Pets MB - Doing all MB reqs. and Drinking
(no name) ((no email))
Tue, 12 May 1998 11:51:27 -0700
Time limits on merit badges:
Kristen,
Once started, the only time limit for completion of a merit badge is the
Scouts 18th birthday. Yes he can spread the work out over several
different periods. But he must still do a total of 4 months as stated
in the requirements. (No more, no less.)
MB signed off by a counselor that was not earned, what is proper?
John,
I am afraid that presenting the young man the merit badge is usually the
proper action. "Huh?" you say, did I read that right? Yes, I am
afraid you did. The problem here is not the Scout, it is the
Counselor. A few years ago I developed a training outline for training
merit badge counselors after I got back from Philmont. Because what
you describe is an all too common problem. I have done this training
for our Summer Camp staff for two years now (and I have to get busy
and do it again for this year's staff) and I did the training once
for our Council Camporee. I hope to do it again at our Council Camporee
this Fall.
(Ask if you want a copy of this, I am going to try and update it with
latest publication numbers in the next few weeks. I can send it
in Word or WordPerfect for DOS format. It expands on what National
provides in their two page outline and gives you good course outline
to follow.)
It is the Counselors job to verify that all the requirements have been
completed. The Board of Review will review what the scout did
to advance, but they do not re-check the scout on the requirements.
Nor can they invalidate the merit badge. (Discussing this could be
another entire thread.)
Keep in mind that the Scoutmaster's signature on the merit badge
application card, is his approval TO WORK ON THE MERIT BADGE. Not his
approval of the completion of the merit badge.
The other option you have is to discuss the merit badge and the
requirements with the Scout to see if the Scout will volunteer to
finish all the requirements before you present it. To illustrate this
issue, a Scouter friend tells of working with a troop that had a
Senator's (Sate I think) son in it. When they went to the Boundary
Waters for canoeing, the son asked almost immediately after having sat
in the canoe that his canoeing MB be signed off. My friend got into a
discussion with the Scout where the Scout presented what was included
in the requirements. After that discussion, every day after they got
to the next day's campsite, the Scout took my friend out fishing.
On the last day of the trip, my friend took the paddle from the scout
and the Scout asked with disappointment on his face if they were not
going out that day. My friend then handed him the fishing pole and
said yes, but it is my turn to paddle. The Scouts reaction was,
"Nobody ever made me do this before." (As in actually earn the merit
badge, instead of giving it to him.) and then he said "This was Fun."
The moral of the story, "Counselors who skip some of the requirements
are not really doing the Scout any favor."
Drinking
Living close to Mexico we get to experience a entirely different attitude
on Scouting. After one of our planning meetings in Hermosillo, Mexico,
for the Pimaree, we where treated to dinner and of course drinks. In
Mexico it this is perfectly acceptable. Fortunately for me, I did not
join in the drinking. It was two days latter I had my heart attack. (I
personally avoid drinking because I was on medication for my back
for many years.)
With our uptight, lawsuit happy society, I frequently get reminded of
what we are missing by the Mexican Scouts. The President of the
Mexican Scouts in the state of Sonora recently gave me a book
"Illustrated Camping." This book is full of all kinds of cool stuff,
mostly pioneering projects. Because it is "Illustrated", you do not
even need to be able to read Spanish to get a lot from this book.
The problem is many projects shown are not what we could get away
with here in the US. For example, one project is building a shelter
OVER a stream by hanging it from a tree. The purpose was to stay
cool. I would like to do this project, but I could see the lawyers
standing in line to represent the scout who was sloppy with his lashings
or rolled over and fell out! Of course, here in Arizona we also have
the problem of finding a stream that actually has water in it!
Enough for now!
Chris Haggerty, Sierra Vista, Arizona
Catalina Council Advancement Chairman
Instructor Trainer for Water Safety, American Red Cross, Ft Huachuca Station
INTERNET: haggerty@primenet.com
INTERNET: CHAGGERTY@BPA.ARIZONA.EDU
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
