Activity Badge Fairs

[WB Bear]

I was wondering if other areas are have Activity Badge Fairs for their Webelos, which are similar to the Boy Scout Merit Badge Fairs. Personally I believe they are taking away from what the Webelos should be doing in their den meetings.

[CommissionerTim]

The activity badge fairs, merit badge fairs or universities are NOT taking away from the boy's experiences in scouting. The fairs are similar to day camp or summer camp... it's to give the boy the opportunity to explore different activities, hobbies and careers, so when they are old enough to start thinking about what they want to do for a living, they can look back at what they have experienced while they were in scouts. YES the fairs do help the boys advance faster and gain more badges, than the boy who does not attend these fairs. The boy must fulfill a certain amount of requirements before he earns that rank. In cub scouts, a boy in 3rd grade is in the bear den, but if he chooses not to earn the rank of bear, he does not get rewarded the bear rank. Then when he moves up into 4th grade he will move up into webelos 1 den... In boy scouts, it is a bit harder for the boys to move up in rank... The school grading system is no longer used. The boy must meet certain requirements before he earns the next rank... period. A boy can start earning merit badges at the time he joins a troop, but the merit badge will not be applied to his rank advancement until he has earned his first class rank. The boy could earn all 21 merit badges before he earns his first class rank (extremely rare occation), but still has a participation requirement he must meet for each rank. In extremely rare occations, a boy can earn his eagle rank by the time the boy is 13 years old. It's NOT up to us leaders to regulate how fast or slow a boy should earn his badges... IT'S UP TO THE BOY!!! If he wants to earn as many badges as fast as he can... then let him do it. But if he just wants to have fun without doing the work, then you as a leader need to plan a program where the boy has fun and at the same time he meets his requirements without knowing it.

Scouting is about having fun and accidently earning the Eagle Rank!!!

[WB Bear]

My question was not about taking anything away from the boys having fun and advancing but more about what is taking place in their dens. It is so very important that a program is provided within the den and that is my concern. It is imperative in ensuring the boys receive the best possible Scouting experience that there is a solid program within the unit. IT IS UP TO US, THE LEADERS TO PROVIDE THE PROGRAM AND OPPORTUNITIES!! It starts at the den level.

[CommissionerTim]

My question was not about taking anything away from the boys having fun and advancing but more about what is taking place in their dens. It is so very important that a program is provided within the den and that is my concern. It is imperative in ensuring the boys receive the best possible Scouting experience that there is a solid program within the unit. IT IS UP TO US, THE LEADERS TO PROVIDE THE PROGRAM AND OPPORTUNITIES!! It starts at the den level.

Exactly!! And by doing that, the den leaders, cubmaster and committee members must have regular monthly leaders meetings and plan the program for a year in advance... Yes you read it correctly... A YEAR IN ADVANCE... with monthly meetings to iron out the details... research each rank requirements and then plan your program accordingly so that at each meeting the boys will be doing something that is required for his advancement... and don't forget to make it fun and exciting. Also, a den meeting is not about doing book work each week... the boy can do that at home with his parent(s). Den meetings is about having fun, and your job as a den leader is to make sure that happens and "accidently knockin out a couple requirements at the same time".

[Nuts4Scouts]

Also, a den meeting is not about doing book work each week... the boy can do that at home with his parent(s).

That is perfectly true for the Wolf & Bear levels. However, at the Webelos level the parents are no longer "Akelas", able to sign off on any & all work. The requirements for Webelos, unlike those for Wolf & Bear, are not supposed to be done primarily at home with the family.

At the Webelos level the boys should start to experience working with other adults. It is the Webelos den leader (or someone approved by the den leader) who is responsible for signing off on all requirements.

However, there is nothing in any BSA publication that states that all Webelos (or any other level for that matter) requirements should be done in den meetings only.

It is imperative in ensuring the boys receive the best possible Scouting experience that there is a solid program within the unit. IT IS UP TO US, THE LEADERS TO PROVIDE THE PROGRAM AND OPPORTUNITIES!!

