Webelos Woods Weekend September 25-27, 2015 BSA Camp Gustin Chariots Of The Fire Webelos! Are you excited to become a Boy Scout? Do you want to get a jump on some Boy Scout skills, meet the troops in your area and build something fun with your den, all while completing some of the objectives you need for your rank? Boy Scouts! We need to transform Camp Gustin into an obstacle course for our Chariots that will need to transport Scouts, firewood, and a flame to our grand fire pit. Are you up for the challenge? If the answer is YES!, then we have the program for you! Come join us at Webelos Woods Weekend at Camp Gustin, Friday September 25 th through Sunday, September 27 th. You will form a Patrol with your den, and earn the materials you need during the morning to build a wooden chariot by completing challenges and learning gladiator skills. After lunch, you will work with your Patrol and the Boy Scouts to build your chariot, while the Boy Scouts also work on an obstacle course for you to navigate. Your chariot must be pulled by at least 2 Webelos, carry at least 2 Webelos, and transport your Firewood AND your Fire through the course. Your fire will be a candle that must be attached to your chariot. If your flame blows out, you will have to stop immediately and get your flame re-ignited from one of our Guards. At the end of the course, your firewood and flame will be added to the Camp Bonfire, celebrating your success as a Patrol. Afterwards, Webelos and Boy Scouts will enjoy a dinner in their campsites, and create some entertainment for a campfire program. The success of Webelos Woods Weekend, and of the Webelos to Scout transition itself is dependent on the relationship of a Pack and a Troop. It is the hope of the Abnaki District that our Packs and Troops will work together before, during, and after WWW. The national conversion rate of Webelos to Scouts is 80%. Pine Tree Council has a lower retention rate, and Abnaki District has the lowest retention rate of the four districts. We can reverse the trend with a successful WWW program! To allow the Webelos and Scouts to fully participate in the program, the WWW committee will be seeking help from Scout leaders and Boy Scouts in each unit to run one of the skills challenges. The current plan is to have 6 challenges lasting 25 minutes each, covering the 3-hour morning period. Leaders should provide instruction to the scouts, but remain hands-off as much as possible to maximize learning and sharing. Cooking and camping are very important parts of any Scouting program, and the schedule is designed to provide ample time for Webelos and Boy Scouts to enjoy what Scouting has to offer. Scouts should learn how to properly plan and prepare their own meals, clean up after themselves, and take care of their campsites. Points will be awarded during campsite inspections on Saturday afternoon, based on standard Scouting camping criteria, which will be provided to leaders on Friday night. Ideally, Webelos leaders and Scout leaders should communicate prior to WWW to share in meal planning, so that both units operate as one.
Friday, September 25 th : Schedule of Events 5:00 pm 7:00 pm: Arrive & Set Up Camp 7:00pm 8:00pm: 8:00pm 8:30pm: 8:30pm 9:00pm: 9:00pm: Dinner in Campsites with Webelos & Scouts together Senior Patrol Leaders, Cubmasters, and Scoutmasters cracker barrel at the Pavilion. Instructions for the day will be handed out. Webelos and Boy Scouts join in their own cracker barrel and campfire in sites. SPL s return to their units and share plans with their Webelos & Scouts Taps Saturday, September 26 th : 6:45am 7:00am 8:00am 8:15am 8:30am 8:30am 11:30am 11:30am 1:00pm 1:00pm 3:30pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:00pm 5:30pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 6:45pm 7:00pm 7:00pm 8:30pm 8:30pm 9:00pm 9:00pm Reveille (Sunrise 6:32am) Breakfast in Campsites Opening Flags & Instructions Challenges & Skills Lunch in Campsites Webelos Chariot Assembly Chariot Inspection & Testing Chariot Races Closing Flags (Sunset 6:32pm) Dinner in Campsites, Skit/Song Preparation Scout s Own Service on the parade field Campfire Program Retire to Campsites Taps Sunday, September 27 th
7:00am Reveille, Breakfast in Campsites, Leave whenever ready
Event Descriptions The primary goal of Webelos Woods Weekend is to provide Webelos, leaders, and parents a chance to work with their Boy Scout brothers in preparation for their Crossover and the exciting new world of Boy Scouts. As such, the Webelos should work as a Boy Scout Patrol, electing a Patrol Leader, and completing the challenges as a Patrol. For Boy Scouts, this is a great opportunity to build relationships with the Scouts that will soon be part of your Troop. Your investment in the Webelos now will pay off for your troop in the upcoming year with a stronger troop, ready and eager to fully participate in everything that Scouting has to offer. The success of the weekend is also dependent on Boy Scouts to show off your cooking and camping skills, build the obstacle course, and help with the skill stations. A weekend at Camp Gustin is always fun. Prior to Camp: Webelos Leaders & Troop Leaders meet to discuss logistics of camping