Earning the Arrow of Light....

[wagionvigil]

IMHO First Aid Should be the First MB that a scout takes before taking any High Adventure MB. Swimming,Life saving, Climbing,Hiking,Cycling etc. ALl of those should have a 1st Requirement of. Before doing any other requirement you MUST have completed First AID MB. Just My Own Thing!

[Fred Johnson]

A question for all you swimming & water type merit badge councilors. Swimming is pretty typically a first year merit badge. One the requirements is demonstrate CPR steps. A typical 11 year old (&quite a few 13s) do not have the weight to effectively do CPR. How do you fill about that. (I realize the requirement says demonstrate, not do or be certified.)

The First Class requirement is to explain the CPR steps. The Swimming MB requirement is to show the technique (i.e. knowledge and physical coordination). Neither require mastery or a minimum physical strength for doing CPR.

[FrankJ]

My 11yo is 63 pounds. Using the Resuci-Annie, he had to really use his full body weight to properly engage the compression. He also figured out that if he kneels on something, such as a jacket, textbook, etc., he is able to get "up and over" the victim.

Now do that for 1/2 hour. Non stop. EMTS tell me that it wears them out.

But congrats to your son for knowing the proper technique. It is a skill that might one day save your life.

[gmf228]

This is my last post on this topic.

After very careful consideration, and consultaion with many people, the Arrow of Light will, reluctantly, be awarded to this scout.

I have also talked to my DE, and expressed the need for the BSA to better define what "active" and "good" mean in regards to the Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements.

Personally, I don't think that a scout who comes to less than 50% of meetings is an "active member of the den", nor do I think this is "good attendance", but until the BSA can define these terms better, I have to live with the watered-down version of what the "highest honor a Cub Scout can earn" means.

Perhaps another award can someday be designed and earned for someone who shows real interest in the program, who attends all his meetings, participates in all (or the majority) of the den and pack activities, and cares about his fellow den members.

I know this may seem like a rant, but I have gotten very discouraged over the past week, seeing the hardwork so many of my scouts did over the past year diminished by a scout who gave a half-hearted effort who will now be recognized equally.

[wagionvigil]

BSA has defined what Active is it is on the forum someplace. It was regietered is active that has changed. Active is registered and has been in contact with the leader. I cannot the exact wording. I am sure SMtroop 168 does.

[smtroop168]

Definition of "ACTIVE"

A Scout will be considered "active" in his unit if he is:


1. Registered in his unit (registration fees are current)
   
2. Not dismissed from his unit for disciplinary reasons
3. Engaged by his unit leadership on a regular basis (informed of unit activities through Scoutmaster conference or personal contact, etc.
4. In communication with the unit leader on a quarterly basis.
   
   (Units may not create their own definition of active; this is a national standard.)

If the Scout does not initiate communication, the unit leader is to contact the Scout and ask if the youth wishes to remain in Scouting. If the answer is negative, then the unit leader should no longer communicate with the Scout. If the answer is affirmative, the unit leader should provide the unit calendar. After six months of nonparticipation, the unit leader may cease to contact with the youth and drop the Scout from the unit at recharter time.

The Scout may return to the unit at any time while on the unit charter. At any time a Scout is dropped from a charter, the youth may re-apply to a unit for readmission; the acceptance of the application is at the discretion of the unit. The youth would be reinstated at the rank and level that can be documented by either the Scout or the unit.

[wagionvigil]

knew Matt would know

[smtroop168]

This is my last post on this topic.

After very careful consideration, and consultaion with many people, the Arrow of Light will, reluctantly, be awarded to this scout.

I have also talked to my DE, and expressed the need for the BSA to better define what "active" and "good" mean in regards to the Webelos and Arrow of Light requirements.

Personally, I don't think that a scout who comes to less than 50% of meetings is an "active member of the den", nor do I think this is "good attendance", but until the BSA can define these terms better, I have to live with the watered-down version of what the "highest honor a Cub Scout can earn" means.

Perhaps another award can someday be designed and earned for someone who shows real interest in the program, who attends all his meetings, participates in all (or the majority) of the den and pack activities, and cares about his fellow den members.

I know this may seem like a rant, but I have gotten very discouraged over the past week, seeing the hardwork so many of my scouts did over the past year diminished by a scout who gave a half-hearted effort who will now be recognized equally.

I know you're frustrated, but you know you DYB! Now that you'll move on to Boy Scouts you can get ready for the "Serve Actively" Position of Responsibility requirement for Star/Life and Eagle! I do understand this one is being reworked in the next edition of the ACPP. Back int he day, the scout had to "show to the satisfaction of your leaders" that you were an active participant in your troop.

[FrankJ]

At the end of the day the AOL is a10 year old's award. Do not let this define you tenure. Hopefully you can look back on the fun you had & what you provided the boys. Let that be what defines you.

Anyway thanks for your service.

[bnelso]

Definition of "ACTIVE"

A Scout will be considered "active" in his unit if he is:


1. Registered in his unit (registration fees are current)
   
2. Not dismissed from his unit for disciplinary reasons
3. Engaged by his unit leadership on a regular basis (informed of unit activities through Scoutmaster conference or personal contact, etc.
4. In communication with the unit leader on a quarterly basis.
   
   (Units may not create their own definition of active; this is a national standard.)

If the Scout does not initiate communication, the unit leader is to contact the Scout and ask if the youth wishes to remain in Scouting. If the answer is negative, then the unit leader should no longer communicate with the Scout. If the answer is affirmative, the unit leader should provide the unit calendar. After six months of nonparticipation, the unit leader may cease to contact with the youth and drop the Scout from the unit at recharter time.

The Scout may return to the unit at any time while on the unit charter. At any time a Scout is dropped from a charter, the youth may re-apply to a unit for readmission; the acceptance of the application is at the discretion of the unit. The youth would be reinstated at the rank and level that can be documented by either the Scout or the unit.

This was in the 2010 Boy Scout Requirement Book, but I don't see it in the 2011 Requirements book. Is there another reference for it, or did I simply miss it.

[smtroop168]

This was removed from the 2011 book. Standby for a new Active definition on or about 1 June.

[wagionvigil]

This was removed from the 2011 book. Standby for a new Active definition on or about 1 June.

Of what year

[smtroop168]

This was removed from the 2011 book. Standby for a new Active definition on or about 1 June.

Of what year

2011...email me