What you need to know about Webelos, Arrow of Light and Scouts BSA camping

For my money, fall is the absolute best time to go camping.

Whether fall temperatures have already arrived in your region or even if they’re still a couple months away, now seems like a good time to review what you need to know about Webelos, Arrow of Light and Scouts BSA camping.

The latest Cub Scout program updates have been in effect for a few months now, and one of the most notable changes is the separation of fourth and fifth graders.

To review: Until recently, the term “Webelos” included Cub Scouts in both fourth and fifth grades, though fifth graders were also known as Arrow of Light and could meet separately. (If we’re being honest, it was kind of confusing.)

Because they were in the same den, all Webelos Cub Scouts (fourth and fifth graders) were allowed to attend the same kinds of camping events.

Now, the distinction has been made clear: Webelos Cub Scouts are fourth graders, and Arrow of Light Cub Scouts are fifth graders — two separate dens. The programs are now separate, as are the camping guidelines for each age group.

Here’s what you need to know.

Webelos (fourth grade) is the first year that Cub Scouts can go camping as a den

Cub Scouts in Lion dens (kindergarten), Tiger dens (first grade), Wolf dens (second grade) and Bear dens (third grade) participate in family camping as a pack at council-approved locations with their BALOO-trained leader. They can also participate in Cub Scout camping events organized by their district or council.

Webelos Cub Scouts can participate in pack camping events as well, but it’s also the first year they can go camping as a den (with a BALOO-trained leader) without the rest of the pack and with or without every parent, as long as two-deep leadership is present.

The idea is to give these fourth graders additional camping opportunities, along with a little more responsibility in the outdoors, which we know builds both confidence and character.

Arrow of Light (fifth grade) is the first year that Cub Scouts can camp at a Scouts BSA event

Arrow of Light Cub Scouts can participate in a pack family campout, and they can also go camping as a den.

Because the updated Arrow of Light program is a preparatory program for Scouts BSA, it also offers the opportunity to participate in overnight Scouts BSA events. This could be a Scouts BSA unit campout, or a Scouts BSA camporee with multiple units.

No matter the type of Scouts BSA event, the Arrow of Light den still must abide by Arrow of Light camping rules, including having a BALOO-trained leader.

The Arrow of Light Outdoor Adventure

The Arrow of Light Outdoor Adventure is the first Cub Scout Adventure that requires Cub Scouts to “plan and participate in a campout.” This campout can be conducted as a den or with a Scouts BSA troop. BALOO training is mandatory.

If you’re a Scouts BSA troop, camping with an Arrow of Light den is a great opportunity to provide some leadership and mentorship to young Scouts, not to mention an excellent recruiting tool.

All of the Arrow of Light activities must fall within Scouting America’s age-appropriate guidelines for Arrow of Light Scouts. In other words, just because they’re at a Scouts BSA campout doesn’t mean they can participate in Scouts BSA activities that are off-limits to Arrow of Light Scouts.

Arrow of Light Cub Scouts can also complete this adventure by attending a Scouts BSA camporee. All Arrow of Light camping policies would still apply.

More on camporees …

I’m using the term camporee to describe any local gathering of Scouting units for common activities and overnight camping. Your council may host a such events — with names like Webelos Woods or Webelos Adventure Weekend — with programming specifically for Webelos and Arrow of Light dens.

Webelos and Arrow of Light dens can (and should!) attend events like these, since the programming is designed for Webelos and Arrow of Light Scouts.

Webelos Cub Scouts cannot, however, attend a Scouts BSA camporee or camp with a Scouts BSA unit. Those experiences are reserved for Arrow of Light Scouts.

Scouts BSA members can volunteer at Webelos and Arrow of Light camporees. It’s a great way to get service hours and provide leadership. All of the activities at such events should be tailored to Webelos and Arrow of Light Cub Scouts.

Scouts BSA members can also volunteer at a Scouts BSA-focused camporee and invite Arrow of Light Scouts to attend. Webelos Cub Scouts would not attend such an event.

Learn more at Scouting America’s camping guidelines page, the Guide to Safe Scouting and the age-appropriate activities guidelines.

What about being a registered adult member? When does the Cub Scout overnight exception apply?

All of the scenarios mentioned above — family camping, den camping, camporees, Arrow of Light dens camping at Scouts BSA events — offer what’s called the Cub Scout overnight exception for adult registration.

Cub Scout parents or legal guardians taking part in an overnight Cub Scout program with their own child or legal ward are not required to register as leaders. All adults must review the How to Protect your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide that can be found in the front of each Cub Scout Handbook.

In addition, the parent or legal guardian must be accompanied by a registered leader any time they are with youth members other than their own child or ward. All other overnight adults must be currently registered in an adult fee required position.

Photo from Scouting America files