Re: age or grade requirements-AOL
Doug Flewelling (dougf@GROUSE.UMESVE.MAINE.EDU)
Tue, 17 Jan 1995 12:00:10 -0500
Nancy,
The requirements for the Arrow of Light are specific (but I'll summarize):
1. Be active for 6 months since completing the 4th grade (or *** BE 10.5 YEARS
OLD ***), and earn the Webelos badge.
2. Repeat from memory the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Know the motto, slogan,
sign, salute and handclasp, Scout badge, and uniform.
3. Earn a total of eight activity badges (including Citizen, Fitness &
Readyman).
4. ***WITH YOUR WEBELOS DEN (my emphasis)****:
a. visit at least one Boy Scout troop meeting
b. take part in one Boy Scout-oriented outdoor activity.
5. Participate in a Webelos overnight campout or day hike.
6. Troop visit with your parents. Signed Application.
What does the boy want to do? If he wants to move to Boy Scouting as soon
as possible, then make it happen. Otherwise, he may get tired of Webelos
and quit before earning his AOL. As for the AOL ceremony, it is possible to
award the AOL without going overboard on the ceremony. I know it is the
highest Cub Scout award and all, but it is possible to make the boy feel
special and honored without making it an hour long rite of passage.
There is also no requirement that a boy must be wisked away after the AOL
is presented to never return as a Cub Scout.
I would think the issue is how much special work has to be done to get this
boy through requirements #4 and #5. Summer is an excellent time to take the
overnight or day hike. So it really comes down to #4. Are your local Troops
ready receive visitors during the summer months or would they rather plan
an event for September/October?
Again, if the boy is eager to move to Boy Scouting and his mother is in
agreement, then it is that family's call on whether he is mature enough. I
know several immature 13 year old Boy Scouts.
Also once her son is in Troop she become the Troop Committee's problem ;-).
Doug Flewelling
Pack 301, Bangor, ME
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
