Arrow of Light Den Meetings
Arrow of Light Den Meeting Plans
Den meeting plans are developed around a Scouting program year that is presumed to begin in
early September and continue through May, at which time Cub Scouts would become involved in
summertime Scouting activities. Two types of den meeting plans are offered for the den leader’s use:
Numbered plans: Programming for the program/school year (September through May),
including rank advancement requirements for dens meeting twice a month
Lettered or supplemental plans: Additional programming for dens meeting year-round or more
than twice per month.
Arrow of Light Den Meeting Plans
Achievements to Complete the Webelos Badge
Rank Requirements and Electives Covered
1 Family Member Do: Family Member 8 and 9,
Arrow of Light 2 and 7
HA*: Family Member 2–6, 9.
Review Aquanaut chapter
2 Aquanaut Verify: Family Member 2, 3, 5, 6
Do: Aquanaut 1–5, 8 (Swimming belt loop)
HA: Family Member 4, 9.
Review Outdoorsman chapter
3 Outdoorsman Do: Outdoorsman 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11
HA: Family Member 4, 9, Review
Sportsman chapter
4 Sportsman Verify: Family Member 4 & 9
Do: Sportsman 1–4 (Ultimate belt loop)
HA: Review Scientist chapter
5 Scientist Do: Scientist 1–7, 9, 11, 12 (Science belt loop).
HA: Review Scientist chapter
6 Scientist and Arrow of Light
Do: Scientist 1–7, 9, 11, 12 (Science belt
loop). Arrow of Light 2, 5, 7
HA: Review Readyman chapter
7 Readyman Do: Readyman 1–3, 11, 13
HA: Review Readyman chapter.
Readyman 3, 11
8 Readyman Verify: Readyman 3, 11
Do: Readyman 4–7
HA: Review Readyman chapter
9 Readyman Verify: All Readyman
Do: Readyman 4–7, 8
10 Arrow of Light Do: Arrow of Light make up and
ceremony preparation
HA: Handyman 1. Review Handyman chapter.
11 Handyman Do: Handyman 1, 2, 5 – 8, 10
HA: Review Sportsman chapter.
12 Sportsman Do: Sportsman 4 (Soccer belt loop)
HA: Communicator 11–14.
Review Communicator chapter
13 Communicator Verify: Communicator 11–14 (or alternatives)
Do: Communicator 3, 4, 6
HA: Review Sportsman chapter.
14 Sportsman Do: Sportsman (Bicycling belt loop)
15 Sportsman Do: Sportsman (Marbles belt loop)
* HA = Home assignment329
Arrow of Light Rank Requirements
There are three types of Webelos-level achievements, and they overlap each other and the two years
of the Webelos program:
The Webelos badge
The compass points emblem and compass points
The Arrow of Light
The Webelos badge is the focus of the first Webelos year and requires the completion of
three activity badges. The goal for most boys is the Arrow of Light (which requires five more
activity badges, plus other requirements). A Scout can also earn the compass points emblem by
completing additional activity badges and the Webelos Super Achiever badge by earning all 20
activity badges.
The chart on the previous page shows the advancement plan covered by the den meeting plans in the
Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide. It is recommended that the den meeting plans be conducted
in sequential order. However, the den leader may choose to alter the order to achieve the following:
A. Deal with schedules of your Scouts and their other extracurricular activities.
B. Follow your pack activities (for example, covering Outdoorsman elements before or at a
pack campout).
C. Line up with special guest volunteers who can come in to cover a topic that lines up with their
occupation, hobby, or interest.
D. Align with the den leader, assistant den leader, and parent’s interests and skills as related to
optional activity badges.
If you make changes, be sure the order and content of your meetings keep you on track to complete
your Webelos rank by the blue and gold banquet, which is likely to be held in February (check with
your pack for scheduling) and that the necessary requirements for the badge of rank will be met.
Note that while there are some fixed requirements and required activity badges (See the following
page and pages 49–50 of the Webelos Handbook.), there is more than one way to do the
achievement and earn the badge; you get to pick the rest of the activity badges that work for you.
You should use the way that is the most fun for the Scouts, and easy to accomplish for you (the
leader), especially by using other parent and community resources! Keep It Simple, Make It Fun.
