Dear Andy,

Both my son and I have been very active in Scouts since Tiger Cubs.  He’s now 14, a freshman in high school, and I can’t seem to interest him to continue Scouts.  He’s very close to Life and has many of the Eagle Scout-required merit badges already completed.  I’m so upset!  I’ve been a Committee Chair for our troop.  Joanne Buck, Cascade Pacific Council, OR)  

The good news: This situation isn't unique.  As a high school freshman, your son's world has just vastly opened up, and he's discovering a huge array of new things to get interested in (including, most likely, girls for maybe the first time). Along with this, his circle of friends will change and expand, too. All of this is OK.  You can take comfort in knowing that your son is on his way to maturing very nicely.  As these things happen in his life, other things can fade...some for a little while, others sometimes permanently.  He may, at this point in his life, view Scouting as "little kid stuff," especially if he recalls that he started all this when he was just seven years old (which means Scouting's been part of his life for, literally, half his life).  In addition, as part of the male youth maturation process, he has begun to individuate himself, particularly from his parents, and even more particularly from his mother (we used to call this "cutting the apron strings).  This also is healthy and positive, because if he's restricted from doing this, his maturation process is slowed or, worse, truncated.  So, my suggestions to you are simple:  Back off, and give him time to sort things out for himself.  Keep him registered, in case he decides to become active again, but apply not "pressure" for him to continue to be active just now.  And, do consider stepping away from the troop, yourself.  While I'm sure you receive personal gratification from knowing that you're helping the Scouting program and making a difference in the lives of the boys and young men in the troop you serve, your very first obligation is to your own son, of course, and I have no reason to doubt that you know this already and take your responsibility in this regard seriously.  Maybe it's time for Mom to take a step back, so that your son can shine on his own, without Mom there in the background?  As far as Life and Eagle ranks are concerned, these are for him to pursue, or not, depending on his own ambitions, desires, and goals for himself.  Often, the more we parents "suggest" (or "push") the notion of being an Eagle Scout, the more our sons resist!  Again, this is part of the individuation process, and we are obliged to recognize this if we're to raise the kinds of sons who take pride in what they accomplish for themselves, using their own rudder and sails!  So, for at least the next year, relax.  Your son's doing just fine, and he'll discover his own way, with a caring parent who's there in the background for him, but not right behind him with arms outstretched and pushing him along.

Thanks again for writing and I hope this helps a bit!

Dear Andy,

What happens to the religious square knot as a Cub Scout moves to Boy Scouts? Must it be re-earned? (Butch & Mary West)

If a boy has earned his religious award as a Cub Scout, it is absolutely OK for him to wear the "square knot" for that on his Boy Scout uniform.  Then, he has the added opportunity to earn another religious award as a Boy Scout!  No, he doesn't wear a second identical square knot, but, instead, he pins two small "devices" (buy them at your local Scout Shop) on the badge: One will signify what he earned as a Cub and the second will indicate what he earned as a Boy Scout.  For more information on the religious programs available to Boy Scouts, check out www.praypub.org

Dear Andy,

I'm the father of five sons.  I started a troop and then was asked to step down because I work second shift.  Subsequently, I want to help my 15 year-old and my 12 year-old sons with their advancement work, but I don’t know if I can pass off anything. I was registered as a Merit Badge Counselor for five merit badges.  I am an Eagle Scout (Class of ’81) myself, and expect all my boys to be the same.  At age 15, my oldest was told that since he didn’t participate enough with the troop, he’s ineligible to receive his Eagle, so he quit.  He’s 17 now. It really makes me sad that they did this to him.  I'm ready to put in to have them do it on their own, as Lone Scouts, because I can make sure they do their stuff, and make sure that no one can keep them from doing it and using poor judgment in following the rules and regulations. I want to know what I can and can’t do as a parent, to help him succeed.  (Dusty Hanson)

No you can't and no you shouldn't "sign off" on rank requirements (Boy Scouting isn't "Cub Scouts but in tan shirts"); however, this doesn't stop you from sharing your skills and showing your sons how to do something, so that they can be successful when they show their troop leaders what they've accomplished.

As far as merit badges are concerned, the BSA says that you're absolutely to be the counselor for your own sons (if they want that merit badge, of course--the choice is theirs and no one else's), assuming you're still registered as a MBC, of course.

The nonsense about your oldest son "not participating enough" is just that: pure nonsense.  If this is how this troop does things, then it's ultimately damaging every youth member; not just your sons.

Want to really help your sons enjoy the Boy Scout program?  Here's how: Go find a troop that's run right, and encourage them to transfer into it.

Dear Andy,

What would you say is the ideal Scout-to-adult ratio for a long term camp? 

I am fortunate to be the Scoutmaster of a well-behaved large troop with a lot of adult support.  At our last summer camp, we had 68 Scouts and 10 adults (6.8:1 ratio) and at that time I felt we had too many adults in camp.  The adults attending had very little if any responsibility and basically sat around all week.  This year’s summer camp we have a ratio of about 4:1.  Again, I believe this ratio has too many adults to Scouts.  These boys are good, responsible Scouts, and I think having this amount of supervision is limiting and inhibiting the youth summer camp experience.  I’d think the ratio should be around 10 scouts to every adult.  I’d appreciate your opinion and thoughts on this. (Jeff Whitnah, SM, Sam Houston Area Council, TX)

You're asking for an opinion here, and I do have one.  It's based on having been both a summer camp-attending Scoutmaster (four different Scout camps) as well as a former camp staff member (three different Scout camps), and a Jamboree Scoutmaster to boot.

Let's start here: Boy Scouting isn’t a "dad n' lad" program.  If this is what's wanted, try Indian Guides, for instance.  In Boy Scouting, boys and young men associate with mostly one another, under the watchful and benevolent eye of their Scoutmaster and perhaps an ASM or two (but rarely three of four or more).  Moreover, at a bona fide Scout summer camp, there's a full complement of qualified and trained staffers throughout all program areas, so that every Scout in camp is rarely more than 20 feet or so away from a staffer who can point the way, teach, guide, and oversee.  Plus, Scouts even in summer camp travel and participate in pairs – we call this the "Buddy System" and the better camps employ this at all times.  So, then... just what are these ten or as adults needed for?  Bottom line: Not much.  Of course, they'll make themselves seem useful, usually by "herding" the Scouts here and there, and generally taking over the job that the Senior Patrol Leader and his Patrol Leaders are supposed to be doing.  So, all in all, I don't think "ratios" are the way to go at all.  In fact, I wouldn't have less than two adults and absolutely not more than four adults in camp with any troop of any size. 

