NEWS FLASHES PACKS, TROOPS REBEL AGAINST BSA “UNIT UNIFORM” POLICY. In a remarkable display of solidarity against the BSA’s new policy that jeans, Dockers, cut-offs, and “baggies” can be worn at all pack and troop meetings, and outings too, Scouts and leaders alike refuse to give up their Scout pants. “BSA-issue pants only at Blue-and-Gold’s […]
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
Issue 299 – March 25, 2012
Rule No. 66: • Anything told to you “for your own good” isn’t. Dear Andy, We have a Scout whose Eagle project is re-building an animal enclosure that was destroyed during winter storms, for a petting zoo at a local day camp. He just found out that the animals will arrive in approximately nine weeks […]
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Issue 298 – March 20, 2012
Rule No. 65: • Anyone who must tell you he always tells the truth, is lying. Dear Andy, On merit badges, I can’t find anything written by the BSA about how long a Scout has to complete a merit badge once he’s started it. A troop has set a time limit, and if the Scout […]
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Issue 297 – March 13, 2012
Rule No. 64: • The length and complexity of PowerPoint presentations are most often in inverse proportion to their value. Dear Andy, I just read your column about the unit with adults “allowed” able to carry sheath knives and pepper spray without the Scouts being able to do either. Left me somewhat speechless. About the […]
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Issue 296 – March 10, 2012
NYLT Leadership Academy Special Issue Rule No. 63: “Co-leaders” who agree to share 100% of the responsibilities will each accomplish 10%. Good morning Andy, The BSA National Leadership Development Committee has approved the national promotion of the Northeast Region’s NYLT Leadership Academy program (formerly YSDC—Youth Staff Development Camp—designed to provide the same youth staff development […]
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Issue 295 – March 6, 2012
Rule No. 62: • Beware what a new acquaintance tells you he’s best at… This usually turns out to be his Achilles’ heel. Hi Andy, About that Scout who was kicked out of his troop for mouthing off… Our troop used to have some hard-and-fast rules about suspending Scouts who misbehave. Instead, I used some […]
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Issue 294 – March 4, 2012
Special NAYLE Edition Rule No. 61: When called upon to speak to any group or audience, resist the urge to describe the thoughts that ran through your head before you figured out what you were actually going to say. The three most important elements of a good speech or talk are (1) a “wake-up” opening, […]
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Issue 293 – March 1, 2012
Rule No. 60: • The extent of “politics” in any organization is inversely proportional to its ability to show results. MARLINSPIKE SKILLS A marlinspike is a tool used in rope-work, to unlay rope for splicing, untie knots, form a toggle, and more. It’s been the essential rope-working tool of sailors for centuries untold. Two absolute […]
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Issue 292 – February 24, 2012
Rule No. 59: • When your good work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt. Dear Andy, You noted, recently, that the new EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE PROJECT WORKBOOK allows for a project proposal to be presented as an overview, instead of (previously) a full-blown work plan, and commented that this was both a step in the right […]
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Issue 291 – February 19, 2012
Rule No. 58: • If “the fine print” were your friend, it would be printed in large. Hi Andy, I’m starting work on my College of Commissioner Science doctoral thesis. One idea I got from reading your column… In Ask Andy Column 281, a Scouter asked about Roundtables for Senior Patrol Leaders and Brent Bomer […]
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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 "
