InquisitiveScouter

Correction... not a must before starting! A Scout can start working on any merit badge at any time. However, he cannot meet with a counselor until after having the discussion with the unit leader. That is the "must" and the "showstopper." If a Scout comes to me with no blue card, and says everything is being tracked in Scoutbook, I check the unit leader signature block in SB. If it is not checked, then the merit badge session is on hold until I verify with the unit leader. If the until leader gives me a verbal acknowledgement, then we continue, and I ask the unit leader to put the da

Educate yourself, please. Scout Handbook, page 418, outlines the merit badge process. This is a BASIC Scout knowledge requirement. Scout rank requirement 2d. Now, for your situation, accepting previously completed requirements (even is the Scout has a blue card) is entirely up to the Merit Badge Counselor. As a Swimming Merit Badge Counselor myself, if I was working with the Scout in your situation, I'd have her show evidence she has completed the BSA Swimmer check (I hate to call it a "test", because it is still a subjective measurement), and briefly show me each swim stroke. If t

Yes, it is... a must, and should be a showstopper.

Yes, of course. But do not lose sight of the forest for the trees... the forest is the culture you (plural) need to create at your unit... one of the trees is that form. The standards must always be the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Do not set any other. (Like grades... that should be up to the parents, IMHO) And every Scout is unique (just like you, lol) and in unique circumstances. So treat every situation like it is brand new. Good discipline is not a formula. It's a relationship. And @SSScout is correct regarding hiring/firing. Just look at the adult application.

Welcome!

No, they won't. I have been "one of the poorest" here. And I have travelled to over 60 countries on the planet. Many "developing" We have the richest poor in the world.

LOL, it's not really for the Scouts... it's for the parents. Ultimately, you are not recruiting Scouts; you are recruiting their parents. If you do not establish a safe environment for Scouts, you'll soon have none. Their parents will have taken them away.

Bottom line: If your adult leadership is not in harmony on how to deal with disciplinary issues, you will have problems. Does your Troop have a set of written expectations (Scout Oath and Law are all you need) and consequences? A written policy on how you will deal with disciplinary issues? (Bullying being just one of them.) This is an issue for all adults... Committee, Scoutmaster Corps, and parents. Our standard is the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Whenever a Scout (or adult) violates, we self-police. It starts at the Patrol Leader level and works up. (Under adult supervisio

Agreed that SB shows this, and that that is the proper order of things... that was not my point. A Unit Leader can invite a counselor without having that block actually signed in Scoutbook. Should it be that way? No, but the system allows it. A counselor can sign off requirements without actually having that block signed. Should it be that way? No, but the system allows it. So, in essence, SB does not "require" the unit leader signature before engaging the counselor. And it should!

To note, the "blue card" is not required when using Scoutbook. Scoutbook "automates" the process. However, I have had a few instances where a Scout contacts me for MB counseling, and the leader has not "signed" in Scoutbook. That is, Scoutbook allows a unit leader to invite a counselor without signing the card electronically. It seems to me this should be automatic, as well. That is, the signature on a physical blue card indicates just that: the unit leader has had a discussion with the Scout and recommended a counselor. Although, a unit leader could invite a counselor in

C'mon, man! How else are we going to mass produce Eagle Scouts? We have to remove all barriers, obstacles, challenges, etc. In fact, we are working on a 40-hour video, to be viewed in segments. When all are completed, poof! You're an Eagle Scout 😜 Access to the video will be about $2500. Pricing model still being worked out!

@curious_scouter, the Application for Merit Badge (aka blue card) is the Scouts responsibility. Hold them accountable for their responsibilities.

Hear that? The winds of change... Thanks to @RememberSchiff https://experiencebasecamp.org/pages/boy-scouts-of-america "Scouting is a community parenting program that develops character, citizenship, leadership, and fitness."

Which ship? The ship of Scouting, or the ship of BSA?

Or our own Congressional Award for Youth: https://www.congressionalaward.org/ I could see the option of Lone Scouting continuing... will probably need a name, change though. How about "Family Scouting"! (Doesn't that seem to be the way they are pushing things anyway?

I haven't specifically tracked all costs, but I tell parents that, to participate in every outing in our program for the year, including Summer Camp, you'll spend about $1000. And, in our fundraiser, it is entirely possible for an enterprising Scout to earn that much money.

You learn something new every day, whether you want to, or not 😜 Had to look that one up. Not really an element of the culture I grew up in... https://www.fredsegal.com/collections/red-ball-jets The first thing I ever bought on layaway was a pair of denim overalls. It was 1976. I was earning money picking up tobacco leaves dropped by the harvesters as they went up and down the rows in the field. I remember how big I felt when one week, I got paid $10!! Didn't know until later that that was far below minimum wage. But, as a 10 year old, I'm sure I wasn't a very producti

We will continue Scouting at the unit level... My biggest concern, after the insurance, is awarding Eagle Scout rank to a Scout. Since this is only granted by the National Council, and they keep these records, would it be legitimate for a local unit to recognize/award someone as an Eagle Scout? (On a separate note, it's time to start hoarding some Eagle rank patches...)

Do we know this? I haven't gotten a quote yet, but I intend to...

We all need to begin thinking about this "What if?" If you desire to continue supporting Scouting, what will you do if BSA goes Chapter 7? (Let's make this a new thread, please?)

Get yourself a Scout Handbook, and MASTER the skills there. This will pay dividends with your Cub Scouts now, and later when/if you transition into the Scouts program.

Find another Troop that has canoes and ask to borrow (or rent) at lower cost. We have a local Troop that, in it's heyday had 100+ Scouts. Once upon that time, they bought 22 canoes and two canoe trailers. Nowadays, they are around 20 Scouts. I asked to use a rack of canoes in exchange for refurbing the canoe trailer. (repacked bearings, bought them a spare tire, fixed trailer wiring, pressure washed the gunk off the trailer, replaced old bungees (a hazard) with painter ropes (which are taken off the rack as tiedowns and used as bow & stern painters on the trip; Scouts learn and us

It goes to cover page 19 & 20 😜 https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/221576300_201912_990_2021030217778557.pdf

PTC plans to appeal to the State Supreme Court. Grrrrrr

Into effect, maybe, but not enforcement 😜