The same goes for campouts and hikes... Lots of dads don't make for a "better experience" for the Scouts—they diminish it, in fact.  If dads or other parents are coming along, be sure that they camp, cook, and eat separately from the Scouts and that throughout the day they're off doing something on their own and not finding ways to busy themselves around the Scouts. 

In sum, the last thing any decent Boy Scout troop needs are "helicopter parents"—as in always hovering.

Dear Andy,

I’m a Den Chief, and also Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and I’m wondering if I can sign things off in the Cub Scouts’ books, being their Den Chief and all. (Name Withheld, Great Salt Lake Council, UT)

If you read the "parents" section of your Cub Scouts' books, you'll see that "Akela" is 99% the boy's own parents!  In fact, advancements for Tiger, Wolf, and Bear are NOT done in den meetings!  So there's no reason for you or even the Den Leader to be signing off on anything!

Now if you're talking about WEBELOS Scouts, that's different, so talk to your Den Leader if this is something you’d like to do and have the skills and knowledge to do.

Dear Andy,

A young man in our troop was caught getting high at a Boy Scout function at a Boy Scout camp. He’s an Eagle Scout. Can we request that his rank be removed or revoked, as we feel this is a very serious offense and is not becoming of an Eagle Scout? (First Mate, Sea Scout Ship, FL)

You refer to "troop," yet you're a Sea Scout leader and Sea Scout units are called ships.  This is confusing to me.  Moreover, "getting high" is a very general description, and it's impossible for me to deduce what you're talking about.  Further, what was the disposition of the situation? Was this young man legally charged with an offense, ejected from the event and/or camp, what?  My recommendation to you, should you wish to pursue this, is to meet personally (NO EMAIL!) with the Scout Executive of your council and talk it over.  Be prepared to provide precise, detailed, eyewitness information; generalities will not be sufficient, and neither will hearsay.

That said, kindly do not consider ejecting this young man from the Scouting program, because right now is when he may need mentoring and guidance the most!

Hi Andy,

I had a Scoutmaster ask me what places would provide merit badge services, where there are no merit badge counselors.  For example, can a business that operates an archery range provide staff to pass off a Scout for the archery merit badge for a fee?

I’d like to develop a list of organizations or companies to whom parents can turn when there’s no counselor for a given merit badge.  Can you give me some direction as to how to find such organizations/companies? (Ernie Kuhn, ADC-Roundtables, Great Salt Lake Council, UT)

Here's the real deal... Only people who are actually registered with a council as Merit Badge Counselors can counsel Scouts and, at the end, sign them off as having completed all requirements.  That's a national policy, and there aren't any exceptions.  However, this represents an opportunity!  Your council's and/or district's advancement committee is responsible for identifying, recruiting, and training qualified people to be Merit Badge Counselors, and here's where you can truly make a difference.  Let's pick an easy one: Dentistry.  Let's say there's no registered MBC for this merit badge.  But you and your own family go to a dentist, right?  So, how about talking to him or her about your Scouting "avocation," and get 'em talking about perhaps prior involvements with the movement, or interest in youth, or interest in promoting the dentistry profession.  Then you suggest, Gee, here's an opportunity—How'd you like to be a Merit Badge Counselor, and help boys learn more about your field?  Doesn't take a whole lot of time, and you and the Scouts set your own schedule.  How about I bring in a book and show you what a Scout learns when he's working with a Dentistry MBC... Couple of days?  Do I need an appointment?  No?  Just stop by? OK, I can do that!  So you return with a pamphlet and two applications: One for MBC and the other the BSA Adult Volunteer Application.  Tell 'em it costs nothing to be an MBC, but there is a registration process, and then a short training session (usually in the evening) for Youth Protection that all of us volunteers take.  Sign 'em up!  Give the applications to the appropriate advancement chair and/or council registrar, and then make sure that new name gets on the current MBC list.  Easy pickin's! 

Have fun with this, and get creative!  Person-to-person always works best!  Then, when you have a few successes under your belt, and you're comfortable, approach other Scouters at the unit- or district-level, tell 'em about your successes, and show 'em how to do this, too! Everybody wins!  Go get 'em!

Now one little curiosity here… Why do “parents” need to find Merit Badge Counselors?  Contacting a Merit Badge counselor is something the Scout should be doing; definitely not his parents!

Dear Andy,

I have a Sea Scout who’s also a Venture Crew member and an Assistant Scoutmaster with the Troop he made Eagle with, and is still active in OA as a youth.  He’s 18 now.  If he completes his age-appropriate religious award, does it count as youth-earned or adult-earned, or both, as he holds both positions in Scouting? This would be the Protestant award, specifically the Baptist, and he's a senior in high school, due to graduate in May. (Charles Ray, Skipper/Assoc. Advisor/District Commissioner, Gulf Coast Council, FL)

OK, we're talking about the God and Life Award, and your 12th grader can find the requirements here: www.praypub.org/main_frameset.htm  I hope he's already begun work on this, because it's a fairly rigorous program of learning, and to complete it by the time he graduates, he's gonna have to hustle his little tail.  As far as continuing it after he's both age 18 AND no longer a senior in high school, the best source for guidance will be the P.R.A.Y. organization itself.

By the bye, did you know that the BSA has a policy prohibits unit leaders from being Commissioners? No?  Didn’t think so—It’s a fairly difficult policy to find, and, unfortunately, most councils don’t seem to be aware of it.  But it’s there, I assure you!

