Another Webelos Question
Gross, David C (David.Gross@HSV.BOEING.COM)
Fri, 22 Jan 1999 11:03:23 -0600
I'd like some advice from the list.
I am a 2nd year WL. Naturally, my boys are excited about becoming Boy
Scouts (and I am doing all I can to encourage this :-). Most of them will
earn their AOL. However, I have one 4th grader (9 years old). He is new to
the pack, although he was a Wolf he dropped out for Bears. He joined us
because of a friend of his in my den. I have arranged for him to work with
another den after the rest of the boys transition to Scouts.
The problem: the 4th grader's dad is pushing hard that I award this boy an
AOL, so that "he doesn't have to waste another year in Webelos, and can move
up with his friends".
Now I sign advancements strictly on my best understanding of the book, and
the AOL requirements seem to address this just fine:
"Arrow of Light : 1. Be active in your Webelos den for at least 6
months since completing the fourth grade (or for at least six months since
becoming 10 years old), and earn the Webelos badge." [snip]
EXCEPT, that this dad home schools the boy. When I (gently, I hope) asked
how I could sign off this requirement (remember, the boy is 9 & I was told,
a 4th grader), the dad offered to sign off that he had completed 4th grade
on any day I needed (!). Not being an expert on home schooling & grade
level, this took me aback.
BTW, the boy only has four activity badges and none of the other AOL
requirements that I can see. When I (gently, I hope) asked about the other
requirements, the dad said "no problem, our home school will work on those
from now until they're done". (!)
The dad then asked when the boy could join Boy Scouts, if he just skipped
the AOL. I understand the Boy Scout joining requirements to be:
"Scout Badge (Boy Scout Joining Requirements): 1. Complete the fifth
grade, or be 11 years old, or have earned the Arrow of Light Award, but be
younger than 18 years old." [snip]
So, unless the dad wants to sign off on the boy completing the 5th grade
(see above), then without me signing off on his AOL he is stuck for a while.
I realize that I have contributed to the problem -- I should have insisted
that the boy join the 1st year den. I saw a boy who dropped out of scouting
and wanted back in with his friend, and I let my sympathy (and probably
excessive confidence that I could handle it) persuade me. Yes, it has
created behavior problems in the den.
I don't think this is relevant (because it is not a requirement in the
book), but you may want to know. The boy is physically very mature and
could handle that part of Scouts, but IMHO is not ready to be a Scout
emotionally/intellectually. He has just barely managed to earn his Webelos
badge after fooling around with Fitness for three months (waiting for one
more push up). He doesn't read or focus very well. He is about where I
think the program "expects" 4th graders to be, but not where I think the
program "expects" 5th graders to be. Hardly surprising, he's a 4th grader
(at least by age & accomplishment)!
I told the Dad I appreciated his enthusiasm for Scouting, and that I would
carefully look into the issues he raised. I also said that if the boy
fulfilled the requirements, then I would certainly award him the badge,
i.e., I was not going to make him "waste" any *not* required time.
Questions I would like the list to address:
(1) Are there requirements for home schooling grade levels?
(2) Does BSA have a definition for grade level more detailed than the ones
cited?
(3) What can I tell the dad to help him see the 2nd year as not a waste?
(4) Do you think I am being too strict about the grade thing, and should
accept the dad's offer?
Thanks!
David (Eagle/3, 1976, WL, CA)
