Webelos Having a Problem with Memorization

[mt_goodrich]

I was approached by a couple of parents who have a son that is currently in the Webelos program at my Church.

I've known this family for a while and all of their kids are great (four daughters and one son).

Their son has some learning disabilities and one of the problems he has is memorizing things. They told me that even though he repeats the Pledge of Allegence everyday with his class, he cannot memorize it on his own.

His father has been working with him with the Scout Oath and Scout Law for the past several months. However, this young man has a problem memorizing both of these.

His parents would like to know what allowances can be made for their son so that he can continue to enjoy Scouting into the Boy Scout program.

I am going to begin my own research on this, but thought I'd asked our knowledgeable group here.

[cballman]

well if a child has problems with saying it alone. then my suggestion would be to stand or sit by this child when he is saying the Oath and Law along with everyone else then he has met the req. I do not believe that anywhere does it say that the child has to say it alone. I have had to have kids turn around and not look at me to when they have done the Oath and Law. Just because I hear then dont mean I have to see them. just my opinion.

[kwildman]

One thing that i have done with my webelos is to ham it up and do it as theater so that they are do motions with each sentence of the oath or part of the law. It keeps the young kids attention during one of the drier topics of the webelos program and the association helps them remember it.

Kevin

[mt_goodrich]

Thanks for the suggestions.

This young man will eventually be in my Scout troop and I want to prepare myself as best I can to be able to assist him having the most enjoyable Scouting experience as possible.

His parents feel that Cub Scouts really brought him out of his shell and he is so excited about moving on to Boy Scouts in about a year. I assured his parents that I would do all I could; however, it was important that they remain involved to. I think dad will become an Asst. Scoutmaster and mom said she would like to help on the committee.

[WeeWillie]

If the Cub has a documented learning disability, then contact your district or council advancement committee. They can help both the Cub and new troop come up with an advancement program that recognizes such situations.

Also ask your school's special ed teacher.

[riverwalk]

No problem, and no reason he can't move forward. Seek local practice on what they've done about this, and move ahead.

[Quailman]

His father has been working with him with the Scout Oath and Scout Law for the past several months. However, this young man has a problem memorizing both of these.

That's way longer than the other Webelos, who probably memorize it in the half hour before you test them and forget it in the ten minutes afterward. (Gee, it sounds like I'm speaking from experience here). There's probably an official guideline, but I say discuss them with him and give him credit.

[FrankJ]

I would be more concerned the the scout understood what the scout oath & law meant than being able to recite it by himself in this situation. I know scouts who can say the oath & law forward & backwards and still have no clue what the words mean.

It would be a goos idea to get the issue addressed by the disablities people so it will not be an issue if he meets up with an over zealous BOR.

[mhjacobson]

I recommend that you have the unit leaders check the current edition of the manual that is titled Scouting for Youth with Disabilities. It describes the procedures that can be used for modifying the advancement requirements for a scout who has an identifiable disability. These are also in the Advancement Committee Guide and in the Boy Scout Requirements Manual 2008.

Modifications begine with the parents who have the responsibility to make sure that the unit leaders have all of the approporiate documentation that there is a physical or mental disability and that they approve the 'recommended' modifications. This form them moves to the district and then the council advancement level for approval.

[lambeausam]

Another thing to consider is that the measure of accomplishment in Cub Scouts is Do Your Best. If the scouting is doing his best, then that should be sufficient. Since the youth is planning to continue with Boy Scouts, I would definitely get the parents to submit documentation regarding the boy's disabilities. It will make it much easier to assign accomodations at the Boy Scout and Venturing levels.

Sam