Dear Andy,

At a recent Camporee, our troop met up with a visiting troop from another council.  Their Scoutmaster had brought a bunch of their council patches along with him, to exchange for some of our own council patches.  Since none of our Scouts had brought any extra patches along, their Scoutmaster left ten CSPs in my care, and asked that I exchange them one-for-one with our council patches and mail them to him.   I thereupon told our Scouts who had attended the Camporee that any of them who were interested in exchanging a “home” CSP for a visiting CSP could bring their patch to the next meeting and I’d exchange them on a first come-first served basis.  Another ASM in our troop has questioned the idea of "trading patches between adults and Scouts.”  I told him that I didn’t consider this trading but exchanging, since there will be no bartering going on.  Am I right or wrong? (Greg Zach, ASM)

This is a one-for-one trade or exchange of CSPs of equal dollar value and likely equal intrinsic value.  Consequently, and especially because a responsible adult (that's you, my Scouting friend) is the intermediary, all possibilities of predatory behavior are removed.  In fact, I'd take this to be a gesture of friendship and nothing more, in this particular situation.  Your ASM friend might think it through a little better and maybe lighten up while he’s at it.

Dear Andy,

I am a Unit Commissioner for an 80+ member Scout troop that’s had the same Scoutmaster for over 20 years. Unfortunately, he’s now leading the unit now by fear.  Whenever I bring up the idea of speaking with him to discuss some of the troop’s problems, the response I get is, "Don't tick him off!"

Now I’ve actually never had a bad conversation with this fellow, but just a while ago, representatives of the Order of the Arrow lodge in our council stopped by to carry out the annual troop election, to which his response was, "We don't need you. We did our own elections."  Then, just this past week, the lodge’s elections advisor visited, and he told her, “You’re not allowed at our meetings unless you make an appointment."

Our District Commissioner went through the roof, and wanted your opinion of this "tin god" Scoutmaster. (Matt Price)

Interesting request by your DC… Any particular reason why he didn’t just ask me, all by himself?  Besides, sounds like you two have already formed your opinions, and hardly need mine! 

Interesting troop and situation, though. So here are some thoughts...

- Bullies threaten, act like tin gods, are never wrong, and use intimidation to get their way.  If you have a bully, even if he's the Scoutmaster, you all have to deal with it.

- If an OA election team wants to pay a visit, a phone call in advance is common courtesy.  They don't just "show up" and expect to have a red carpet rolled out for them.

- Troop-run OA elections are perfectly "legal."

- 20 years?  I get the feeling that this could be a case of "one year of experience repeated 19 more times."  20 years is 17 too many, in most cases.

- "Tin god" leaders get to keep their position because they've figured out that if they "do everything," the job seems so big that nobody else would ever want it (this is another form of intimidation).

- This troop needs to identify the next Scoutmaster and then recruit him with the promise that the committee will start doing its job and will relieve the position of stuff it shouldn't be doing anyway.

- This is a unit-level problem that the other adults involved in the unit need to solve.  Neither "district" nor "council"—including you, as Unit Commissioner, plus your DC—has jurisdiction here.

Dear Andy,

Just to be clear: The OA election team did call beforehand.  In fact, this Scoutmaster himself reached out and requested them. So why he treated them as he did when they showed up makes no sense.

I’ve combed through document upon document for elections and didn’t find the information for a troop-run OA election. Perhaps you have a reference that I can grab, if it gets down to brass tacks?  I don't want to be unfair to the unit or the Scouts who were voted in, or the adults who were, too, or the OA either, for that matter.

You’re correct: He’s a troop-level issue and it needs to be handled at the troop level. Another aspect of this is that it’s very difficult to find people to serve on "his" committee, because of his general harassment of others and "tin-god" relationships with everyone else.

I’m just afraid (since there have been nearly ten Scouts already who have moved to another troop) that his particular attitudes and methods towards the adults and the programs are running Scouts out the door, instead of in. (Matt Price, UC, Occoneechee Council)

Don't go to the mat over the OA election thing... choose your battles carefully.  If there was an election and Scouts were duly nominated, voted for, elected, and then the paperwork was submitted so that they can participate in the Ordeal Weekend, then I'd let it go.  This is for the lodge to deal with, not you or me.

There are two ways to get rid of this tyrant...

The first is for the troop committee to set up a situation that causes him to say something like, "Well, if you're gonna do that, I'm gonna QUIT!" To which the Committee Chair immediately responds: "Your resignation is respectfully accepted."  Then, because the CC doesn't back down, it's a done deal that the Scoutmaster can't reverse.  The following day, the CC goes to the council service center and has the Scoutmaster's name removed from the roster, and it's over. 

The second and more direct way is for the COR and/or CC (either one can do this—better if they do it together) simply says to the Scoutmaster (with a "witness" like you present), "Thank you for your services.  They're no longer needed and your tenure as Scoutmaster has come to an end."  Again, if the CC and/or COR don't waffle, it's a done deal.  Interestingly, since the troop isn't a business or corporation subject to "labor laws," there's no "three strikes" rule, and no reason has to be given.  It's literally just, "Thank you.  Your tenure is ended, effective right now."

Of course, no matter which method is employed, the important thing is to have the next Scoutmaster already lined up.  But, even without this, this guy may be so far beyond the pale that I'd be very, very tempted to dump him whether or not somebody's ready to step up.  I'm saying this because I'm gonna bet that once folks know he's gone for good, somebody will step up to the plate.  When he does, he'll know the COR and CC have some moxie, and that's important!

Dear Andy,

Per your (earlier) advice, I’ve read the Boy Scout Handbook, completed Scoutmaster-Specific training (along with Safe Scouting and Fast Start), have Outdoor Training scheduled at the next opportunity, have my own Scoutmaster Handbook, and the book of all merit badge requirements.  Since I’m an outdoor enthusiast, an educator, and an engineer, there were a dozen or so badges I’d be delighted to counsel.  So very excitedly I took my applications to the troop committee chair and the district merit badge counselor coordinator, anticipating that my family could get a good fast start in Scouting.

