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 […]

The Eagle Court of Honor was happily moving along. Several speakers had inspired the audience and Scouts alike, then the final speaker before the actual presentation took the podium. He spoke about another Eagle Scout he’d recently read about… One who went on after Eagle to earn a fistful of palms and virtually every merit […]

Dear Andy, Would you please give me an accurate interpretation of Second Class Req. 2a and First Class Req. 3? Would the Scout actually have a total of 5 overnight camps and 5 troop/patrol activities or…? (I was challenged on this recently and would like your clarification on this.) (Name & Council Withheld) Thanks for […]

Dear Andy, In a recent column you mentioned that a Merit Badge Counselor must be 21 years old. Both the MBC application (No. 34405) and the BSA website (www.scouting.org/faq/volunteer.aspx) say 18. (Mike Whittington, SM, East Carolina Council, NC) Yup! I checked the link you provided, and also the MBC application, and that’s exactly what it […]

Dear Andy, My son is 14 and still Second Class rank. His sole hang-up for First Class is the swim test requirement. He has ADHD and developmental delays, and receives special help at school. We’ve tried private swimming lessons, laps at the local pool, and even having Dad swim along beside, but he just can’t […]

Dear Andy, I’m Committee Chair for a Troop of about four dozen. Recently, a Scout and, separately, his parents, have expressed concerns to me about his advancement to First Class rank. I know the boy, and while he does have some physical challenges, he’s a good Scout; very intelligent and can quickly absorb materials and […]

Dear Andy, Our district recently appointed a training chair who, despite more than 20 years of involvement in Scouting, has never taken a single training course…for anything. One of the first courses he was responsible for was Den Chief Training. Shortly after that course, he bragged at a district committee meeting that although he’d never […]

Dear Andy, We have a newly elected ASPL in our Troop (we elect the ASPL for a six-month term, and then they become the next SPL for a six-month term) who, right after his swearing-in ceremony, informed us that he’ll be missing summer camp, our major troop fundraiser, and our troop’s annual community service project. […]

Dear Andy, Double-dipping’s a no-no, yes? I’m confused about the achievements and electives for Cub Scouts. Is it double-dipping for a creek clean-up as both Bear elective 15e and as an outdoor activity (5 or 6) or Leave No Trace 4 or the World Conservation Award req. 3? (Name and Council Withheld) This is Cub […]

Hi Andy, I’d like to give the mom from your April 20th column, with the Cub Scout son who’s a year off in school, some insight. My own son was in the same situation: by his age he could have joined Boy Scouts a year sooner. But he stayed with his den and pack and […]