Jump to content

2016 Boy Scout Requirements


Recommended Posts

The more I look into requirements of what my son has supposedly accomplished, as well as what a counselor has told him is "all" he needs to do to earn a badge, I see the pencil whipping going on.  What is my son supposed to do about it?

 

***

 

 The boys- or at least the ones I've seen are not begging to have the requirements watered down.  I think in many cases they don't even know what the requirements are, just do what the counselor says, and rejoice when the card is signed.  The adult has the power to not sign.  Why are they doing it, if the badge wasn't earned?

 

Ask him a question, "What do you think you need to do for this requirement?"  If he says that, "The Counselor said that..." remind him that the question is what HE thinks, not he counselor.  Chances are, if he is a typical 12 year old, he will read the requirement verbatim.  Then ask him "Can you tell me what you did to fulfil that requirement?"  And then follow up with "Do you think that is enough?" If he says that, "The Counselor said that..." remind him that the question is what HE thinks, not he counselor.  If the answer is no, then ask him what else he needs to do to feel that he has done what is required.  

 

With any luck, he will have learned some important lessons -- you have to think for yourself and make decisions for yourself about what is right.  Maybe he will eve realize that then knowledge is more important then the badge.

 

To answer your second question, the adults don't understand the program.  The whole idea of a merit badge "class" is wrong.  It is not about teaching but about learning and doing.  The adults assume that if they teach it that is enough.  It isn't.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • Replies 75
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Posts

We really gotta stop worrying about the folks doing the bare minimum. Some boys were getting a "bare minimum" citizenship training so we created THREE SEPARATE REQUIRED BADGES all with clusters of bar

No, but its a far cry from "Hello, Webelo... here's your Scout badge.  Summer Camp is in two weeks; shall we schedule your FC BOR tonight?".       I don't see anything untoward about an eleven-yea

For me, the FC is the minimum amount of knowledge for a scout to go out and survive on his own.  If mastered he would be an excellent woodsman.  It's the meat and potatoes of the program.  If nothing

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...