{"id":2241,"date":"2017-10-03T11:18:58","date_gmt":"2017-10-03T15:18:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/?p=2241"},"modified":"2017-10-03T11:18:58","modified_gmt":"2017-10-03T15:18:58","slug":"issue-545-october-3-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/2017\/10\/issue-545-october-3-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Issue 545 \u2013 October 3, 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

________________________________________
\nPlease take a moment of silent personal reflection before reading this column, in respect to the victims of the Las Vegas massacre and their families, and to honor all those who responded immediately and afterward to this singular tragedy. Thank you.<\/strong><\/em>
\n======================
\nHi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Great column last week! I have a situation to share\u2014somewhat related\u2014that, if you can address, would sure be helpful\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our troop has recently grown from about 18 to over 40 Scouts, quickly. It\u2019s a good \u201cproblem\u201d to have, but it does come with challenges. One of our troop\u2019s ongoing goals is to camp every month of the year. An agreement I\u2019ve made with my ASMs is that, because I can\u2019t be there for every campout, if we spread the load around we can succeed so long as we all commit to attend at least three apiece per year. Turns out, though, that I\u2019m struggling with both ASM involvement and parents\u2019 support when it comes to driving our Scouts to and from campouts and other outdoor activities, and\u2014even more important\u2014staying for the outing as adult secondary leaders, to fulfill the \u201cTwo-Deep\u201d BSA stipulation (which I totally get, by the way). Just the other weekend, we had to cancel a campout because we couldn\u2019t get a second adult\u2014per GTSS guidelines\u2014to commit to a Saturday-to-Sunday overnight. This \u201closs\u201d of a fundamental Scouting opportunity really saddened me. Following the example of that Cubmaster you described, I really like the idea of posting our PLC\u2019s annual plan and dates on a \u201cbillboard\u201d and then making it obvious that one or more are crossed out because, although we had plenty of Scouts who wanted to go, we couldn\u2019t get enough adult coverage or enough parents to help with the driving or staying with the Scouts. I\u2019m hoping that, if we do this, the fact that \u201cBSA\u201d doesn\u2019t stand for \u201cBaby Sitters of America\u201d might just sink in! (Lee Murray, SM, Nevada Area Council)<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is, unfortunately, a very common problem, especially for Scout troops. One of the smartest Scoutmasters I\u2019ve ever met found a \u201csilver bullet\u201d for this one. (He got lots of resistance from the troop committee on this, but he won out! His statement was simple: \u201cIf you want me to be in charge of a successful troop program\u2014a program created by the Scouts themselves\u2014we\u2019re going to have to get parents in line for what we\u2019re going to do. If you can\u2019t or won\u2019t help me with this, you\u2019re tying our hands and I think you\u2019d better look for another Scoutmaster.\u201d)<\/p>\n

The change was this: All patrols became 100% responsible for themselves, for all outings. In addition to being responsible for checking out tents and cooking gear from our Quartermaster, making a menu for themselves, buying the food and supplies they\u2019ll need, creating a duty roster for the weekend, they now arranged for their own patrol\u2019s transportation plus one \u201cpatrol parent\u201d who will stay for the length of the trip.<\/p>\n

Bottom line: It worked!<\/p>\n

At first, parents ran like field mice, each with a ton of excuses. But, when their sons spoke up and said, flat out, \u201cDad\/Mom, if you won\u2019t drive\/stay for the weekend, it doesn\u2019t just mean that I can\u2019t go. It means our whole patrol can\u2019t go! All six of us are going to be stuck!\u201d<\/p>\n

(A \u201cguardhouse shrink\u201d would tell you how it\u2019s pretty easy for anyone\u2014parents included\u2014to ignore \u201cbroadcast\u201d announcements and requests, and it\u2019s almost as easy to duck a one-on-one \u201cask,\u201d but when you sic Scouts on their own parents, you get a completely different animal!<\/p>\n

What quickly happened for this troop (about the same size as yours) was that the fathers (yup, it was 99% male) quickly started to bond, because the dads on these overnighters didn\u2019t camp with the Scouts. Instead, they set up their own campsite just out of eyesight but within earshot of the Scouts. So they wound up doing their own cooking, too, and usually had a great time with one another! Soon, the patrols had more adult volunteers than they needed and eventually the parents had to take turns going on these trips, so as not to turn this into \u201cfamily camping.\u201d<\/p>\n

It also turned out that none of the mothers minded this one bit! After all, they\u2019d gotten their \u201ctwo big boys\u201d out of the house and they had more personal time\u2026even those who had another child or children at home.<\/p>\n

All-in-all, it was a \u201cwin\u201d for everyone!<\/p>\n

That original Scoutmaster moved on over 20 years ago. A couple of years ago I revisited the troop. They still were a 100% Patrol Camping troop, and they were up to some 50 to 60 Scouts. So I guess we can say the \u201csilver bullet\u201d worked.<\/p>\n