But their responses were a bit baffling.  The committee chair said that the troop wouldn’t take my application.  It seems that they don’t usually accept applications for Assistant Scoutmaster without the Scoutmaster first inviting someone to become an assistant after observing them for two months.  This seems “off” to me.  Of course, a Scout leader should have good references and every leader should always be keeping an eye on each other. But why make Assistant Scoutmaster "by invitation"?  This kind of tradition would seem to lend itself to a "good ol’ boys’ club" kind of operation—inappropriate for Boy Scout leadership.  I’m not saying the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters would ever conspire to do something inappropriate, but by making leadership "by invitation only" aren't they opening a way for something inappropriate to be initiated in the future?  I know from one of your January 30^th columns Q&As (and from Scoutmaster training) that BSA doesn’t "own" this troop so it can't tell them how to get new leaders. But I’d still like your "knee-jerk" response about whether this should be any cause for concern.

Then, our council’s Merit Badge Counselor Coordinator told me that he only accepts applications for merit badge counselors a few times a year and the next opportunity is in July, that he only allows people to be counselors for a maximum of six merit badges, and that he likes to quiz people on their merit badge and that if they can't answer one of his questions, he bars their becoming a counselor for that merit badge (he claims to have turned away multiple would-be counselors, and seems to take a certain pride in doing this). Why does this seem off?

This seems to be a culture of exclusion and a lot of control for just one person to wield.  My wife, for instance, is a financial planner and would make an excellent counselor for the Personal Management merit badge.  But after talking to the coordinator, she became scared and has now sworn off trying to do so because she’s afraid she’ll be asked all sorts of obscure investment questions that she can’t answer, humiliated in front of the other trainees, and barred from doing this badge. 

Now, in general, BSA does it right: allowing people to take training such as Safe Scouting online anytime, not "failing" someone for a less than 100% score on the quiz.  This seems an appropriate method for a volunteer organization to disseminate information within a culture of inclusion.  Why is merit badge counselor training and coordination dictated this way? As to limiting the number of badges to counsel, I can understand limiting the number of boys that a counselor could be counseling at one time, but can the coordinator really limit the things in which I have expertise?  Does he know so much about every badge as to quiz me and bar me?  It’s no wonder the Scouts in our district often have trouble finding a counselor as they try for Eagle.  I believe there are forty or more fewer counselors this year than last year. Whereas the BSA doesn't own a given unit, it seems that the BSA should be able to tell a person like this coordinator whether they’re operating appropriately or not. (Name & Council Withheld)

I'm sorry that, in trying to volunteer, you've encountered such a mess. Let's get this straight, right from the get-go: Scouting isn't the bad guy here.  It's a shame, but too many folks simply use their Scouting positions to turn to the dark side.  Wish I knew why.  But it's safe to say that the buttheads you'll run into from time to time in Scouting are just as big buttheads outside of Scouting.  Let's try to clear some stuff up first.  First off, consider trotting down to your local Scout Shop (or go online at www.scoutstuff.org) and pick up a copy of the book, Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures.  It has everything you'd ever want to know about BSA policies on advancement and advancement administration.  We'll use it to set a few things straight...

As a Scoutmaster, I'd definitely want to get to know anyone interested in being my ASM on a personal level first.  I'd not only be interested in how he or she relates to boys and young men of Boy Scout age, but I'd want to see how we get along between ourselves.  You see, once this person signs on, if he or she is a screwball or loose cannon or likes to play tin god with the Scouts, I've just inflicted a now-registered volunteer on the troop and on myself.  So, I'd suggest that you take a slow and cautious approach here... Hang around troop meetings in a friendly but non-interfering way.  Go on a couple of campouts and let the Scoutmaster know you're ready to lend a hand wherever he needs, but you're equally willing to stay out of his way.  Get to know him, and let him get to know where you're coming from (gently and subtly..not brashly or in-your-face).  Share a couple of campfire personal yarns with him, till you two are on your way to becoming friends.  Only then might you broach the subject of being an ASM... again, gently.  You see, most good Scoutmasters get a little nervous when somebody fairly new wants to jump in with both feet, especially when we don't know what the underlying motivations are (are you getting my drift here?). So, take your time... Knock gently; don't try to beat down the door.

Let's also remember this: A Scoutmaster is the primary direct provider of the Scouting program at the youth level.  He is the Scouts' primary point of contact and primary role model.  ASMs are not actually assistants in the sense of sharing leadership with the Scoutmaster.  Like a good XO aboard ship, the ASM has direct contact with the Scouts only in those instances when the Scoutmaster tells him he does (as in "take the bridge").  Otherwise, he's, literally, wallpaper.  He reports to the Scoutmaster and is "visible" only when the Scoutmaster asks him to be.

When you do sign on as a BSA Adult Volunteer, you're making a major time commitment, and a long-term one, a that!  As an ASM, you're going to likely be at every troop meeting rain or shine, and a fair number of campouts, rain or shine, ad you definitely won't be there to be your son's "buddy."  In fact, you'll probably be relatively distant from him, so that he grows into having a sense of personal independence.  If he and his Scout buddies sense that he has a "helicopter parent" (as in relentlessly hovering), things will not go well for you son, or your son in relation to his peers, and he won't experience the personal growth the Boy Scout program is designed to give him.

Applications to serve as a Merit Badge Counselor are typically submitted to the district advancement chair or council advancement chair. Qualifications are reviewed and there would have to be some really weird circumstances for an MBC application to be rejected.

MBCs, by BSA policy, have a choice: They can be an "open" counselor, meaning that they're willing and available to counsel any Scout in the district or council; or they can be a "troop-only" counselor, meaning that they will limit their counseling to Scouts in a particular troop.  While both options are available to you, both the BSA and I would encourage you to be of the open variety.

A person can be a merit badge counselor for as many merit badges as he or she would like.  The BSA places no limit on this, and no one is permitted to supersede a BSA policy such as this.  This is in the book I recommended to you above, and you may want to copy that page out of it and bring it with you when you meet with this little tin god.  The only requirement, of course, would be to show some sort of experience or expertise in the subject matter of the merit badge.  Teachers, for instance, are often MBCs for Reading and Scholarship, but you don't have to be a teacher to do these two; other experience can count, too.

