Arrow of Light
WAHowland@AOL.COM
Mon, 25 Jan 1999 20:50:52 EST
Somebody wrote:
>>begin quote
It's been a couple of years since I was CM, but my understanding is that
once a Scout has earned the AOL, he is, by definition, "done" with the
Webelos program. Since AOL is the highest rank in Cub Scouting, nothing
can be earned after it has been awarded, including other optional activity
badges.
<<end quote
Ummm, AoL is not a rank, it's an award. It is not the end of Webelos. We
routinely have kids earn it, get it awarded, and stay in the pack until Spring
crossover. They work on other activity pins, help with dens of younger kids,
and *begin* to work w/ the Scout troop, often on a Spring camp out or service
project.
While I'm in the subject, I'm uneasy with the concept that I read here
recently that the Web II yr was supposed to be SOLEY aimed at getting kids
into the Troop. An entire year of camping with a troop, doing advancement-in-
advance, and meeting with the troop on a weekly, or even monthly, basis begins
to blur the lines so much that kids have nothing to look forward to. It tells
the Web I's that Web II is no big deal, something to be escaped from at all
costs as soon as possible. The idea that a Cub would "waste" a second yr in
Web II comes from this, and feeds it, too.
Understand, I have no problem with the kids beginning a relationship with a
troop. After all, one of the requirements for AoL is to attend a troop
function and meeting (as I recall, don;t hold me to the specifics, I'm getting
old and feeble <G>). A good early interface might be to hold the Web II
meeting in the same hall as the Scout troop, but in the hour before the Troop
meeting. Then they are leaving as the Scouts are arriving, and they can start
to get acquainted without losing their Web II identity.
The Web II is a good time for kids to grow their skills to be READY TO JOIN a
troop, not to be Scouts-manque with only the change in uniforms to make it so.
There's a reason for this. It is NOT a wasted time, and should be fostered as
a time of growth and accomplishment. As its own self.
YiS
Auntie Beans
SA T47 Sandwich MA
Cape Cod & Islands Council
Abake MiSaNaKi Lodge #393
NSJ 1997 Nat'l Health & Safety
I useta be an Eagle...
'The staff is old and feeble, and we can sing no more,
So we're getting out of Gilwell while we can!'
NEI-188
<wahowland@iname.com>
