koolaidman

The backpacking meals do not have to be done on a actual backpacking trip' date=' just using the methods. [/quote']

 

This makes it consistent with Camping Merit Badge, which is designed to get Cub Scout survivors to Eagle without ever walking into the woods with packs on their backs.

Don't forget the dutch oven table so you don't have to lean over to turn your lid.

peridochas, it is explained on the inside cover of the 2013 Boy Scout Requirements Book:

"Starting Jan. 1, 2014, Cooking merit badge will Be Required for Eagle

Effective Jan. 1, 2014, the Cooking merit badge will be required to obtain the Eagle Scout rank. Regardless of when a Scout earned the Life rank or began working toward Eagle, unless he fulfills all the rank requirements--with the exception of his board of review--before Jan. 1, 2014, he must earn the Cooking merit badge to become an Eagle Scout."

disclosure: Going off of memory here.

I think it is mentioned in the first few pages of the 2013 requirements book, but I could be mistaken. Alas my copy is at home and I am at work.

Nothing replaced them. Keep the old book though. It could come in handy. Also be sure to get the 2013 requirements. The requirements in the handbook are superseded.

Thanks! How do I find contact info for my district? I'm not too worried about my son earning the bugling merit badge too soon. He's never played a brass instrument and the bugle calls are not easy at all. He will have to practice daily for a couple years to play them.

 

N/m, I googled and the info I needed was easily found.

Google your district website and look for the information.

Ask someone in your Pack.

Ask a Scoutmaster in your prospective troop.

Some Council websites list district contact info.

Call Council.

chirstineka,

Yes, women can be merit badge counselors. Fill out the application, and turn it in. Sometimes district/council procedure is to turn it in to the district advancement chair, so the district can keep up with the merit badge counselors list.

As to the rest of your questions: I gently suggest you get in touch with your district and find out when a Merit Badge Counselor orientation class is being held and attend it. I don't think they last over 2 hours. That training session should answer all the questions you come up with, including counseling your own son.

Beware, some troop cultures frown on chasing merit badges before First Class.

Also, since it seems you will be a volunteer in Boy Scouting, take the time now to get some other basic training, like "This is Scouting", so you can see what it is like on the other side.

Alternative solution:

When a requirement is performed, cross it out in pencil in the MB book. Keep books on desk or dresser. When MB is complete, put book on bookshelf or donate to troop.

Open Merit Badges = number of books on desk or dresser.

Works as a visual reminder every time he is in his room.

Scout needs to attend at least 1 event per month. My previous pack offered 2 events per month (like yours) and all anyone needed was to attend 1 of the 2 events each month.

(as a side note, we did authorized a Scout the award for attending 3 events over only 2 months....but it was because he attended all 4 in Jun/Jul, and moved before Aug. While probably not legal, we felt it was right)

True...but when Lawyers come in they will split hairs on rules. It's also called grooming. Both Scouts could be getting groomed for all the wrong reasons. Things happen when people are not watching. Having an adult there is a barrier.

http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2013/08/former_eagle_scout_admits_abus.html

I don't have an iphone, but my son does:

Saw a National Geographic bird guide. I think it was about $10, but if it includes all the birds in North America and samples of their songs.

The free lite version has 20-50 birds (I didn't count) and the songs as well

Since he has to come up with the cash for $ apps, I haven't had a chance to look at the full version.

I offer the following as an example of "planning ahead" and "multitasking" (eating and washing at the same time)....

 

"Courageous Cookery" by John Echo*

Once the convert backpacker or cycle camper has accepted the subtle gustatory nuances associated with sustained operations beyond the chrome, he should try the advantages of ultra fringe living so that he will realize what he is paying for his nested pots and pretty pans carried so diligently and brought home so dirty after every "wilderness experience". The following system works. It is dependable and functional. It works on the big rock. It even works when the weather has gone to hell, you are wet and cold and the wind is blowing down the back of your hairy neck. It is not for the timid. It consists of a stove, a six inch sauce pan, a plastic cup and a soup spoon. If you insist on a metal cup, you must never fail to mutter "I'm having fun, I'm having fun", every time you spill the soup on your sleeping bag.

Breakfast: Instant wheat cereal-- sugar and powdered milk added-- ready two minutes after water boils. Eat from pot. Do not wash pot. Add water, boil, and add powdered eggs and ham. You'll never taste the cereal anyway. In three minutes, eat eggs. Do not wash pot. Add water or snow and boil for tea. Do not wash pot. Most of the residue eggs will come off in the tea water. Make it strong and add sugar. Tastes like tea. Do not wash pot. With reasonable technique, it should be clean. Pack pot in rucksack and enjoy last cup of tea while others are dirtying entire series of nested cookware.

Lunch: Boil pot of tea. Have snack of rye bread, cheese and dried beef Continue journey in 10 minutes if necessary.

Dinner: Boil pot of water, add Wylers dried vegetable soup and beef bar. Eat from pot. Do not wash pot. Add water and potatoes from dry potatoe powder. Add gravy mix to taste. Eat potatoes from pot. Do not wash pot. Add water and boil for tea. Fortuitous fish or meat can be cooked easily. You do not need oil or fat. Put half inch of water in pot. Add cleaned and salted fish. Do not let water boil away. Eat from pot when done. Process can be done rapidly. Fish can even be browned somewhat by a masterful hand.

