Cub Scout Crossover (was Re: OA Elections)
John Burke (burkejoh@CONED.COM)
Fri, 31 May 1996 14:59:13 -0400
Jim Peterson wrote [snip]
>My son will turn 10 in
>August, so assuming he completes all the other requirements by then, he
>could earn AoL in February and immediately move on to Boy Scouts. Or he
>could wait until May (Three short months) and cross-over with the rest of
>his Patrol, AS A GROUP. He is anxious to become a Boy Scout, but what are
>the advantages to crossing over early? He would miss the Pack's Pinewood
>Derby in March, District Pinewood Derby in April and the big Crossover
>Ceremony in May (no, I will not fabricate a second, earlier crossover just
>for him and I have told him this).
>
> I think the team concept of the patrol method is better served by the
>Webelos Crossing over together, as a group, especially since they will
>remain together as a patrol in thier new Troop.[snip]
Jim, et al.
I agree that crossing over as a team, or patrol, is important. It
emphasizes the WE in Webelos. But. . .
Webelos crossover to Boy Scouts in February or March seems to be the new
national BSA policy. The 1995 printing of the CS Leader Book has a bar
chart type calendar that indicates this. The new 96-97 Program Helps
has "The Cub Scout Cycle" on the last page that indicates this also.
In our district, there is a special emphasis on this, and the more
important purpose behind it, retention of the graduated Webelos Scout
in the Troop. The idea is to get the boys integrated into the troop
and the boy led patrol method. By the time the summer rolls around,
the boys who crossover in Feb/Mar will have a few campouts under their
belts (without parents), have had a chance to earn some money for summer
camp, and be better prepared to go to summer camp with the troop.
It seems that the boys who graduate at the end of the school year aren't
as prepared for summer camp or don't go to summer camp. Some find other
things to do and don't return in September.
Just my understanding of the way things are suppose to be.
John Burke
DL, Den 1
ACM, Pack 163
(Soon to be)RT Staff, Iroquois District, NCC
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
