Back from Summer Camp as well - out troop's 1st camp!
We have 7 boys in the troop - 1 experienced scout (1st class, completed NYLT), and 6 first year campers. Experienced scout had a blast, earned 3 Merit badges, tapped out for OA, did some service for the staff, wants to be a Counselor in Training next year, etc.
2 of my first year campers (ages 11 - 12), had a blast. Completed the FYC program, and after next week, ready to advance to Tenderfoot (Have to finish part 2 of the physical requirements: push-ups, run, etc.; which they will do next week.)
4 boys (ages 13- 15), were our problem scouts. They didn't do anything to warrant expulsion from camp, but they were habitually late in getting up, didn't contribute to campsite or cabin maintenance, had to be coerced to attend some of the activities, and chose to blow off the last afternoon of FYC. In short, my scoutmaster and I (I'm the troop committee chair), believe that these 4 boys did not live up to the scout oath and promise, which is a requirement for advancement for tenderfoot.
We informed their parents about their behavior, and of course, the reactions ranged from, "I'm very sorry that my son acted this way and I will take care of it" (which the parent did immediately), to "my son was influenced by his buddy, and he shouldn't be responsible for his actions - it's all his buddy's fault).
We don't want to shut the door on these boys in scouting, and it is our hope that the boys will look on this as a learning experience. But we believe we are doing a disservice to scouting if we advance these boys. I'm thinking of having the boys perform some type of service project to show "scout spririt." So to the forum...
1) Are we correct in not advancing these boys? If you feel we should advance these boys, what steps should we take to avoid having this issue in the future?
2) If you feel we should not advance these boys, what suggestions would you make for us to give to these boys as a project or other means to show "scout spirit" for advancement?
YOS,
Capella Rocks