Waiting till July—just a few months away—sounds a bit better than going to the mat over such a stupid procedure.  We need to choose our battles carefully.  (Besides, you can use this time to your advantage when it comes to this whacko's version of the Spanish Inquisition.)

A duly registered MBC can counsel his or her own son or nephew—the BSA, in fact, states this with utter clarity.  Again, no one below the national level can override this BSA policy.

Stating one's qualifications on the MBC application should be sufficient—we're talking about adults here.  And besides, merit badges are absolutely not intended to make experts out of Scouts, on any subject area.  Merit badges are intended to introduce Scouts to a wide variety of topics and subjects, with the intent that this introduction may entice them to develop a career or life-long hobby or avocation in the subject area.  (Even a merit badge like Lifesaving doesn't make life guards out of Scouts!  Much more specialized and intensive training is needed for that to happen!)

The notion of "quizzing" potential merit badge counselors on subject matter is an exercise in egotism and ultimately stupid. This is a clear signal that the "interrogator" is more interested in an ego-trip than in actually identifying qualified MBCs.  Here's how I'd handle this tiny-ego jerk...

Pick, say, two merit badges that you'd like to counsel (two is a good start--you can add more later on, if you like).  List your experiential expertise for each of these on the merit badge application, then hold on to it.  Next, get the corresponding merit badge pamphlets and read them thoroughly, paying special attention to the actual subject matter to be covered, and the requirements.  Make marginal notes, if necessary.  Then, show up.  When you're quizzed, first be sure that the question relates to what the Scout is expected to know or know how to do.  If the question's off-the-wall and doesn't relate to one or more specific requirements, say so.  Yup, flat out: "That's an interesting question, but since it doesn't relate to any of the requirements, I'm going to not answer it.  Kindly ask me a question that does relate to the merit badge requirements."  Then, let's say, you get a question that does relate.  Just answer it.  No long-winded oral presentation.  Just the answer.  Followed by, "Good question.  Do you have another?"  Then, if you're up to it, push back.  Here's what I mean... Let's say the merit badge is Engineering and he asks you to describe Newton's three laws of motion.  So you do.  And you thank him for asking a good question.  Then, "Since you seem to know something about engineering, and since we're all friends here, how about I ask you a question, like please describe Bernoulli's equation in fluid dynamics (or, please state the difference between alternating and direct current and the advantages and disadvantages of each)."  Now you may not "qualify," but you'll end the evening knowing that you've poked one big hole in this self-important blowhard.  Same goes for your wife.  Learn the requirements for Personal Management, answer his question, and follow it with, "Now, how about you explain how to calculate the present value of a future sum."  Are you getting where I'm going here...?

Hello Andy,

I’m the new Camping Merit Badge counselor for our troop.  Can you help me understand the requirement for preparing a trail meal for your patrol requiring the use of a trail stove?

In your view, is the requirement really to have one Scout prepare a meal for an entire patrol (nine Scouts in this case) on a trail stove, or is it to become familiar with the use of a trail stove and perhaps use a trail stove in the process of  preparing a trail meal?  Is the focus on a "trail meal" (which could be adding boiling water to a packaged meal) or becoming accomplished with the use of a trail stove?  If the former, can you recommend any meals that might be time-tested, to minimize the amount of waiting?

Because our troop has yet to begin doing hike-in-type camping, I’d like to have the Scouts demonstrate their ability to cook a variety of things on their trail stoves while we’re in camp.  Do you think it would meet the requirement if, for example, the Scout cooked a hamburger on a trail stove for their own dinner one evening, and eggs and bacon for a couple of the Scouts in his patrol on a trail stove the next morning? (Eric Ketzel, ASM, Capital Area Council, TX)

Here's the straight skinny: BSA advancement requirements—whether for ranks or merit badges—are to be carried out as written.  No deviations.  So, when a requirement says "cook a meal for your patrol" it means just that: Cook the entire meal for the entire patrol.  And yes, "cook" means cook—not pass out pre-made sandwiches, hand out bags of chips snack bars, or anything else of the sort.

Have you read the merit badge pamphlet yourself, yet?  This is a great guide for Scouts and counselors alike.  Also, how about pages 247 to 283 in the Boy Scout Handbook?  This is the fundamental stuff, and gets your Scouts off to a great start!

Hi Andy,

My question’s about Camping merit badge. The “20 days and nights” requirement says, “You may use a week of long-term camp toward this requirement.”  Most of our Scouts go to our council camp in their first year and we count that as a week of their long-term camping requirement.  Some of our Scouts also go to Philmont, Sea Base, and Northern Tier, and camp out or sleep under the stars. Are these considered a “long-term camp,” or can they be counted separately toward the days-and-nights requirement? (John Dancu, ASM, Atlanta Area Council, GA)

Good question! The answer is: It depends.  If the Philmont experience is a trek, where the Scouts are re-setting up their own tents, then this isn't considered "long-term camp" (where the tents are already in place on platforms, with cots, etc.).  But if they're doing the NAYLE or other program at Philmont, and sleeping in tents that are more-of-less permanently in place (at least for the summer), then it's considered long-term camp.  The same general principles would apply to Northern Tier and Sea Base.

Dear Andy,

Our council's advancement chair came to our roundtable for Merit Badge Counselor training and, during the course of the training, he told all in attendance that the Scoutmaster actually has the final say on whether or not a Scout has duly earned a merit badge. He said that since the Scoutmaster’s signature is required on the council advancement forms, where both ranks and merit badges are recorded by the unit and turned into the council for record-keeping, the Scoutmaster has the authority to hold back his signature on the application.  He went on to say that this can be verified in the Advancement Guidelines book.

This doesn’t sound right to me.  In fact, that night, I listened in total shock.  I’d thought the blue cards are the only forms needed for the council to record a merit badge having been earned.  Plus, I fail to understand why a Scoutmaster would have the final say on a merit badge if a Scout completed it with someone whose profession the subject matter it may be.  This whole thing seems incredulous. (Name & Council Withheld)

That CAC has it totally wrong, and the underpinning is wrong, too.

The purpose of the Unit Leader signature is to indicate that the earned merit badge is duly recorded in the troop's advancement records, and that's it—That's exactly what that means and that's all it means. To that non-informed CAC I’d say: READ THE BLINKIN’ BLUE CARD!

