A Webelos scout can learn to have a sense of pride through his accomplishments when earning activity badges.
A Webelos activity badge is one of 20 colorful metal pins awarded to a Webelos Scout for completing an activity in one of five specified life-skill categories designed to bridge boys 10 years of age in third through fifth grade into Boy Scout troops from Cub Scout troops as part of a 15-to-18 month program. These badges are divided into 5 activity groups, with 4 badges in each group. They are pinned on a Scout's uniform as they are awarded and are often a requirement to earning other merit badges, such as the Webelos badge or the Arrow of Light.
Physical Skills Group
Badges in the physical skills group place an emphasis on skills that require physical activity, in addition to sportsmanship and emotional fitness.
The physical skills group covers four general areas related to the development of physical skills, general fitness and team play. The Aquanaut badge focuses on basic swimming, water and boat safety skills, while the Athlete badge focuses on the perseverance, character and physical development. Scouts learn good health habits for mind and body when earning the fitness badge, and play on a team when earning the Sportsman badge.
Mental Skills Group
A Webelos Scout develops several areas when focusing on mental skills, to include artistry, traveling, showmanship and scholarly aptitude.
As a Webelos Scout develops mental skills, he focuses on four areas related to thought and expression. The Artist badge requires a Scout to put together a portfolio of work and talk to an expert about different occupations in the art field. The Scholar badge requirements focus on mental skills that help Webelos to do their best and allows the Scout to earn belt loops in areas such as language, mathematics and chess. The Showman badge develops Scouts by teaching them to perform in the areas of music, puppetry and drama, and the Traveler badge teaches Scouts plan trips.
Community Group
Duty to a Scout's community through service is stressed in the community group badges.
Activities that bond a Scout with his family and community are completed when earning badges in the community group. The Citizen badge requires a Scout to learn about local, state and federal civic structure, law enforcement and community organizations. The Communicator badge focuses in interpersonal communication through speech, signs and Internet technology. The Family Member badge requires a Scout to learn about duty to family through the completion of chores, meetings and budgeting, and the Readyman badge teaches Scouts have courage in tough situation and first aid skills.
Technology Group
Activities in the technology group of badges expose Scouts to several trades.
Badges in the technology group focus on teaching Scouts skills related to trades and scientific study. The Craftsman badge requires the completion of several projects and a basic knowledge of safety around tools. The Engineer badge is earned by exploring careers in the engineering field and completing or observing building projects. The Handyman badge is earned by fixing and cleaning several objects around a Scout's house, and the Scientist badge requirements include learning about general laws of science and experimentation.
Outdoor Group
Webelos Scouts earn outdoors badges as they learn to appreciate and conserve nature while acquiring survival skills.
A Webelos Scout rounds out his knowledge base by exploring nature and learning survival skills. A Forestry badge focuses on the conservation, identification and care of trees and wildlife. Activities in the Geologist badge category teach scouts to identify rocks, fossils and uses for different types of minerals. Earning the Naturalist badge teaches a Webelos Scout to have respect for wildlife, and the activities required for an Outdoorsman badge stress skills learned through camping overnight.
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