From: Neil Lupton (NeilLup@AOL.COM)
Date: Tue Feb 29 2000 - 17:34:06 CST
In a message dated 2/29/00 5:37:27 PM, homepup@EARTHLINK.NET writes:
<< We have a few situations that are causing heated debate in our committee.
1. Cub is in 4th grade, is 11and is a Webelos I. One leader insists that
this cub must become a boy scout immediately. The mother, our CC, does not
believe the boy is ready and wants him to stay in cubs to get his AoL. Does
this boy have to go to Boy Scouts? Would it be in his best interest?
2. Cub is in 4th grade, 10 years old, is mentally and physically
handicapped, and 2 1/2 years behind his grade level. The cub will be
getting his AoL within the next month or two and Mom, our Webelos I leader,
wants to move him to Boy Scouts as soon as possible. He has cerebral
palsy, is on crutches and will be having surgery in the near future. Should
he move forward? If so should he join the regular troop or one for special
needs?
3. Cub is 9 years old and began the school year in 2nd grade. He was
recently promoted to 3rd grade. While his leader was out due to family
problems, the cub was moved from Wolves to Bears with only a few
requirements left for his Wolf badge. In the last month he has completed
his Bear badge. Should we have waited and allowed him to complete his Wolf
first before moving him?
4. Cub is 9 years old and in the 3rd grade. When he joined the pack, he
was in the first grade but was placed in the wolves because of his age.
When he got to Webelos he wanted to go back to Bears to be with his
classmates. It seemed like he was not ready for Webelos so he was allowed
to move back with his friends where he is having fun. Should he have been
kept in Webelos where he probably would have dropped out of scouting
because he was not happy?
Any assistance in the matters would be helpful as they are pulling our pack
apart.
Debbie Boyett
Bears Den Leader, Committee Secretary and Stand-in Cubmaster until one is
elected. >>
Hello Debbie,
Basic principle #1.
THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BOYS AND TO BE FUN FOR
ALL. When we start to get so picky about "rules" that there is question
about whether we are doing the best thing for the boys, it is time to take a
very, very serious look.
Basic principle #2
When a youth is handicapped, and I believe this means mentally or physically,
the Cub Scouting and Scouting programs can be modified to meet his unique
needs. There are "boys" who have earned Cub Scout awards in their sixties
because they have the mental age of Cub Scouts. The program is supposed to
be tailored to the boy, not the other way around.
So in your specific circumstances and it is possible that I will suggest
something here which some other leader will correct.
1 - Boy is ALLOWED to go to Boy Scouts. However, since he has not yet
completed 5th grade, he does not HAVE to. In fact, I believe he would be
allowed to continue his registration as a Webelos Scout until the Pack
reregistration after he completes the 5th grade. All this makes the
assumption that my Basic Principle #2 is not called into play. If the boy
is considered handicapped, then all such rules go by the wayside. Another
question might be about his size relative to his peers in the Webelos Den.
If you have a 200 pound 6 foot Webelos Scout, it might make matters more
challenging.
2 - Difficult to generalize but Basic Principle #2 clearly applies. As far
as whether he should go with a regular Troop or special needs Troop, that
would likely depend a great deal on the attitude and capabilities and
willingness of the regular Troop.
3 - Probably. But now that he has his Bear badge, don't look back. Get
him going on arrow points ASAP.
4 - From the way you ask the question, I believe you know the answer. Refer
to Basic Principle #1.
If these matters are pulling your Pack apart, I might suggest that you get
some involvement from your friendly neighborhood Commissioner. Also, from
some of the boys you describe, if you have a special needs expert on your
council staff (it would likely need to be one of the very big councils), get
them involved.
Hope this helps,
Best wishes,
Neil Lupton
