Ok - Y'all asked for it!
Royal Rangers as we know it is changing. Our mission always will remain
the same: "To reach, teach, and keep boys for Christ." However, our
methods will be changing. Y'all know, when we fish we use different
baits to attract different fish.... so it is with boys. Things we did 20
years ago to get the boys don't mean a thing to the boys of today.
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The new age groups will be:
1) Ranger Kids - 5-7 year olds
2) Discovery Rangers 8-10
3) Adventure Rangers 11-13
4) Explorer Rangers 14-17
First, I'd like to dispell a rumor - we will still have camping. All
advancements in all groups will be worn on a vest. National is creating
merits like crazy (250+ right now), they have even divided the Bible
award into individual books of the Bible awards, PTL. The GMA is still
the highest award to be earned.
Ranger Kids - Advancement will be circular (all equal) rotated on a
quarterly basis. No matter when a boy starts, he will work with the
class, not have to go back to the beginning of the awards trail. There
will be a choice of themes for this class - not just the Indian theme we
have now.
Discovery Rangers - The only thing I can say about them is the 8 y/o boys
can attend camp. This group can begin working toward the GMA.
Adventure Rangers - By the time a boy completes this group, he can have
his GMA.
Explorer Rangers - This group will function with our youth groups & be
involved with extreme sports. Rock climbing, spelunking, white water,
mountain biking, etc. (Yes, Duane, even surfing). I have no details of
how this will work, but it all sounds good.
Mention was also made of having a casual uniform (Dockers & a polo
shirt); however, the standard uniform will/can still be used. A lot of
emphasis is being placed on each individual outpost to tailor Rangers to
their unique needs. Training for commanders will be forthcoming. The
projected release date for this is March 2002.
OK - now I can preach (to myself,too). We can't fight change. None of
us like it, but it's all for the glory of God. As long as we continue to
do His work - getting people saved - how can change be bad? We may or
may not like what is happening, but don't pre-form an opinion until you
have seen what is happening, and until you have spent some time talking
to Dad about it. If we stick together in prayer and in deed to bring
about this new program/ministry, we can take the world for Him that
created it.
That's all I have for now. Hope I didn't step on anyone's toes. Send me
comments, complaints. But, praise God, it sounds like we're in for a
good thing!
Jonathan & Dawnya Conti
Rocky Mount, NC
Royal Rangers.....reaching, teaching, and keeping boys for Christ. :-)
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