Moreover, the BSA is absolutely 100% crystal clear that the sole and unassailable authority that a merit badge is completed is the Merit Badge Counselor and no one else.  This is a BSA policy and it’s stated in exactly the same reference that that CAC misinterpreted.

Further, no requirement of a merit badge may be subject to re-test or quiz or any other baloney once the Merit Badge Counselor has signed the appropriate "Blue Card" stubs. 

All of what I've just described is BSA policy and when somebody tells you something like that uninformed or misinformed guy did, challenge it right then and there.  Tell 'em: "I want to see that in writing before I'm gonna buy what you're saying."

Dear Andy,

Thank you for column. I've recently started reading it and have learned so much. I was a Cub Scout myself, and have never forgotten the friends I made, the lessons I learned, or the positive impact it had on my life. Above all, I remember how much I enjoyed the time together with my parents working on Scout stuff.

My oldest son is a Webelos II and is about to cross over. My stepson is a Webelos I, and my youngest son is a Tiger. I have been a Den Leader for three years—one with Bears and two with Webelos—and became fully trained earlier this year.

When I started as a Bear leader, I gave my best go at it. My entire den except one boy was brand new to Scouting. Our Cubmaster handed me the leader's guide and said, "You were a Cub Scout, so this should be pretty basic for you." I heard nothing about roundtables, training, or a lot of other things. In spite of that, the year turned out great. I started with ten boys and eight of them earned their Bear rank and are still in Scouting. Three of them have crossed over to a great troop and two more are about to follow.

Our Cubmaster moved a few months ago and hasn’t been replaced yet. Our CC has been doing everything she can to keep the pack running, and so far it’s working.  Then I was asked to be Cubmaster, and I accepted.  I’ll take over “officially” shortly. Now that I’m reading up more on what's involved in making the pack go, and comparing it to what we have currently, I see that this is going to be a big job.

Basically, we have a CC, a trained Tiger leader, a Wolf leader and myself. The CC and I are the only ones with any experience. Our entire pack committee is made up of names-on-paper only, and I don't even recognize most of the names (they're from the dim distant past and have been kept on the roster simply so we can re-charter). 

I want to bring this pack back up to the level that I know it can be, and our parents and Cubs expect. Our parents are great! They’re always willing to volunteer with activities and help in any way.  They just need guidance. We have almost complete participation at every activity. I’ve scheduled a parents meeting to discuss forming a real pack committee, getting our leaders trained, divvying up some of the responsibilities (fundraising, treasury, awards, etc.) that our CC has been doing by herself, and I’ve received overwhelming support from the parents, as I expected.

My question (finally!), is this: What resources are out there for completely restructuring a pack from the ground-up? I’ve been absolutely devouring everything I can find. Should I get the council people involved? (I hesitate to because I don't think they'd look favorably on what's been done up to this point, and I don't want to get our CC in hot water. Besides, so far it's been transparent to the Cubs and we’re growing as a unit because the boys are our best recruiters. I guess you could say that we've been successful in spite of ourselves.)  But what next? (Name & Council Withheld)

Your pack's woes aren’t a council-level matter; the problems should and can be solved at the pack level.  However, the council can be a resource for you all, and I'll describe that in just a moment.

For getting legs under your pack, begin with these resources: The Cub Scout Leader Book; your district or council's training courses, including Fast Start, New Leader Essentials, and Position-Specific Training (CM, DLs, Webelos DLs, Committee Members). 

As you begin to recruit new volunteers who sign on as registered members of the pack (DLs, committee), get a commitments from each that they'll take training at the very soonest opportunity--They will MAKE THE TIME FOR THIS TO HAPPEN (Nobody just "has" the time—we all have to MAKE the time). 

Also, contact your District Commissioner (another volunteer just like yourselves) and ask that a Unit Commissioner be assigned to your pack, to act as your mentor and guide as you set this pack on its proper keel and re-launch it.  You, as Cubmaster, and the Committee Chair are now the key "team" to make this happen!

After you've reviewed, from the literature I've suggested, the correct structure of a Cub Scout pack, make up a set of index cards (3x5 are too small—use the next size up from this) each containing the name of a job that needs to be filled, for example, "Den Leader-Wolf Den," "Committee Member-Advancement," "Committee Member-Treasurer," etc., etc. -- you get the idea.

Then, call a parents meeting (no kids) and explain in clear language the precise status of the pack (including the fictitious names-on-paper, that are going to be removed as of right now) and then lay the cards on a table in front of the parents (or, even better, use masking tape and put them on a wall for all to see) and tell the parents: Before we leave here tonight, every one of these cards needs to be taken by one of you in order for us to have a pack that works.  Explain what the general responsibilities of each job will be, then ask for questions (keep this brief!) and then stand back—It's now up to the parents to choose cards (have a bunch of new BSA Adult Volunteer Applications with you, too, so that these can be filled out on the spot and brought to your council service center the next morning).  If the parents hesitate, encourage them... "Hey, whoever chooses first gets exactly the job you want!"... "Don't let somebody else pick the job you really want--reach out!"... "There are only 'X' left...who's gonna step up?"... (This is a little like an auction, and you and the CC are the "auctioneers").  Keep going till every job's taken!  DO NOT let anyone leave if there are still cards to be chosen or you'll be chasing folks forever!

My own personal experience doing it this way tells me this: IT WORKS.  It absolutely works better than making "public announcements about how "we need help..." (often called "the grovel hour" or "predicting the end of the world as we know it").  BUT, it works best when you and the CC display absolute confidence that this will be successful, stay on the positive, and never waffle or waver.

As soon as you have your volunteers, write down their names and the positions they've taken, and ask them to remain to fill out the actual applications.  Get checks from them to cover their dues; then take everything to the council service center, get them registered, and expunge the useless names from the pack's roster.  You're on your way!  Now, get everybody to training!

