jr56

Yes, that would be a good idea.

I must confess that I've been burned by this too. Now my policy is no money, no reservation.

I think I'm getting a different meaning to this question. If a boy is a first class scout and joins a Venture crew, he can earn merit badges in either program and continue working on his Eagle rank. It doesn't matter which program the merit badge is earned in. Once the merit badge is earned, it's earned. It can be used toward his Eagle rank in either program. If a boy is in Venturing, and does a certain skill (a 50 mile backpacking trek for example) he can use that toward his backpaking merit badge, and any Venturing ranks it would apply for (Outdoor Bronze). I don't know if that was what you wanted to know or not?

I would like to see the lodge do the tapout ceremony and the Ordeal at camp. Having the young scouts see the Ordeal being done in my opinion makes the OA more special, and encourages younger scouts to want to be a part of it.

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it this year. I have attended it several times previously and it is a fantastic outing.

Just discovered that Venturing shorts and trousers have undergone a significant price reduction. About time, I just ordered a pair of each.

I have utilized just about all of the above, except meeting at Mcdonalds. I have seen scouts use a fellow scout, parent, and I have utilized members of my family if necessary.

Eamonn, Congratulations to your son and the rest of your family. Hope things start looking up for Her Who Must be Obeyed.

I agree LisaBob. It used to aggravate me to no end when I was District Advancement Chair, all the MB counselors that would only do their own troop. I also wonder how the Councils and Districts can get away with limiting counselor numbers since it clearly states in the Advancement Policy and Procedure Manual that this is not allowed, and that no Council, District, Unit, or Individual has the right to add to or detract from the policys.\

I have 13 knots, I wear them all. As a unit commisioner and council trainer, I feel it gives me credibility and makes new scouters aware of their existance (knot earning programs for their particular registration). Plus, I am proud of my scouting accomplishments that the good Lord has seen fit to bestow upon me, and wouldn't take any of it back. If people want to accuse me of boasting, fine, their are people out there who will always find something to criticize you for. A also respect fellow scouters who choose not to wear their knots, it is after all their choice.

A while ago the DE came to me when I was the District Advancement Chair. He wanted to place limits on the number of merit badges a counselor could sign up for. I refused to go along because it is against National Policy, and it would make it difficult for me as the District Advancement Chair to provide a complete list of merit badge counselors. He backed down.

My council doesn't do it. But, when I was a scout, my council did, and as I remember it was a positive experience. There was a lot of outside work involved, the merit badge were not given away. It was a series of 3 Saturday mornings.

Yes, it is important that we all stick together. There are enough opinionated people out there who have no clue what scouting is all about and is trying to accomplish. Hang in there guys.

Yes, John in KC is correct. You cannot register for 2 positions at the same time in 1 unit. Since a unit requires a CC to recharter, you would have to take that position on the charter.

If the work you are doing for the CO benefits the CO, and not the troop itself, I would consider it acceptable, but, as the Scoutmaster, it is a judgement call by you.

Yes, wear them all with pride. Sets a good example of involvement in the program, and gives the boys something to look up to, in my opinion.

Good, glad to hear some good news.

How sad, consider it done.

Everything else is just a meal for the sly Fox. Foxes rule. C-11-96

Hurry up and complete that ticket. The big, bad ,fox is after you. Bobwhite, tastes good, less filling.

1. There is a quality district Pin, don't know if there is a patch for it. 2. Bring a copy of your son's advancement card. If it is the same council you belong to, they should have his advancement records on file.

Lots of good ideas. I can only add, emphasize the good points of your troop. In the future, do a better job of educating the parents about how a boy scout troop should be run, and why. Explain why your troop is being run the way it is. A well run scout troop is a shock to cub scout parents who know nothing about boy scouting and think it's going to be more cub scouting.

I have seen several cases of this, and it usually turns out to be half truths and rumors. Whether or not a boy has successfully completed a particular merit badge is between the boy and the merit badge counselor, NOBODY ELSE. It just seems that when a boy finishes the race, and earns his Eagle, somebody has to be envious of his accomplishment and try to come up with something to degrade it.

Yes, unfortunately many middle school boys go through this phase in their development. Usually when they get 2-3 years into high school they develop more of their own self esteem and abandon this type of behavior. Yes there are a few individuals that don't outgrow it. As Ed said, take it on a case by case basis, and continue to reinforce positive behavior type roles. Usually, having an older youth tell them undesirable affects of that behavior is much more effective than anything an adult will do or say.

Yes, the SPL runs the troop. The adults are there to teach him how to do it, and provide guidance while he does.