Yes, there most certainly should be a solid program in both the den & Pack. That does not mean, however, that we must do everything ourselves! Use your resources! In any council, district and community there are lots of resources we, as leaders, can, & should, take advantage of. A Webelos Activity Badge Fair is an example of one of those resources.

Some others could be :
Council/District Webelos-ree
Council Webelos Resident Camp
Local high school science teachers
Quarries
Nature Centers
Power Companies
Sports programs the boys are already involved in
School programs
Local Theater Companies & high school theater classes
Local OA Lodge
EMS from local Fire Department
Museums
Hospitals
Park Districts
Area Boy Scout Troops
Federal & State Parks
Stores, Factories & Manufacturing Plants
Zoos
Botanic Gardens, Arboretums, Conservatories
Home Improvement stores
Lumber yards
Parents, Friends, Co-workers

Take your den on the road, invite folks in, use your resources! It will strengthen your den, not weaken it.

[fgoodwin]

One of the Packs in my district in Alamo Area Council hosts an activity badge workshop where they offer about a dozen or so of the 20 pins. It was very well attended last year, and I suspect the same this year.

I've heard many places offer "Belt-Loop-A-Loozas" in addition to MB fairs, so I suppose its only natural to extend the concept to Webelos activity pins.

I like the idea, as long as it doesn't become a crutch -- these fairs can offer resources that many WDLs, dens and packs simply don't have access to.

Fred Goodwin
former WDL

[cubbobwhite]

I don't like them, mainly because they take the focus away from the true reason for doing the activity badge - working together as a den to learn something.

Advancement is only one of the 7 methods and I think doing things like AB Fairs place too much emphasis on only one method.

[Cubmaster Chris]

I disagree-just because they earn badges doesn't necessarily make it all about earning the badge.
Our Pack has a day during the Summer where we invite the boys to earn Beltloops and work on rank achievements/Activity Badges. Most of the classes are taught by Boy Scouts from a local Troop. It gives the Cubs a chance to interact with Boy Scouts and also keep them involved in Scouting over the Summer.

[cubbobwhite]

I disagree-just because they earn badges doesn't necessarily make it all about earning the badge.
Our Pack has a day during the Summer where we invite the boys to earn Beltloops and work on rank achievements/Activity Badges. Most of the classes are taught by Boy Scouts from a local Troop. It gives the Cubs a chance to interact with Boy Scouts and also keep them involved in Scouting over the Summer.
I think you will find that your format is a rarity.

[WB Bear]

One of the Packs in my district in Alamo Area Council hosts an activity badge workshop where they offer about a dozen or so of the 20 pins. It was very well attended last year, and I suspect the same this year.

I've heard many places offer "Belt-Loop-A-Loozas" in addition to MB fairs, so I suppose its only natural to extend the concept to Webelos activity pins.

I like the idea, as long as it doesn't become a crutch -- these fairs can offer resources that many WDLs, dens and packs simply don't have access to.

Fred Goodwin
former WDL

Delivering of the Cub and Boy Scouts programs are completely different. As adult leaders we must recognize and adhere to the way the program is suppose to be presented. So extending a concept from Boy Scouting to Cubs is really not any kind of rational. I also don’t understand why a Webelos Den wouldn’t have the access to the resources to provide the Activity pins to their Dens? If there isn’t a parent in the den or pack that doesn’t have the knowledge to present the Activity to the boys pick up the phone. For example call the local EMS service or fire department and see if one of the EMT’s or paramedic would handle the Readyman, a nursery for the Forester and even some of the boy’s teachers from school might be able to help on several of the pins. You might be surprised to see how supportive the community can be.

[cubbobwhite]

In fact, the WDL, bringing in someone from the outside, is introducing the Boy Scout concept of a Merit Badge Counselor.

[Cubmaster Chris]

I think you will find that your format is a rarity.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing that it's a rarity?

[cubbobwhite]

Getting the Boy Scouts to work with the Webelos is not happening as much as I would like to see.

[Mr. Bob]

This is a little off the topic, but what about a beltloop University / Midway type of event. We are considering doing that this Spring with our boys and inviting packs from around the area. Has anyone ever done anything like this?