Dear Andy,

Our pack has a boy who’s completing Tiger.  He should be going on to Wolf this fall, but his school is going to push him to the 3rd grade. He wants to move on up to a Bear den, (which I have no problem with) but also wants to try and complete all of the Wolf requirements this summer to get his Wolf badge in September and then move into a Bear den. I don't see a problem with this, but is there a concern out there that I am not aware of? His mom is the pack committee chair and is willing to work with him this summer to make it happen.  I talked to our “powers that be” in council service center and am getting things like, "Well, is he mature enough to be able to do this?"  Sounds like someone is trying to make new rules or judgments. Can you give me any guidance? (Bill Casler, Great Alaska Council)

Thanks for asking—Perfect timing!  Until just a couple of days ago, I'd pretty much been under the guidance that Tiger, Wolf, Bear, etc. begin with the September (or August, in some places) start of the new school year.  But I recently read in a BSA publication that it's perfectly OK for a boy who, let's say, finishes Tiger by June (or May, in some places) and simultaneously completes first grade in school can immediately begin work on Wolf stuff, with his parent as Akela, of course (just like it says in the book).  The same would equally apply to the Wolf-to-Bear scenario.  So, based on that, if this boy and his parents want to do Wolf stuff over the summer and then start Bear in the fall, I'd say GO FOR IT!  If the school deems the boy capable, maturationally, of jumping to third grade from first, then he'll be with Bear Cub Scouts in the fall anyway!  So, I don't think there's any particular harm here.  Plus, everything in the first three Cub books is aimed at family bonding, so let's let 'em bond!

Dear Andy,

Please explain to me why you’ll post the follow-up response in “Ask Andy” to some individual asking about “port-a-potties” but you don’t put our whole back-and-forth dialogue in “Ask Andy”—You only posted my initial question and your initial response.

I’d like to think that my appropriate and researched rebuttals and your quality responses warranted posting in “Ask Andy” as well.  It would not be fair to be selective as to what is posted. From that continued dialogue with each other I was able to further explain my concerns and clarify my first post, and you were able to guide me in the right direction from those posts. (Brian Boehm ASM, Southeast Wisconsin Council)

In answering letters and developing columns over this past seven years, I've set for myself two responsibilities.  First, I reply personally to every single person who writes to me. Second, I select specific sets of letters to publish in columns.  In both areas, I apply the best judgment I'm able to muster at the time.  Not perfect, perhaps, but my very best effort in all instances.

Dear Andy,

Thanks. I’ll continue to read and learn from your column and other literature. I realize Scouting’s been around for 100 years, so I won’t be trying to re-invent the wheel.  I can’t pin-point why, but I find your column very intriguing, very captivating. Sometimes I think it’s the “reality show” feeling it conveys, and sometimes the enjoyment of the true frankness of your answers. Sometimes the questions you receive are almost scary, that those situations really happen!  And sometimes the questions and your answers are downright great for all of us to read and learn from.  (Brian Boehm, ASM, Southeast Wisconsin Council)

In a perfect world, there would be no renegade troops or leaders and instead of doing "whatever seems to work" or reinventing Scouting, folks would have figured out that their covenant with Baden-Powell and the youth we're here to serve is to deliver the program as written to the very best of their abilities.

Instead, we have mayhem.  Unfortunately, the "game" of Scouting doesn't have referees, umpires, and other officials to keep the game honest and players all playing the same game.  Imagine, for a moment, what would happen during “March Madness” if Team A played by the written rules and Team B just made up its own rules for playing, like no dribbling necessary (it takes too much time, anyway, and besides, some players aren't very good at it so let's just drop it), "jump" free throws (the players like to jump, so let's let them—what's the harm), no uniforms (we don't want them to feel embarrassed or awkward, do we), and so on... Chaos would reign, of course, and that's why there are rules, policies, and regulations.  Same with the Scouting program, with one big difference: We use "Scout's honor" and, unfortunately, some leaders just don't get it!

So, keep on keepin' on –

Dear Andy,

Can you explain the difference between earning the Quality Unit award and the Centennial award? Our troop has always earned the QU award, but since last year I’ve been told that our council just offers the Centennial award, since that’s the only one available. I don’t believe it, since I’ve seen 2007 QU patches at some Camporees. What’s the answer?  Are there QU awards out there, being offered? (J.M., Hiawatha-Seaway Council, NY)

If you go to the BSA website (www.scouting.org/) and enter "centennial unit award" in the search option, you'll get everything you've ever wanted to know about it, including a podcast from Don Belcher, our National Commissioner.

Dear Andy,

I’m an Assistant Scoutmaster who was just involved in a discussion about board of reviews for rank advancement, and the guidelines we found didn’t seem to provide a definitive answer...

If a committee member knows for a fact that a Scout hasn’t met a requirement for a rank (leadership tenure, for example) but it’s been signed off by the Scoutmaster, does the committee have to sign off and advance the Scout?  I do know that some of our committee members feel that the board of review is just an interview capped off with a rubber stamp. In fact, on at least one occasion the Scoutmaster told them, “Make sure this Scout gets through.”  What’s the real story here? (Name & Council Withheld)

Before responding directly to your question—which is definitely a good one!—I'll need to know just a bit more, such as, how does the committee member "know for a fact" that a requirement's not completed when, in point of fact, it's signed off in the Scout's handbook and the Scoutmaster, by requesting the board of review, is saying, in effect, this Scout has completed all requirements and is ready to advance?  You mention "leadership tenure" as an example: You do need to tell me precisely what the controversy is all about.

Hello Andy,

You’ve hit precisely on the bigger issue, which is ”Why is a Scoutmaster wanting to advance Scouts who haven’t met the requirements”. For now, let’s stick with this specific example…

Supposed the Scoutmaster has signed off and requests a board of review for a Star rank candidate, but the committee knows the Scout has served in the required leadership position for only two months instead of six…should the board advance the scout?

The circumstance above is the specific example I am curious about. I think the bigger issue is to find out why the Scoutmaster would be advancing scouts who haven’t completed the requirements, but I’ll leave that alone for now. (N&CW)

OK, gotcha.  No Scout should ever be the pawn of adult mess-ups.

