EARNING THE WEBELOS ACTIVITY BADGES and THE COMPASS BADGE

There are 20 activity badges. They are an integral part of the Webelos den program. They provide exciting activities for den meetings and suggest outside activities that will break up the routine of regular indoor meetings. Activity badges are part of the requirements for earning the Webelos badge and the Arrow of Light Award. But, most of all, they help accomplish the purposes of Cub Scouting.

The Webelos den meeting program will usually feature one activity badge each month. The boys receive instruction, practice what they have been taught, and take part in games or contests using the skills. In some cases they actually pass the badge requirements. Once the skill is learned by the boy, he practices it at den meetings and at home on his own. The boy's family should be encouraged to help him at home. All work or experiments are done or brought to meetings to show others. This encourages a boy to do his best and gives the uncertain boys an idea of what is required. Essays, notebooks, drawings, and other written work are turned in to the Webelos den leader for approval. If the requirement says for a boy to "tell," he should do that at a den meeting.

Activity badges offer a good opportunity to spice up Webelos den meetings. They provide opportunities for exhibits and demonstrations at pack meetings. And they might create an interest that will lead to a hobby or career in later life.

Webelos wear pins representing the earned achievements on their Webelos cap or on the Webelos "colors". It does not matter which pin goes on which ribbon.

The activity badges are in five groups of four badges each.

The groups are:

Physical skills
Aquanaut
Athlete
Fitness
Sportsman

Mental skills
Artist
Scholar
Showman
Traveler

Community
Citizen
Communicator
Family Member
Readyman

Technology
Craftsman
Engineer
Handyman
Scientist

Outdoor
Forester
Geologist
Naturalist
Outdoorsman

The Compass badge
 

Webelos Scouts can earn the Compass Points Emblem and Compass Points as recognition of earning more activity badges than the minimum required for Webelos. The scout must earn the Webelos badge first, before being awarded the compass points emblem, no matter how many activity badges he has earned. The emblem and the compass points are each awarded for an additional four activity badges. The totals are as follows:


3 activities = Webelos
7 activities = Compass Points Emblem
11 activities = Compass Point #1
15 activities = Compass Point #2
19 activities = Compass Point #3

While earning the Webelos Badge and the Compass Patch with all of it's points, the Scout will have achieved the highest honor a Cub Scout can earn. He will have completed every Webelos achievement and earn his Arrow of Light.