This may be the last column for a little bit… I’ll be on the road extensively from now through early September… Dear Andy, What do you do with a Life Scout who brings non-“legal” drugs to summer camp? This was verified by several other Scouts. But when confronted, the alleged drug-carrying Scout started pointing to […]

Dear Andy, Can Webelos and/or Cub Scout camping nights count towards the 20 days and nights of Scouting-related camping required for Camping merit badge? (Constantine Vlavianos, ASM, Theodore Roosevelt Council, NY) Nope! Gotta be a Boy Scout before you can even start a merit badge! Dear Andy, Must a Scout first complete the 20 days […]

Hi Andy, You wrote “Get A Life”—I wish I’d written that! (Brent, French Creek Council) Thanks! You and a whole bunch of folks feel the same way! Hi Andy, With regards to that Cub Scout leader who said he’d earned the “British Arrow of Light,” as a Scout leader from the UK who’s now involved […]

Hi Andy: I’ve read a slew of your columns and find several common themes running through the myriad Q&A. One clear theme is follow the requirements and don’t add/delete, because the adults think they can improve on the Scouting program. OK. Got that, loud and clear. And I hope your advice continues to permeate those […]

Usually, the letters are from readers here. This time the letter is from Andy and I want to share it with each of you because it offers some real insights into the best of Scouting – what it can be in a really good program. A few days ago, I read a wonderful email from […]

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 […]