Dear Andy, Can a Scoutmaster eliminate all youth leadership positions in a troop except for Senior Patrol Leader, ASPL, and Patrol Leaders? It would seem to me that doing this would prevent Scouts from advancing due to the limited number of leadership positions available. (Name Withheld, Greater Pittsburgh Council, PA) Of course not—It’s absurd! There’s […]

Dear Andy, My son just started Cub Scouts and we’re working on his belt loops. Is there a belt loop for Tae Kwon Do? My son has been taking this for several years and continues to participate. It seems that if there are belt loops for football, basketball, table tennis, etc., there should be one […]

Dear Andy, Is it standard procedure for the Assistant Patrol Leader selected by a Patrol Leader to move into the Patrol Leader position at the end of the PL’s term? (Brooks Jones, Baltimore Area Council MD) Nope, it’s sure not. When the next patrol elections of Patrol Leaders rolls around, every member of the patrol […]

Loyal and sharp-eyed readers continue to keep me honest! I miss-stated the Venturing (and Sea Scout, as a part of Venturing) stand on unit bylaws, and a whole bunch quickly wrote to help set me straight! I really appreciate this, and it’s one of the best things going in these columns—as I attempt to help […]

This may be the last column for a little bit… I’ll be on the road extensively from now through early September… Dear Andy, What do you do with a Life Scout who brings non-“legal” drugs to summer camp? This was verified by several other Scouts. But when confronted, the alleged drug-carrying Scout started pointing to […]

Dear Andy, Can Webelos and/or Cub Scout camping nights count towards the 20 days and nights of Scouting-related camping required for Camping merit badge? (Constantine Vlavianos, ASM, Theodore Roosevelt Council, NY) Nope! Gotta be a Boy Scout before you can even start a merit badge! Dear Andy, Must a Scout first complete the 20 days […]

Hi Andy, You wrote “Get A Life”—I wish I’d written that! (Brent, French Creek Council) Thanks! You and a whole bunch of folks feel the same way! Hi Andy, With regards to that Cub Scout leader who said he’d earned the “British Arrow of Light,” as a Scout leader from the UK who’s now involved […]

Hi Andy: I’ve read a slew of your columns and find several common themes running through the myriad Q&A. One clear theme is follow the requirements and don’t add/delete, because the adults think they can improve on the Scouting program. OK. Got that, loud and clear. And I hope your advice continues to permeate those […]

Usually, the letters are from readers here. This time the letter is from Andy and I want to share it with each of you because it offers some real insights into the best of Scouting – what it can be in a really good program. A few days ago, I read a wonderful email from […]

Dear Andy, In a recent column, you were asked about wearing a Jamboree patch from another country, and you said that, per the Insignia Policy, we are not to wear insignia from other Scout associations. That’s not quite true… I just took a look at the on-line version of the Insignia Guide. Here’s what it […]