Blaine Dutch

Lots of routes can be taking to guide, mentor and build leaders out boys even boys that are not so well behaved. Can be trying and difficult but Scouting can really be helpful to a problem youths life. While it's easier to simple discard a boy and it may well come to just that. Consider good things can happen. With guidance even unruly boys can be molded into decent leaders, isn't that one of Scoutings objectives.

"Can a Scout be a member of more than one Boy Scout troop at the same time?" Plenty of Scouters some long involved with the program make matter of fact statements on this topic saying "Of course not" and some Say "Of course you can". But just what is official BSA policy on this? Does anybody know a title source with page number and verbatim text that can sited?

Seriously! Why would it matter to anybody if a Scout was a member of more than one Troop. Enthusiasm should be welcomed. Some Scout Leaders get a bit overzealous as if there running a little cult and if somebody is attending elsewhere also it's like they are cheating on or betraying the first group. Any perceived problems with Troop registration can be easily worked through and now is easier with Councils improved central record keeping As far as individual rank advancement goes Scouts are noncompetitive and no minimum rate of rank advancement is required and yes some boys will earn rank more diligently. Please keep in mind it is only a youth activity. Albeit a quality youth activity designed to help enhance youth. Why Throw up road blocks to hold boys back. It is opposed to the main goals of BSA for adults in Scouting to be be looking for ways to limit leadership opportunity's for Scouts.

Lots of routes can be taking to guide, mentor and build leaders out boys even boys that are not so well behaved. Can be trying and difficult but Scouting can really be helpful to a problem youths life. While it's easier to simple discard a boy and it may well come to just that. Consider good things can happen. With guidance even unruly boys can be molded into decent leaders, isn't that one of Scoutings objectives.

"Can a Scout be a member of more than one Boy Scout troop at the same time?" Plenty of Scouters some long involved with the program make matter of fact statements on this topic saying "Of course not" and some Say "Of course you can". But just what is official BSA policy on this? Does anybody know a title source with page number and verbatim text that can sited?

Scouts certainly can be and many are registered members of more than one Troop!

I know of several Scouts that are. When I found out about the other boys I called the Council HQ because I thought that would work quite well for my Sons situation.

They responded in a rather routine tone about it, and said to simple write "Multiple" on the top of the app. for the additional Troop.

They said that one Troop would be listed as primary but that it really had no bearing on anything, such as, Scouts could still do rank advancement with either or both Troops.

They went on to say that although it maybe simplier to maintain rank advancement with only one Troop it is not necessary, or in anyway required.

That Scouts in fact have no limits on the number of Troops that they can be officially Registered members of. They can simultaneously be a member of a half doezen troops and do one rank advancement with each one, all the way up.

Also that Scouts are covered by the BSA insurance weather they are offically registered with an additonal Troop or just participating with another Troop as a guest or visitor.

Being that the Troops dont have there own indvidual policys, the Insurance policy is through the council and BSA, so it is all the same policy that is a lid over all Troops and Scouts in the Council.

They actually think so much about Scouting they feel the world might be an even better place if every boy was so active in Scouting as to be envolved in multiple Troops!

At this time my older boy has been a registered member of two Troops for about three years.

By virture of acquaintances and other programs has gone on overnighters with six other Troops, so far.

Being envolved with multiple Troops and the many extra opurtunities it has afforded, has been quite the blessing.

At this time about midway through his Scouting career he has132 "Scout nights under the stars".

Also it's been a good experience to see how each Troops run things and the differances in SPL methods.