Re: Awards Chairman Woes
Michael F. Bowman (mfbowman@CAP.GWU.EDU)
Fri, 5 Aug 1994 00:43:35 -0400
Susan,
In your posting to Anna you indicated that various Packs in your District
have many differing advancement policies. Some apparently allow Scouts to
work on Wolf until completed regardless of age, other allow a Bear to go
back and finish Wolf, etc.
As a Cub Scout Trainer, I've seen a lot of new leaders with questions on
extra time for ranks and going back to earn an earlier rank. Sometimes
the rules get a little confusing and the implementation, predictably, is
varied.
It may help, Anna, to note that there are a few areas where Packs are given
discretion concerning ranks.
A Cub Scout may be allowed a few extra weeks to finish a rank when the
school year ends before going on to the next rank (but not indefinitely).
If a Cub Scout is repeating a grade, he generally is encouraged to move to
the next age-group rank (Bear or Webelos). However, if it is in the best
interest of the boy and he hasn't made much progress, he can be allowed to
continue working on the same rank at the discretion of the Cubmaster and
Pack Committee.
What the Pack does not have discretion to allow is for a Scout to go back
and work on a previous age-group rank. A Scout "may not 'go back' and work on
advancements designed for younger boys. A new Webelos Scout, however,
must earn the Webelos badge before he can earn the Arrow of Light Award."
Cub Scout Leader Manual at p. 130.
The rank achievement programs were designed to be age-appropriate.
Allowing a Scout to go back and work on less challenging requirements for
younger boys really doesn't help him grow or encourage him to do his best.
While we are helping parents understand the advancement philosophy of
Scouting, we might put in a word that the badges are the carrots to help
motivate and reward, but not the end object. It may help to review with
the parents the aims and goals of the Cub Scout program.
For what its worth, Chapter 11 of the Cub Scout Leader Book has some
pretty good advice on advancement programs.
Yours in Scouting, Michael F. Bowman, a/k/a Professor Beaver
Deputy District Commissioner Exploring, GW Dist., NCAC, BSA
Speaking only for myself, but with Scouting Spirit . . .
____ mfbowman@CAP.GWU.EDU ____
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