Do not change menu. Variation only recedes from the optimum. Beginners may be allowed to wash pot once a day for three consecutive days only. It is obvious that burning or sticking food destroys the beauty of the technique. If you insist on carrying a heavier pack, make up the weight you save with extra food. Stay three days longer.

 

* *(( The true author of this article is unknown. It is here copied from the COME HOSTELING newsletter, Sept. 1980, of the Potomac Area Council of the American Youth Hostels, who received it from Dick Schwanke, Senior PAC Staff Trainer, who read it in the APPALACHIAN HIKER by Ed Garvey, who got it from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Conference Bulletin, which quoted it from THE RAMBLER of the Wasatch Mountain Club of Salt Lake City, which reportedly cribbed it from the I.A.C. News of Idaho Falls, which reported it from the 1966 PEAKS & TRAILS.

Looks like you can get the full paper at this link http://allenpress.com/pdf/weme_17_209_94_102.pdf.

What dedkad said. However, if I could, I'd like to take a CAD merit badge class and Welding and some other "vo-ech" merit badges. There are some things I've always wanted to learn how to do, but never had the time or the chance.

I'll gladly settle for watching some boys earn these badges if they want to.

BD, maybe its a money thing and they are thinking of all the stuff they have to buy?

Did you cover financing and let them know any shortages come form the Bank of the Basement? <-yes a joke. based on reality

Is there a guardian arrangement with the exchange student? Surely there is some written documentation granting guardianship, in case the kid breaks an arm or something and needs to go to the doctor.

Also in this day and age of Skype and phone service, surely the kid can call up his folks and ask permission.

TwoCub and SSScout have it right though. He doesn't need to actually make the pledge. He just needs to repeat it. The other scouts may get a kick out of learning if there is a similar pledge in China.

Build a shelter out of a tarp. Show them why its important to know their two-half hitches and taut-lines. Making a competition out of things with a reward helps to keep them focus.

Maybe the winners get to lead the Webelos-Only hike.

 

Tree Identification is another thing to work on.

 

For second year Webs, look at the outdoor requirements for Tenderfoot and Second Class that are age appropriate, find fun games that can support that knowledge.

See page 16 of the 2013 Guide to Safe Scouting upper right-hand corner:

"At least one adult on a pack overnighter must have

completed Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation (BALOO,

No. 34162) to properly understand the importance of

program intent, Youth Protection policies, health and safety,

site selection, age-appropriate activities, and sufficient adult

participation. Permits for campouts shall be issued locally.

Packs use the tour and activity plan, No. 680-014."

Build a shelter out of a tarp. Show them why its important to know their two-half hitches and taut-lines. Making a competition out of things with a reward helps to keep them focus.

Maybe the winners get to lead the Webelos-Only hike.

Tree Identification is another thing to work on.

For second year Webs, look at the outdoor requirements for Tenderfoot and Second Class that are age appropriate, find fun games that can support that knowledge.

My good friend Ted has two kids. Daughter Katie is, I think, now 12, son Will is now about 7.. When Katie turned 6, Ted became the leader for her new Daisey Troop and he took them on hikes and stream crawls and crawfish hunts.. The female leader of the group (not Teds wife) evidently said "go for it!" much to the local councils shagrin. He had as happy a bunch of kindergartners as you've ever seen. Unfortunately,(fortunately?) Teds wife was offered a six figure job and they moved. He said that the new Brownie leader was not as open to such jaunts, but let the new troop go and now he has a bunch of outdoorsy Juniors. Last I spoke to him, he may be forming a Venture Crew. Will is a Cub now.

I would ask the den leader, since that who is responsible for signing off. If the den leader is not available then, discuss with the cubmaster.

In my opinion, the boy shouldn't be penalized because adults get their act together, but my opinion doesn't count for beans (pun intended).

Maybe transfer to another pack temporarily?

I'd wear a uniform, but that's me. I'm also an Eagle so the medal is worn. Not an official website, but http://www.scoutinsignia.com/eagmedal.htm states you can wear the medal in civilian dress. I know I read it once that it was ok, wish I could remember where.

 

And I just noticed that "Adults wear onlyon formal Eagle occasions." p 30 of the Guide to Awards and Insignia.

"earned the right to carry a pocket knife to designated Cub Scout functions" The word "designated" gives you a lot of control as to when the boys are allowed to actually have a knife.

Welcome back Beavah! Glad to see you still give a dam. Everyone else was starting to sound the same. Missed your flat-tailed accent.

I think the ultimate answer is what ever you choose.

I had the same dilemma when I was an assistant den leader to an eagle scout's younger brother. I wore civilian clothes. The uniform would have been OK too, however, I had an appointment just after the ECOH.

His grandfather wore the uniform he made eagle in.

If you want to wear the uniform, wear it. If you don't, then don't. All eyes will be on the eagle scout anyway...

My first draft of the hike: http://goo.gl/maps/ZfWTM

I think I need to come up with an alternative loop plan in case we're low on adults to run cars.

We'll see what the boys come up with if they want to design a route.