Merit Badge pamphlets going digital - Change troop phone use policies?

[FireStone]

Just curious if any troops are easing up on phone usage policies during meetings/outings in light of the new digital-only merit badge pamphlet announcement. 

One of our local summer camps is extremely restrictive when it comes to phones in camp, even for adults. I wonder if now they'll have to ease off that a bit and at least allow MBCs to have a device so they can reference merit badge materials. 

Anyone altering their troop policies? 

[InquisitiveScouter]

2 hours ago, FireStone said:

Just curious if any troops are easing up on phone usage policies during meetings/outings in light of the new digital-only merit badge pamphlet announcement. 

One of our local summer camps is extremely restrictive when it comes to phones in camp, even for adults. I wonder if now they'll have to ease off that a bit and at least allow MBCs to have a device so they can reference merit badge materials. 

Anyone altering their troop policies? 

No.

Our phone policy has always been to use it in accordance with the Scout Oath and Scout Law.  Same with earbuds, headphones, computers, handheld video games, radios, televisions, air defense systems, etc, etc, etc.  A Scout's handheld computer is an awesome tool, and we should not restrict their using it to acquire or track information as long as it is appropriate to the occasion (like plant identification, or for a merit badge like Photography/Astronomy/Bird Study/ etc.)

If I went to a camp and they tried to limit my use of a phone as an adult, I'd politely tell them to pound sand.  But I hold myself to the same standards... must be done in accordance with the Scout Oath and Law.  For example, during a class, meal, or campfire, I have my phone set to vibrate.  If a parent tries to contact me, I excuse myself from the campfire and take/return the call.  Parents are instructed to contact adult leaders only in emergencies, btw.  

We police ourselves, thank you.

We do tell parents that these mega-expensive items are best left at home, and that the Scout bears responsibility for the security of the device while on the trip.  If we have to take the device because as Scout is not using it in accordance with Scout Oath and Law, we safeguard and return it to the parent at the end of the trip.

When in doubt, ask...

How else are they going to learn?

[qwazse]

Allowing cell phones when your trading post sells MBPs sounds like a losing strategy.

That said, our trading post doesn’t sell MBPs.

[fred8033]

QUESTION ... What is the change?  I see physical MB pamphlets can still be purchased.  Is it only to emphasize online MB first and then paper second?  Or is national stopping the distribution to scout shops and people need to go online to purchase?  I'm just curious.

[Eagle94-A1]

4 minutes ago, fred8033 said:

QUESTION ... What is the change?  I see physical MB pamphlets can still be purchased.  Is it only to emphasize online MB first and then paper second?  Or is national stopping the distribution to scout shops and people need to go online to purchase?  I'm just curious.

More than likely, National is getting rid of existing physical inventory. The requirements may or may not be current, but that has been an issue since I was a Scout.

[fred8033]

3 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

More than likely, National is getting rid of existing physical inventory. The requirements may or may not be current, but that has been an issue since I was a Scout.

Okay.  I just saw the following.  New requirements online and QR codes to access/  Scout shops to get new MB pamphlet inventory.   I always think about the carrying cost.  Ouch.

https://www.scouting.org/program-updates/important-update-merit-badge-requirements-moving-online/