To be a bit miffed at ds's friend going up to cubs a lot earlier than ds?

[JoeyBettany]

My ds (just turned 8) is a beaver scout, which he loves.

Today, I texted another beaver mum to find out if it was on tonight and she replied, a bit smugly I have to say, saying she wouldn't know as her son is starting cubs on another day.

Now, this same mother told me when my ds started, later confirmed by the leader, that it's normal to go up to cubs soon after turning 8. But her kid is only 7 and a half!

Anyone else the mum of a beaver? Are particularly advanced kids promoted earlier?

I'm not that concerned , more a bit worried that ds's classmates will be cubs and he'll be regarded as a lesser beaver

Chalet people I seem to have killed a thread come & talk to me! (can't do links am on my phone)

I strongly suspect that the other mother "asked" for promotion - IME that is often how these things come about.

Or maybe had to change nights for some reason, and cubs was more convenient?

OK, my Dh is a Scout Leader so hopefully can help you a bit.

What I think is happening is the Cubs have had some of their older children move up into Scouts, thus creating space in the Cub Pack. They have therefore started "linking" some of the older Beavers. This usually means that the children can attend both Beavers and Cubs for a few weeks while they settle into the older group. Some parents don't like to or can't fit in sending their child twice a week to Cubs/Beavers (understandably) so therefore just send them to the older section. Which I think is whats happen here. You don't mention if your son is the same age as the friends boy or if their birthdays are months apart. If they are then I would presume that your son will be asked to start linking after half term once space is available. It differs from pack to pack, some may like to keep the boys at Beavers till they are 8.

He's probably a handful and the Beaver Leader wanted to get shut of him ASAP