Re: Keeping kids excited about scouts (was Re: Weblos--2 years?)
Barb Stephens (bsteph@CREIGHTON.EDU)
Wed, 14 May 1997 07:59:08 -0500
On Wed, 14 May 1997, Bob Knudson wrote:
> I'm sensing that our critical year for retention is in the Bear year.
> Its really important to get these 3rd graders out and about with
> compelling activities that they can brag about for their age group.
> Does anyone else see this retention challenge for Bears to Webelos?
While we haven't the same problems as Bob described, it has been noted
that the Bear book, especially the electives, are not particularly well
written for 3rd graders/9 year olds. The book seems too advanced for the
expected reading level of these young boys.
As a result, some Council staff members have mentioned that to keep the
Bear Cubs going, the leaders could start/transition to the Webelos program
soon after earning the Bear badge (i.e. late Spring). Of course, you
can't expect the Bears to do everything, but some of the easier activity
badges can be _introduced_ as well as the sports belt loops/pins and some
outdoor stuff like hiking and camping, (& getting them to Webelos Summer
Camp). This too addresses the issue for those who find the 18 month
Webelos program isn't long enough.
I remember I found the Bear book a bit more difficult to work with too a
couple years ago. One Council staffer indicated that the Bear book will
be re-written in the near future - available about 3 years from now - when
the current printed supply (~1 million copies??) is exhausted.
Barb Stephens Creighton University
bsteph@creighton.edu Omaha, NE 68178
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
