Our old Cub Scout pack had about 35 boys. Our new one (we moved out-of-state for the newer folks here) has about 120. I'm trying very had to be tolerant of the differences between the two. I know that procedures that work with 35 won't work with 120; plus culture plays a role. We joined this pack the first week of December. At the time, I gave the leaders (den, advancement, and pack) detailed lists of what the boys had already earned. I included dates for each portion of the awards. For example, instead of saying Eli earned the Citizen Activity Pin on 11-7-2011, I said he did A on 10-20-11, B on 10-24-11, and C and D on 10-28-11. Etc. I thought the issue was resolved until I realized that Eli's records were never updated in Scout Tracker. Quin's were (by his den leader), but Eli's were not. I emailed the advancement chair last week about it because Blue and Gold is at the end of the month and he has more than earned rank (Webelo 1). I got an email from the Pack Leader today telling me that he had to sit down with Eli and his book to discuss each achievement that's been signed off on.. to prove he really did them! And he wants Eli to bring his Webelo Colors to prove he received all the pins I said he received. I feel like I'm being called a liar. Admittedly, compared to the other boys in Eli's den, it looks like he's a crazy work-horse. The other boys earned the Communicator pin as their SECOND activity pin of the year... it was Eli's 6th! But our old pack used the Fast Track program to earn 6 before Christmas and 6 after. I can see how it might look fishy, but really? I don't know. I hope I'm overreacting, but I'm extremely bothered by this. I was the advancement chair for our old pack and I take Scouts very seriously. This new pack doesn't even have the boys buy uniforms! They wear pack t-shirts to events. I'm just worried that he will choke when the leader starts asking him questions. Like, maybe he won't remember the three types of rocks he learned at camp this Summer that counted toward his geologist. Anyhow... my mom thinks I should pitch a fit to the council office, but I'm going to wait until after Monday. Should I get over my irritation, though? Is he being reasonable?
Keep in mind that 1) you are new, and they really don't know you, and 2) with that many boys, they probably have to question a lot. But if it's been signed off by a leader in the other council, that really should be the end of it. It's not his responsibility to quiz Eli about what he remembers from it. I think all you can do now is to sit down with him and show him the book (or whatever it's recorded in).
One of the reasons we left Scouts years ago was the constant disagreements about who had earned what. It just got to be so frustrating. It seemed to go against everything Scouting promoted. I hope you are able to work this out easily.
New emails.... Apparently the problem is that this pack does not accept parental "sign offs" for Webelos (there is a 'rule' in the Webelo book about it, but also a loophole for packs to designate parents as 'activity badge counselors.' Something this pack doesn't do). So they will not give him credit for ANYTHING that was finished because of my signature (Including the awards the already has!). Which is everything. If they don't change their minds, he will not be earning rank in two weeks.
They said they would accept a letter from the advancement chair while we were there. I told them that was me. So they won't take that, either.
I would try one of two things. 1) You could contact the regional office, and see what they had to say about it. Tell them it's not fair to change the rules for your son in the middle of the year, that HE will be the one losing out on what he's worked so hard for. 2) Contact the old pack. Could he finish as he has been, send the paper work to the old den, and then have THEM award him rank? How will that affect things for next year? How long before he leaves the cub scouts and joins the boy scouts?
I think we have a solution.. see my next post. We already put in a transfer, so we can't do that. (It was the first thing I thought of. lol)
So contrast this current pack with what my old pack suggested: The pack (the old one) is going to take up a collection to pay for postage for me to overnight Eli's book to his old leader so she can sign off on the things done before we moved (which is most of it) and overnight it back!!!! Seriously. THAT is how Scouts are supposed to act!
Oh, how wonderful is that!!! Is there by any chance, another pack in town? It seems to me that this one's biggest problem is that it's too big with 120 kids. The larger it is, the more organization there needs to be, which means less individualizing for the boys (Hey! Much like a school.... lol!)
There is but we were already immersed in this one by the time we found it. We're likely going to be transferred for work again this Summer, so DH and I decided to stick it out with this one till the end of the year. Either way, we'll be in a different pack next year.
What great leaders in your old pack! Next time something happens and you need a solution, contact your District Executive. They are there to help with that stuff. DH is currently trying to work out a Pinewood Derby situation that never should have happened, but left a boy in tears (an adult was in error). Professionals are there to help!
So the official word is that he will have to take an oral exam (the Pack Leader's words) on all the stuff in his book that he's done. If he passes, he gets his Webelo badge; if he doesn't, well, he doesn't. I just want to cry.
Ugh, Amie! I'm so frustrated and annoyed for you! I have no scout's experience, so I'm no help; but I just wanted to say, even from an outsider's viewpoint, I do not think you are overreacting at all! It seems to me the new pack should really take into consideration the old pack and take their word for it that your son has completed everything satisfactorily. Well, really, they should take your word for it, but if nothing else at least the leadership's word at the old pack!
So they won't accept the books being signed by the other leaders? Is that how they always do things, require anyone coming in to "prove" to them that they know the material and not accepting the say-so of the leaders from the old pack?
Amie, please call your District Executive. That SHOULD NOT be happening, and the DE should help you get it resolved.
If the DE doesn't help, he's not doing his job! Then call his Field Director. This situation is SO not the spirit of scouting!
I already did. To be clear... The issue at hand is that I signed off on many of the requirements for his activity Pins. Our original den leader just had the parents sign on stuff done at home. The Webelo book DOES say that it is the den leaders, and not the parents, who are to sign off on stuff. So despite the fact that he already received those awards, he did so because of my signature and not the den leader. I called the DE this morning and he backed he Pack Leader. He said that it is the Den Leader who has to approve the Webelo badge, and since I didn't follow the rules :roll: the den leader has every right to verify that Eli really did those things.