When a Cub Scout has completed the third grade (or becomes 10 years old), he transfers to a Webelos den, led by an adult Webelos leader. The boy works on requirements for the Webelos badge, 20 activity badges, and the Arrow of Light Award (the highest award in Cub Scouting) which prepares him for Boy Scouting. The program emphasizes more independent work and individual responsibility on the part of each Scout, and differs in a number of respects from the Cub Scout experience of the younger boys. Instead of working on achievements and electives, each Webelos Scout works to complete a series of hobby and career Activity Badges.

The emphasis shifts from home-centered activities to a series of group-centered activities conducted by the Webelos den.

Webelos Scouts are encouraged to participate in several overnight adult/son overnight camping trips and other activities that will prepare them for the Boy Scouts.

The Webelos Scout program is a two-year transition program between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

The boy becomes a Webelos Scout upon graduation from the Bear program in the spring of third grade. He has all summer to get started on Webelos activities. Boys new to Cub Scouting can become Webelos if they are 10 years old or have completed third grade, and have earned the Bobcat badge.

The end of the Webelos Scout program is when the Webelos Scouts graduate into a troop, typically in February or March of their fifth grade year for those areas holding early graduations. Other groups may graduate at the end of fifth grade when the school year ends.

During these two years, the Webelos Scouts have two badges of rank they can earn and 20 activity badges.
These two ranks are:
Webelos badge
Arrow of Light award

Usually the boys earn the Webelos badge during the first year, and the Arrow of Light during the second year. It is possible for a boy who joins scouting at the start of fifth grade to earn both his Webelos badge and his Arrow of Light award before it is time to graduate into a troop, but it takes a lot of planning and effort to accomplish this.

Much of the activities done in the den are focused around the 20 activity badges (or pins). Some (not all) activity badges are required for the Webelos badge and for the Arrow of Light award.