Re: age or grade AOL

I have been reading the postings concering award the AOL to a scout who has
earned the award before his den. I am now an Assistant Scout master, but
two years ago as Senior Patrol Leader of my troop I had an opportunity along
with several other troop members to act as sort of unofficial Den Cheifs for
a small den. The den had only two scouts enroled what was a two year
webelow program. Through there hard work and the reasoures made availaiby
by the experance of our troop memebers they were able to earn the AOL in
their first year. They however did not meet the age requirements for
joining the troop.
Fearing risk of losing them to bordom we invioted to den to most troop
functions with obvious exceptions (canoeing trips, baking trips) were there
lack of qualifications would not allow them attend under BSA rules.
Although active they still were missing out on those troop activites they
they were ready for in any way, except by age. As soon as they reached the
age requirment they instantly were amitted into the troop and are now
serving in leadership possitions and advancing. To make a long story short
if a Webelo has earned the AOL this should prove he is ready to enter the
Boy Scouts. By holding him back you risk losing him to bordom and he never
join the troop. If feel that the boy is not ready for the Boy scouts then
he probable should not have earned the arrow of light and your pack needs to
make changes in its advancement policy.
-ben
Penn State, University Park
bsm116@psu.edu

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