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Hello all - I am a parent of a scout who just crossed over from Arrow of Light to Boy Scouts. I am considering signing up as a merit badge counselor for our troop, and my son is ready to start working on some of his badges. I'm getting some conflicting guidance from our Troopmaster and the BSA website. I'm hoping you all can help. Our Troopmaster informed me that my son cannot work on a merit badge by himself. He said it is required that merit badges be earned in groups of 2 or more scouts. I understand the requirement for the buddy system and that my son must be accompanied by an parent/guardian or other scout when interacting with the badge counselor or leader. I asked him to clarify two specific items: 1) My son attends sailing camp each summer, and the activities he performs at camp meet every requirement for the sailing merit badge. Is it required that another boy scout earn this badge at the same time? 2) Can hikes on family vacations count towards the Hiking badge or must it be a hike with another scout? He confirmed that in both of those scenarios, the badge must be earned in groups of 2 or more scouts and must be taught by the merit badge counselor. I cannot find anything on the BSA website documentation to support this. Can you help? Thanks!

Ladies and gentlemen Here is the 2018 Guide to Safe Scouting. I've skimmed it. The most significant change I see is all Scouters are mandatory reporters for purposes of youth protection. Here's a link from the National website, I'm also attaching a copy. I commend it to all for your critical review. Here's the link if you need to copy/paste it into local documents: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416.pdf This is the local downloadable copy: 34416.pdf

"Effective June 1, 2018, adults accompanying a Scouting unit who are present at the activity for 72 total hours or more must be registered as a leader, including completion of a criminal background check and Youth Protection Training. The 72 hours need not be consecutive." https://scoutingwire.org/updated-youth-protection-training-now-available/?utm_source=scoutingwire&utm_campaign=SWVolunteer3142018&utm_medium=email&utm_content=A

Download the PDF: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416.pdfchanges noted on the 6th page of the download prior to the TOC. or peruse the html version which as a couple of landing page tweaks to complete the transition left. http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx If you are online then suggest you review YP section for updated barriers to abuse, the Medical and FA section, Age Appropriate Guidelines and the Insurance section for changes...... Richard