cyboji59 Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Hello all wise and knowing scouters, We have a situation where a Webelo II has his dad being deployed in January. Is it OK to conduct an early Arrow of Light ceremony for the son in December, so his dad can be there. He will have all requirements done by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molscouter Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 If he's finished all of the requirements (including age and the 6-month time frame), go ahead. And remember, if he plans to cross over to Boy Scouts, he does not have to cross over right then and there. He can stay with the pack (if he so desires), continue to work on activity pins, kick back and be top dog for a while, and cross over with the rest of his buddies later on. If he wants to cross over and the troop is ready, he can do that too. If he does wait, make sure there's someone with a good video camera to record the crossover ceremony so Dad can see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FScouter Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Why wait until December? If he has earned now, present it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyboji59 Posted October 11, 2006 Author Share Posted October 11, 2006 Not quite done yet. Target is to get him done by Dec pack meeting. We want to dedicate this special pack meeting for him and his dad. His dad is also our committee chair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo1 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Also remember something nice for dad. Sailors (and Marines) deploy all the time, but if Dad is Army or Air Force or a reservist deploying, do something nice for him too. Then upon his return, you might present him with contrived awards like Desert Survival Merit Badge, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisabob Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Yeah I'd be real careful about the contrived award business though. Not knowing what he might experience in reality, a "survival" badge or anything else that makes light of his experience might be in poor taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo1 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 OK Lisa, I agree, but I have an unusual sense of humor, my guys know that. How about a nice going a away present that is nice and small, so it can be packed easily, then plaque upon his return. Depending on the town a hero's welcome, parade, the whole 9 yards, but it depends on the town. A hero's welcome for one guy might not work in chicago or Atlanta, but in Nowhere Wyoming, it would be right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSScout Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 If he's an outgoing CC, byallmeans, he needs some small remembrance. Maybe a can of "Goldbond" ,autographed by his committee. Go to the Scout store and brouse. Something will occur to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo1 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 Also, remember a care pakage for him while he's gone. Some socks, t-shirts, drawers, cookies, magazines, a hometown newspaper, etc. Check with the wife for sizes. Only military issue t-shirts and drawers, the exposed part of the t-shirt must be the correct one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtm25653 Posted October 12, 2006 Share Posted October 12, 2006 It's not early if you give the AOL when the boy earns it. I'm always frustrated when a den leader says they want all their boys to get their rank (most frequently AOL, but sometimes other ranks) at the same time - the boy deserves to receive recognition when HE achieves the rank, regardless of what the other boys do. Likewise, holding off giving the AOL until the crossover ceremony - if you give the boy the rank when he earns it, he actually gets to wear it on his cub scout uniform. My oldest was the only Web II - got his AOL at crossover, the month he earned it. My second got his AOL at the Nov pack meeting - I think there may have been 1 or 2 other boys in his den who get it then as well (4 of the 8 in that den earned their Eagle) - and then crossed over at the B&G in Feb. My youngest got his AOL at the Aug pack mtg by himself, then crossed over to the troop at the Sep pack mtg - as the youngest of 3 scouts in the family, if we had made him wait to get the badge or cross over, he would have rebelled at scouting all together. Maybe you can make a bigger deal of the AOL if it is the focus of the crossover ceremony, but you can still have traditions and ceremonies for it at a regular Pack meeting - my 2nd son still, at 18, has the arrow he was given (with a light stick wrapped around it) on his wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beasties mom Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Have the Pack present Dad with a pocket flag if he doesn't already have one. But then a second one from his Pack might still be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyboji59 Posted October 15, 2006 Author Share Posted October 15, 2006 All great ideas and suggestions. Thank You! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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