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.” […]

Dear Andy,   I’m looking for information on the BSA Lone Scout program. Does the Scout have to live in the same council that’s sponsoring him, or can he reside in another state? (Bill Pschigoda, Southwest Michigan Council) Thanks for asking about Lone Scouting. Go here for a very nice article about Lone Scouting: http://www.Scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0110/a-lone.html […]

Dear Andy, Can a Scoutmaster eliminate all youth leadership positions in a troop except for Senior Patrol Leader, ASPL, and Patrol Leaders? It would seem to me that doing this would prevent Scouts from advancing due to the limited number of leadership positions available. (Name Withheld, Greater Pittsburgh Council, PA) Of course not—It’s absurd! There’s […]

Dear Andy, My son just started Cub Scouts and we’re working on his belt loops. Is there a belt loop for Tae Kwon Do? My son has been taking this for several years and continues to participate. It seems that if there are belt loops for football, basketball, table tennis, etc., there should be one […]

Dear Andy, Is it standard procedure for the Assistant Patrol Leader selected by a Patrol Leader to move into the Patrol Leader position at the end of the PL’s term? (Brooks Jones, Baltimore Area Council MD) Nope, it’s sure not. When the next patrol elections of Patrol Leaders rolls around, every member of the patrol […]

Loyal and sharp-eyed readers continue to keep me honest! I miss-stated the Venturing (and Sea Scout, as a part of Venturing) stand on unit bylaws, and a whole bunch quickly wrote to help set me straight! I really appreciate this, and it’s one of the best things going in these columns—as I attempt to help […]