King Ding Dong

Scoutnut, we need to set LDS aside because they have special status with the BSA. You are saying a regular CO can REQUIRE parents to participate in pack activities as a condition of membership in the pack? I am being told differently by District staff. We can "set the expectation" that they participate, and highly encourage them to participate, but when push comes to shove we can not drop them for that reason alone. I have been unable to find any written BSA policy other than Page 2 of the Youth Application. Other than the example of LDS, which I believe does not apply for the rest of us, can you cite some evidence I can show to district ?

He will endure pickets from trade unions if he is a handyman, insurance issues running errands, pedophilia charges babysitting, FDA and EPA regulations if starting a farm. How does the PTO get away with a bake sale ?

Except for summer camp, that is correct. Was told it is because the school is closed and we do not have a meeting space. Since when does a troop need an air conditioned cafeteria to hold a meeting ? Not thrilled with the program at the moment. There are some good very involved parents on the committe and some good kids. There is a lot to like including friends. The wake up moment came at a meeting last week where it was determined the troop could not take a canoe trip on our many close by rivers because there are to many drunk college kids out floating and we can't camp in November because of Deer Season. Not because they want to hunt, because of the risk of getting shot. ( on Council property ???). There are no patrol only activities or hikes or rides. Looking at other troops. Many of the nearby troops shut down for summer as well. Does that offer a little more insight on why I was trying to determine boundaries of scouting events ? I have mentioned my son's issues. I can't expect him to drag a troop and lawyer parents kicking and screaming into the fold.

As I stated above I personally agree with you. It is possible district level staffers do not understand BSA policy and give incorrect guidance. As to requirement 6. For Cubs GTTS limits this to council or district events not camps. Most pools with quality programs have a rowboat for use in proper rescue instruction. Even a person who is scared of water should be trained on the proper fitting of a PFD and have experience in the water while wearing one and how to properly enter a rescue craft and handle it. I have never asserted the BSA has a quality aquatics program.

I didn't make the policy or do I agree with it. I did agree to follow the policies of the BSA. I contacted my district regarding this issue two years ago because I knew a couple of boys could not swim well and was told do your best still applies and if the boy participates in the program he gets the award. The district held a Aquanaut program at a lock in staffed by BSA Lifeguards. If the boys got in the water and tried they passed. They did not conduct the BSA Swim test as an option. All parents were in attendance so they could clearly see their boys struggling to swim. I am a Red Cross Life Guard and YMCA certified swimming instructor. In my opinion in most cases a parent has failed if their child cannot swim by 5-7. I also think the requirements for BSA Lifeguard are a bit weak. The BSA swim test is inadequate. The swimming MB is antiquated. But this is not King Ding Dong's Scouting Association and the Aquanaut Activity Badge is not a swimming certification any more than Readyman is a first aid certification. (Or the lifesaving MB or First Aid MB for that matter)

I also call it the Ricky and Lucy Policy. (For you young ones, Ricky and Lucy slept in twin beds on the show) I prefer to call it the No Marriage Policy because they are essentially saying it is damaging to youth to see parents sleeping in the the same room. It is so much better if parents are split up. Cub camping is supposed to be family camping and we are supposed to promote camping in the program. So lets make families buy TWO tents. Everyone ignores the policy and laughs about it. I mean who is going to police such nonsense. Is the DE going to come around at 2 AM unzipping tents and rousing out these "dens of sin" ?

No and I never said otherwise.

Clerk at the scout shop told me how great the food was at this out of council camp. I am now really scared of going to our council camp next year. Scout Spirit will be a challenge next time I have to buy awards.

Clerk at the scout shop told me how great the food was at this out of council camp. I am now really scared of going to our council camp next year. Scout Spirit will be a challenge next time I have to buy awards.

I was unaware that BSA policy states Webelos is a step above Do Your Best. I missed that one. Can you please reference that policy for me ?

I suggest they make and sell popcorn.

I know my council has a "No Marriage" Policy. Mom and Dad are not allowed to tent together on Council property.

