Venturing age and school grade requirement

[Craft Lady]

I understand that the age to join a crew is 14 and finished with 8th grade. I guess my question is more about the finished with 8th grade portion.

My son wants to encourage my nephew and my brother's girlfriend's daughter (boy that is a mouthful or rather fingerful) to join the crew that is out of the CO that charters his troop. As of June 18th (my nephews birthday) they will both be 14. They both sorta just finished 8th grade. Well that is to say that she has to take one summer school class, and he has to take 2. So my question is when are they viewed as having finished 8th grade? When the summer school session is over? Or because they technically didn't finish when they were supposed to should they wait till school starts again? As far as the school says it they finished the 8th grade on the contingency that they go to summer school which is one reason that is very confusing to me.

I am not even sure they want to join, my son just wants to invite/encourage them. So I just don't want my son to be to vocal about it if they have to wait. My nephew could honestly join the troop now and finish the requirements for 1st class. (I think he was 2nd class when he dropped out in Arizona.) Then switch to the crew.

I plan to ask the SM when they get back from summer camp but that is in July and my poor son wants them to join as soon as they can which really at this point will pretty much be as soon as they get back from summer camp.

Jennifer

[wagionvigil]

They would be eligible to join as long as they did not out and out fail the grade NOW if they do not complete the requirements in summer school they will be back in grade 8 and not eligible to join. I would fill out the applications ad get them started.

[ThunderingWind]

I think an age waiver needs to be availabel for those older kids who miss the mark set on a calendar to start school.

My son will turn 14 in three weeks but has yet to even start the 8th grade.

And what about those kids who are excellerated past 8th grade and never take it. The technically did not complete it. Or are moved up earlier in school and are not finishing 8th grade at age 12. So now they must be 14 and complete 10th grade?

There needs to be room within the left and right guideposts of the official policies for case by case waivers by the DE or CE or someone lower like the COR, or CO Committe.

Just one man's opinion.

[riverwalk]

Those are minimums, but ask local Councils for clarity. Some Crews will have a higher age requirement, depending on what they're doing.

I would encourage asking them to visit. Youth members that join because someone else wants them to, might not stay. If they like it AND eventually join, that's great.

[ThunderingWind]

Any word from on high regarding kids that are the oldest in thier class due to birthday cut-off dates to start school?

For example, my is now 14 and 4 months. He just started 8th grade. He will turn 15 a few weeks after the end of the school year.

He started late to Kindergarten because the State of Indiana required all kids be x by a set date on the calendar. He missed it by a few days so he had to sit out a full year. He was absolutley ready.

[wagionvigil]

Must fulfill both requirements. Age and Grade. Sorry

[PaulSWolf]

For example, my is now 14 and 4 months. He just started 8th grade. He will turn 15 a few weeks after the end of the school year.

The actual requirement is

At least 14 years of age and have completed the eighth grade or 15 years of age and not yet 21.

So he can only join when he has finished the 8th grade. If he would be turning 15 in January, for example, however, he could join then, but that doesn't seem to fit your circumstances.

[wagionvigil]

This has come up also on the venturing yahoo group. Home schoolers were having some issues with it. The idea of the age etc is Venturing is for High school and college age students not Middle School students.

[ThunderingWind]

Thank you. I am just trying to find any way I can to keep my son in Scouting. Hi is mature enough to handle the older youth.