EagleInKY

Laura, Great question, and one that I've wrestled with. I don't have the timing issues you have, we plan to get all of our boys at the same time. But I can see where it would be possible for that not to happen. (I've got a new troop which started last March with 7 brand new Scouts, and two Tenderfoot Scouts who had dropped out during the middle of their first year). We are trying to get all the boys to FC by May. That's actually 14 months from when they started. But coincides with the "scout calendar" which tends to run along with the school year. The "goals" we set out as adult leaders (not communicated to the boys) was to get to Tenderfoot by June (prior to Summer Camp), Second Class by the end of the calendar year, and First Class by the end of the School year. Of the 9 boys, I have 1 to First Class (he was one of the two Tenderfoots), 5 to Second Class, and 3 that should get to Second Class by the end of January. What this shows is that boys truly do advance at different speeds. There is also a direct correlation to participation and advancement. If a boy chooses to miss a couple of campouts due to Soccer, he pays the price with slower advancement. We do the same as you, offering multiple opportunities for boys to complete the requirements. But, it's up to the boy to follow through. I've had a boy who needed one simple requirement for his rank advancement and sat through a week of SC and two weekend campouts without doing it. He eventually came through when the other boys started nipping at his heels. Funny how peer pressure can be an influence on advancement. -John

I earned three arrowheads as a Scout in the 70's and 80's. I continue to wear one of them today. (I only wear the one and have kept the other two in mint condition). It continues to be a great conversation piece.

DS - Thanks for asking a question that has no controversy! It seems that the most popular occupations are military or technology. Well, I'm a former Army-brat that works in the technology sector. Currently, I am Sr. Manager over Web Technologies for a "major quick-service restaurant company". Thanks for keeping the message boards alive!

I took over a pack 5 years ago that had a horrible standard of uniforming. I was dismayed by the boys and leaders who came to meetings not in uniform or in totally inappropriate uniforms such as the one mentioned at the start of this thread. I tackled it on several fronts. First, I felt that it would be too intimidating for the Cubmaster to pull any individual Cub aside. So I challenged the Den Leaders to raise the bar on their own uniforming as well as their dens. This helped, and we saw some immediate improvement. Second, we had periodic surprise uniform inspections at Pack Meetings. They were done as the boys came in. It was a simple checklist - neat appearance, proper uniform shirt, belt and hat, clean jeans or slacks, proper insignia sewed on (I get so tired of kids wearing two years of rank advancments on safety pins!). We recognized the dens that had the best score, but did not point out any individuals (for good or bad uniforms). Third, we did a form of the skit that was mentioned. But we didn't use any outrageously bad uniforms. I just inspected the leaders and pointed out what they did good or bad (and they, in turn, inspected me). It was good for a laugh or two. Over the period of 6 months or so, we saw a tremendous improvement. However, most of the improvement came from the younger Cubs. The older ones were accustomed to the bad habits, and were harder to change.

I didn't see it mentioned, but there is also a square knot for the Arrow of Light. I wear it and my Eagle Square Knot on my uniform. As for temporary badges, I've never heard of a time limit. I have three Philmont Arrowheads from the 70's and 80's that I continue to wear.