Sometime I get it right the first time; sometimes I need to get whacked upside the head. Here\u2019s a case where I really blew it first time out the gate. Luckily, this parent-Scouter was pretty darned forgiving\u2026<\/p>\n
Dear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n My question became an issue last night, and our troop meeting is tonight, so I\u2019m trying to get answers as quickly as possible. My questions are about Family Life merit badge-requirement 5: <\/strong><\/p>\n – Does the family project require the MBC\u2019s pre-approval?<\/strong><\/p>\n – Does the Scout have to complete req. 4 before doing 5?<\/strong><\/p>\n – Are req\u2019s 4 and 5 dependant upon each other in any way?<\/strong><\/p>\n – Would doing 5 before 4 change the badge\u2019s core value?<\/strong><\/p>\n – Would a family working together to create a quail habitat on their farm reflect the guidelines of this merit badge?<\/strong><\/p>\n I used the language of a MBC in my questions so that there is no “wiggle room” when getting this matter resolved. (Chantal Doolin, ASM, Ozark Trails Council, MO)<\/strong><\/p>\n I have no idea why you need this information before your troop meeting tonight\u2014Merit badges aren’t done in troop meetings; they’re done by Scouts, as they choose to, on their own and outside of troop meetings. Besides, what does an Assistant Scoutmaster need this information for? These are issues that Scouts work out between themselves and their Merit Badge Counselor(s). ASMs have nothing to do with questions like these, UNLESS you’re running a merit badge “class” and this is your first time doing it, in which case you’re way off base! I strongly suspect that someone’s running a maverick merit badge class, and this isn’t the Scouting way. If I’m wrong, tell me, and I’ll apologize publicly and with total sincerity.<\/p>\n (And, guess what\u2026 I was totally off-base!)<\/p>\n Dear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n The fact is, I\u2019m an ASM who has a son who\u2019s starting Family Life merit badge, and all my questions were in reference to what his Merit Badge Counselor has said about requirements 4 and 5.<\/strong><\/p>\n You see, as a family, we\u2019re currently working on 40 of our farm\u2019s acres\u2014turning them into a quail habitat. We\u2019ve worked on this as a family from Day One, choosing the kinds of trees and bushes we\u2019d plant, then planting them and cleaning fence rows, taking soil samples and now buying seed, disking the land, and planting the seeds. But my son\u2019s MBC told him that this couldn\u2019t be his \u201cfamily project\u201d for req. 5 because she didn\u2019t give him approval on it before we started it, and she wasn’t so sure that it was a project that reflected the meaning of the merit badge. <\/strong><\/p>\n She also told him that req. 4 has to be done before 5, and this makes it a pre-approval issue: Req. 4 must be completed before 5, otherwise that would change the badge\u2019s \u201ccore value.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n For req. 4, my son wanted to replace and add more smoke detectors in our house with new and improved ones that he\u2019d heard about, but his MBC keeps saying that that would work for Personal Management merit badge instead. We don’t understand why he couldn’t do it for his “personal” project for Family Life.<\/strong><\/p>\n My husband and I read the Family Life requirements with our son, and couldn\u2019t determine how she came up with these issues or why she wouldn\u2019t accept the project. We\u2019re trying to clarify the matter, so our son can continue on and complete the merit badge that he wanted to work on. It\u2019s our understanding that if the requirement doesn\u2019t stipulate that approval is required, the Counselor can\u2019t just add that to the requirements on a whim. We are thinking that the approval for req. 4 is to make sure that the Scout doesn\u2019t choose a project that could be dangerous to himself or others\u2026 Do we have that right? We also understand that if a Scout has completed a task and has proof of it, that task shouldn\u2019t be disqualified simply because it was done prior to his starting the merit badge… Have we misunderstood this aspect?