October 2010 was unique – Try as I might, I just couldn’t get a column up and running, for the entire month! The two you see now, that have October dates, were indeed written that month, but we couldn’t get them on-line till November. I apologize to the many readers who asked what had happened, […]

Dear Andy, How does a Boy Scout wear his merit badge sash and his Order of the Arrow sash at formal events like courts of honor? Does one of them go on the belt and, if so, which one? (Byron Bifford, Alhambra Council, CA) Thanks for asking—I see far too many instances when the Arrowman […]

Victory Base Council Enters Third Year Going Strong!   Baghdad, Iraq: A dedicated group of American volunteers in the middle of a junk-filled field kicked off the first troop meeting of an effort to help Iraqis bring Scouting back to Baghdad. That was June 2008. Based on the highly successful model of the ground-breaking Green […]

Dear Andy, Where do I find the rules and guidelines for how a troop should operate and the official duties of the troop committee? (Nancy Brunskole) In the Scoutmaster Handbook, the Troop Committee Guidebook, and any fundamental training course, and for more help, call your local council service center, speak with for your District Executive, […]

Hi Andy, Maybe it’s not exactly a Scouting question, but do you happen to know the origin behind the custom of saying “to” (or “too” or “two”) after saluting for the Pledge of Allegiance, or the Scout sign for the Scout Oath and Law? This is the signal to put your hand back down at […]

Hi Andy, Following up on your “Laws,” try this: Never wrestle with a pig; you both get dirty and the pig seems to like it. (Robert Schleich, SM, Occoneechee Council, NC) Yup, been there!   Lots of letters about Afghanistan Scouting! Here are two. Do feel free to follow up directly, on your own – […]

In no particular order… Commissioners are responsible for everything and have authority over nothing. The fastest way to create uncertainty about such Scouting fundamentals as The Patrol Method is to explain them in no uncertain terms. Left to themselves, Scouters will spend more time debating which way a “square knot” should face than how to […]

These are young people of Afghanistan, learning the Scout Oath and Law for the very first time. The American volunteers making this happen are all military or military contractor employees, and this is what they do with their “free time”! Captain Glenn Battschinger writes from Jalalabad, Afghanistan: Here’s our weekend project. These boys, age 10-17, […]

Hi Andy, Oh knower of all things Scouting, I’m looking for a bolo for Unit Commissioners to wear. (Paul Markoff) I’m guessing you’ve already checked www.Scoutstuff.org and found that there are some “general purpose” bolos for both the Cub Scout and Boy Scout program, plus Eagles and so on, and that you’ve also been to […]

Dear Andy, If someone attended the 2010 National Scout Jamboree and bought an on-site Jamboree patch, are they allowed to wear it on their uniform shirt? (Tim Black, ADC, Middle Tennessee Council) Do we agree that “attending” and “participating” are two different activities? OK, then since Jamboree participant and staff patches and Jamboree patches bought […]