Re: Tiger Cubs
Brian L. Davis (brian@COR.GOV)
Mon, 8 Nov 1993 13:04:17 +22320726
Jim Waldrep writes:
->
->I must say, however, that I am offended by the tone that Kathy used. I
->somehow got the idea that this list was a place to discuss ideas. I
->posted my ideas with the full knowledge that some discussion would
->follow. I even had an open mind and was willing to listen to other views.
->I did not expect "... if you can not change them WITHIN (emphasis hers)
->the guidelines to your satisfaction, leave. Our program is not for you."
->Well, thanks, Kathy, that's mighty friendly of you. I thought I
->remembered a guote from my training - "The program is flexible, the
->policies are not".
->
->I am the first to admit that I am relatively new to Scouting compared to
->the rest of the posters on this list, that's why I'm here.
->
Jim,
I hope that you will not let kathies il-considered post influence you
to avoid posting here. I certainly hope Kathie did not intend for her
comments to sound as negative as they did.
Regarding your Tigers, it certainly sounds as if your program is
going gangbusters, perhaps you should be sending kathie advice, rather than
the other way around. Yes, National *recommends* that Tigers meet once a
month. They do not *require* this. Read the literature that BSA puts out,
and decide for yourself how best to implement it. But, nowhere does BSA
require a meeting schedule, or restrict the number of meetings allowed, of
any level of scouting. Right now, the Tiger Cub program is in a state of
flux, while the National office is trying to figure out how to adequately
resolve some of the very problems your approach seems to be addressing. A
few years ago, BSA tried implementing a totally new version of Tigers, in 2
councils (Sam Houston, and the Oklahoma City area Council) as an experiment.
This version involved full uniforms, identical in many regards to the blue
Cub uniform, a manual, and weekly meetings (including a planner). This
test project proved very successful, interms of retainment of boys, and
other goals, but was halted primarily as the result of a territory squabble
between a couple of program directors in the National office. I believe you
will see a slightly modified version of this test project come into being in
a short few years, as BSA addresses the Tiger problem. If you want further
information abou the test project, try writing to the sam Houston Council, in
Houston Texas (Because, the wily renegades are still using this program, and
swear by it, or at least they were in early '92).
Regarding the oft-mentioned "fact" that early involvement of program
elements meant for older boys reduces retainment among younger transferees -
I am frankly skeptical. While certain activities are simply inappropriate for
younger children, others may not be. Where national policies do not
explicitly prohibit the activity in question, a good leader will make up his
own mind based on the maturity and needs of the boys in his charge. I have
seen many persons "quote" statistics that simply do not exist, regarding
program transfer retainments, so do be wary of such "information". Fact -
Districts do not receive any statistic regarding any comparison of boys in
units which camp as webelos, or Tigers which meet more often. Never have.
so, that only leaves personal experience, and thats only worth as much as the
personal doing the experiencing :) The best retainment method available to
Scouting, is the inclusion of Excellence and personal motivation of its Unit
Leadership - And it appears to me, that your Unit must have this, to grow
at such a remarkable rate. Attaboy!
Brian L. Davis
Scoutmaster, Troop 117
Cubmaster, Pack 78
Chairman, Circle Ten Creative Services Committee
Chairman, Youth Protection Programs, Circle Ten
North Trails District Health & Safety Committee member
anna bunch of other stuff too.
--
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