Re: First Year First Class too fast ?
Bert Austin (austin@APS.ANL.GOV)
Wed, 23 Oct 1996 13:21:21 -0500
The way I read the "First Class - First year" program is the goal is to
provide a program to keep the new scout involved in a variety of troop
activities through the year and tailor those activities to achievement of
the First Class rank. If the boy is actively pursuing rank advancement and
receives the rank recognition of his efforts, he probably will stay in
scouting provided the program continues to challenge him.
I look at this two ways. A troop with a program as described is probably a
well run troop which will continue to challenge scouts after First Class. A
boy who's interest is initially held by the program will gain a feeling of
loyalty and continue in the program. Such a program "delivers the promise".
First Class is probably like "boot camp" in preparation for "high
adventure". But getting to First Class should also be fun - isn't that what
the boy joins scouting for? The learning part is the secret ingredient in
"delivering the promise".
>. . . Scout is ready for the adventure to begin. He can now stop the learn,
>learn, learn routine and start the fun stuff we've been telling him
>about.
A scout (and even the SM :-)) never stops learning. The fun only camoflages
the education objective. But, without the fun and adventure we stop
"delivering the promise" and lose the boys.
The First Class - First Year program allows the boys to work on the
requirements for Tenderfoot through First Class without regard to current
rank; the new scout may work on Tenderfoot First Aid and Second Class
cooking fire and meal prep / cleanup during his Tenderfoot overnight. He may
also be working on First Class lashings. However, he must complete each rank
in sequence. I would expect that at the SM conference for each rank he would
be counselled on scout spirit expectations for the next rank.
Keep in mind the advancement method is used to present an achievable goal
and then reward the scouts effort in achieving the goal. Not requiring the
scout to fully complete each requirement with his best effort defeats the
purpose of advancement.
YiS
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Bert Austin {austin@aps.anl.gov} |Unit Commissioner
Riverside, IL |I used to be a Fox
Voyageur Trace District |EC-443W
DesPlaines Valley Council |
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Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