However, if your den starts Cub Scouting as a second-year Webelos den (in the fifth-grade year),
or if your Webelos den has an influx of new members, you’ll need to look back at the first-year
Webelos program to cover catch-up elements needed for the Webelos badge—namely, the Webelos
badge requirements, plus the Fitness and Citizen activity badges that are required for Webelos. As
you make changes, be sure the order and content of your core meetings advancement achievement
keep you on track to complete the Arrow of Light by the blue and gold banquet, which is likely to
be held in February (check with your pack for scheduling).
Note that while there are some fixed requirements and required activity badges (For the Webelos
rank, you need Fitness, Citizen, and one more from a different activity group: Mental Skills,
Technology, or Outdoors. For Arrow of Light, Outdoorsman, and Readyman are required.), there
is more than one way to do the achievement and earn the badge—you get to pick the rest of the
activity badges that work for you.
You should use the way that is the most fun for the Scouts, and easy to accomplish for you
(the leader), especially by using other parent and community resources! Keep It Simple, Make It Fun.
The goal for most boys is the Arrow of Light.
Arrow of Light Award
1. Be active in your Webelos den for at least six months since
completing the fourth grade (or for at least six months since
becoming 10 years old), and earn the Webelos badge. 1–3+
2. Show your knowledge of the requirements to become a Boy Scout
by doing all of these:
• Repeat from memory and explain in your own words the Scout
Oath or Promise and the 12 points of the Scout Law. Tell how
you have practiced them in your everyday life.
• Give and explain the Scout motto, slogan, sign, salute, and
handshake.
• Understand the significance of the First Class Scout badge.
Describe its parts and tell what each stands for.
• Tell how a Boy Scout uniform is different from a Webelos Scout
uniform.
• Tie the joining knot (square knot). 1, 6, 10
3. Earn five more activity badges in addition to the three you already
earned for the Webelos badge. These must include:
• Fitness (already earned for the Webelos badge)
• Citizen (already earned for the Webelos badge)
• Readyman
• Outdoorsman
• At least one from the Mental Skills group
• At least one from the Technology group
• One more of your choice
4. With your Webelos den, visit at least
• one Boy Scout troop meeting and
• one Boy Scout–oriented outdoor activity.
(If you have already done this when you earned your
Outdoorsman activity badge, you may not use the same
outing to fulfill requirements for your Arrow of Light Award.)
As scheduled by den leader.
5. Participate in a Webelos overnight campout or day hike. (If you
have already done this when you earned your Outdoorsman
activity badge, you may not use the same outing to fulfill your
Arrow of Light Award requirements.)
As scheduled by den leader.
6. After you have completed all five of the above requirements, and
after a talk with your Webelos den leader, arrange to visit, with
your parent or guardian, a meeting of a Boy Scout troop you think
you might like to join. Have a conference with the Scoutmaster.
As scheduled by den leader.
7. Complete the Honesty Character Connection.
a. Know: Say the Cub Scout Promise to your family. Discuss these
questions with them: What is a promise? What does it mean to
keep your word? What does it mean to be trustworthy? What
does honesty mean?
b. Commit: Discuss these questions with your family. Why is a
promise important? Why is it important for people to trust you
when you give your word? When might it be difficult to be
truthful? List examples.
c. Practice: Discuss with a family member why it is important to be
trustworthy and honest. How can you do your best to be honest
even when it is difficult? 1, 6, 10
Arrow of Light Rank Requirements
Activity Badge Requirements and Den Meeting Number
Readyman 7–9
Outdoorsman 3 or as scheduled by den leader
Plus One More From Different Activity Group
Mental Skills Artist Webelos 8 and 15
Scholar Webelos 15
Traveler Webelos 4
Technology Handyman 11
Plus One More From Different Activity Group
Family Member 1
Aquanaut 2
Sportsman 4, 12, 14, 15
Scientist 5 and 6
Communicator 13
Certain activities are primarily done at home and signed off in the handbook by the parent or
adult family member after the boy has completed each task (the parent is sometimes referred to as
“Akela” in the handbook and the achievement tasks). The handbook is later shown to the den leader
or assistant, who records the progress and also signs the boy’s book.
