Sports MB - Other Sports

[lambeausam]

If a counselor is going to approve a recognized sport, other than those on the MB requirement list, how should that be documented?

[PaulSWolf]

There's no need to "document" what sport the Scout is using. It's strictly between the Scout and Counselor. Once the counselor approves the Scout's work, the merit badge is approved and can't be questioned.

[lambeausam]

Thanks, Paul. It has been a number of years since I read the requirements for this merit badge. My youngest two sons want to do this, but their sports are rugby, lacrosse, wrestiling, and gymnastics. I seem to remember a requirement for providing a letter from the scout's coach. However, I don't see that anymore. The biggest difference I observed was the change in sports list.

[smtroop168]

This requirement is similar to many others that require prior counselor approval.

[PaulSWolf]

Thanks, Paul. It has been a number of years since I read the requirements for this merit badge. My youngest two sons want to do this, but their sports are rugby, lacrosse, wrestiling, and gymnastics. I seem to remember a requirement for providing a letter from the scout's coach. However, I don't see that anymore. The biggest difference I observed was the change in sports list.

Rugby, lacrosse, wrestling, and gymnastics would all fall under the "Your counselor may approve in advance other recognized sports, but not any sport that is restricted and not authorized by the Boy Scouts of America." clause.

The sports that are "restricted and not authorized by BSA" are listed in the Guide to Safe Scouting, and basically include these:

Boxing, karate, and related martial arts (except judo, aikido, and Tai Chi), varsity, interscholastic, or club football, flying in hang gliders, ultralights, experimental aircraft, or nontethered hot-air balloons, parachuting, amateur or professional rodeo events, and motorized speed events, including motorcycles, boats, drag racing, demolition derbies, and related events

The complete list can be found here:

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Hea ... s08.aspx#e