Re: Camping MB (long)

At 05:34 PM 7/29/96 UT, you wrote:
>For what it's worth, here's our part of our section on Merit Badges excerpted
>from our Troop Policies and Procedures. This was voted on and unanimously
>ratified by the Troop Committee.
>
>6.5.2 Time Limits - Regular Badges
>
>Normally, a Scout has six months to complete a merit badge. Some badges have
>requirements that take three months. The time starts when a merit badge
>counselor has been assigned by the Scoutmaster. Merit badge requirements that
>have been met before starting work on a merit badge DO NOT count. The six
>months limit is extended to the end of the sixth month. If not completed in
>the required time frame, the Scout must start over without carrying over any
>previously met requirements.

I see a problem here. This conflicts with the "Advancement Policies and
Procedures Committee Guide", 1995 printing of the 1994 edition, BSA
publication #33088. Please refer to the bottom of the first column of page
19, wherein it states (in bold print):

"There is no time limit for completion of merit badges other than age 18."

Also in bold print on the inside of the front cover of this publication,
it states:

"No council, district, unit or individual has the power to add to or
subtract from advancement requirements."

This is reiterated verbatim at the bottom of page 5 of this publication.

I respectfully suggest that your troop committee advancement policy is in
clear violation of BSA advancement policy policy. As such, it is null and
void. You need to immediately change your troop advancement policy to bring
it into compliance with BSA national policy.

>6.5.3 Time Limits - Camping / Hiking
>
>For Camping and Hiking merit badges, the Scout has one year to satisfy the
>requirements. Time starts when a merit badge counselor has been assigned by
>the Scoutmaster. Prior troop experience may be counted if the Scout completes
>the merit badge within the one year period. If the Scout fails to complete the
>merit badge within one year from starting, he must start over with NO credit
>for prior troop experience.
>

This section is also in clear violation of BSA national advancement policy,
as quoted above.

>6.5.4 Time Limits - Special Circumstances
>
>The Troop Committee can waive time limits for special circumstances. A special
>circumstance does not include lack of planning or urgency on the part of the
>scout.
>

This section is also in clear violation of BSA national advancement policy.

Thus, my thesis may be summarized as follows:

1) BSA policy explicitly states that there is no time limit on earning
merit badges other than the Scout's 18th birthday.

2) Your troop may not add or subtract from this requirement.

3)Your troop advancement policy adds to the advancement requirements.

4) Therefor, you need to change your troop advancement policy.

It looks like alot of thought went into promulgating your policies. Alas,
it also looks as though the person or persons who wrote them did not
refer to the BSA's advancement guide.

Yours in Scouting,

Rodger
Rodger Morris <rodger@fishnet.net>
Scoutmaster, Troop 852 Woodbadge 416-18
Ventura County Council Philmont, 1973
Camarillo, California, USA "I used to be a Beaver..."

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