<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m not looking for sugar-coating. We need to know what\u2019s correct. Thanks for your time and assistance. (Chantal Doolin)<\/strong><\/p>\n Well, I guessed wrong and messed up big time! This apology will definitely go in my next column (so here it is), especially because you overlooked my little rant and came back with good, solid questions in the best interests of your son. As a former Family Life MBC, let’s see if I can actually help you out this time instead of making wrong the assumption…<\/p>\n The intention of req. 4 is for your son to be the initiator of an idea for a family-benefiting project and then carry it out himself. The quail habitat project might qualify if (a) your son came up with the idea on his own and (b) did it on his own. If not both (a) and (b), then he’ll need to follow what req. 4 says. But if he did do both (a) and (b) then he can ask that it qualify and the decision’s up to you and your husband and the MBC.<\/p>\n Alternatively, your son’s smoke detector replacement idea seems to me to be perfectly appropriate for Family Life\u2019s req. 4 and I’m at a loss to understand his MBC’s reluctance to approve this. In fact, I really don’t see where this idea fits any of the requirements for Personal Management (which I’ve just read), but even if it did, if it fits Family Life then if I were your son’s MBC I’d say go for it!<\/p>\n The intention of req. 5 is for your son to do the planning of a project and then involve his other family members. Again, if the quail habitat project was (a) his idea and (b) he “recruited” you all to participate in it (i.e., you didn’t recruit him), then he can and should ask that it qualify.<\/p>\n Although it would be logical for req. 4 to be done before req. 5 (in point of fact, all the requirements for this merit badge are laid out in progressive order and it would make good sense and good learning to do them in the order in which they’re listed), this isn’t mandatory. The order in which merit badge requirements are completed is decided on by the Scout, with the advice, counsel, encouragement, and support of his MBC. If there are sound reasons for doing them in a different order than listed, then that should be OK.<\/p>\n In general, “approval” (whether from a MBC for a merit badge like this or from a Scoutmaster for a service project or community service time) is best obtained in advance, so as to prevent unhappy surprises later.<\/p>\n For merit badges in general, the “rule of thumb” is that work on the requirements formally begins when the Scout has begun the merit badge. “Beginning” a merit badge is defined as: The Scout has (1) obtained a signed application (aka “Blue Card”) from his Scoutmaster and (2) has had his first meeting with his Merit Badge Counselor. Until both (1) and (2) have occurred, the Scout is not considered to have started the merit badge.<\/p>\n Dear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n Thank you for such a thorough reply. Our son will need to pick another family project, since we did kick the idea around with him prior to the start of it and he did help plan the layout, but we can’t say that it was an original idea by him to create it. We mistakenly thought the key to the requirement was that the family would share a meaningful project, but overlooked who was supposed to initiate it. Thank you for clarifying that. The funny thing is that the MBC said the habitat was a fine project, except that it had not been pre-approved (she never asking who came up with the project to begin with), which led all of us to believe this was a “power” issue. I hope we were mistaken about that, tool!<\/strong><\/p>\n We\u2019ll have him discuss his smoke detectors idea further, to see if the MBC will accept it, since that was his own idea. Thanks for helping our son on his Eagle trail! (Chantal Doolin)<\/strong><\/p>\n Personally, I really like that smoke detector idea… It’s the sign of a responsible young man and, who knows, it just might save a house or a life! (Although, truthfully, I hope they never go off!)