April 1953, a brand-new Boy Scout, I walked for the first time into a troop meeting. I’d been a Cub Scout, earned my Webelos Badge (Arrow of Light, it’s called today), and had just turned 11 years old. I was taller than most boys my age, and more shy than most. Painfully shy, a characteristic […]

Keep your eyes peeled for the new Boy Scout Handbook-Centennial Edition, due out around the end of summer. This 2010 edition, according to author Robert Birkby, will focus on “the experience of Scouting,” rather than paralleling the Tenderfoot through First Class requirements, which was the theme of the 1998 book, or emphasize eco-friendliness—a new consideration […]

Let’s start out with a Philmont update… There are new requirements for trek crews both in Wilderness First Aid and in CPR training. Philmont is now requiring that at least one person in each crew (preferably two people—can be an advisor or a youth participant) have current certification in ARC Wilderness First Aid basic or […]

Dear Andy, Thanks for helping so many of us volunteers understand more about following the Scouting program as it’s intended! Back in March, you suggested the Troop Program Features booklets to a reader. In addition to being available from the Supply Division, they can also be viewed online at: www.scouting.org/BoyScouts/Resources/Troop%20Program%20Features%20Vol,-d-,%20I%20-%20III.aspx Thanks for all you do! […]

Lots of reader response to this year’s April Fools Day column! Thanks to all who took the time to write in – With a date-line advantage, here’s the first… Gidday Andy, I find myself in the position of having to write in and complain about your April 1st column! I sat down to read this, […]

These just in: The latest BSA headlines from around the country… Bag Those Square Knots! The BSA has introduced over 200 new “square knots” that leaders can earn in their spare time. This, in an effort to assure that adult leaders’ uniform shirts are no longer “naked” in the upper-left quadrant. The new awards include: […]

Hello Andy, I’m taking over as a new Cubmaster, and this is my first leadership position in Scouting, and my first official pack meeting is just around the corner. I recently took the basic leadership course and the Cubmaster-specific training, as well as the online training. Here’s a problem: My son’s Tiger den, which started […]

Hoo-Ray for the BSA! Everyone makes a mistake now and again, and I’m sure no exception! That’s why I try to stay on top of things as much as I can. So, a couple of weeks ago, I re-took the BSA’s online “Troop Committee Challenge” training. Oops! There was what appeared to be a glitch. […]

Dear Andy, Our Scoutmaster balks at the thought of having to take the medical forms of the youth and adults with him every time the troop goes on an outing. It doesn’t matter if it’s a trip to the fire house or a trek on the Appalachian Trail: His attitude is that following the Guide […]

Dear Andy, In our troop, there’s a limit on the number of adults and parents who can participate with our troop on outings and such—several are fire fighters, EMTs, or work shifts. We have a Scout with Asperger’s Syndrome in our troop. We encourage his participation; however, due to past experiences with him and the […]