Re: Arrow of Light Rank-potential problem
(no name) ((no email))
Tue, 26 Jan 1999 23:36:48 -0600
Michael J Pagelkopf <mjpagel@SPARC.ISL.NET> has some great points,
but I *disagree strongly* with a couple of others:
Mike wrote in part:
>First off a correction in terminology. The Arrow of Light is not
>a rank, it is the highest award in Cub Scouting.
Nope, Mike, the Arrow of Light IS a "rank". It is the "highest
rank in Cub Scouting."
Administering the Arrow of Light is NO DIFFERENT than administering
the Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, or WEBELOS ranks; we *make it special*
because of the traditional "tie-in" between the Arrow of Light and
the Boy Scouting advancement.
Mike further stated:
>Remember, the Arrow of Light is the highest award in Cub Scouting.
>It has nothing to do with Boy Scouts. However, it has been used as
>a vehicle to "cross over" into the Boy Scout program.
This isn't right, Mike. The Arrow of Light (which forerunners used
to be called the WEBELOS Award) has EVERYTHING to do with Boy
Scouting. That's why the Award was created: for Boy Scouts to wear
to "signify" that they have been through the Cub Scouting
experience AND has learned some basic Boy Scouting skills as part
of the requirements.
"Old timers" like myself will tell you that at several times in the
history of the WEBELOS Award/Arrow of Light, that those holders of
the award would be "automatically advanced" a rank (or two) in the
Boy Scouting program. In my day (the late 60s/early 70s), holders
of the Arrow of Light would automatically receive the Tenderfoot
badge upon entry/graduation into a Boy Scout Troop, and therefore
would be a few months "ahead" of their non-Arrow of Light peers
whom either graduated or just joined the Troop. And of course,
Mike, the Arrow of Light is the ONLY Cub Scout advancement which
BELONGS on the Boy Scout uniform (the Arrow of Light is worn by
youth members immediately below their rank insignia; for adults,
the Arrow of Light square knot is worn centered above the left
pocket flap or as part of rows of three such knot emblems.)
This award was hard to get: in addition to knowledge of the basic
Boy Scouting ideals and signs, the WEBELOS Cub Scout also had to
learn the knots required for the Tenderfoot award, the respect for
our nation's flag and how to fold it, fly it and take care of it;
and had to know a little about his community. Part of the
requirements were "signed off" by the Scoutmaster of the Troop the
WEBELOS was planning to join. While we've made the award a little
easier to get today, many of those same elements are still in the
basic requirements for the Arrow of Light Award.
>A Cub Scout that does not receive his Arrow of Light award is just
>as welcome in Boy Scouts as the Cubber that has.
True, but we should be EMPHASIZING the specialness of those Cub
Scouts whom have completed the requirements to earn this special
high honor; therefore, the "cross-over ceremony" has been an
important part of this personal achievement. But you are correct
in stating that there should be a "separation" between graduation
and "cross-over" and the awarding of the Arrow of Light. In my own
personal case, I was presented with the Arrow of Light at a pack
meeting and three months later (because of school and the pack
being out), I graduated along with two other WEBELOS Cub Scouts
into the community Troop.
The Arrow of Light, Mike, is VERY IMPORTANT to the success of the
two-year WEBELOS program. Without it, and the other "trappings" we
impress upon those we hope will become "loyal Boy Scouts", many
WEBELOS Cub Scouts would just say "oh well, it's just another
award". And when they see older boys wearing the Arrow of Light
and adults wearing the knot representing the award (even though
most Cub Scouts don't even KNOW that if they stay around in
Scouting long enough, they too will get to wear the special knot),
they become just that *little bit* prideful.
The Arrow of Light has everything to do with Boy Scouting...it's a
special award that we present to those few Cub Scouts that stay
with the program all five years, have met a series of demanding
requirements, and as the purpose of Cub Scouting, has readied
themselves and their families for the new challenges of Boy
Scouting.
That, to *me* deserves a special ceremony and connections with Boy
Scouting forever!
I do like what your District's planning on doing...but I would keep
the Boy Scout emphasis there, because that's why Cub Scouting came
to be: to be the "training ground" for beginning Boy Scouting!!
Settummanque!
(c) 1999 Mike Walton ("no such thing as strong coffee,...") blkeagle@mninter.net
http://mninter.net/~blkeagle Burnsville, MN 55306-7130 (612) 435-3068
privately at kyblkeagle@aol.com or waltonm@server.kaiserslautern.army.mil
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