Re: Cub Rank Advancement
Jim Miller Sr. (jjmsr@LSFCU.ORG)
Thu, 27 Aug 1998 14:18:19 -0400
Having just completed two years as a WEBELOS den leader after coming
through the ranks, so to speak, for the third time (myself and two
sons), I think it is important to remember that scouting, unlike our
schools, is a highly individualized program. Some boys move quickly and
pass ranks early, and some boys barely complete the requirements by June
30 or so of each year. That's why there are electives. If a boy
finishes Wolf, for example, in September, then there are more than
enough electives to keep him busy for the rest of that year.
The den meetings should, on the other hand, revolve around interesting
activities that might or might not assist the boy with advancement. The
den leader should not be marching the boys through advancement
requirements lockstep during the den meeting. The activity may enable
the den leader to sign a boy off on some requirement or other, but it
should not be designed just for that purpose.
Jim Miller, Sr.
JJMSR@LSFCU.ORG
http://www.lsfcu.org/
http://www.stefford.com/hlcbsa/
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Rockabrand [SMTP:rockabra@BIOCOMP.UNL.EDU]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 1998 3:12 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L
> Subject: Cub Rank Advancement
>
> I am curious to get the groups opinion on timing of Cub Scout rank
> advancement (Bobcat, Wolf, Bear). As I understand the "ideal" the
> kids
> work on advancement in Den meetings (and at home) with the goal of
> advancing up to, say, Wolf at the Blue and Gold. After that they
> focus
> more on arrow points. Contrast this with our Committee Chair/CoR
> bragging
> how his son who crossed over from Tigers to Cubs in May, got his
> Bobcat,
> then the following September (same year) at the first Pack meeting got
> his Wolf and an arrow point. Am I the only one this bothers? It
> seems
> that we negate one of the main reasons for weekly Den meetings. If
> that
> is the case why even take my son to the meetings? Our CC/CoR is
> trained
> and is also our Unit Commish. When I asked one of our District
> trainers
> (our DE was standing there) they were agast and said he should know
> better (not that helps me any).
> My question is should I push for the long term advancement program
> (I
> am the Pack Training Chair) or just let it go. There is a point to
> let
> the kids get the award when they earn it, but the slow trickle of Wolf
> and
> Bears every Pack meeting does not allow for any real emphasis or
> ceremony.
>
> Thanks for listening,
> YiS,
> Dave Rockabrand
> I used to be an Owl.... C-CS-13
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
