Somewhere in the journey from little kid to young adult, Scouting becomes less “Do Your Best” and more be “Prepared for Life.” And a Scout leader’s job in preparing Cub Scouts for the jump to Scouts BSA is proof of that.
In a perfect world, every Cub Scout’s journey leads them toward becoming a member of a Scouts BSA troop. In fact, most Scouts BSA members begin their Scouting experience in Cub Scouts, so helping Arrow of Light (AOL) Scouts make that leap with confidence and preparation is critical.
In a recent #CubChatLive, Tamara Christensen, chair of the National Cub Scout Committee, and Angelique Minett, chair of the National Scouts BSA Committee, shared insights on making this transition successful.
How the Arrow of Light rank prepares Scouts for big adventures
The AOL Adventures are designed to bridge Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA. The initial Adventure in the rank introduces Scouts to the patrol method and gets them visiting troops.
As Minett explained, “(Troops) are all a little bit different. And it’s really important that you understand you have lots of options to go visit. That’s what the Arrow of Light year is for. It’s for visiting those different troops.”
Other AOL Adventures are focused on getting Scouts ready for the older youth program, too. Outdoor Adventures encourage teamwork and independence. Fitness and citizenship help Scouts learn progress tracking and service project planning. This is all key to the Scouts BSA experience.
Remember, though AOL Scouts are preparing for the leap into Scouts BSA, they don’t earn the Scout rank until they officially join a troop.
Connecting packs and troops
So you’re leading an AOL den? Now is the time to start connecting with troops. Plan crossover events, cohost outdoor activities and invite troop members to teach Scout skills at your pack and den meetings. These collaborations help families feel comfortable with the structure of older-youth Scout units (don’t forget, your Cub Scouts are about to move into a youth-led program) and excited about what’s ahead.
AOL leaders can further set families up for success by asking troops about camp and fundraising plans to see what might be on the horizon for the year ahead. Getting families to envision themselves as part of a troop helps ensure Scouts are retained as they age into the Scouts BSA program.
Now let’s talk to some more experts. That’s you, readers.
How do you help ready your AOLs for Scouts BSA? Sound off in the comments, and share your best tips for preparing youth for their next great achievements.
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