Den meeting plans are developed around a Scouting program year that is presumed to begin in
early September and continue through May, at which time Cub Scouts would become involved in
summertime Scouting activities. Two types of den meeting plans are offered for the den leader’s use:
Numbered plans: Programming for the program/school year (September through May),
including rank advancement requirements for dens meeting twice a month
Lettered or supplemental plans: Additional programming for dens meeting year-round or more
than twice per month.
Arrow of Light Den Meeting Plans
Achievements to Complete the Webelos Badge
Rank Requirements and Electives Covered
1 Family Member Do: Family Member 8 and 9,
Arrow of Light 2 and 7
HA*: Family Member 2–6, 9.
Review Aquanaut chapter
2 Aquanaut Verify: Family Member 2, 3, 5, 6
Do: Aquanaut 1–5, 8 (Swimming belt loop)
HA: Family Member 4, 9.
Review Outdoorsman chapter
3 Outdoorsman Do: Outdoorsman 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11
HA: Family Member 4, 9, Review
Sportsman chapter
4 Sportsman Verify: Family Member 4 & 9
Do: Sportsman 1–4 (Ultimate belt loop)
HA: Review Scientist chapter
5 Scientist Do: Scientist 1–7, 9, 11, 12 (Science belt loop).
HA: Review Scientist chapter
6 Scientist and Arrow of Light
Do: Scientist 1–7, 9, 11, 12 (Science belt
loop). Arrow of Light 2, 5, 7
HA: Review Readyman chapter
7 Readyman Do: Readyman 1–3, 11, 13
HA: Review Readyman chapter.
Readyman 3, 11
8 Readyman Verify: Readyman 3, 11
Do: Readyman 4–7
HA: Review Readyman chapter
9 Readyman Verify: All Readyman
Do: Readyman 4–7, 8
10 Arrow of Light Do: Arrow of Light make up and
ceremony preparation
HA: Handyman 1. Review Handyman chapter.
11 Handyman Do: Handyman 1, 2, 5 – 8, 10
HA: Review Sportsman chapter.
12 Sportsman Do: Sportsman 4 (Soccer belt loop)
HA: Communicator 11–14.
Review Communicator chapter
13 Communicator Verify: Communicator 11–14 (or alternatives)
Do: Communicator 3, 4, 6
HA: Review Sportsman chapter.
14 Sportsman Do: Sportsman (Bicycling belt loop)
15 Sportsman Do: Sportsman (Marbles belt loop)
* HA = Home assignment329
Arrow of Light Rank Requirements
There are three types of Webelos-level achievements, and they overlap each other and the two years
of the Webelos program:
The Webelos badge
The compass points emblem and compass points
The Arrow of Light
The Webelos badge is the focus of the first Webelos year and requires the completion of
three activity badges. The goal for most boys is the Arrow of Light (which requires five more
activity badges, plus other requirements). A Scout can also earn the compass points emblem by
completing additional activity badges and the Webelos Super Achiever badge by earning all 20
activity badges.
The chart on the previous page shows the advancement plan covered by the den meeting plans in the
Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide. It is recommended that the den meeting plans be conducted
in sequential order. However, the den leader may choose to alter the order to achieve the following:
A. Deal with schedules of your Scouts and their other extracurricular activities.
B. Follow your pack activities (for example, covering Outdoorsman elements before or at a
pack campout).
C. Line up with special guest volunteers who can come in to cover a topic that lines up with their
occupation, hobby, or interest.
D. Align with the den leader, assistant den leader, and parent’s interests and skills as related to
optional activity badges.
If you make changes, be sure the order and content of your meetings keep you on track to complete
your Webelos rank by the blue and gold banquet, which is likely to be held in February (check with
your pack for scheduling) and that the necessary requirements for the badge of rank will be met.
Note that while there are some fixed requirements and required activity badges (See the following
page and pages 49–50 of the Webelos Handbook.), there is more than one way to do the
achievement and earn the badge; you get to pick the rest of the activity badges that work for you.
You should use the way that is the most fun for the Scouts, and easy to accomplish for you (the
leader), especially by using other parent and community resources! Keep It Simple, Make It Fun.
