Re: Academic requirements and leadership
Lee E. Tarantino (leetar@MA.ULTRANET.COM)
Mon, 22 Dec 1997 15:49:54 -0500
Jason,
I could not agree with you more. My two sons are eagle scouts and were not
great students. I would venture to say more matter how low they set the
grade level neither one would have ever held an office and thus not been
able to make eagle.
Making scouting a reward for doing something outside of scouting is
defeating the purpose. Scouting was designed to be self-contained for a
reason. And I think that was so that boys that did not excel and academics
would have another way to build their self confidence.
Scouting is a way to learn but also to escape the everyday pressure that
boys comes across at that age.
Keep academics to the merit badges were it belongs. Keep school grade out
of scouts.
Scouting is a way of life,
Lee E. Tarantino
-----Original Message-----
From: Jason A. Cruse [SMTP:jcruse@NEMONET.COM]
Sent: Monday, December 22, 1997 12:04 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L
Subject: Academic requirements and leadership
I have never had academic requirements to hold offices in my troop, though
I will admit that boys who have had troubles at school (read: suspended)
have had to defend themselves in terms of "scout spirit" before holding new
offices.
Having reviewed what some people have written as their "academic
requirements", why not make it simpler? Why not simply say that the boys
have to earn the scholarship merit badge in order to hold certain offices?
The requirements that have been presented are essentially those in the
merit badge, and you'll save space in typing everything out.
That came very sarcastic; I can see some value in having the academic
requirements. However, I voice some caution: too many of these "other"
requirements can lead to restrictions on boys earning their Eagle, and
being able to serve in the offices required for the office. And, since
many academic requirements listed, as I said, are the same as the merit
badge, that would concern me--last time I looked, Scholarship Merit Badge
isn't required.
Jason
Jason A. Cruse
Cruse Consulting Services, Inc.
FAX: (573) 406-0632
jcruse@nemonet.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
