No. 26: A bought neckerchief slide will always become lost; a hand-made slide will never be lost. No. 27: Knowing where to get the answer always trumps guessing. Dear Andy, What’s the proper protocol for the opening ceremony of a court of honor? Our troop does the invocation before the colors are presented. Our Scoutmaster’s […]

Hey Andy, There’s been much talk in your columns over time about the old custom of the snipe hunt and how today it’s considered hazing. It’s all in how you approach it. In our troop, the snipe hunt is a well-enjoyed tradition we include in our first year Scout camp weekend. It’s actually become a […]

No. 24: Whoever says, “The score doesn’t really matter,” isn’t winning. No. 25: The batteries of your flashlight will die only when you need light the most. Hi Andy, Last night we had two Eagle boards of review. The Scout first scheduled was 30 minutes late. As we sat there waiting, I’m thinking, This is […]

No. 22: Any adult leader who can’t make his point to a group of sharp teen-aged boys in under three minutes is in the wrong job. No. 23: “Because I said so” is often reason enough. Dear Andy, Our troop will be going on a week-long camping trip soon. I’m curious if it’s “Scout legal” […]

Rule No. 20: “Commissioner Charm School” is where, among other things, we learn how to say “Now isn’t that just special,” instead of “Which of you geniuses thought that one up all by yourself?” Rule No. 21: Don’t waste time reading the “Nutritional Content” of a Three Musketeers, Snickers, or bag of Gummi Bears… Nutrition […]

Andy’s Rule No. 19: The extent of politics in any organization is inversely proportional to its ability to show results. Hi Andy, First of all, my thanks to you for your column. I read it regularly and often share what you’ve said with others or refer them to your column. Always good sense and good […]

Andy’s Rule No. 15: Everyone succeeds one hundred percent of the time…at what they’re really up to. Andy’s Rule No. 16: Scouts and teabags: You never know how strong they can really be till they get themselves in a bit of hot water. Andy’s Rule No. 17: The only sensible answer to the question, “May […]

Dear Andy, Can an Eagle Palm also be awarded at an Eagle ceremony, at the same time a Scout’s receiving his Eagle Badge? (Mike Bowman) Assuming that the three months’ tenure has passed since the date of the board of review for Eagle rank, the five additional merit badges have been earned, the other requirements […]

Dear Andy, About a year ago I wrote to you about my son’s Cub Scout pack that blatantly refused to follow BSA stipulations regarding program delivery.Your advice to me was to take my son, and any other families that felt the same way, and transfer out. At first I didn’t take your advice, hoping instead […]

NAYLE! National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience Has your son signed up for this adventure-of-a- lifetime yet? There’s still time! Go to my April 18th column, read up on it, and then follow the steps needed to get your Scout on that course! Do It Now — You snooze—you lose! NAYLE COURSE DATES Central Region August […]