[ISSUE 666 – 20TH YEAR OF HELPING SCOUTS, SCOUTERS, & PARENTS] Last week I was asked about what Cub Scouts wear when they’re acting as a flag detail or presenting the colors. My simple answer was to wear their uniforms—but that didn’t account for some really important issues. I apologize. Thanks to some wonderful readers […]
About AskAndy
Andy is a Board Member of the U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc.Andy was recognized in 2017 as a National Distinguished Eagle Scout and Regent of the National Eagle Scout Association. He is currently serving as council member-at-large. His previous position, which he held for over 20 years (except for several years when he served as District Commissioner and Assistant Council Commissioner-Training), was Unit Commissioner. He has previously served as Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, Cubmaster, Pack Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, International Representative, and--as a Scout--Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He is a charter member and founding director of his prior council's Alumni Association and Eagle Scout Alumni Association, both established in 2001. He earned Eagle Scout rank at age 15, in 1957; two years later, he earned the Explorer Silver Award--at that time referred to as the "Double-Eagle." At age 16, he served on the National Junior Leader Training Camp Staff at Schiff Scout Reservation (at that time this was a salaried position). He also served on the Philmont NJLIC Staff in 2002, 2003, and 2004, and, later, on two Pilot Regional NAYLE Staffs. His recognitions include: Kashafa Iraqi Scouting Service Award, Distinguished Commissioner, Doctor of Commissioner Science, International Scouter Award, District Award of Merit (2), Scoutmaster Award of Merit, Scouter's Key (3), Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, Cliff Dochterman Rotarian Scouter Award, James E. West Fellow (3), Wood Badge & Sea Badge. He has attended four National Scout Jamborees: Scout in 1957, First Assistant Scoutmaster in 1993, National Staff in 2001, and NESA Featured Speaker in 2014 and 2017. The BSA included his article titled "Frictionless Scouting Events" was incorporated into the BSA National Training Video, "Meetings of the District" for ten years. He is a charter member of the BSA National Advancement Advisory Board and has written multiple technical articles for the BSA Advancement Team's "Advancement News" since 2012. Read Andy's full biography
February 9, 2021
[ISSUE 665 – 20TH YEAR OF HELPING SCOUTS, SCOUTERS, & PARENTS] Hi Andy, I’m a member of our Cub Scout pack’s committee and I’ve been tasked with fining out the regulations for Cubs wearing uniforms to present the colors. I’ve been wandering around online, but I haven’t found anything and I don’t have books in […]
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FEBRUARY 2, 2021
[ISSUE 664 – 20TH YEAR OF HELPING SCOUTS, SCOUTERS, & PARENTS] Hi Andy, My son has been in our local Scouts BSA troop for almost a year (he joined just before the Covid-19 shut-downs began), but despite the troop quickly converting to a combination of outdoor meetings with facemasks and separation plus Zoom meetings as […]
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January 26, 2021
[ISSUE 663 – 20TH YEAR OF HELPING SCOUTS, SCOUTERS, & PARENTS] Hi Andy, I’m hoping we’ll be getting back to real hiking and camping in 2021, so when this starts happening, here’s something I had to figure out along the way and wound up pretty successful. There were times when the ASM or committee member, […]
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JANUARY 19, 2021
[ISSUE 662 – 20TH YEAR OF HELPING SCOUTS, SCOUTERS, & PARENTS] Paul Wolf, fellow long-time USSSP.ORG volunteer and our resident expert on BSA advancement (including consultant to BSA National Headquarters folks), told me more about the upcoming “DEI” merit badge. Scouting volunteer Kirk Wood pointed out this BSA post to me also. I’ve included it […]
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JANUARY 12, 2021
[ISSUE 661 – 20TH YEAR OF HELPING SCOUTS, SCOUTERS, & PARENTS] Here’s a note about “badge hunting” that’s worth the time to read…and ponder… Hi Andy, Baden-Powell warned us to not let our Scouts get into “badge hunting.” He was—and still is—right! This sort of wrongheaded pursuit interferes with the greater experience to be had […]
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JANUARY 5, 2021 – ISSUE 660
Joe Sefcik, a Scoutmaster from Connecticut Rivers Council and a long-time contributor, sent me this article this morning—I’m passing it on to you not only because of these Scouts’ quick-thinking and bravery but because we need some good news about Scouts every now and again—and so does the general public! Sincere thanks to original author, […]
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The Scout Who Saved Christmas
December 24, 1992, Southern California. Early evening. My 12-year-old Scout son and I are hunting for a tree. It’s been a difficult year. I’ve done my best to keep a bright face. Fact is, I’m pretty much in survival mode. I’d become a single parent this year. My business had imploded, the result of a […]
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Issue 660 – December 15, 2020
Hi Andy,About that Scout who used an outdated merit badge workbook, I’d like to offer an alternative view on why he grabbed that worksheet and started in before contacting a counselor. My guess is that somewhere along the way, the notion that it’s all about “capturing” the next badge (rather than learning about brand-new stuff […]
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Issue 659 – December 8, 2020
(Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Just drop a line to me at askandybsa@yahoo.com) THIS IS FOR ALL SCOUTS… Never believe anyone who claims you don’t “deserve” your next rank! Only YOU can request—and absolutely expect to receive—your Scoutmaster conference and your board of review! ALWAYS […]
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Scouting Cartoons
Scouting Cartoons by Rich Diesslin - Click to visit the cartoon gallery at usscouts.org. 
Internet Scout Patch
Missing Kids
The NetCommish web site was selected by Scouting Magazine in 1998 as one of ten "Quality Scouting Web Sites." The article, entitled "
