DoubleD22

I am a Scoutmaster and have been working with scouts for over 30 years. My youngest son who is 12 entered Boy Scouts via Arrow of Light when he was 10 years and 4 months old. Since he skipped 2nd grade and is large for his age he looks older and most of his friends in the troop are at least 1 to 2 years older. He earned his Life rank while still 11. I have done absolutely nothing to encourage him to progress nor have I signed off anything in his book, done any Scoutmaster Conferences, etc. I have worked with him when he asked me to on scout skills. I sat down with him when he earned his Life and told him I would like for him to slow down a little and enjoy scouting. I don't believe that a 12 year old is mature enough to be an Eagle even though my son is more mature and demonstrates better leadership than most of the 14-16 year olds in the troop (comments of assistant scoutmasters when asking how I got him to be that way - nothing I did he came that way - older brother made Star in 4 years and quit). Over the years I have had one 13 year old Eagle and know one who was in scouts when I was a scout - the later now a Council President, Vigil, etc. etc.) Kids are all different and in most cases what we do as adults will not change significantly their drive, initiative, and ownership in self. Some will earn Eagle at a young age and as long as the parents have not had a hand in them passing off a badge or requirement (other than training) they fully deserve what they earn.

I'm not sure I did the right thing in slowing him down as he kind of went on hold. Going to have to wait to see. He turns 13 in November and lacks one Eagle required and the project. He went to National Jamboree this past summer and we will go to Philmont next summer. Time will tell but he has not lost any of his interest in participating in scouts.

While I have been scouting for a long time I never have had kids with problems like a couple I have now. The troop is less than a year old and we have only 4 scouts out of 35 with any prior scouting experience. We have scouts from Arrow of Light 10-1/2 year olds to one 16 year old who is a 1st Class. Just did a TJLT this August but still have a way to go to get to a boy led troop. Hopefully will have 3-4 in CJLT this fall.

The first is a 15 year old who was taken out of public school by his parents in the 5th grade and now has a tutor. They took him out because the school couldn't deal with his social skill problem. He transfered in from another troop. I met with the parents for several hours and didn't really get much help in how to deal with him. He gets very excited about scouting since this is the only thing he gets to do with other kids. It takes him about 24 hours to get calmed down where the other kids will tolerate him. He thinks he is the authority on everything but it has taken him almost a year to be able to put up and take down and pack a troop tent. Most of his scout outdoor skills are very poor. He interupts everyone, uses bad language when he is not around adults, talks about inappropriate subjects even when parents are around (female anatomy), talks very loud and wants to control every conversation. He has been involved in some manner in every issue that has come up in the past year. I have moved him into a patrol with only older scouts who basically just ignore his tirades but he continues to hang around the younger scouts and constantly gets them worried about something that he has dreamed up. all inappropriate behavior is confronted with him immediately and followed up with his parents.

The 2nd scout is 11, in counseling for social skills, has an unusual home situation and needs the male influence of scouting. He is a loner, doesn't want to do his assigned duty roster duties, doesn't eat meat and is very vocal about even being around anyone eating meat (shakes and shivers as well). He is small but still picks on others like shinning a flashlight in their eyes repeatedly, moving their things, etc. None of the scouts his age want anything to do with him. He is very smart and learns easily although is afraid of the water, spiders and bugs (we have lots of spiders around here - averaged 20-30 in a tent during summer camp). He talks to himself quite frequently and sometimes just sits and rocks. No one want to tent with him. I have had many talks with his mother but have few ideas how to help him fit in better other than working on his reactions to others and trying not to be pest. Basically have run out of scouts who are willing to tent with him. I have had a couple of scouts who are thinking about dropping out of the troop because of having to be around him.

Open to suggestions.

I have a patrol box I designed about 1990. It is lightweight (made of 1/4" and 1/2" plywood), designed to stack tightly with other boxes, carry the patrol cook gear, Dutch oven, 36 cup coffee boiler (for constant supply of hot water), wash basins, bow saw, small shovel, staples like paper towels, aluminum foil, etc. It uses EMT for legs and they store inside the box when not in use. Two legs are used to carry the box for distances with four scouts. I train my scouts to cook on pins rather than a grate using coals from a fire or charcoal if we have too, but a scout cook grate can go in it too. I have sent a message to the site webmaster about it and hopefully it will be posted soon. In the meantime e-mail me and I'll send a PDF file of the plans. My troop does about half car camping and half back packing so we use these for car camping.

Don