Is Webelos Badge Required for Arrow of Light (AOL)?

One of the most exciting things about scouting is the different ranks and badges that scouts can earn as they progress through the program. However, it can be challenging to navigate the various requirements for each badge and rank, especially when new scouts join the program midway through.

This is the issue that Kathy is currently facing. She is a den leader for a pack, and a new scout has joined her den in fifth grade. He was part of another pack in fourth grade but did not earn his Webelos badge. Kathy is now unsure whether this scout needs to finish his Webelos badge before he can work towards earning the Arrow of Light (AOL) badge.

We have a boy who just transferred in from another pack. He is currently in fifth grade. He was in a pack for fourth grade but never earned his webelos badge. I know new boys joining in fifth grade can start working on their AOL without completing the webelos badge. But I’m finding conflicting information because he was a scout in fourth grade as to whether he needs to finish webelos too. We are only a few months to crossover so I don’t think he will be able to finish both.

Some of the confusion around this issue stems from the fact that the Webelos badge used to be a requirement for the AOL badge before 2014. However, the requirements have since changed, and scouts can now earn the AOL badge without completing the Webelos badge.

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The Answer

As long as the scout meets the following requirements, they are eligible to earn the AOL badge:

Be active in their Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old.
Complete each of the four required adventures.
Complete at least one elective adventure of their den’s or family’s choosing (for a total of at least five adventures).
With their parent, guardian, or other caring adult, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.
Earn the Cyber Chip award for their age. (The Cyber Chip portion of this requirement may be waived by the parent or guardian if the scout does not have access to the internet.)

As you can see, there is no requirement to earn the Webelos badge.

It is essential to note that the AOL badge is the highest rank a cub scout can earn, and it prepares them for their transition into Scouts BSA. Scouts who have earned the AOL badge have demonstrated a significant level of commitment, dedication, and skill, which prepares them for the challenges and opportunities that await them in Scouts BSA.

In conclusion, the AOL badge does not require scouts to earn the Webelos badge, and as long as they meet the AOL requirements mentioned above, they are eligible to earn the badge. For more information about the AOL badge requirements, see my Webelos and Arrow of Light resource page.

Comments

6 responses to “Is Webelos Badge Required for Arrow of Light (AOL)?”

John

November 16, 2017

Can AoL still be worn on the Boy Scout Uniform? Since it is now stand alone, I would expect not, but not sure.

Reply
1. J-Lo
  
  September 19, 2018
  
  John – I don’t think there’s been a change on that but hopefully someone will answer who knows.
  
  Reply
2. tom taylor
  
  November 2, 2022
  
  Webelos first year earn the Webelos badge then in the Second year can earn the Arrow of Light. and yes. the AOL is the only cubscout award that can be worn on the boy scout uniform
  
  Reply
Randi

May 22, 2018

Interesting, however I disagree. In the den leader information it says “All Cub Scouts, except for those boys who join Cub Scouting for the first time in fifth grade, must earn their Webelos rank prior to earning Arrow of Light. The requirements for Webelos and Arrow of Light may be worked on at the same time but the tenure requirements for each must be met and the awards must be earned and presented sequentially.”

I found this in the den leader materials on cubscouts.org that is currently online. I do not know if this was changed in the revamp of the program, but I haven’t seen that it was. Here is the link to the page: https://cubscouts.org/library/welcome-to-arrow-of-light-cub-scouting/

Reply
1. Julinda
  
  September 19, 2018
  
  Randi, that is good to know. I know our leadership was unsure on this. Thank you for sharing it.
  
  Reply
Christopher Rutz

January 21, 2019

The Webelo handbook states that and the Cub Scout Leader Handbook in the Advancement section under Webelos Advancement:
A child is Cub Scouting who is the 4th grade must earn the Webelos rank badge before working on the Arrow of Light.

It’s also listed on the official webage: https://www.scouting.org/programs/cub-scouts/what-cub-scouts-earn/the-advancement-trail/
Fourth Grade – Webelos Requirements

Fourth graders work toward the Webelos rank. The Webelos rank is earned by completing six adventures as described below. Scouts who are in Cub Scouts in fourth grade must complete the Webelos rank before working towards their Arrow of Light.

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