While a bridging ceremony is about saying good bye, LDS packs –again-have a unique challenge when it comes to bridging Webelos scouts. Our Cubs also simply attend Cubs one week and after they turn 11 they simply start attending 11 year old scout meetings with new leaders.

Challenges• This can be a confusing time not just for the scouts but

also for the parents – especially if the scout is their oldest.

• Often there is not much communication or information is given from the Scoutmaster to the youth and parents about the troop

• While both the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs are based on the same values and use the Scout Oath and Law, there are many differences.

• Prepares parents and the boys for the troop

• Makes the event a milestone for the scout and an important experience as part of growing up

The bridging ceremony provides a great opportunity to not only create lasting memories, mark the transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts as a significant event and a way for the pack top say good bye to a friend, but to meet the new Scout leaders in a comfortable environment, even if those

leaders are already well known to the scouts.

Why Is It Important To Have A Bridging Ceremony At The Right Time

A Couple Tips For Bridging• Bridging ceremonies usually involve a bridge for the Webelos to walk

across to symbolize their transition into Boy Scouts. You really don’t need a fancy bridge. We have been using a board and 2 bricks. Simple but effective.

• At the end of the ceremony, we give our Webelos and their parents a binder full of useful information and a few things to help make the transition into the troop less confusing.

(We include the following: blue cards, merit badge counselor list, Eagle required merit badge list, BSA health forms, packing list for campouts, tips for the parents, basic info on the troop meeting times and uniform requirements, basic information on how the troop is different from cubs)