E V Augustine

The G2SS Policy on the Storage, Handling, and Use of Chemical Fuels and Equipment prohibits the use of homemade alcohol stoves such as the Pepsi can stove. It classes isopropyl alcohol, denatured ethyl alcohol, and ethanol as not recommended. Taken together one may purchase an alcohol stove and use it with the fuel it was designed for. In BSA's Scouting Community Richard Bourlon, BSA's safety director, indicated the policy change was due to "high profile" accidents involving alcohol fuel handling. From his comments the policy changes were not made on the basis of material properties like flash point, vapor pressure or combustion product toxicity relative to those of recommended chemical fuel. Ultralight backpackers may keep their Trangia stoves and/or purchase a Caldera Cone system which comes equipped with commercially manufactured can stove identical in configuration to one on http://zenstoves.net/Stoves.htm. Alcohol fuels used in accordance with the stove manufacturer's instructions. Recognizing that I could be accused of hair splitting, the subject revision seems to be a knee jerk response to bad press. It is easier to prohibit use of a device than motivate a volunteer population to effectively train existing safety practices.

The merit badge process still includes how the Scout discuses the merit badge he wishes to attempt with his Scoutmaster and is then given the name of a qualified counselor by his Scoutmaster. In the circumstances stated in the original post the smell, not aroma, of home cooking is overwhelming. So much for adult association. In the Greater Cleveland Council blue cards are not presented at the EBOR. Were the circumstances known the issue would merit a few questions.

Summer Camp merit badge counselors must be registered as merit badge counselors (code 42) with the Boy Scouts of America; Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures. FALSE 2010 National Standards for Cub Scout/Boy Scout/Venturing Resident Camps, M-73: ...A letter from the council advancement committee is provided approving merit badge counselors. Since council camps must comply with the mandatory camp standards which do not require registration of counselors under code 42 many do not and will not register them. Sauce for the gander anyone?