<\/p>\n Dear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n About \u201cgoing backwards\u201d and earning Cub Scout ranks missed because of not joining as a Tiger\u2026 My own son also didn\u2019t start until he was a Wolf because our school district didn\u2019t have a Cub Scout pack until that year. What my son likes about NOT having earned the Tiger badge is that now, as a Webelos Scout, he can wear all four of the diamond-shaped Cub Scout rank badges together on his shirt\u2014Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos\u2014along with the Arrow Points he earned as a Wolf and Bear. If he had earned the Tiger badge, there wouldn\u2019t be a place for the diamond Webelos badge, so he’d probably have to use the oval one and change uniforms entirely. He worked hard to earn the other ranks when he was younger, so he\u2019s proud to show them off. I explained the two options to all the boys in my den, and they all opted to wear all four of the diamond badges instead of one oval badge. So I\u2019d suggest that the Bear Scout should focus on earning his Bear rank and then work on his Arrow Points. <\/strong><\/p>\n Thanks for writing such a wonderful column. I\u2019ve learned a lot that\u2019s now helping me to evaluate the various Boy Scout troops that my son might cross over to in February. I\u2019ve also enjoyed the emotional lift that some of your heart-warming stories have given me. (Debbie Burton, WDL, Northeast Illinois Council, IL)<\/strong><\/p>\n Bingo! You’ve got it right on the money, and so does your son!<\/p>\n Hello Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n Where can I find information about the Scout symbol, with the two stars, band, three points of the fleur-de-lis, and scroll? (Bill Taylor) <\/strong><\/p>\n It’s in any edition of the Boy Scout Handbook<\/span> or Handbook for Boys<\/span>; it’s also in the Webelos Scout Book<\/span>.<\/p>\n Hi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m a Tiger Cub den Leader and was told at a leaders meeting that \u201csnipe hunts\u201d are no longer allowed by the BSA. Despite this, snipe hunts have been major events at our pack camp-outs. Could you please advise me on. (Brandi Roberts, Cape Fear Counsel, NC)<\/strong><\/p>\n Currently, snipe hunts are considered a form of hazing if not abuse because the snipe-hunting boy is made to be the fool by the boys and leaders “in the know.” The only “reward” to a snipe hunt comes later when the previous flock of made-fools-of boys gets to inflict this on the next flock of “newbies.” That’s why it’s been disallowed.<\/p>\n Hey Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n Your recent column about Scouting volunteers who do things their own way instead of using a hundred years of accumulated experience really hit home. You’ve written many times that voting with one’s feet is always an option, and that there are other troops out there that do things right. Perhaps. But what to do when the problem extends through the district and even up to the council level? In recent months, I’ve heard the following: <\/strong><\/p>\n – From a District Advancement Chair: The idea that the Scouts in the troop elect their SPL is \u201cmerely a recommendation;” the troop\u2019s adults can appoint the SPL.<\/strong><\/p>\n – From a District Advancement Chair: After a Scout turns in a merit badge blue card that\u2019s been properly completed and signed off by the Counselor, it’s OK for the Scoutmaster to sit the Scout down and quiz him to determine if he really earned the badge.<\/strong><\/p>\n – From a council professional: Eagle Scout candidates are required to arrange for letters of reference to be written and submitted before their BOR.<\/strong><\/p>\n – From various district-level Scouters: A non-Eagle BOR can include people who aren\u2019t members of the unit committee. <\/strong><\/p>\n – From a Scoutmaster: Time served in a leadership position during a month when there\u2019s no planned troop activity doesn\u2019t count toward tenure for rank advancement.<\/strong><\/p>\n Based upon what I’ve seen in BSA literature and in your column, none of the above is correct. Am I missing something, or are these people off the mark? (Anonymous in New Jersey)<\/strong><\/p>\n Yup, they’re off the mark on every point. Bloody scary!<\/p>\n Dear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019d like to know if the BSA has a required number of meetings or camp-outs a Scout must attend in order to hold a leadership position in a troop. (No name or council)<\/strong><\/p>\n Nope! There’s no such stipulation by the BSA. If a local troop is insisting on this sort of stuff, this suggests that there’s an underlying problem of participation, and this is often the result of boring meetings and camp-outs. Neither participation nor enthusiasm can be legislated.