yarrow

Opinions vary, but I see the purpose of merit badges as an opportunity to experience many skills, and learn about careers in those fields. If a scout, although not proficient in those skills comes out with a real interest in that discipline........WOW. A job well done. At least that is how I see the big picture. Half the time when you as a boy later if they remember the badge they won't remember everything, even if they read the book, but if they still pursue the activity I for one am pleased. Thoughts.......

Since my comment started this thread I feel I must elaborate. The policy of having Eagle required merit badges done within the troop was a troop policy compromise, and is a fairly new (one year old) policy. It is not backed by National an so is not enforcible. Our SM felt that boys earning Eagle required badges at Merit Badge Colleges were not going to get the same quality of instruction and experience that they would get within the troop. Once a year in February our troop runs an "in home" Merit Badge College, if you will. The boys can select from a number of Eagle required and other badges a

Does anyone use the Patrol dad/sponsor method for advice and resource? We are thinking of reinstituting it to jump start our patrols. We don't have active patrol method being used although we have very active boys and a very active troop.

The Bugler position was originally a LOT of work. He had to complete the badge and memorize a bunch of calls. He also did bugling for 4 months and since then for COHs and at summer camp. However during the winter they have only had him play "To the colors" at Courts and so he really is only heavily involved in the Den Chief (and how). I think at least in this case it works and if ANYONE else wanted Bugler I am sure he would step down. Sounds better outside by the way.

Can a boy hold more than one POR? I think my boy has been although maybe not. He has been Bugler for the troop, but has also been a Den Chief. They don't really conflict so he has been doing both. Don't know if that works on paper. He wore the Bugler patch until he was trained and now wears the Den Chief patch and cord.

Our local library has almost all the MB books. Some are out of date with respect to the requirements but the supporting information is pretty much the same. They also have older books which while no longer in use are good for entertainment........Beekeeping, etc. Check your local library too.

I don't run a troop so I don't buy the requirement book any more I just use the stuff online. Meritbadge.com keeps up-to-date.

Several books/badges are changed every year. Meritbadge.com seems to keep up-to-date. I don't buy the requirement book any more I just use the stuff online. The MB pamphlets get outdated in the requirement area but most of the supporting reading material is pretty much the same. Yep, swimming reverted back. They had LOTS of complaints on the 2001 changes. They were requiring scouts to teach scouts swimming somewhat and I don't think it was a sharp idea.

She thinks so too. She found some great sites, including one for a fellow in CA who build something similar to this as an adult. Turns out when she wrote him he's an Eagle too. Small world and power to scouting.

Celebrate with me. My second daughter has just passed her first interview (after the original application) and been given permission to pursue her project. She intends to build a hanicap- accessible raised garden table/s for the Senior home to help provide therapy and stress relief as well as an outdoor activity especially for those wheelchair bound clients that used to, and loved, and miss gardening. What is your project and what challenges have you faced? Now I only wish my 17 year old would get on the ball and apply for her project. The clock is ticking.

Ah well, we'll have to agree to disagree. Exceptions can always be found, but it has been my experience that 13 year olds are just not up to it by themselves.

I am not too close to the leader election and appointment process so I can't speak to whether or not the SPL does the appointing. In our troop I do know that we have, as a matter of policy, limited the boys to one term as SPL. We have 80 boys and lots who would like to and deserve to be given a chance at the coveted SPL position. We've had good ones and bad ones depending on their popularity. We have in the past during the election and with the support of the boys present allowed the election of the SPL and then the next 2 down in number of votes become the ASPL's. Hey it works for us, and the

Silver projects may benefit the Girl Scouts and or may improve their property. Gold Award, projects may not benefit Girl Scouts or the property but only the community (just like Eagles).

Andrews, my concern is for a system that may promote those ridiculously young and under experienced 13 year-old Eagles. For my part I would rather reward a 17 year old who has earned those badges and not have him be disappointed that he didn't opt to become a paper Eagle at 13 or 14. edit, add :This isn't sour grapes, just my perspective, my boy is 12 1/2 and has a long way to go.(This message has been edited by yarrow)

Venture Crews are interesting and some of them even work, but I would personally rather see them still stay really active in scouting after all IMHO scouting is not all about the individual and what they "git" but also about what they can give back to the troop by way of leadership, ideas, experience and skills. And these boys are all of what.....a whole 14? Unfortunately far too often you lose these eagles to Venture Crew and I don't like to see these early eagles abandoning the troop. I'm not sure that that is what TXscoutmom had in mind anyway although I really can't speak as to her hopes.

Right you are Andrews......nothing says the boy needs to work with other scouts. They could work with a friend, relative or scout. They need to work in safe situations, but it doesn't have to be a scout. Our troop policy pushes working with other scouts to use our resources wisely and to have the favored scout interaction.

Add more singing to your program and campfires.......I found a site I like. I went to Google and searched for "sung graces" I think it is called the grace site. Many ethnic graces and traditional Boy and Girl Scout graces.......midi s too for those of us that can't read music. Enjoy

Here's my take I have been a Girl Scout leader for 10 years and came up through the program. I have been a Cub Scout Den Leader for a number of years and am now a trained leader for our Boy Scout troop of 80 as well as the troop Secretary. I have also been the Program Director for the Cub Scout Day camp of over 200. I do scouts, as I am sure do you. Boys and Girls are different. Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting programs are different. I wish they would get the two together and take from each program the good and get rid of the things from each program that drive me crazy. The prog

I am not sure I understand your question. Each level of scout wear grosgrain loops, or epilet ribbons on their shoulders to represent that level. Blue for Cub Scouts, Red for Boy Scouts. Don't know about the trefoil.

Reading another thread brings to mind a problem that we have been having in our troop and in committee and that is the checking of references and driving record. We have a large troop and 2 years ago discussed the checking of references (they are not checked at the council level) and driving record. We formed a committee to look into the ways and costs of doing this and eventually the end result was that nothing was done. We still do not check the adult applicant's references and we still do not check driving records. I believe we were told by the commmittee that driving records in our state c

Sounds like a standard venture patrol. There are lots of high adventure activities available for them, but of course they need to do the things that interest them. Lucky you to have so many Eagles still coming after achieving Eagle at that tender age. Easy to lose them.

Here's one.........wonder when we had so many merit badges................ MOST MERIT BADGES FYI... Eagle Scout John Stanford from Limestone NY earned the most merit badges ever . total was 142 and he had a total of 8 silver palms by his 18th b-day .you can e-mail him at Eagle1@johnandjamie.com

Ok, I've read the requirements. There is provision for base camp cooking, backpack cooking and at home cooking. Has anyone worked this with several boys? Do they each cook for two people plus themselves or can they all work together in the planning and preparation of these meals for a larger group. We could scatter the cooks around the year a various campouts but wouldn't want to cut into the time needed for those scouts needing cooking for rank advancement. How have you worked it?

I found the site i which you were refering............... What is the maximum number of possible Eagle Palms? Here's a fun exercise. Background information. There are a total of 119 merit badges currently offered by BSA. Each Eagle Palm requires five merit badges, three months active time, Scout Spirit requirement, a Scoutmaster conference, and successful completion of a BOR. Eagle Palms may be earned once a scout successfully completes his Eagle Board of Review. Merit badges earned any time since becoming a boy scout may be used to meet this [Eagle Palms] requirement. (Boy S

That explains my friends push to have her boy earn Eagle at 13+ a little. I know he will earn the list. Hmmm doesn't seem quite right. Seems a boy should be able to receive palms for the badges based on what they have at Eagle. Otherwise that late (17 year old) Eagle kinda loses out. This also might push back the Eagle age.