The program

The Webelos Program is a two year program for Fourth and Fifth Grade Boys.   In both years, they work toward earning Webelos Activity Awards  in twenty different areas, arranged in five groups. Fourth Grade Boys work toward the Webelos Badge. After earning the Webelos Badge, Fifth Graders, work toward the Arrow of Light. In addition to the two rank badges, after earning the Webelos Badge, boys work toward the Compass Point Emblem and Metal Compass Points as they earn additional Activity Badges.

Details

So what does this mean?  The boys are Webelos for 2 years (really 18 months).  Like their other years in cub scouts they have one main badge to earn, the Webelos Badge the first year and the Arrow of Light the second year.  Unlike the other Cub Scout ranks the boys must earn the Webelos Badge before they can earn the Arrow of Light.  

Here is where things get more complicated, in addition to the normal requirements for these badges the boys are also required to earn a number of  Webelos Activity Awards.  These are the awards that are pinned (but please do not call these pins) on the Webelos colors.  Each Webelos Activity Award  may have 8 to 20 requirements to complete that may include being required to earn belt loops.  A Belt loop typically has 3 to 5 requirements.  The belt loops are made of metal and slip onto the scout’s belt.  For belt loops to count for advancements they must be earned while the scout is a Webelos.  My son had to re-earn several of his sports belt loops once he was in Webelos. 

Now for the really confusing part, once a belt loop is completed the scout has the option to learn more in that area and can earn a pin (extra credit).  Learning is always good but pins do not count toward any other award and do not directly forward advancement. 

Compass Point Emblem and Metal Compass Points serve the same function as gold and silver arrows do for Wolf and Bear Scouts. They are recognition for scouts that go beyond the requirements for the badge. The scouts need to earn 3 Activity Awards to receive their Webelos badge.  If they earn an additional 4 Activity Awards they achieve the Compass Emblem and their first point. They need to earn an additional 4 Activity Awards for each additional Compass point. There is one last award to shoot for, the "Big Shoulders Award".  This is for the Cub Scout that completes the Arrow of Light and earns all 20 Activity Awards.

Summary

• Main Badges - Webelos Badge & Arrow of Light

• Webelos Activity Awards – needed to complete main badges
  

• Belt Loops – needed to complete Webelos Activity Awards
  

• Pins - not directly connected with advancement (extra credit)
  

• Compass Point Emblem & Compass Points similar to Gold & Silver Arrows