Cub Scouts

What percentage of scouts are doing long-term camps, to the exclusion of multiple weekend (or midweek) outings? And how is it hurting them if they don’t earn Camping MB? If they’d rather advance as far as Life, let them age out proudly. The fundamental problem is thinking that it’s a shame to disqualify from the nation’s highest scouting award youth who don’t practice hiking and camping independently with their mates. I sympathize with counselors who feel like they are having to split hairs, but sometimes scouts and their troops need that little nudge to think out of the box.

My bad.  The 50 nights is in my copy of the 1934 MB requirements booklet.  I’ll have to look further on when it changed to 20.

While that may be lore in your area or unit, it was not the case.  20 Days or nights was the amount needed, and, at least in the 1960 HB, which still had requirements in the back, there was no specification regarding summer camp.  Now in the pamphlet, which I may or may not have avaailable someplace that may have been discussed.  It is hard to overcome the lore from the past, much of it being simply poor memory or units that chose their own interpretations and so on.  For example, here we had one unit that added in pioneering and wilderness survival for their youth in order to become Eagle,  It had its purpose, but some choice to leave and go elsewhere, or sadly just left.  It may that type of thing that brought on the specific publication by National regarding adherring to official requirements.  Sort of like the long time story that the earliest scouts had to light a fire without matches to advance, but even then matches were allowed; only two max, but allowed.  Friction and spark were common though, and many did it regularly.  

Where is it in the registration guidebook? Also, do you have a copy? The 2024 edition came out, but has been only posted internally for registrars. Would like to have a copy. 

The next IOLS for our Council isn't until May 3rd.  I'm not sure how strict our Council is, but given that we were going to be without a Scoutmaster at all, my guess is that they're not going to make an issue of it unless I don't do the training once it's available.  I may do Wilderness First Aid and CPR, which is available March 14-16.   Thanks for the link above.  Will check it out.