Your Webelos are ready to move on to Scouts BSA, and it’s time to prepare for the big moment in a Webelos Crossover Ceremony. Once you've found the perfect Scouts BSA troop, holding a meaningful Crossover ceremony is the next step. The ceremony should signify a Scout's transition to a new level of Scouting. The Webelos to Scouts BSA transition is a pivotal time to make memories that will last a lifetime for youth and parents. If you need help transitioning your Webelos to Scouts BSA, read on to learn more about planning a Crossover ceremony.  

1. Find a bridge
2. Adapt the ceremony
3. Make it age appropriate 
4. Get Inclusive 
5. Don't be afraid to get creative 

To begin with, the ceremony should take place in a meeting space with some “bridge” element to symbolize the transition from Webelos to Scouts BSA. This is a great time to create a unique ceremony using your connections and creativity. An outdoor space is ideal, someplace with a bridge and room for a campfire. Some packs have their ceremonies in pack meetings, den meetings, at the Blue & Gold Banquet, or even combined with the Arrow of Light ceremony. Regarding who needs to get involved in the planning, the key is to involve as many people as possible. Think about it – the more people you can apply, the lighter the load on each person. Also, giving others ownership increases their investment and allows them to learn and grow.

Things to consider: 

• Tradition is important, as is each individual transitioning from Webelos to Scouts BSA.
  
• Small changes can make a big impact. Consider how you want people to feel in each part of the ceremony, and use that to guide your choices.
  
• Choose a ceremony that has a purpose and displays the meaning of the transition.

• No ceremony is etched in stone, and every den or troop has its own way of conducting ceremonies.
• Feel free to change things, so the ceremony works for your den or pack!
• You might want to make a note of adjusted ceremonies to make it easier for Scout leaders in the future.

• Consider whether young Cub Scouts are sitting through the ceremony.
• What are ways that you can keep their attention?
• Does the length of the ceremony need to be altered to suit the audience better?
• By catering to your full audience, you can better allow the attention to be on the Scouts who are making their proud transition into Scouts BSA.

• Don’t forget about the families of the transitioning Webelos. Parents can assist in creating props, making cue cards, or reading lines in the script.
• You can involve the Scouts BSA Troop that the Scouts are joining. When Scouts feel welcome, they’re more likely to enjoy the transition process!

• Scouts could cross a lake in a canoe rowed by Scouts in the Troops they are joining instead of crossing a bridge.
• A tip for packs without a bridge or for Scouts with disabilities is to use a rope instead.
• Use a candle to symbolize passing on knowledge – it can be combined with the bridge, rope, canoe, or whatever other bridging ceremony occurs. Let the Webelos crossing over bring their unlit candle to a “master” candle held by the Scoutmaster.
• Some Dens have Scouts from a nearby troop to present them with neckerchiefs and Scouts BSA Handbooks when the transition is complete.
• Some packs use ashes from a previous Scout campfire to add to the fire at the ceremony symbolizing the combination of memories from past and present achievements.

The main purpose of the Webelos Crossover ceremony is to recognize Scouts who are moving forward in the Scouting program. Still, it is also an opportunity to inspire other Cub Scouts to reach this significant milestone. For additional resources, including a helpful timeline, check out the Webelos-to-Scouts Transition information here. Be sure to share your events with us using #ScoutShopBSA on Instagram to be featured on our social channels! For Scouts BSA uniforms, handbooks, and outdoor gear, visit ScoutShop.org—the official online retail store of the BSA.