DuctTape

I was asked to be be a Camping mB counselor for a Merit Badge U. The director said it would be focused on first year scouts with little/no experience. She asked me if I wanted a 2hr or 4hr morning session for them to get the badge. After explaining that I would be happy to do an "intro to camping mB" session but that camping mB for new scouts could not be done in that time frame. She then asked if another session in the afternoon would suffice for them to get the blue card signed off. Grrrr.

I do not accept "we cannot judge the past norms of the day based on current norms" arguments. Just because many people accepted a behavior at a certain point in history did not make that behavior ok. Yes it is acceptable to judge folks for past behavior "under current norms". It was wrong back in the day even if many accepted it as a "norm". Heck, many (most? all?) who accepted it at the time knew it was wrong at the time.

Agreed. The investigation of an alleged crime is in the purview of law enforcement and the juducial system. If the parent believes the actions rise to the level of harassment it behooves her to file charges and let the investigation ensue.

Sexual harassment is likely a criminal act in your State. Encourage the parent to call the authorities. The Council will have a difficult time ignoring a volunteer with a criminal complaint especially right now. Unfortunately it is likely the parent will balk at the notion with one of many reasons.

Intent matters; regardless of conscious or subconscious.

The SOL for criminality should not exist. Obviously we cannot open that to past cases, but the SOL for the criminal behavior of abuse should be eliminated from this day forward.

separate volunteer registration from re-charter. The charter is for the unit. Any names on it are current at the snapshot in time of re-charter. Registration (or de-registration) of scouts or scouters should be ongoing and happening between the snapshots of re-charter.

I heard those Teams play dodgeball against each other. 😜

Having a buddy in one's tent does not make one safer from bears. In general the best bear mitigation strategy is to keep a clean camp, cook and eat far away (and downwind) from the sleeping area, and store food appropriately.

If Woodbadge is just another training as has been stated numerous times, why is there any ceremony for completing it? Completion of IOLS does not necessitate a ceremony. Completing a training is not an award.

I like the idea, especially he part about communicating with the parents. I think many parents need the help and support of scouters to educate them on the reasons for scouting processes. Barry (iirc) often writes about spending time with adults to help them understand the "why" for our processes. I think that is vital. If the parents don't understand, they are unable to support their scout on his journey and without realizing hamper their growth.

One of the other opportunities denied to scouts by the often used mB University, Summer Camp, Troop-based mBC, etc... is the opportunity to make the initial contact with an unknown adult mB counselor. The entire process was well thought out and the process itself provides significant opportunities for scouts well beyond the specific mB reqs. By having the SM give a list of mB counselors to the scout and the scout taking the intiative to make the contact, set-up the appointment and follow-through IMO is possibly the greatest loss in the current (most commonly used) system. I still remember

Unfortunately one of the primary purposes for mBs has been long since ignored. Mbs are a medium for the Adult Association method with an expert in a specific field of study (and an adult who is new to them). Too often the processes used deny scouts this opportunity whether it be because the scouts use troop mBs who they already know, camp mBs with older scouts acting as mBCs, mB Universities with large group presentations and almost zero personal interaction between a scout and the mBc, or scouts filling out workbooks and calling a mBc who just signs off aftfer the scout reads from th

Barry, Would you be willing to share that course with us? -dT

Agreed. It is also a means to implement the Adult Association Method especially with adults who are not part of the scouts immediate circle. Personally these two reasons is why I advocate against using troop specific mB counselors whenever possible.