together, confirm headcounts and proper leadership. A parent or guardian of a Webelos scout must be in attendance, as Webelos Scouts still require adult supervision. It is also a great chance for Webelos parents to see how the Boy Scouts operate differently from Cub Scouting. Friday Evening: Arrive and set up camp. Units will be assigned to their traditional campsites at Gustin. For units that do not have a traditional site, please contact Tony Bessey for an assignment. The Webelos will elect a Patrol Leader, who will attend the Leader cracker barrel meeting at the Pavilion with his Webelos den leader, Boy Scout Senior Patrol Leader, and Scoutmaster to receive instructions for Saturday. Each Boy Scout troop will be assigned a station to manage for Saturday morning. The Webelos Patrol Leader and SPL will return to their campsites and relay the information to their Scouts, while enjoying fellowship with each other around their campfires. Saturday Morning: Each Webelos Patrol will be given a list of materials they need to acquire by visiting different stations throughout Camp Gustin and completing the challenges. Each challenge station will focus on a skill necessary for constructing your chariot or something Scouting related (see Webelos Advancement Opportunities below). You can expect to use rope and knots in most challenges. Saturday Lunch: Enjoy lunch in your campsites, and review the completed chariot models to plan how your unit will construct it s own. Saturday Afternoon: Each unit will build its chariot on the parade field, such that all Scouts will get a chance to learn from each other and decide what works well. The goal of the chariot project is to learn some woodworking skills, teamwork, cooperation, and to have fun. Saturday Evening: Traditional Scout campfire program with songs, skits, and closing. Be sure to work on your ideas during your meal breaks.
Webelos Achievements that could be earned during Webelos Woods Weekend, with the proper planning of each Webelos Den and/or Boy Scout Unit and participation throughout the weekend: Webelos Adventure: Cast Iron Chef 1. At an approved time in an outdoor location and using tinder, kindling, and fuel wood, demonstrate how to build a fire; light the fire, unless prohibited by local fire restrictions. After allowing the flames to burn safely, safely extinguish the flames with minimal impact to the fire site. 3. Plan a menu for a balanced meal for your den or family. Determine the budget for the meal. Shop for the items on your menu while staying within your budget. 4. Prepare a balanced meal for your den or family; utilize one of the methods below for preparation of part of your meal: a. Camp stove b. Dutch oven c. Box oven d. Solar oven e. Open campfire or charcoal 5. Demonstrate an understanding of food safety practices while preparing the meal. Webelos Adventure: Stronger, Faster, Higher 2. Do these activities and record your results: a. 20-yard dash b. Vertical jump c. Lifting a 5-pound weight d. Push-ups e. Curls f. Jumping rope Arrow of Light Adventure: Camper 1. With the help of your den leader or family, plan and conduct a campout. If your chartered organization does not permit Cub Scout camping, you may substitute a family campout or a daylong outdoor activity with your den or pack. 2. On arrival at the campout, with your den and den leader or family, determine where to set up your tent. Demonstrate knowledge of what makes a good tent site and what makes a bad one. Set up your tent without help from an adult. 3. Once your tents are set up, discuss with your den what actions you should take in the case of the following extreme weather events which could require you to evacuate: a. Severe rainstorm causing flooding b. Severe thunderstorm with lightning or tornadoes c. Fire, earthquake, or other disaster that will require evacuation. Discuss what you have done to minimize as much danger as possible. 5. Show how to tie a bowline. Explain when this knot should be used and why.
Arrow of Light Adventure: Scouting Adventure 4. With your Webelos den leader, parent, or guardian, participate in a Boy Scout troop s campout or other outdoor activity. Use the patrol method while on the outing. 5. Do the following: a. Show how to tie a square knot, two half hitches, and a taut-line hitch. Explain how each knot is used. 6. Demonstrate your knowledge of the pocketknife safety rules and the pocketknife pledge. If you have not already done so, earn your Whittling Chip card. Webelos/AOL Elective Adventure: Build It 1. Learn about some basic tools and the proper use of each tool. Learn about and understand the need for safety when you work with tools. 2. With the guidance of your Webelos den leader, parent, or guardian, select a carpentry project and build it. 3. List the tools that you use safely as you build your project; create a list of materials needed to build your project. 4. Put a check mark next to the tools on your list that you used for the first time. Webelos/AOL Elective Adventure: Castaway 1A. With the help of an adult, demonstrate one way to light a fire without using matches. 1B. On a campout with your den or family, cook two different recipes that do not require pots and pans.