This just in from BSA National:
Awards and Knots
The national council’s awards committee recently conducted a review of the hundreds of awards presented to Scouts and adults in the BSA. Many recommendations were made to simplify and update procedures, and the awards themselves.
Among the recommendations was the update of some awards and/or the knots that represent them on the uniform. These include the training awards and the Cub Scouting awards.
For example, to give the award the same recognition as the other top unit leader awards, the Cubmaster Award will become the Cubmaster’s Key and use the Scouter’s Key knot. The Cub Scouter and Pack Trainer Awards will use the Scouter’s Training Award knot. The Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos Den Leader’s Awards will use the Den Leader’s Award knot. Devices to be worn on the knots will be available to indicate which awards, and for which program awards were earned.
Scouters who have earned the awards will still be able to wear the old knots as long as they are available.
The training team is currently reviewing and updating the requirements for the awards. So watch here for news, but we expect the details in early 2012.
So, while I get and understand this. I am sad because they are pulling Cubscout Adult Leader Knots into Boyscouts. Having the the Tiger and Webelos Knot blended into the Den Leaders knot makes no sense. The same for the Cubmaster into the Scouter’s Key. Think I will write a few letters. I have written about getting Knots in the past. And here too! Oh, and again! So, if your able to earn them in time get on it!
Ron: Only being in the Cubscout world for 4 years, I know that things change. Wait long enough and it comes around again. Guess that happens when there is a new Crop of Leaders who filter through.
Hmmm … this is exactly the way it was before the introduction of all the new knots back in the late 80s.
I earned my Cubmaster Key (took me 3 years, not 2 like the Cubmaster Award), and a Cub device for my Scouter’s Training Award.
Many railed against the changes back then, said it was too hard, and made Cub Leaders look like someone just tripped and dropped fruit salad all over them!
Everything old is new again!