The Observation Deck

Ok, so I have gone LO crazy today but I need to start one more post. I need input from different sides.

My son is a Cub Scout and he sold popcorn this year. Part of the incentive was to win a free cavs ticket and get recognized pre game. We faxed in our ticket orders with some extra for family members to see him.

The popcorn sale ended well over a month ago and the game is for this coming Monday. Today at 8:01 I received an email saying the pre-game recognition was canceled because too many kids succeeded and it was a safety issue. No alternate recognition or plan was given and they just said to enjoy your game and one free ticket (BTW all of the free tickets were in the highest possible part of the arena).

I am glad we got the free ticket but very upset that we were given less than a week notice and 350 kids are now crushed because apparently too many kids succeeded.

Should I be upset that the cavs didn't:
1. Notify everyone earlier with an option to return some tickets?
2. Try to space the recognition out over multiple games or come up with another solution?

I am just shocked.

Cavs tickets are very, very hard to get this year, so I don't think spreading out over multiple games is an option. Our Northwestern alumni group has an annual Cavs outing, and this year we were demoted to the upper deck.

I can believe that too many kids would create a halftime hazard......there are only a few minutes to get everyone on and off the court.

As an alternative next year, I would suggest that the scouts contact Cleveland State basketball. They have plenty of seats available, and do a lot of large group events with kids' organizations like CYO. Plus, their program is rapidly improving...I think they will be a legitimate NCAA contender by next season.

The secretary for CSU basketball is a Lakewood resident....the Vikings have been very supportive of CCLAS' fundraising efforts over the years.

Ryan,

Were I you, I think that I would discuss this matter with your Cub unit leader, and then perhaps, with the Executive Scouter for your area, and as well, perhaps a call to the Cavs Front Office? Obviously, this situation needs to be clarified in your own mind.

Whatever the reason for the change in plans, as you know, a promise is very important to Scouts. Whomever made a promise to them needs to understand the importance of that promise.

As a long-time Scout leader, I deeply appreciate your interest in what is best for the young people involved in Scouting.

Thanks for the posts. An hour after I sent an email to the person in charge of the event at the cavs they made a change and are allowing the kids to shoot free throws after the game.

I am very glad this got resolved.

Apparently the Cavs care, which is good to know.

It's great to know this concern was resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned.

There is virtually nothing on this earth that I'm aware of, more important than developing the character of our young men and women, particularly with respect to serving others.

Just last week, the Boy Scout troops from Lakewood Baptist and St. Cyril's Catholic churches participated in the first Native American Christmas Gathering to be held in Lakewood; at the Lakewood United Methodist Church. The presence of those Scouts was absolutely critical with serving food, and with sorting and passing out the hundreds of presents to eager and needful children.

It was a stellar day for Lakewood, and a stellar day for Scouting.