Here's the deal: No board of review should ever be convened unless the clear expectation that it will be successful is present.  All the i's should be dotted and t's crossed before there's board of review.  A board of review convened with the knowledge that there's a glitch is doing an unconscionable disservice to the Scout.

If, per the situation you've described, the chair of the board of review (usually the troop's advancement chair) has knowledge that a requirement may not be completed, then this is taken up with the Scoutmaster, not the Scout, and it's rectified with the Scoutmaster, not the Scout, before any board of review is convened.  If the glitch isn't known until the board is convened (let's remember that the board members have a pre-review discussion amongst themselves about the candidate about to come before them), then the Scoutmaster is called in, instead of the Scout, and there's a full disclosure of the problem. There's no review held until the problem's been resolved.

Keep this uppermost in mind: The true purpose of a board of review is not to "examine" or "evaluate" the Scout so much as it is to examine and evaluate the quality of the troop's advancement program.

Dear Andy,

I’ve just signed on as an Assistant Scoutmaster.  The Committee Chair is telling me that I can't sign off on rank advancement requirements that my son has completed. I’ve not been successful in finding a regulation stating this. I justify my approval of his accomplishments because I’ve been involved
in many of them with my son before joining the Scouting organization.  Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. (Name Withheld, Southwest Florida Council)

The larger issue here is this: You're the new kid on the block with this troop, and already you're playing guard-house lawyer with them... Do you really think this is the way to go?  Cool yer jets.  You're not gonna win any popularity contests this way.  The second issue is this: Boy Scouts ain’t a “dad n’ lad” program.  For that, try Indian Guides.  Step back from your son a bit and give him room to grow and mature side-by-side with other youth his age and under the watchful eyes of his Scoutmaster.  Plenty of time to be dad n’ lad at home.

Hi Andy,

I’m a Scoutmaster with a “problem parent.” First, he quit his volunteer position with the troop because I insisted that he take training and he didn’t want to.  Now, he comes up to me at a troop meeting and tells me, “My son’s completed all the requirements for Tenderfoot, so sign him off.”  I told the dad that there are no initials in his son’s handbook, and so he really hasn’t even started Tenderfoot requirements yet.  But the dad then said that his son knows it all and that I should just quiz him to find out.  So now what  Do I go through each Tenderfoot requirement and quiz the boy?  And what about the physical fitness part?  How do I quiz him on that?  I’ve told this father repeatedly that, when his son is ready to do a requirement, he just goes to the Senior Patrol Leader and does it with him, but this guy just isn’t interested in any way but his way.

Now, he wants to be a Merit Badge Counselor, so he can “work with the boys.”  What do I do with a parent like this? (Carlo)

That parent needs to be told, clearly and concisely, that Boy Scouts isn't like Cub Scouts—Parents are no longer involved in their son's requirements for advancement in ranks, or in completing requirements for merit badges.  This is how it is, and there are no exceptions.

Then, for the Scout himself, you (not your SPL or someone else right now) and he sit down together, with his handbook, and go through some of the easier requirements with him.  Start with asking him to repeat the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan, and describe what each means to him, in his own words (no memorization!).  Then, when he does this, initial his handbook on page 438, with the date completed. Then, ask him which requirement he'd like to do next... If he has no preference, recommend 5, (rules for safe hiking), 8 (patrol name, etc.), or 9 (Buddy System, etc.).  End this session by recording his best efforts for requirement 10a—Push-ups, pull-ups, etc.—so that the start-date for the 30-day "count" is established.  Then, ask him what requirements he'd like to work on next, and help him get started.

Following this, brief your SPL and he can then take over on remaining requirements.  Finally, as the 30-day mark approaches, have a conversation with this Scout again, and ask him how he's coming along.  Encouragement is the key, here, because you and I can’t even begin to imagine the pressure this father is putting on his own kid!

Hello Andy,

I’m trying to find information on what are allowable fund-raisers for a Cub Scout pack.  Can you help me? (Carl Espenshade)

Except for of course avoiding gambling in any form (raffles, bingo, etc.) the field's pretty much wide-open.  There are ads for fund-raising items that can be sold by Scout units in virtually every issue of SCOUTING magazine, and these are all "legit."  That said, one of the very best fund-raisers is your council's annual "Popcorn" Fund-Raiser, which has a very high percentage of sales returned to the units and the boys, plus, since it's a typically council-wide fund-raiser, it's often the only fund-raiser in which your boys can wear their Cub Scout uniforms while promoting it!

Hi Andy,

I just attended our council’s Lord Baden Powell University (www.lbpuniv.org) last weekend and earned my “Bachelor of Scouting.”  I was awarded a patch and a 2008 “rocker” to wear, and they said that it goes on the upper right side of my uniform shirt, above the pocket.  I’d thought only Jamboree patches went there, but this isn’t a “temporary” patch, with a loop, either.  Do you know where it goes? (Simon Gross, ASM, Chicago Area Council, IL)

You're 100% correct and, most unfortunately, the LBPUNIV folks are 100% wrong!  (Why otherwise well-intentioned folks like these get this simple stuff wrong is beyond my comprehension—It's scary to think about how many adults are now going to be incorrectly "patched" when we're supposed to be setting the example.)  That patch goes on the right pocket—the only "legal" place for such a patch.

Dear Andy,

Where can we find information as to where badges/patches are placed on the uniform? My son has the Good Turn for America badge, and we don't know where it goes. (Sharon Dixon)

It's in his HANDBOOK.  The badge you're talking about may be worn centered on the right pocket of his uniform shirt.  If there's a badge already there, then your son needs to make a decision: Leave the one that's there in place, or replace it with the new one.

Dear Andy,

I have an Eagle Scout in my troop that we recently made a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.  He is leading our first year Scouts on the Trail to First Class.  He has completed NYLT and NAYLE, has about sixty merit badges, is a COPE facilitator, and knows his Scout stuff.  Can he sign off on Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class requirements with the Scouts he’s working with? The Scoutmaster wants him to do it, but I thought it would be good to check, first. (Bob Ross, Circle Ten Council, TX)

You betcha!  That's Scouting at its finest!  HooHaa for Circle Ten!  Keep on keepin' on –

Happy Scouting!!