Weaver Ridge Farm

Hi all,

I have a question for some of you wise women. I don't know if you have
covered this topic or not but it's pretty real for me right now so I
would like your opinion. We're in the process of starting a Spiral
Scouts group and I'm having second thoughts about it because of the use
of badges/pins. To me it is an extrinsic motivator and I don't get why
the kids need to do the badges. I would love the kids to do the
activities without getting a reward. Maybe I've been influenced too
much by Alfie Kohn but I don't understand why everybody doesn't think
like me. :-) Since I'm sure some of you unschoolers wouldn't have a
problem with it, I would like to hear your opinions. Some people say
that the badge is just for remembering what a good time they had in
scouting but I think photographs would do the trick. I'm trying to
convince myself that it is okay because I don't want to cause any
friction in the group but I feel like I'm always compromising my
beliefs to make everybody happy. On the other hand, is it really that
big of a deal if they would get badges/pins?

Denise

soggyboysmom

I think it depends - for you/your kid(s) are the badges a 'reward' or
a marker? They could simply be a 'bookmark' of where they've been, a
reference to say "oh yeah I remember that, let's go look at the
pictures from when..." If they are the ones choosing (or at least
having a say in) which badges to do - whatever looks interesting
perhaps - then I wouldn't have a question with it. If, however, it's a
carrot to get them to do "good for you" stuff, then that's different.
If it's one of those things that you guys can just do the stuff and
toss the badge in a drawer or something, fine. If it becomes an issue,
then maybe not.

So, it could go either way

--Deb