Dear Andy, Whatever happened to the great index of your columns? It was very helpful when questions arose and I wanted to find out what you had to say on the subject. (Tricia Barber) Just like everything else on the usssp website, that index was done by a volunteer, and he, unfortunately, ran out of […]

They’re almost here… New merit badges for Boy Scouts, and new belt loops and pins for Cub Scouts! Check ‘em all out right here: www.scouting.org/ProSpeak/best_practices/2009_11_new_loops_pins.aspx And how about a new Cub Scout program! Yup, it’s on its way! Bob Scott, who’s on the BSA’s Innovation Team, tells us that “2010 will see the biggest change […]

Dear Andy, I’d like to encourage you to think more clearly about your comment, “…as they spend fretting about patches and where they go, Scouting would be a whole lot better! Ya think?” in your November 18th column. The BSA’s Insignia Guide shouldn’t be considered any less integral to the Scouting program than any other […]

Dear Andy, Shortly after my son returned home from his troop meeting last Tuesday night, he received a text message on his cell phone that called him terrible, profane names and saying for him to shut up, or better yet, just quit the troop, and then used another profanity. (Yes, my son saved the message, […]

One of my sharp-eyed readers picked up on an error I’d made a few columns back, that bears headlining here… Hey Andy, In your October 24th column, you mentioned that a Chaplain’s Aide doesn’t necessarily need to be working on his religious award. But this online resource, which I came across a few years ago, […]

One of my sharp-eyed readers picked up on an error I’d made a few columns back, that bears headlining here… Hey Andy, In your October 24th column, you mentioned that a Chaplain’s Aide doesn’t necessarily need to be working on his religious award. But this online resource, which I came across a few years ago, […]

Dear Andy, As a new Commissioner, I’ve been assigned to a troop that is known for filling boards of review with pretty much anyone—parent, ASM, whatever—often whose only qualification is that he or she can fog a mirror. I need to encourage them to follow BSA policy and have only unit committee members on Tenderfoot […]

“Some men are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” This famous line, spoken by Malvolio in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” packs a punch. It can also very well be spoken of the Scouts we serve, with most exemplifying the third phrase and then growing into the second, with a mere […]

Dear Andy, Can you clarify when local tour permits are required? Specifically, do Order of the Arrow events need a tour permit, or is a different form used? (Sandy Scharpenberg) Most OA events—Ordeal weekends, camp cleanups, conclaves, and so on—take place on council property, for which no tour permit’s required. Anyway, there’s only one local […]

Dear Andy, About that parent of the overachieving, home-schooled Webelos Scout, how about she volunteer to be the Assistant Webelos Den Leader, and assist in getting the den going (after attending a Den Leader/Webelos Leader training course, of course). (Scott Bendigo, Colonial Virginia Council) Great idea! Follows the principle of “be part of the solution.” […]