Re: Cub Scout "Scout Spirit"
Alan Wolfson (awolfson@MSI.COM)
Tue, 25 Jan 1994 12:21:02 -0500
Mike,
Cub Scouting is a year-round, family-oriented program. When my
son was in Cub Scouts, the Pack leaders went out of their way to
reassure the boys that they would always be welcome at both Pack and
Den meetings, even if they took time off to play sports (or piano
lessons, attend CCD, etc). We encouraged them to work on the Wolf and
Bear activities on their own, because they didn't have the benefit of
working on them with their Den Leader. We also attempted to have the
Den Leader keep in touch with the boy, in case there was an activity
that he could participate in.
When the boys reached Webelos age, the Webelos Den Leader had the
responsibility of signing the books for completed badge-work. Most of
our Webelos leaders allowed the boys to work on one badge a month in
addition to those worked on during the normal Den meetings, but the
boys had to prove they had actually completed all requirements by
presenting evidence of completion. The absentees had to provide the
same type of proof for those badges completed without the benefit of
Den meeting attendance.
One way that we encouraged attendance at Pack meetings was to give
perfect attendance awards to all boys who attended all of our Pack
meetings during the year. The prize was the handbook that the boy
needed for his next year in Scouts. If a second-year Webelos had
perfect attendance, then he got a Boy Scout handbook. Some of the Den
Leaders had smaller awards for perfect monthly attendance at their Den
meetings.
IMHO, you don't want to institute a "Spirit" requirement for boys
playing sports (or attending other non-scout activities), or you will
lose them completely. Take advantage of the time you do have with
them, and make it a positive experience.
Yours in Scouting,
Alan
Alan Wolfson Assistant District Commissioner
Molecular Simulations Incorporated Arrowhead Dist. Daniel Webster Council
(617) 229-9800 I used to be a Bear (NE-CS-36)
awolfson@msi.com Co-leader Junior Troop #307 GSUSA
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
