Issue 564 – April 28, 2018

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In my Issue no. 563, Lee Murray asked, “Can a Scout start a merit badge under the old requirements and finish under the new, provided he has completed all of the new requirements? Is there anything that says he can’t do this?”

I said, in part, “…But if (a) partial is…a couple of years old (and requirements have changed), then (the Scout is) obliged to complete that merit badge with the new requirements…”

WRONG! And I’ll take twenty lashes with a wet neckerchief! Once a merit badge has been started, and its requirements change later on, the Scout has two options: He can complete that merit badge using the requirements he started with, or he can convert to the new requirements—it’s his choice.

Thanks to the bunch of readers who spotted my error!
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Good afternoon Andy,

My question is regarding our affiliated Cub Scout pack and its relationship with our troop. We have a mother with one son (age 7) in the pack and one (age 11) in the troop. She wants to bring her younger son on our troop’s camping trips. Her older son does just fine with his own patrol, but this mom is concerned that her younger son feels left out and should be allowed to go camping with his older brother and his Boy Scout friends in the troop.

Initially, our Scoutmaster said this is okay—everyone can go camping. But now we’re re-thinking this for troop-only outdoor activities. Our troop does hold “family outings” a few times (usually three) each year, where everyone’s invited. But we’re feeling that, for troop-only camping trips, it would be better for this younger brother to wait till he’s actually a troop member.

When we re-proposed this to these boys’ mother, she claimed that we’re being “unfair” (her word) and went so far as to argue that “if these were the Scoutmaster’s sons, they’d be allowed to do this.”

Can you help us out? We want to do the right thing for both boys. (Concerned troop committee member)

Have you (and this mother) ever seen this famous Norman Rockwell illustration titled “Can’t Wait”? (Please Google it!) It depicts a Cub Scout who “can’t wait” to be a Boy Scout just like his older brother. That’s, in part, what Cub Scouting is all about: It prepares boys (and girls, soon) to become Boy Scouts when they (a) earn the Arrow of Light or (b) turn 11 years old or (c) complete the 5th grade (but not before one of these happens, and there’s a reason for that).

I fully understand this mother’s desire to be “fair” to both of her sons; however, what she’s asking for would actually be significantly unfair to both boys and to her older son’s troop as well. (Her statement that if these two boys were “Scoutmaster’s sons,” they’d be permitted to do what she’s asking holds no water—it’s a speculation that’s entirely misguided and incorrect.)

The BSA, like all Scouting associations in some 200 countries around the world, has essentially been an educational movement from the very beginning, in 1907 Great Britain.

The BSA’s programs—Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, and Sea Scouting—are designed to be age-specific. In Cub Scouting, as you know, a boy in kindergarten is a “Lion.” He doesn’t “jump” to being a “Bear” or a “Webelos” because he has an older brother in a Bear or Webelos den. He begins in the den appropriate for his age and school grade, and learns and does things appropriate for that age and grade; and he moves forward as his age and grade rise. This applies to Boy Scouting as well. Simply because a boy has an older brother who’s a Scout, doesn’t automatically give him the right to tag along with his brother and that brother’s patrol and troop. That would be a major error. It would place the younger boy in an environment that over 100 years of practical experience says he’s not ready for and it simultaneously diminishes the aspirational allure of becoming a Boy Scout.

As a boots-on-the-ground commissioner for the past 25 years, and having observed several hundred Boy Scouts in some two dozen different Boy Scout troops in multiple councils across several states, I can tell you that I’ve not once observed younger, under-age brothers accompanying their older Boy Scout brothers on any patrol or troop outings…not ever!

But let’s look outside of Scouting for a moment… When this mother’s older son is in high school and, let’s say, goes out for JV football, is she going to ask the football team coach to allow her younger, middle school son to practice and participate in scrimmages and games alongside the JV team? And, if she did, what response do you think she’d receive?

How about the religious side of life? Will this younger brother be permitted into the confirmation class or CCD or Bar Mitzvah program because his older brother is doing this and Mom doesn’t want the kid brother to feel “left out”?

You’ve also told me that this troop also has occasional “family outing” weekends, where every family member, from infants to grandparents is invited. These are delightful activities that both brothers can enjoy, and that’s just fine. But I feel pretty certain I can predict that this mom’s older son won’t be hanging out with his kid brother—he’ll be hanging out with his patrol and troop peers.

That’s why this mother’s request absolutely needs to be denied, with the sole exception of the “family outing” weekends (which aren’t really part of the Boy Scouting program but can be nice occasional events).
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Dear Andy,

I found your columns whilst searching for the lyrics to a silly song we sang as children. It’s called “Hyro Gerum,” or something close to that. I have no position in Scouting so this is completely off-topic for your columns. But you mentioned that song way back in you Issue 19, on October 15, 2003. I’m wondered whether you would be so kind as to send me the full lyrics if you have them. (I’ve been reading your latest and past issues. Finding your columns has been a happy accident! Please keep up your wonderful work. (Marta Merriman)

I sang that song at Scout camp for many a yearium and I enjoy it stillium!
Here’s where to find the full lyrics…

Mudcat Café message #2789916

Go and have some funium!
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Dear Andy,

We have a Scout who has not attended a single troop meeting in the past six months. In that time he’s shown up to meet with one of our troop-specific merit badge counselors once or twice, but he’s not participated in any of the actual troop meetings. I’m going to guess that one day soon he’ll be showing up to ask us to sign his paperwork for Eagle rank. Most likely, I’m going to be reluctant to sign off for this Scout, but others may have other ideas. I’d sure like to have your thoughts before the possible problem arises. (Jim Henshaw)

So long as any Life Scout has been active for six months—continuously or in segments—between completing his Life board of review and the date of his Eagle board of review (or 18th birthday), he qualifies for Eagle req. 1. If he also served for any period or series of periods that add up to six months in a stated position of responsibility, he also qualifies for Eagle req. 4.

The BSA GUIDE TO ADVANCEMENT (Topics 4.2.3.0 and 4.2.3.1) provides excellent guidelines on how to manage this important element. Please read these a couple of times…they’re quite involved.

Personally, I think the key is to not let this drag out to the bitter end. This will likely produce acrimony, accusations, finger-pointing, and lots of angst! Head this off by getting with this Scout right away to find out what’s going on in his life and how you and the troop can support his advancement efforts. No, we don’t give out ranks like they’re lollipops; but on the other hand, we don’t dig mud pits that Scouts will fall into on their way to their next rank!

Happy Scouting!

Andy

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Write to askandybsa@yahoo.com. Please include your name and council. (If you’d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that’s what we’ll do.)

[No. 564 – 4/28/2018 – Copyright © Andy McCommish 2018]