Double dipping rank and merit badges, and how do you define "participate"?

[Armymutt]

I'm trying to get our SPL on track - he's an immature 14 y/o who got elected because he was a Den Chief and developed a following of minions.  Unfortunately, he's way out of his element.  I'm reviewing the status of our Scouts working on Tenderfoot through First Class.  Many attended summer camp where we had a flag ceremony twice daily.  Second Class 8a says "Participate in a flag ceremony for your school, religious institution, chartered organization, community, or Scouting activity."  Does this mean be part of the team conducting it?  If a Scout observes the flag, salutes as appropriate, says the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Law, Scout Oath, etc with everyone else, is that participation?  I know this will be done over and over through out their time in Scouting, but I want to use it as a tool to show him how to look for opportunities to advance.  

Same thing with merit badges.  First Class 4b says, "4b. Demonstrate how to use a handheld GPS unit, GPS app on a smartphone, or other electronic navigation system. Use GPS to find your current location, a destination of your choice, and the route you will take to get there. Follow that route to arrive at your destination."  Geocaching merit badge covers the same stuff, it's just not spelled out exactly the same.  Would you support signing off on this requirement for First Class if a Scout completed the MB?

 

[Tron]

Participate is participate. Conduct is conduct. Being at and actually participating  (vs in back of the crowd playing around) is all a scout needs to do to complete the participation requirements.

For the merit badge it depends on the MBC. As the unit leader you can accept the MBC's approval at any time, the MBC has the discretion to ask the scout to reperform the act before signing off for the merit badge. 

[Armymutt]

1 hour ago, Tron said:

For the merit badge it depends on the MBC. As the unit leader you can accept the MBC's approval at any time, the MBC has the discretion to ask the scout to reperform the act before signing off for the merit badge. 

What about the other way around.  If the MB is earned and the requirement is pretty much the same as the rank requirement, would you accept it?  I guess it's like nights of camping for Camping MB and other ranks.

[skeptic]

Back to my view that leaders need to be leaders and make the choices.  But they also need to make wise ones and be consistent.  I see far too many looking for some type of very specific "rule" or "example", rather than making a personal choice and doing their job.  Most of these things are fairly simple, but can be broadly subjective.  Kind of like deciding if a scout cooked something, even if it was barely palatable.  Even if it was not to liked by most; did they cook it and do the various steps in doing it?