<\/p>\n Dear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n In a recent column, you mentioned that the Commissioner\u2019s Arrowhead Honor patch should be removed from your uniform if you\u2019re no longer serving as Commissioner. With all due respect, I disagree with this. I recently traded hats from District Commissioner to District Training Chair, and so sewed on the District Committee Member patch but kept my Arrowhead on, because I view it much like my Commissioner Key Distinguished Commissioner Service Award square knots: My time, service, training, and accomplishments don\u2019t disappear when I change roles, plus it serves as a way to get a “what’s that cool patch?” question.<\/p>\n On another subject, I think the reason why the BSA experiences the problem of very few adult volunteers in the 20-35 age range is two-fold. One, the BSA does not have a strong relationship with the college and university system nationwide (Venturing may help solve this, and also the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, but more could be done). Two: Advancement. The youth for years have a pretty clear “trail” of advancement to follow, but once they hit the magic number of 18 or 21, the trail disappears, and they\u2019re left on their own to blaze their own trail. So who wants to be 19, 22, or even 25, surrounded by (at least on the district and council levels) a herd of\u2014with all due respect\u2014silver hairs? (Kortney Jendro, Northern Star Council, MN)<\/strong><\/p>\n On the Arrowhead honor, you can be as respectful as you care to, but the BSA policy (not my opinion, or yours, either) is that it’s worn with and only with a Commissioner badge of office, period.<\/p>\n I agree with you on the BSA losing touch with members who “age out.” I’ve often thought (and even written to Roy Williams about this) that at least an “alumni association” of some sort might help keep guys like you (or younger) more “in the loop,” so that when you consider volunteering for something you consider Scouting. Maybe some day we’ll see this happen. We have two pretty terrific guys in Rick Cronk and Don Belcher, National President and National Commissioner, respectively, and our new CSE looks like a pretty sharp guy, too! I\u2019d be shocked if we didn\u2019t see some significant positive changes very soon!<\/p>\n Dear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m a Webelos II den Leader. Each of my boys has earned enough requirements to be awarded the Arrow of Light. Would it be appropriate to conduct a special Arrow of Light ceremony with the pack right now, and then hold a separate bridging ceremony at the Blue & Gold banquet in February? Could you suggest an Arrow of Light ceremony? (Chris Hofmann, WDL, Dan Beard Council, OH)<\/strong><\/p>\n It’s totally appropriate for there to be separate ceremonies, because each has its own, unique meaning and purpose. Your Webelos can definitely receive their AOL as soon as they’ve earned it, and then bridge over to their chosen Boy Scout troop at the February B&G.<\/p>\n The BSA publishes a book on ceremonies (name escapes me at the moment) and you can probably track it down at your local Scout Shop or at www.Scoutstuff.org<\/a> And don’t rule out getting in touch with the ceremonies team of your council’s Order of the Arrow lodge for this!<\/p>\n Dear Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you have any ideas for games that Joeys (6-8 years old) can play? (Tracey Moyle, Joey Scout Leader, Queensland, Australia)<\/strong><\/p>\n Try the BSA\u2019s Cub Scout Fun Book<\/span>. It’s available at www.Scoutstuff.org<\/a> and even sometimes at amazon.com<\/a> !<\/p>\n Hi Andy,<\/strong><\/p>\n What’s the main difference between Brownsea Training and NYLT? And, is it unheard of to staff in another country? (In my case it may be the Golden Falcons program in the Transatlantic Council, except now that Camp Freedom\u2019s destroyed, do you know where it’s going to be? (Yoni Miller, Brooklyn Council, NY)<\/strong><\/p>\n “Brownsea” is a term used by many councils for many different training course configurations, so there’s no possible way for me to compare it to NYLT for you. NYLT is, of course, the updated version of what had for many years been the council-level JLT training, which itself goes by various other names throughout stateside BSA councils.<\/p>\n No, it’s definitely not unheard of to staff (or attend!) a training course in another country, be it a BSA course or a course specific to that country’s Scout program. To determine what training will be offered by the Transatlantic Council, and where, get in touch with that council at: http:\/\/www.tac-bsa.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n