Re: OA Elections
Bruce E. Cobern (bec@NYC.PIPELINE.COM)
Thu, 30 May 1996 17:05:00 GMT
On May 30, 1996 12:02:52, '"Paul H. Brown" <phbrown@CAPACCESS.ORG>' wrote:
>You have 10 year olds with 15 nites of camping, including a long-term
>camp? Just _how_ early did the scout complete the 5th grade in order for
>this to happen?
Well, let's see if I can work the math. Assume a boy is born in December.
Also assuming that grade is determined by the year of birth, with all
children born the same calendar year in the same grade. (That's the way it
was, isn't it still basically the same?)
That boy would be finishing the 4th grade in June of the year he WILL turn
10. In other words, he will be about 9.5 when he finishes the 4th grade.
He can earn the Arrow of Light just after turning 10 (6 months out of 4th
grade) and graduate to the troop.
He does his weekend camping in the spring and goes to summer camp during
the summer after 5th grade when he is 10.5. He finishes the short term
camping probably in the early fall and if the lodge holds fall elections he
can be ELECTED before his 11th birthday.
And, if the lodge holds a fall Ordeal for which he is eligible it is
technically possible for him to even be inducted before his 11th birthday.
Now, how frequently will this happen? Not often. Should the SM approve
this Scout for election when he is so young? Depends.
My gut tells me that, more than likely, Scouts who are in this situation
are there because the troop accepted them for membership before they were
qualified or eligible. I have seen instances where troops have taken boys
in BEFORE summer camp after 4th grade. Of course, if those boys are
motivated they get to be in the situation being discussed, even though they
should not be.
But, it IS possible to elect and even induct 10 year olds, although not
YOUNG 10,s, OLD 10's.
--
Bruce E. Cobern
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
