Questions about Camp Impartials

Hello All,

My son is back from camp. He said he had a wonderful time, and had
completed four merit badges, and actually told me what went on during
the week!!! Last night at the meeting however, we find out that in
fact, all but one of his badges were partials. Needless to say he was
quite upset. The cards were not given to the boys, they were given to
the Scoutmaster. My son asked the counselors if he had passed and was
told yes. He passed everything that was taught, but was not told there
were requirements that were not completed. (My son is not one to read
and find out what needs to be done, he just does what he is told)

1) The first aid badge and the swimming badge call for "demonstrate
proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by
your counselor". At camp for the last two years, they have not provided
an Annie doll so that the guys can complete these requirements. I
called the Red Cross today, and they will not just loan one out. The
only way to get use of one is pay big bucks for a CPR course. Is there
any other way to demonstrate and complete this requirement? Have any of
you used just a regular doll or a flat diagram (large)? Or is there any
other way to get access to an "Annie" doll that I haven't thought of?

2) The merit badge cards that the camp printed out to show what they
worked on and what they needed to finish had a statement at the bottom
"If this badge is a partial, it expires 6 months from the date above".
Is this correct?!!!

3) Regarding the Fishing Merit Badge. Some of the Scouts that caught
their two fish earlier in the week were signed off by the counselor.
Well, my son caught his fish on Friday (ten fish), which was apparently
a free day and the counselors had left. He showed his ASM that he had
caught the fish, so he thought that he had finished the badge. (They
were both Brim) Last night when the SM pulled out the merit badge cards,
it showed the partial badge, but my son and the ASM said that he had
caught the fish after the cards were turned in. The SM, of course looks
at the requirements and sees the part about two DIFFERENT fish and won't
sign off. My son claims that the Scouts that were signed off earlier in
the week, had also caught nothing but Brim, but the SM won't budge. He
then reminded the SM about the bass he had caught (and cooked) when the
troop went camping last August, but the SM stated correctly stated that
since he had not requested to work on the Fishing badge back in August,
it wouldn't count. (Last August, he didn't even know there was a
Fishing merit badge, much less knew that he had to request in advance to
work on it!!!!) Obviously, it is no big deal for him to go out and
catch a bass here in the next few days, but to him a great injustice has
occurred.

So that this doesn't happen in the future, what badges should I gently
suggest that he request to work on so that things he does with the troop
will count?? I've already seen Sports and Camping, but what else is
there. As I said above, my son does not look around him and sees what
needs to be done, he does what he is told. I can see now that the SM
expects the boys to read their Scout Book and come to him and say "I
want to earn ___________ merit badge, or __________ rank". I have tried
to let him go this on his own, but I can't stand it any more. He learns
better in a classroom (or camp) setting where he is told what he needs
to learn. How can I get gently push without appearing to be pushing???

Thanks for your help and for letting me vent!!!

YIS,


Carol Kelley
CC - Pack 301
MC - Troop 1
Greater Alabama Council
Huntsville, AL
I am a First Class Girl Scout

• Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
• Next message
• Previous message
• Next in thread