Question on new Cubscout Outdoor Activity Badge

[rheckber]

I am the CM of a pack and my Webelos II Den Leader came to me with a

question I could not answer. He pointed out that it appears the new Outdoor Activity Award is specifically designed to exclude all Webelos IIs. The requirements state that:

 

Attend Cub Scout day camp or Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camp. (To be completed after September 1, 2004. Award was launched in late August 2004)

 

I am interpreting this to mean that there is no way Webelos IIs can earn the award. They will become Boy Scouts in early spring next year so they will not be attending summer day camp next year. The sad thing is these Webelos IIs all attended summer day camp the third week in August this year together as a den (and had a great time). For the majority of all Webelos IIs there is no other day camp/resident camp. (I am assuming any camping they did as a den such as the Arrow of Light Weekend we did in early October wouldn't

count?)

 

Also, I am confused about how this works in general for all other scouts. Most scouts attend day camp at their new rank (received at graduation in May/June) so any work they do this year at their present rank couldn't be used towards the award at that rank as they will not be able to attend camp at that old rank.

 

Did national really mean to exclude a group of boys? Boys that really could use the added incentive of an outdoor activity award as they move onto Boy Scouts? Did they also mean to keep anyone from earning it this year and not be able to earn it until they get a summer day camp under their belt (albeit at a new rank so the day camp would be the start of filling the requirements, not the last thing).

 

I asked at our local roundtable this month but no one was really up on the new requirments yet.

 

I asked this same question on rec.scouting.usa adn only got one reply which I have included below. Is the local council able to make exceptions as they see fit?

 

Thanks

Rick Heckbert

Cubmaster, Pack 88, Billerica, MA

 

Here is the one reply from rec.scouting.usa:

 

You raise a very good point. As you say, Cubs enter the next level

before summer camp. Hence they will complete the camping requirement

before the other requirements. Future Webelos II will earn the award

since they will attend Webelos II camp before their Webelos II year.

Then during the Webelos II year they will earn the award. This year

none of the Cub Scouts could earn the award if you take the requirements literally. It is strange they would introduce the program at a time when no one can earn it.

 

Your council may realize your point and count the 2004 camping season. It is worth asking your council advancement committee. No matter what we say here, it won't change your council's policy. Your asking may. Usually in the case of Cub Scout advancement, they are willing to make reasonable interpretations of awkward requirements like this.

 

 

[johndaigler]

As far as I can tell, the start date for meeting the requirements seems to be a late clarification -- it wasn't in print when I downloaded these requirements back in August.

 

I checked with a council office this morning about the same thing. It seems this is new to everyone and they're working to get up to speed, as well. They (several office personnel, volunteers and pros; but not the unavailable Advancement Chair and CE) said that many councils do (less than 5 day) "Day Camps" during the school year as well as their summer programs. The week long summer version is only one type of "Day Camp". So, a W2 could get the award if they attended one of these. . .

 

I don't think it's an issue that Cubs work on this award while graduating from one grade/rank to another. It's not rank specific, though if they graduate they will, obviously have to meet the requirements for the new grade/rank. The award states that it can be earned each "program year" (-- which started another line of unanswerable questions, BTW.)

 

I wouldn't be surprised if, in the end, last summer's Day Camp attendees were allowed to earn the award this year - but at the moment, it doesn't seem as if that is happening. I don't know if this would be a council level decision or not. I wasn't able to speak to the Advancement chair, so I'm still hopeful.

 

jd