It is not my prerogative or yours. The BSA is explicit on this matter. No boy will be denied scouting because of a uniform. If you choose to alter the program as defined by the BSA, you are not delivering the program. Encouragement and positive reinforcement go much farther than brow beating and ridicule. If you are concerned about the sense of it, ask the BSA.

Can we just be clear that passing the BSA swim test is NOT a mandatory requirement for aquanaut. I would argue it should be, but is not.

There are log sheets up on UsScouts and/or meritbadge.org and also some troop level excel sheets. I think journaling the scouting journey is important also, but most the kids not so much. . If we let them have electronics they would be more likely to Facebook it. This award replaced an older one in 2010. If you look at the requirements for the medal, they are very impressive. As others have mentioned earning earning it is rare.

Well said. Not so sure being "cool" is one of the character development aims of Scouting.

My son will be happy to hear your opinion and your confidence in his abilities. I am not so confident about the PL though. Some Scouters believe 1 is the only acceptable improvement but I have seen other opinions. Regardless I have no authority to pass rank requirements and he can continue his fitness program until the next troop meeting in August.

I did not say that. I suggested the OP contact people with more knowledge of the issues at hand for guidance. Certainly there are professionals with experience with this issue that can provide educated advise. I am not well versed in Aspergers but was unaware it is some imaginary "disability". Furthermore the OP did not say her son would not get in the water at all. She did indicate he was not able to complete all the requirements. We both know this is not the standard in cub scouts.

The BSA program is a combination of individual and troop/patrol activities and goals. You are clear in your opinion that the activities in this award must be a troop/patrol effort and if my son chooses to pursue this award he will need to sway the PLC. Others have provided helpful suggestions on alternatives if he is unsuccessful with the PLC that currently has other goals. I apologize for assisting my son in determining how he may achieve his goals. I was not aware that is unacceptable.

I have often wondered if an imaginary finger pointing gun qualifies as a simulated firearm. I have seen a firing squad skit IOLS, so I guess it needs to be a physical object.

I suggest contacting your council or district level special needs chairperson or executive. If you are in a small council, help should be available from a larger one. Your local unit leadership is not likely trained in special needs policies. You should have a solid understanding of the accommodations the BSA allows as this issue will likely arise many times in your sons scouting career. From my limited knowledge of the issue the BSA is much more accommodating for physical disabilities than mental, but accommodations are available. Understanding the roadblocks your son may experience will help mitigate any disappointments in the future. Realize his journey will likely be a more difficult one. It is unfortunate you have been subjected to such crass responses from your local leadership and this forum.

Well I will be on the lookout for a program like yours. He is a fair ways away from staffing, but a possible option. For him the aquatics may be the easiest to earn. He can swim 2/3 of a mile already and we have 3 sailboats in the family one of which I we are going donate to the local SeaScouts. He loves canoeing also, just not strong enough to earn the MB yet. Focus is definitely on first class right now and he is doing great with knots, cooking and fires. He earned pioneering at camp, but that sheepshank gives both of us fits though. And before BD starts yelling about rushing him through again, he has tenderfoot but he has not gone for it because I told him he needs to get to one full pull-up.

Interesting point on the camping. If I am understand your interpretation then one of the options for the medal is spending a season on staff at camp. They sleep in tents, so would those nights count toward the camping ? Earning the medal is a huge undertaking and not likely with his current troop, I want to understand all the details before I tell him he will need to change troops if he wants to earn it. I don't really see this happening but don't want to shoot down an admirable ambition or lead him on.

Thanks for the input. I have discussed it with my son, that should have been clear when I stated his desire to earn it. Out of line again, seriously ??? Asking questions and gaining knowledge is out of line ???

Thanks for the response and link. I am looking at the silver devices because they are required for the award. I have always been concerned that this troop is a little light on activities, especially camping. The nature of this award requires some planning. He also does better when he has goals he wants to achieve. He says he wants to earn it, but probably does not fully grasp its scope. It won't happen with his current troop. Will look into contingent activities and other troops, but have not seen any council or district events that would fulfill requirements. This probably goes to "not what I want to hear", but....if the PL approves the activity as a patrol activity the patrol members may participate in if they wish then it is a BSA event, right ?