Consider a possible return to making the Merit Badge options broader, similar to how they were in the fitites and sixties with choosing from groups.

[skeptic]

One of the things that has I have often felt as a leader is that the concept of breadth in merit badge options should be reinstated.  IN the fifties and sixties we had the required badges of the time, but also a "selection" from a number of categories  which broadened the picture.  It was similar to the once required college breadth for graduation that included classes from the less common areas, including art and music.  That, in my opinion, leads to a bit more depth of knowledge and the world in general.  What might be the thoughts on this being reinstated in a more modern manner?  

[DuctTape]

Good idea. Currently there are more options within the required list than when I was a scout, but not like before. Apparently these always fluctuate. Sadly what is not fluctuating is the continued erosion of the mB part of the program by summer camps, "universities" and troop only counselors. Scouts are less and less benefiting from the mB process by having the badge be the sole aim.

[Eagle94-A1]

Sadly I do not think it matters. The focus has been on MBs and Eagle, no one focuses on fun, adventure, and personal growth. Besides,  a lot of places are giving MBs away.

[skeptic]

This old guy feels as if it does matter and we should stop accepting these types of things and putting some honesty back into our units and setting a better example.  Probably, and sadly, you are likely to be more correct than I am, and we seem to have lost sight of much of the best Character examples we have tried to exemplify over time.  But, maybe not??

[DuctTape]

It does matter, but the train left the station long ago.

[InquisitiveScouter]

1 hour ago, DuctTape said:

It does matter, but the train left the station long ago.

It does.  And there is "chaos" and cheating all around.  Be responsible for what you do.  I have been asked many times to sign off something a Scout has not earned, or that I have not witnessed.  I politely refuse.

This is the best example we can give.  And to admit our own mistakes and how we have tried to correct them.

If you go looking for offenders, they are easy to find, but you will not win the day by identifying them, pointing them out, and imposing your will to make things right.  In their hearts, they know they are cheating, being dishonest, or gaming the system.  So do their parents.

When their heart is right, they will ask you to show the way.

Pray simply that God and our consciences will convict us, so that our hearts would be right, and that we will follow the truths of the Scout Oath and Law.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

 

[scoutldr]

Unfortunately, it is the new morality, which is "I got mine, the hell with the rules".  I saw it when BSA started admitting girls, and Cubs were the "trial run", with supposedly separate-sex dens.  Then supposedly separate-sex troops.  I heard more than one "leader" on here and on FB admit that they had gone fully co-ed, because "that's what works best for us", while maintaining the charade on paper.  I "retired" from Scouting in 2018 after having been a continuous member of the same Council since 1963 (Eagle 1970) as a Cub, Boy Scout, OA, Explorer, and adult leader in nearly all positions including District and Council Committees.  When I let them know I would not be re-registering, the response was "ok, thanks" and thus it ended.  I do not regret leaving as I feel the BSA has lost its way, as evidenced by the plummeting membership numbers. 

[InquisitiveScouter]

[Eagle94-A1]

6 hours ago, skeptic said:

This old guy feels as if it does matter and we should stop accepting these types of things and putting some honesty back into our units and setting a better example.  Probably, and sadly, you are likely to be more correct than I am, and we seem to have lost sight of much of the best Character examples we have tried to exemplify over time.  But, maybe not??

At least in my area, parents are pressuring for Eagle. Units that do try and focus on adventure, fun, personal growth, etc instead of advancement do not get new Scouts as parents look elsewhere. Even my new troop is focusing on advancement.

 

5 hours ago, DuctTape said:

It does matter, but the train left the station long ago.

Yes it has.

 

4 hours ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

It does.  And there is "chaos" and cheating all around.  Be responsible for what you do.  I have been asked many times to sign off something a Scout has not earned, or that I have not witnessed.  I politely refuse.

And be told by the rules lawyers you are "gate keeping," "adding to requirements," etc.

@InquisitiveScouter sadly the leadership at the top is encouraging this, and they do not care what the old boots on the ground want who want to maintain standards want. Heck there is now a majority of volunteers support for them and their decline of standards.

[skeptic]

5 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

At least in my area, parents are pressuring for Eagle. Units that do try and focus on adventure, fun, personal growth, etc instead of advancement do not get new Scouts as parents look elsewhere. Even my new troop is focusing on advancement.

 

Yes it has.

 

And be told by the rules lawyers you are "gate keeping," "adding to requirements," etc.

@InquisitiveScouter sadly the leadership at the top is encouraging this, and they do not care what the old boots on the ground want who want to maintain standards want. Heck there is now a majority of volunteers support for them and their decline of standards.

While this seems true, I am not convinced it is.  On the other hand, I do perceive that many have turned inward, so to speak, and are tring to find the path that will allow the real Scouting to again bloom.  But, I also am seeing far too many "giving up", or simply retreating to do what they feel will work, regardless of pressures from the outside.  Scouting is best in my worn views when shared with a broader group of youth and adults.  BP called it aa brotherhood, and it still is if we allow it.  How to allow it with the issues we face is the greater struggle.  I hope my great grand nephew, who has an Eagle father, and a Scouting believer as a GF will still experience the better possibilities.  Would I live to see him also become an Eagle, or simply like his GF, a firm believer in the Spirit of Scouting.  

We have a gathering of Leaders locally at a breakfast on Saturdy coming, and the interhanges from the first two of these recently institued sharings has proven worthwhile.  The Merit Badge events, for example have been over hauled and are getting better and more focused on the actual requirements.  Also, they are nown being broken up to fewer badges, instead focusing on just a dozen or fewer.  Still a long way to go, and I am still fighting with them to recognize the need to put our history forward, as well as sevice beyond the "big" events.  Community is still silently behind the ideas of Scouting, but they too seem to be holding their brath to see if we can fight our way back.  Time will tell, and hopefully I may hold on long enough to see the larger steps.  

[qwazse]

Perhaps being a 70s kid, I don’t see the point. Our scouts seem to be earning different elective MBs. And they’re doing it honestly.

I would discourage revising a program around those who will try to short-change advancement. It only makes it more confusing for the straight shooters.

[Armymutt]

On 3/18/2026 at 8:46 PM, Eagle94-A1 said:

At least in my area, parents are pressuring for Eagle. Units that do try and focus on adventure, fun, personal growth, etc instead of advancement do not get new Scouts as parents look elsewhere. Even my new troop is focusing on advancement.

I was dismayed to see this when I came back after my hiatus.  I kinda figured merit badge factory summer camps were a gimme anyway.  How else do you fit in some of these MBs in a single day?  Apparently there have been complaints about leaders who make Scouts do the requirements as written in the book/online.  Parents don't want their kids to learn stuff.  They just want the paper so the kid feels good.  All that learning and testing stuff is a distraction to their real purpose.  Let's skip that and get right to the recognition.  I don't mind troops that focus on merit badges, but as a driver of the program experience, not a block checking exercise.  I'm all for doing canoeing merit badge, but let's utilize it as a blueprint for meetings and a monthly camping trip.  Same with Wilderness Survival.  Pretty much every merit badge has a preparatory phase, and execution phase, and a closing phase.  Some are mixed in a bit, but it's easy to tease them out.  

[Eagle94-A1]

IF, you got a motivated Scout, AND they use their free time to practice, it is possible to actually earn a MB at camp. One reason why I like free periods, especially if taking Shooting Sports or Aquatics.