[ISSUE 661 \u2013 20TH YEAR OF HELPING SCOUTS, SCOUTERS, & PARENTS]<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a note about \u201cbadge hunting\u201d that\u2019s worth the time to read\u2026and ponder\u2026<\/p>\n
Hi Andy,<\/strong> In the years I served as Scoutmaster, we developed some ideas that worked and some ideals that we never quite reached. We learned, for instance, to brief Webelos parents on the 8 Methods of Scouting before their sons joined our troop.<\/strong><\/p>\n We also encouraged our Scouts to keep some free time in their summer camp schedule and then just find some purely fun ways to use it. At camp, we\u2014myself as Scoutmaster plus parents who stayed for the week\u2014would \u201caudit\u201d the camp\u2019s merit badge sessions (and quietly offer to help counselors where needed).<\/strong><\/p>\n Back home, we encourage Scouts to plan their merit badge requirement fulfillment with their counselor and work with him or her instead of some \u201cworkbook\u201d wherever possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n We didn\u2019t hold any merit badge \u201cclasses\u201d in our troop meetings and, when it came to district\/council merit badge \u201cdays,\u201d we announced these events and left it to the Scouts to decide for themselves; we didn\u2019t sign up by patrols or as a troop. Instead, I coached our Senior Patrol Leader and his team (the PLC) to consider \u201celigible\u201d merit badge requirements that could be fulfilled while on hikes and campouts. And if any counselors came along with us (like Scout parents, which happened fairly regularly), we\u2019d encourage them ahead of time to make things as active and hands-on as the subject allowed.<\/strong><\/p>\n All of us\u2014my assistants, the troop committee, and the parents\u2014actively supported these approaches to advancement as the best way for our Scouts to get the most out of their Scouting experience. (Bill Daniel)<\/strong> Maybe something like this\u2026?<\/p>\n
\nBaden-Powell warned us to not let our Scouts get into “badge hunting.” He was\u2014and still is\u2014right! This sort of wrongheaded pursuit interferes with the greater experience to be had from summer camp or an enthusiastic and knowledgeable merit badge counselor.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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\nHi Andy,<\/strong>
\nI\u2019m trying to find a video that shows the \u201cTale of the Unknown Scout\u201d for use at our (virtual) Blue & Gold Pack Celebration this year. Any help you can provide would be appreciated. (Ken Ouellette, Pack Committee Chair)<\/strong><\/p>\n