I guess that means my son has only two more months to make first class. He has been wanting to go with another troop that his friends are in, because he is getting sick of being bullied and picked on in his current troop and being told "that's just the way they are" about these particular boys. Only problem is the troop he wants to be in is a bit of a way to go.
"he is getting sick of being bullied and picked on in his current troop"
I understand that this young scout, Michael, was in a troop that did not include his regular friends.
It is possible that when the group returned from the hike, he had some sort of unpleasant teasing because he had been "too tired" to go with them. Taking his mess kit into the woods appears as if he wanted to eat by himself...sulking and unhappy.
Just an observation.
Troops, like people, have personalities. If the troop is not not a good fit with the boy's personality, the boy will vote with his feet.
As a parent of a soon to be Tenderfoot Scout, as a previous Scoutmaster and now Asst. Scoutmaster, I will tell you that if you want your son to stay interested in Scouting, get him out of that Troop and into one he feels welcome in. Period.
SZ
Have you met with the leaders of your son's Troop? Or the Troop Committee? Or their Sponsoring Organization? If this doesn't change fast, get him out of that Troop. My opinion, anyway. Have you been to any meetings or outings where you might have had a chance to observe this behavior first hand? A certain amount of give and take amoung 12-year olds is to be expected, but if there's truly bullying going on it should stop.