Camping MB req's

[cballman]

I am going to say something that might upset some people but here goes. we are trying to teach kids how to accomplish a merit badge. now from what I gather from prev. post lets look at this from a adult job. what I am seeing is that if you go to college for four years get a degree wow you did great. but now you changed jobs, went to a different company. if you were the HR person I see that you would make that person go back to college and earn a second college degree. some people here are two bit lawyers who will argue that it only matters when the blue card was first signed. BULL HOCKY I as a MBC for auto mechnics merit badge will work with a child who dont even own a car yet. he can use his parents or even someones elses with their permission. I will discuss all aspects of the merit badge with him. if he has just changed the oil in his car and explains to me exactly how he done that then I will not make him change it again. there is also the first point of the scout law TRUSTWORTHY if we expect the kids to be that then we need to look in the mirror and also expect that person to do the same. I think when a person has their own agenda on how they read the req. then that person needs to be checked out quickly. now as for a grumpy old man YES I am. but that is why I am a parent and an ASM. I was going to try to bow out of summer camp this year because my son will have aged out but then about 5 boys came to me and begged me to go back as acting scoutmaster because they had the best time ever last year. wow my grumpiness must be great because parents have asked me to go back also.

[smtroop168]

Grumpy old men...maybe but following the banner of the web site - "Helping Scouts Advance"...definitely. topangascouter...Reflect on that a minute and see where you fit. Send the scout to me and I'll take care of him and I'll be praying for the rest of your troop.

I also realized that topangascouter is the same person who asked about requiring the Camping MB be done in order of the requirements listed in the book.

As I've said before, if the scout has credible evidence that he has completed ANY requirement, then the MBC should give them credit but that's not to say you can't have a discussion about what he learned.

I'm staying.

[PaulSWolf]

I get the impression that this forum is for the most part inhabited by a bunch of grumpy old men.

At issue here to me is whether or not there is any formality to the actual start of a MB or not. In other words, it seems that requirements for a MB can be used cafeteria style simply by picking and choosing from past experiences in order to satisfy specific req's.

My goal is to be consistent make earning a MB meaningful.

I'm out of here.

Your goal should be to ensure the Scout earns the merit badge, using BSA's standards.

You must accept no less than what the printed requirements state, and you may require no more than what the printed requirements state.


If BSA wanted you to only accept camping dates only after you first met with the Scout, they would say so.

For example, Family Life MB requirement 4 says:

With the approval of your parents or guardians and your merit badge counselor, decide on and carry out a project that you would do around the home that would benefit your family. Submit a report to your merit badge counselor outlining how the project benefited your family.

So that specific requirement must be done after discussing it with the counselor.

But Personal Management requirement 2a says:

Prepare a budget reflecting your expected income (allowance, gifts, wages), expenses, and savings. Track your actual income, expenses, and savings for 13 consecutive weeks. (You may use the forms provided in this pamphlet, devise your own, or use a computer generated version.) When complete, present the results to your merit badge counselor.

Nothing there says that the budget must be discussed with the counselor before the 13 week period begins.

Similarly, nothing in the Camping mb requirements says "After meeting with your counselor camp a total of 20 days and nights..."

[wagionvigil]

I am going to lock this as it has run its course But before I do. There are rules that we as leaders must follow and we cannot add to the requirements. When you are told you are wrong and you cannot do it accept it and do what you must. Getting mad at the bearers of bad news is not the answer. I do not like being called grumpy and old. I might be both but do not call me that. The knowledge on this board is amazing so if you ask a question and it is answered accept it an move on.
For those that are new we had an issue with this same poster awhile back that makes the boys do the Camping MB in the order the requirements are listed like you must do 1 then 2 and so on. Told no that is wrong and of course he did not like like it. Now we have this issue. The camping starts the day you join the Troop cut and Dried.