Evidence for Pets

[Mad Dog]

My son is working on the Pets MB. The first requirement is to show evidence that you have cared for your pet for 4 months. He hass not spoken to the MBC yet but I was wondering what suitable evidence might be? He did show his dog (requirement 4) and they came in first place.

[deweylure]

I believe the book says to contact the MB couselor first. He or she will answer this question for your son


Dewelure

[Mad Dog]

The requirement seems to be up to the interpretatiopn of the MBC. That is why I was looking for input from the many knowledgable individuals here. If he contacts each of the 10 different MBC that he was given I assume he will get 10 different answers.

[Mrw]

Well then he needs to contact one and find out. While some might want a chart of when he did dog care activities, some might be happy with a note from Mom saying yes he did this and some might want a verbal account of what he did and how.

[RWSmith]

The words "show evidence" can be found in several MBs. Evidence is just that: something separate and a part from the Scout's own statement to verify he completed a requirement. It's just a nice way of saying "Okay, this requirement will have to be done (or have been done) at some other time; but, I still need to prove that you did it." More importantly, you will find this used in MB requirements when it would simply be infeasible, unreasonable, or otherwise highly unlikely, for the MBC to observe the completion of a given requirement. Remember, most MBs are written so that the Scout does much of the work "off site" and then meets (for a short while) with the MBC to review what he has learned.

Req. # 1 for Pets is a perfect example... a chart (as noted previously) presented by the Scout would be an excellent form of evidence; but, this cannot be required by the MBC as it would then modify the requirement. A note signed by the Scout's mom, dad, science teacher, et al (along with a telephone number), will always suffice. The method of evidence presented must be of the Scout's choosing; but, it's up to the MBC to accept or decline it.

Whenever I counsel a MB, the first things I tell them is 1) the cut off date for going back to met a requirement is the date you joined Boy Scouts, and 2) any note from any reputable, verifiable source will be accepted as evidence. For example, if a Scout brings me a Blue card that's three or four years old, it's my obligation to accept it. I cannot make a Scout repeat any MBC requirement that's already been signed off and he has the documentation to prove it.

ev·i·dence NOUN:

1. A thing or things helpful in forming a conclusion or judgment: The broken window was evidence that a burglary had taken place. Scientists weigh the evidence for and against a hypothesis.
2. Something indicative; an outward sign: evidence of grief on a mourner's face.
3. Law The documentary or oral statements and the material objects admissible as testimony in a court of law.