Re: A Cub Disciplinary Problem - Help Needed
Michael F. Bowman (mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG)
Sat, 24 Feb 1996 02:34:30 -0500
Pete,
Den Leaders often times have their hands plenty full without a child that
presents additional challenges. And we should remember that they are not
there to diagnose whether a child has ADD or act as family counselors.
Generally, a Den Leader can use positive reinforcement and recognition to
encourage a Cub to stay on task. Similarly, the Den can use a conduct
candle, beads, etc. to encourage desired behaviors. Sometimes a Den
Leader will ask the Cubs early on to set up the rules of conduct to be
followed and to set out what the consequences are for violations. In the
latter case the Cubs often are fairly strict and once they own the rules
they help out a good bit in policing themselves.
Sometimes a particular Cub will need to be pulled aside with the Den
Leader and Assistant and given clear expectations and clear consequences
if behavior problems continue.
Some particularly gifted Den Leaders will be able to do more by making
directions simple, etc. We've gone through a number of discussions on
ways to help children with attention and learning challenges and some
leaders will be able to do more than others.
When these steps just aren't solving a problem situation; e.g. one child
is so disruptive that he takes more time and effort than the rest of the
group or it is getting to the point that the other Cubs are about to
leave, it is time to evaluate what is more important to deliver quality
program to the rest or focus on the one.
Unfortunately we cannot always solve every problem or be the answer
person for every challenge. Sometimes it is necessary to advise a parent
or parents that their child cannot continue to disrupt and that it will
be necessary to either remove the child from further participation or
that participation can only occur when one of the custodial parents is
present at the meeting.
And sadly we will into situations where that doesn't work either; e.g.
the parent is present and the child gets even worse or the parent becomes
more of a burden than a help. In this case the parent may have to be
told that until the problems are resolved they cannot continue to
participate to the detriment of the other Scouts.
I would guess that a number of us have seen a situation where keeping a
particularly disruptive Scout has resulted in others quiting altogether.
And then the next year the pattern is repeated. While it is nice to try
to be understanding and accomodating, and most of us hate like heck to
give up on a Scout, we have to keep the big picture in mind and the
welfare of all the Scouts.
Speaking Only for Myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
a/k/a Professor Beaver (WB), ASTA #2566, OA Vigil Honor '71, Eagle
Scout '67, Serving as Deputy District Commissioner for Training,
G.W.Dist., Nat. Capital Area Council, BSA - mfbowman@capaccess.org
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