Thanks, Andy! This is definitely worth more than a sideways consideration. On another topic from your last column\u2014divorce situations\u2014it can be more difficult at the Cub Scout age, but in Boy Scouts it\u2019s pretty straightforward. We encourage the Scout (and sometimes even do a little \u201ccoaching\u201d) to have a sit-down with both of his biologic parents and tell them that Scouting\u2019s important to him, and it\u2019s not about \u201cDad time\u201d or \u201cMom time\u201d\u2014it\u2019s about HIS time as a Scout with his patrol and troop friends. He also tells them that it\u2019s important to him that he attend certain (not necessarily all) outings, activities, and events, and it would mean a lot to him if they\u2019d support him by getting him to meetings and activities as necessary\u2014by talking with one another and with him, too. It\u2019s a big step towards manhood to be able to do this, and it\u2019s much more effective coming from the Scout himself and not the Scoutmaster, committee chair, or someone else. (Lee)<\/strong><\/p>\n

I think you\u2019re right on the mark! If a Scout\u2019s parents don\u2019t both support their son\u2014regardless of what issues they may have with one another\u2014it\u2019s not \u201cScouting\u201d that will fail: It\u2019s they who will have failed their own son.
\n==========
\nHi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently I’ve had several people talk about how a boy who earns his Arrow of Light is automatically a Tenderfoot Scout. I\u2019ve tried to find this somewhere in a BSA handbook or online, and I\u2019m having no luck. Can you help? Is this correct? Do Arrow of Light Webelos Scouts just automatically get their Scout or Tenderfoot rank and start by jumping straight to earning Second Class? (Based on the similarities of some of the Arrow of Light requirements, to requirements for Scout and Tenderfoot, would they still have to at least demonstrate they have those skills when they transition to Boy Scouts, or does this follow the “once earned, it’s earned ” rule?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a Unit Commissioner, how do I counsel Scoutmasters on this? Many of the Scoutmasters in our district are concerned about the AOL youth’s skills retention when those who preceded them had to meet the requirements as a Boy Scout even if they had completed a similar requirement in Cub Scouts. Can you point me to any written BSA policy on this subject? Any light you can shed on this would sincerely be appreciated. (Bill Cox)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Luckily for all of us, the 2017 BOY SCOUT REQUIREMENTS book (SKU 637685, see page 6) are clear: \u201cAll requirements for the Scout rank must be completed as a (Boy Scout). If (the Scout has) already completed these requirements\u2026(he can) simply demonstrate (his) knowledge or skills to (his) Scoutmaster or other designated leader after joining the troop.\u201d<\/p>\n

On January 1, 2017, \u201cScout\u201d officially became the first of Boy Scouting\u2019s now seven ranks. This is where the footnote on page 7 of the same book is important to recognize and abide by: \u201cThe requirements for the Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks may be worked on simultaneously; however, these ranks must be earned in sequence.\u201d<\/p>\n

With further regard to the statement immediately above, it is absolutely acceptable for a Scout to complete his board of reviews for more than one rank on the same date. Beginning at the very beginning, let\u2019s say a new Boy Scout has been signed off as having completed all requirements for both Scout and Tenderfoot ranks. In this situation, since no board of review is held for the rank of Scout, the troop committee will hold a board of review only for the Tenderfoot rank. Now let\u2019s change the scenario and say a Scout holds the rank of Scout and has now completed all requirements for both Tenderfoot and Second Class. In this instance, the troop committee will first convene a review for Tenderfoot, and\u2014presuming this concludes successfully (which it should in 99.99999% of all cases)\u2014the reviewers will congratulate the new Tenderfoot Scout and then hold his review for Second Class rank right then and there. After having concluded this next review successfully, the Scout becomes Second Class rank at that very time.<\/p>\n

A final note on all of this: Scoutmasters and especially the troop\u2019s adult volunteer who files advancement reports with and buys the necessary rank and merit badge pocket cards and badges from the council\u2019s service center need to know that the expectation of the BSA is that the Scout receive all cards and badges at the very next troop meeting. In other words, neither rank or merit badge cards or badges are held back until the next troop court of honor\u2014they are presented to the Scout as rapidly as possible. (Courts of honor are distinctly not for the presentation of badges and such; courts of honor are for the public recognition of all that the Scouts of the troop have achieved and earned since the last court\u2014in other words, the rank badges should already be on their uniforms and the merit badges on their sashes!)<\/p>\n

Happy Scouting!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Andy<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Have a question? Facing a dilemma? Wondering where to find a BSA policy or guideline? Just to me at: askandybsa@yahoo.com. Please include your name and council. (If you\u2019d prefer to be anonymous, if published, let me know and that\u2019s what we\u2019ll do.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

[No. 545 \u2013 10\/3\/2017 \u2013 Copyright \u00a9 Andy McCommish 2017]<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

________________________________________ Please take a moment of silent personal reflection before reading this column, in respect to the victims of the Las Vegas massacre and their families, and to honor all those who responded immediately and afterward to this singular tragedy. Thank you. ====================== Hi Andy, Great column last week! I have a situation to share\u2014somewhat […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2241"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2246,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2241\/revisions\/2246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/netcommissioner.com\/askandy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}