Rule No. 94 • There’s no such thing as “bad weather” for Scouting… only bad clothing or equipment decisions. (Thank you, Ken King!) ________________________________________ Hi Andy, Ever heard of “Jamboree Mulligan”? It’s supposed to be some sort of stew-like meal Scouts cooked “back in the day.” (Jack Wildhorn, SPL, Mantooth Mountain Council) You’re taking me […]

Rule No. 93 • When you demand that someone meet you halfway, be sure he doesn’t use his fist to do it. ________________________________________ In my September 26th column, Scouter John Ruppe of the San Diego-Imperial Council asked how the BSA views outstanding military service. He noted having witnessed a Navy Corpsman and Eagle Scout contribute […]

Rule No. 92 • The unit with the fewest youth will be the one requiring the most attention by their commissioner. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, I’ve taken Safe Swim Defense training but I’ll admit I’m still confused. Do the lifeguards have to be BSA Lifeguard certified, or can any responsible person be designated lifeguard? (Mark Sharman) […]

Rule No. 91 o To avoid being elected to a volunteer position you don’t want, chair the nominating committee. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, I went to a Roundtable the other night and received a stack of paperwork for our troop and crew. For both units, I was given a list of registered adults who were missing […]

Rule No. 90 • The Scouts who show up for every meeting are usually the ones who don’t need to. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, I returned from Scout camp after spending six days with my son and his troop a couple of weeks ago, and I have to say is I’m shocked. I was there with […]

Rule No. 89 • All ninety-minute meetings last two hours; all thirty-minute meetings last two hours. ________________________________________ Thanks for your patience! For nearly three weeks, I’ve been in Alaska, with little time to respond to questions or put a column together.  Most of this past week has been devoted to answering everyone who’s written to […]

Rule No. 87 • When you’re actually right you can count on one or two folks hearing you; when you’re wrong you can count on everyone hearing you. ________________________________________ Seems like my August 1st column about earning Eagle Scout rank by age 14—15 at the most rang some bells…especially my final comment about the benefits […]

• EAGLE – It’s a No-Brainer! ________________________________________ This is for all Scouts; especially those destined to become Boy Scouts in February 2013. Here’s the big idea: EAGLE’S A NO-BRAINER! That’s right! Who says you have to earn Eagle just in time for it to be another 18th birthday present, and you never get to wear […]

Rule No. 86: • Keep your eye on the heavens and your feet close to the ground. ________________________________________ U.S. Army Captain John Green (photo above) is one of the most dedicated Soldier-Scouters it’s become my honor to know. He’s served our country in multiple tours in Iraq. While there and following his tours, he was […]

Rule No. 86: o Opinions are never substitutes for facts. ________________________________________ Dear Andy, About the question posed of caravans and convoying on Scouting trips, I was also surprised to not find this in the GUIDE TO SAFE SCOUTING. But I teach a BALOO course and the no caravan rule is part of the curriculum. This […]