10 Year Old in 11 Year Old Boy Scouts

I am the 11 year old Boy Scouts leader. Our ward does not have a Webelos leader. My son, the only Webelos scout in the ward since February, has just finished his Arrow Of Light and per Boy Scouts requirements is eligible to join the 11 year old scouts. My Scout Committee Chair has said that my son may join Boy Scouts after I obtain my Bishop's approval. My Bishop agrees that this would be great, but wants me to find out what the official church policy is on this. What is the churches policy on my son joining Boy Scouts at this age? I have looked in Handbook 2 and it doesn't say anything about this. Where would I find this or is this decision up to the Bishop? It would allow me to start working on his rank advancements with the other scouts his age.

thanks,

Welcome to the forum.

You likely need to refer to the LDS scouting handbook here:

https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/e ... f?lang=eng

The manual is vague on this situation. The closest it says is that

Latter-day Saint boys become Boy Scouts when they turn 11

My son only has 2 months before he is 11. Currently, I expect that he will have to wait until then to be able to complete the requirements for his rank advancements, even though, he is coming to the Boy Scout patrol meetings anyways. However, if I can get an authorized response somewhere, it would be helpful.

thanks,

cbriarnold wrote:However, if I can get an authorized response somewhere, it would be helpful.

We're pretty good about finding written policy and manuals, but those who would have the power to give a "authorized response" do not visit the forums. Unless someone finds something better, I think the next step is to go up the local priesthood chain.

cbriarnold wrote:The manual is vague on this situation. The closest it says is that

Latter-day Saint boys become Boy Scouts when they turn 11

That seems to be anything but vague to me. It's a simple declarative sentence, with no exceptions noted. Since no exception is noted, it is quite clear that LDS boys do not become Boy Scouts at age 10.

It's similar to the Church's position on Tiger Cubs, which is an official BSA program for 7-year-old boys. The Scouting Handbook for Church Units unambiguously states that boys become Cub Scouts at age 8, so we don't have to wonder if they can participate in Tiger Cubs -- the answer is clearly no.

The Introduction to the Scouting Handbook for Church Units says "Differences between Church policy and BSA policy are noted in this handbook as needed." The 11-year-old limit was noted in that Handbook, so it is Church policy. Of course, I'm providing my personal analysis, and those in authority to interpret Church policy in your area would be your bishop and stake president. Share the relevant handbook sections with them, and then follow their counsel.

But with that said, I think it's great that you are finding ways to help your son to continue to be involved in Scouting. It must be a challenge with him being the only Webelos scout.

We faced this problem when our son transitioned from a community pack to the ward pack. He started Webelos prior to age 10 because he had completed the Bear program, and subsequently completed the Webelos/AoL prior to age 11. Our bishop declined to allow our son to start EYOS early, so rather than have our son spin his wheels, we joined a community troop and had a wonderful Scouting experience, one he would not have had if we had relied solely on the ward. Your mileage may vary...

One clarification... "The Scouting Handbook for Church Units unambiguously states that boys become Cub Scouts at age 8, so we don't have to wonder if they can participate in Tiger Cubs -- the answer is clearly no." This statement is not completely accurate. While the Church-sponsored packs restrict participation and advancement based on age/birthdate rather than school grade, families still have the option to participate in a community pack. Accordingly, the part after the "--" should have said "not in an LDS unit". Any attempts to deny a family this choice should be directed towards the Sunday School lesson on "Agency".

The joining requirements of Boy Scouts of America include an age requirement: "Be a boy who is 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but is not yet 18 years old." Thus the age requirement can be met in three ways: (1) being 11, (2) completing the 5th grade, or (3) Earning the Arrow Light at the age of 10. Having earned his AOL, your son has completed the requirement, and needs only to complete the remainder of the joining requirements in order to become registered as a Boy Scout. So, as far as BSA is concerned, his age is not an issue.

However, most Scouts aren't alone. They join patrols, and troops. And, under the current version of the LDS Scouting Handbook, LDS-sponsored troops do not accept boys under the age of 11. Also under the current version of the LDS handbook, the 11 y/o patrol is restricted from planning more than 3 overnight campouts in a year.

One option is to dual register the LDS, 10 year-old, AOL receipient, completed the 5th grade boy, in a non-LDS scout unit (so he's registered in two units). This allows him to progress on scouting advancement, and make new friends at the same time.

The handbook says, ¨If a ward or branch has only one or two 11-year old boys, the objective for them is the same—to prepare them to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and help them advance through the Boy Scout program. Possible approaches to administering the program in this circumstance include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Increase the size of the patrol through activation and missionary efforts. 2. Use the Lone Scout Program from the BSA. 3. Combine with neighboring wards or branches after considering distance, expense, and time demands that this option might impose on the families involved. If this last option is chosen, the Primary president and bishopric adviser continue to track the progress of each boy from their ward or branch. At age 12, boys join the deacons quorum and the Boy Scout troop.¨