What's the maximum age for Cub Scouts? Completing 5th grade?

[yknot 1225]

1 hour ago, KublaiKen said:

Most Ivy League schools and top employers, including the upper-echelon law firms and wealth management services, won't even consider you if you don't have Arrow of Light on your resume.

You are joking but in reality parents will list it as a credential on applications to private schools. There aren't a lot of comparable accomplishments in that age group for parents who are looking to get into competitive middle schools. 

[Armymutt 142]

49 minutes ago, yknot said:

You are joking but in reality parents will list it as a credential on applications to private schools. There aren't a lot of comparable accomplishments in that age group for parents who are looking to get into competitive middle schools. 

That leads me to believe that the admissions committees don't have a clue about the AOL.  Let's be real, it's nowhere near the level of an accomplishment of a First Class Scout, let alone Eagle.

[yknot 1225]

16 minutes ago, Armymutt said:

That leads me to believe that the admissions committees don't have a clue about the AOL.  Let's be real, it's nowhere near the level of an accomplishment of a First Class Scout, let alone Eagle.

I think it's more about the age/timing of when people are looking to move their kids as well as the fact that scouting accomplishments apart from Eagle are almost meaningless to people outside scouting. If you write on your child's application to a private middle school that they just achieved Arrow of Light, the highest rank in cub scouts, it sounds good and shows completion. Six months later trying to explain where Tenderfoot or Second Class falls in scouting or what it means is not particularly as easy or clear cut.  Of course there are plenty of people who push their kids to Eagle at 13 so they can put it on a competitive private high school application. 

Edited January 20 by yknot

[Eagle1993 2019]

In my area, to get into the selective private middle schools you just need to ensure your $25,000 check doesn't bounce.

[Armymutt 142]

I talked to the dad today.  We discussed both sides of the issue and I think he's in agreement that it's better to start with the troop on March 1st rather than holding his son back.  It would be different if we had a Webelos Den behind him, but we don't.  Better that he start progressing toward Eagle with kids his own age than hang out with 9 year olds.  

[BetterWithCheddar 33]

On 1/19/2023 at 9:17 PM, yknot said:

You are joking but in reality parents will list it as a credential on applications to private schools. There aren't a lot of comparable accomplishments in that age group for parents who are looking to get into competitive middle schools. 

I'm sharp enough to realize these types of situations exist, but the concept of the AOL award being perceived as a serious academic credential still baffles me.