Re: Wilderness Survival Merit Badge
R. D. \ (kempm@VICON.NET)
Sat, 21 Dec 1996 23:25:59 -0000
I usually sit back and lurk, but I totally disagree with a SM witholding
a merit badge after he has given a Scout permission to take it by signing
the blue card. In this instance, I am a SM in one council and a MB
counselor in another.
My main hat in Scouting is SM. I too have had boys bring signed merit
badge cards which in my opinion were not done to my satisfaction. I've
discussed this with the Scout, sent them through, and worked with the
Scout to reinforce (re-teach) those skills. When I took SMF many years
ago, I was told that once signed by the counselor, the badge is completed
if the Scout has SM approval to take the badge. In fact, I was told of a
situation in my council where a required merit badge (Personal Mgt) was
questioned in an Eagle board of review. The counselor and Scout said
that the badge was earned and that the requirements were met. The Troop
Committee thought differently. To make a long story short, the board of
review's denial was appealed and the Scout, who was pushing eighteen, was
awarded his Eagle.
Now my other hat. I work in another council as a teacher. I applied
(was recruited?) to be a merit badge counselor and was approved by that
council. (I guess that means that I'm an "expert" on the merit badges
that I'm approved for). Quite frankly, if my decision were questioned, I
would be just a little bit more than insulted. In that council, I'm a
volunteer merit badge counselor, that's it. Until I'm told by the
District Advancement Committee, that my services are no longer needed, I
consider myself to be a qualified volunteer "expert". Once I sign the
card, the Scout has earned and should get the badge. If not, I would
personally appeal this affront on my qualifications.
There you have it. I have seen the issue from both sides. If the SM
feels strongly, I would suggest that he contact the District Advancement
Committee to have the counselor removed from the list to avoid problems
in the future, but the Scout should get the badge. We really don't need
the bad feelings created when an "expert" in one field (SM) questions the
expertise of another(the counselor).
YiS,
R.D. "Mike" Kemp Was an Eagle! --- NE-V-119 --
Scoutmaster, Troop 25 Always an Eagle --- Class of 1963 ---
Huntingdon, PA SM, Jambo97, Troop 213
Oneida District Monaken Lodge 103, Brotherhood
Juniata Valley Council # 497 District Roundtable Commissioner
& a few other things
kempm@vicon.net
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most!
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
