Re: Alternate merit badges
Jeff L. Glaze (jglaze@SUBASIC.SCIATL.COM)
Wed, 18 Jun 1997 17:57:08 -0400
At 04:33 PM 6/18/97 -0500, MRS HOPE D PRITCHARD wrote:
>Specifically, we have a boy in our troop who has a "debilitating
>fear" of the water. Thus he is unable to earn his swimming merit
>badge. This Scout, though mildly intellectually challenged, has
>received his FIRST CLASS RANK. We are hoping that he might
>ultimately complete the necessary merit badges for his EAGLE RANK.
>He will have to complete the alternate merit badge for SWIMMING.
You should get a copy of:
"Advancement Policies and Procedure Committee Guide"
for answers to this and other advancement questions. Page 18
of the "Guide" (excerpted below) provides the answer to your
question.
<<<BEGIN EXCERPT>>>
"Alternate Merit Badges for the Eagle Scout Rank"
1. The Eagle Scout rank may be acheived by a Boy Scout,
Varsity Scout, or qualified* Explorer who has a physical
or mental disability by qualifying for alternate merit
badges. This does not apply to individual requirements
for merit badges. Merit badges are awarded only when
all requirements are met as stated.
2. The physical or mental disability must be of a permanent
rather than a temporary nature.
3. A clear and consice medical statement concerning the
Scout's disabilities must be made by a physician licensed
practice medicine, or an evaluation statement must be
certified by an educational administrator.
4. The candidate must earn as many of the required merit
badges as his ability permits before applying for an alter-
nate Eagle Scout rank merit badge.
5. The candidate must complete as many of the require-
ments of the required merit badges as his ability permits.
6. The Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit
Badges must be completed prior to qualifying for alter-
nate merit badges.
7. The alternate merit badges chosen must be of such a
nature that they are just as demanding of effort as the
required merit badges.
8. When alternates chosen involve physical activity, they
must be approved by the physician.
9. The unit leader and the board of review must explain that
to attain the Eagle Scout rank a candidate is expected to
do his best in developing himself to the limit of his
resources.
10. The application must be approved by the council commit-
tee responsible for advancement, utilizing the expertise of
professional persons involved in Scouting for the disabled.
11. The candidate's application for Eagle must be made on
the Eagle Scout Rank Application, with the Application
for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges attached.
*In order for an Explorer to be an Eagle candidate, he
must have acheived the First Class rank as a Boy Scout
of Varsity Scout."
<<<END EXCERPT>>>
Jeff L. Glaze, Vice-Chairman
Northeast District Advancement Committee
Atlanta Area Council, Boy Scouts of America
http://www.bsa.net/ga/aac/ned/home.htm
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
