Re: advancement
Tim Goncharoff (tgonchar@CATS.UCSC.EDU)
Mon, 10 Mar 1997 08:45:03 -0800
There have been some comments about troops making it too easy to earn
merit badges. They have a point, but I think we need to be careful not to
go too far the other way. In our troop, we focus each month on a
particular merit badge selected by the PLC. The SPL contacts a registered
merit badge counselor. The committee provides whatever additional
resources are necessary. So far, so good. Often this works great. Some
months, however, noone earns the badge (I'm not counting here badges that
naturally take extra time, like hiking or camping). Often, only one or
two scouts earn the badge (in a troop of 35). It's possible that this
reflects a lack of interest, but it happens often enough that I suspect
other problems. I liken the situation to a math class where every student
fails the big test. You can say the students are stupid or lazy, but if
everyone's failing, you have to look at the teacher.
In our troop, we have leaders who feel that making it tough to get a
merit badge is good for the boys, builds character, etc. They have
resisted any attempt to look at our advancement program and why so few
earn the badges we offer. Boys fail to advance, lose interest, and drop
out. The leaders say good riddance.
Don't let this happen to you.
Tim Goncharoff
troop 674
Santa Cruz, CA
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
