My son has been in scouting since he was a tiger cub and I led his pack for 2 1/2 yrs. We moved so he's transferred troops (from the one he originally bridged to). He is still excited about scouting, but saying that we're not in Kansas anymore would be an understatement. We came from a troop with approximately 24 scouts to one that has doubled. from one that wore the shirt as their uniform (because of the socioeconomics of our area) to a full uniformed scout requirement.
Now don't get me wrong we are OK with these changes and others, but now that my son has had to request three scoutmaster conferences for his 1st class rank and been denied advancement for a third time I'm frustrated to say the least and also a bit confused with regard to the regulations surrounding a SMC.
1. 1st SMC with ASM - close to 30min. denied because he didn't know all of his knots
OK, he practices his knots
2. 2nd SMC with a different ASM from the 1st SMC - denied because he got the oath and law mixed up
BUT he knew his knots
3. 3rd SMC with yet another ASM - denied before it even started because he had white socks on.
He knew his knots and his law, EDGE and oath
OK, my understanding is that 1st class is an important rank for the troop and you really need to know your stuff, but should he be denied a SMC because of his socks? Is the SMC a pass/fail, I thought that was what BofR was? How can my son learn consistency if he never actually has the conference with the SM, but has the SMC with every ASM in the troop.
I feel as if this is deterring from the program and it's now almost a point where the 4th time around he'll get another ASM and get denied again for something that was already signed of on.
I hope someone with BSA knowledge can ease our frustrations, before mama bear is unleashed! As for my son, he's assertive and requests SMC conferences as soon as he's finished his requirements, he is not being forced by his parents to do these conferences, however we aren't part of the committee or the tightknit ASM circle of parents and boys, so I do feel like we are a part of the outer circle. I would really like to know how to best handle this situation without jeopardizing his future in the troop.
Scoutmaster Conference - Is this the right way?
in Advancement Resources
Posted
My son has been in scouting since he was a tiger cub and I led his pack for 2 1/2 yrs. We moved so he's transferred troops (from the one he originally bridged to). He is still excited about scouting, but saying that we're not in Kansas anymore would be an understatement. We came from a troop with approximately 24 scouts to one that has doubled. from one that wore the shirt as their uniform (because of the socioeconomics of our area) to a full uniformed scout requirement.
Now don't get me wrong we are OK with these changes and others, but now that my son has had to request three scoutmaster conferences for his 1st class rank and been denied advancement for a third time I'm frustrated to say the least and also a bit confused with regard to the regulations surrounding a SMC.
1. 1st SMC with ASM - close to 30min. denied because he didn't know all of his knots
OK, he practices his knots
2. 2nd SMC with a different ASM from the 1st SMC - denied because he got the oath and law mixed up
BUT he knew his knots
3. 3rd SMC with yet another ASM - denied before it even started because he had white socks on.
He knew his knots and his law, EDGE and oath
OK, my understanding is that 1st class is an important rank for the troop and you really need to know your stuff, but should he be denied a SMC because of his socks? Is the SMC a pass/fail, I thought that was what BofR was? How can my son learn consistency if he never actually has the conference with the SM, but has the SMC with every ASM in the troop.
I feel as if this is deterring from the program and it's now almost a point where the 4th time around he'll get another ASM and get denied again for something that was already signed of on.
I hope someone with BSA knowledge can ease our frustrations, before mama bear is unleashed! As for my son, he's assertive and requests SMC conferences as soon as he's finished his requirements, he is not being forced by his parents to do these conferences, however we aren't part of the committee or the tightknit ASM circle of parents and boys, so I do feel like we are a part of the outer circle. I would really like to know how to best handle this situation without jeopardizing his future in the troop.