Dear Andy, After reading several letters in your columns about aggressive, dictator types of committee chairs, it seems that many may have experienced what we’ve just gone through. Once our troop’s long-time Scoutmaster and Committee Chair left the area, a new Committee Chair took over and began her reign. Not only did she alienate most […]

Today’s the best day of the year for a PARADE! So March Forth! Last month, I was asked about Scout Sunday in the United Methodist Church and, referring to it sans denominational considerations, I said, “Yup, ‘first Sunday in February’ is it!” Some of my sharp-eyed readers added further enlightenment. Read on… Dear Andy, The […]

Dear Andy, I’m trying to find out which Sunday in February the United Methodist Church Scout troops do their service or honor the anniversary. There seems to be nothing on the council or national websites except that Scout Sunday is the first Sunday and Scout Sabbath is the following Saturday. (Lloyd Biller, ASM, Virginia) Yup, […]

Here are two “must read” letters. I will personally guarantee that they are authentic. Make no mistake: We talk about our youth being “the future of America”—Today, we’re talking about the future of THE WORLD. (Related Videos: Iraqi Scout Day Camp | Start of Iraqi Scout Camp — right click and download to view) Read […]

Hi Andy, I’m a Beaver Scout leader based in Saltford near Bath in the UK and I’d like to set up some links with like-aged (between six and eight years old) Scouts around the world. Are you aware of any BSA equivalent unit that may be interested? We have a pretty active group of 25, […]

Wow, do I have a bunch of sharp-eyed readers! The other day, when I had a “brain hiccup” and told a fellow Scouter that Camping merit badge doesn’t require that the 20 days and nights be Scouting activity- or event-related, I was flat-out WRONG! You all wrote instantly! Thank you! Here’s a sampling… Dear Andy, […]

Dear Andy, I am an adult Scout Leader from the Southeast Asian nation of Singapore. My Scout unit is planning an overseas learning and adventure trip to Hawaii in November 2008 and I wish to inquire if there is a Boy Scout unit in Hawaii (perhaps Oahu?) that our troop could meet. We are planning […]

Dear Andy, I have a concern about counting nights camping outside of Scouting activities. Our troop has several of Scouts who aren’t campers and prefer not to do Scouting activities when camping’s involved. By allowing them to count nights outside of troop activities, they could earn almost the entire Backpacking and Camping merit badges outside […]

Dear Andy, I found the following statement in the USSCOUTS.ORG’s “Fact or Fiction” section, listed as a FACT: “It’s the responsibility of the Eagle Board of Review to approve the manner in which the candidate’s Service Project was carried out…The final signatures in the project workbook attest to the project having been completed; however, the […]

Dear Andy, Your November 12th column had a question about a Scout with various medical issues—The Scoutmaster’s name was Rick Jurgens, in the Patriots Path Council, NJ (adjacent to my own council). If it’s possible, could you forward him my contact information. I’m a Registered Nurse, Eagle Scout, and CC of a Pack and Troop, […]