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Re: A dilema - A Merit badge that was not earned
J.E. Cross III (jcross@BEOWULF.MHSL.UAB.EDU)
Tue, 12 May 1998 13:27:44 CST
As I read this posting and the replys (two so far) to it, I did some
brainstorming and came up with the following five points which I
think are relevant.
Point 1:
Once the counselor and the Unit Leader (i.e. either the Scoutmaster
or the Advancement Chairman in my troop) signs off on the blue card,
that scout has that merit badge. Why? Because the counselor has
attested by his signature that the scout has performed all the
requirements necessary to earn the merit badge. The unit leader's
signature signifys that he has been informed of the counselors
attestation and has accepted it.
Point 2:
Your beef should be with the counselor not the scout! By definition
the counselor is supposed to have some proficiency in the field of
interest covered by the merit badge. If the counselor did not and he
was appointed by the council summer camp director, then your beef is
with the summer camp director.
Point 3:
>From the Scouts viewpoint he did everything required of him by the
counselor to earn that merit badge. Does the fact that he did not
do exactly what others have done before him make the badge any less
meaningful to him?
Point 4:
Use this opportunity to teach the scout. Don't complain about the
merit badge specifically, instead teach a lesson about the value of
earning what you get.
Point 5:
Finally, remember the purpose of the merit badge program is to give
scouts a taste of the various fields of interest. The merit badge
program is not intended to make scouts an expert in a field once
they have completed the merit badge. The requirements are
established to make sure this happens and that is why counselors are
not *supposed* to waive or weaken any requirements except under very
specific and well defined circumstances. Notice the operative word
here!
Do doubts others will have vastly differing views.
DISCLAIMER: I speak for no-one except myself.
/S/ Jesse E. Cross, III - Scoutmaster of Troop 303
Greater Alabama Council, Boy Scouts of America
e-mail:jcross@uab.edu
Shelter a child and you protect him for a day. Teach a child
integrity and self-reliance and you protect him for a lifetime!
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
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