However, if your den starts Cub Scouting as a second-year Webelos den (in the fifth-grade year),
or if your Webelos den has an influx of new members, you’ll need to look back at the first-year
Webelos program to cover catch-up elements needed for the Webelos badge—namely, the Webelos
badge requirements, plus the Fitness and Citizen activity badges that are required for Webelos. As
you make changes, be sure the order and content of your core meetings advancement achievement
keep you on track to complete the Arrow of Light by the blue and gold banquet, which is likely to
be held in February (check with your pack for scheduling).
Note that while there are some fixed requirements and required activity badges (For the Webelos
rank, you need Fitness, Citizen, and one more from a different activity group: Mental Skills,
Technology, or Outdoors. For Arrow of Light, Outdoorsman, and Readyman are required.), there
is more than one way to do the achievement and earn the badge—you get to pick the rest of the
activity badges that work for you.
You should use the way that is the most fun for the Scouts, and easy to accomplish for you
(the leader), especially by using other parent and community resources! Keep It Simple, Make It Fun.
The goal for most boys is the Arrow of Light.
Arrow of Light Award
1. Be active in your Webelos den for at least six months since
completing the fourth grade (or for at least six months since
becoming 10 years old), and earn the Webelos badge. 1–3+
2. Show your knowledge of the requirements to become a Boy Scout
by doing all of these:
• Repeat from memory and explain in your own words the Scout
Oath or Promise and the 12 points of the Scout Law. Tell how
you have practiced them in your everyday life.
• Give and explain the Scout motto, slogan, sign, salute, and
handshake.
• Understand the significance of the First Class Scout badge.
Describe its parts and tell what each stands for.
• Tell how a Boy Scout uniform is different from a Webelos Scout
uniform.
• Tie the joining knot (square knot). 1, 6, 10
3. Earn five more activity badges in addition to the three you already
earned for the Webelos badge. These must include:
• Fitness (already earned for the Webelos badge)
• Citizen (already earned for the Webelos badge)
• Readyman
• Outdoorsman
• At least one from the Mental Skills group
• At least one from the Technology group
• One more of your choice
4. With your Webelos den, visit at least
• one Boy Scout troop meeting and
• one Boy Scout–oriented outdoor activity.
(If you have already done this when you earned your
Outdoorsman activity badge, you may not use the same
outing to fulfill requirements for your Arrow of Light Award.)
As scheduled by den leader.
5. Participate in a Webelos overnight campout or day hike. (If you
have already done this when you earned your Outdoorsman
activity badge, you may not use the same outing to fulfill your
Arrow of Light Award requirements.)
As scheduled by den leader.
6. After you have completed all five of the above requirements, and
after a talk with your Webelos den leader, arrange to visit, with
your parent or guardian, a meeting of a Boy Scout troop you think
you might like to join. Have a conference with the Scoutmaster.
As scheduled by den leader.
7. Complete the Honesty Character Connection.
a. Know: Say the Cub Scout Promise to your family. Discuss these
questions with them: What is a promise? What does it mean to
keep your word? What does it mean to be trustworthy? What
does honesty mean?
b. Commit: Discuss these questions with your family. Why is a
promise important? Why is it important for people to trust you
when you give your word? When might it be difficult to be
truthful? List examples.
c. Practice: Discuss with a family member why it is important to be
trustworthy and honest. How can you do your best to be honest
even when it is difficult? 1, 6, 10
Arrow of Light Rank Requirements
Activity Badge Requirements and Den Meeting Number
Readyman 7–9
Outdoorsman 3 or as scheduled by den leader
Plus One More From Different Activity Group
Mental Skills Artist Webelos 8 and 15
Scholar Webelos 15
Traveler Webelos 4
Technology Handyman 11
Plus One More From Different Activity Group
Family Member 1
Aquanaut 2
Sportsman 4, 12, 14, 15
Scientist 5 and 6
Communicator 13
Certain activities are primarily done at home and signed off in the handbook by the parent or
adult family member after the boy has completed each task (the parent is sometimes referred to as
“Akela” in the handbook and the achievement tasks). The handbook is later shown to the den leader
or assistant, who records the progress and also signs the boy’s book.
