Leaderboard

Perhaps the real answer is like much in scouting; the whole merit badge program needs rethinking. So much of the MB program is subverted by troops doing the MBs within the troop and having any warm body register as a MBC. Perhaps the real answer is the scout should find resources that are experts, but then the MBC is a district advancement person who could confirm the scout did their work. It's not really a "go find a counselor". Instead, it's a scout shows up at roundtable and presents that he completed the MB content ... or presents at summer camp MB office .. or ... Then, we

We each have our complaints. I've seen some 15 year old camp staff do a more meaningful job then some of the long-time, experienced scouters.

And by adults allowing *some* 15 years-olds with little to no experience lecture around a picnic table at Summer Camp and giving the MB away.

The problem of course is that every once in a while that father figure takes advantage of the situation and exploits the young person seeking guidance. Given past events and current litigation, I totally understand why the BSA would want to have strong rules prohibiting such one-on-one conversations from happening under their aegis, even though they're a positive thing over 99% of the time.

It works until the Camping MBC actually wants to see a Scout in action. Registering all your MBCs into Troop positions is kind of the antithesis of one of the stated purposes of the MB program, isn't it? Too many of our MBCs are already ASMs.

@InquisitiveScouter, keep complaining about it and those 19-20 year old ASMs will be reclassified as program participants. I want to make it clear how much of my life involves deeply personal one-on-one conversations with 19-20 year olds of the opposite sex. It is very hard for some young adult women to navigation their world — many are facing abuse, caregiver burdens, financial stress — and they open up about it to very few people. They often look for second father figure and, along with their friends, arrange a meeting with him. Sometimes that person is me, often I can rope a second eld