Parental units: we know you're always trying to do the best by your Scouts. We are, too. And in the process, there will be times when your Scout won't necessarily get what they want/when they want it. And believe it or not, that's essential to their growth as a Scout.
Scouting's Aims and Methods include
- Advancement - overcoming a series of surmountable obstacles
- According to Scouts -> Advancement in the Troop 324 By-Laws, the SCOUT is responsible for retaining all advancement records and for "Keeping Scout Handbooks current and bringing them to all regular meetings and camp outs. " (You'll see why I included this in a minute.)
- Association with Adults - watching how adults conduct themselves
- Ideals - as spelled out in the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, and the Scout slogan
- Leadership Development - The Scouting program encourages Scouts to learn and practice leadership skills. We provide a safe place to fail. (That's also why we sometimes let things degenerate into chaos - watch the video.)
On occasion, parents want to discuss their Scout's advancement. Sometimes, the conversation does not measure up to the Ideals of being Helpful, Courteous, Kind, Cheerful (and sometimes the language is not Clean). The Advancement Method works - yelling at a volunteer is contrary to the method of Association with Adults.
Moreover, if the Scout is not bringing their Handbook regularly, and are not bringing their book to the Scoutmaster (or designee) when they complete a requirement, they are dropping the ball on their own Advancement. Every Scout does it once in a while. We don't worry about that. But it's a problem when it's habitual.
This self-inflicted problem is also a self-regulating one. If they keep forgetting or temporarily losing their book, don't worry about it. Really. Remember, we provide a safe place to fail. If your Scout doesn't get their rank advancement when they wanted it because they didn't take care of their Handbook, will it hurt them to miss a presentation at a court of honor? Maybe - if they're close to their 18th birthday, but in that case, they should have already learned thid lesson. Failure is an excellent teacher. Just like if they don't pack the right stuff for a camping trip, we let them enjoy one or two less-than-comfortable nights. And, no, we won't let them freeze - they'll just be chilly.
As Garth Brooks sang, "You can help them find their wings, but you can't fly for them. 'Cause if they're not free to fall, Then they're not free at all."
Just click above to listen to the song. If you think it might apply to you, it does; if you're sure that it doesn't, then it just might.
