Conflicting(?) BSA Advancement Policies

[Quailman]

If a newly revised pub has updated info, that takes precedence.

I would assume that to be the case as well. It makes too much sense not to be. I was in a local Scout Shop last week and picked up a copy of the guide for dealing with scouts with special needs (not sure of the exact title) and happened to open right to the page that addressed this. Either the publication had not been updated or (more likely) was just an old edition and still said they had to complete partials.

My son has a disability but wants to try bicycling if the MB counselor will allow it and swimming if he won't. He uses an adult tricycle, which is not addressed in the MB requirements or pamphlet. All the verbiage says "bicycle", which is what he calls his three-wheeler. He still might not be able to coevr 50 miles in eight hours as the last requirements states. If he can't use his 'bike' he'll try swimming, but he'll have particular issues getting undressed in the water, since he has flexibility issues and has to struggle in and out of pants on dry ground. Hiking ten miles is right out.

So he doesn't care about that change so much. He could get a physician's waiver but he's going to try anyway.

[WVBeaver05]

The order of precedence is:

1. Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures Pamphlet #33088
(1b: For Eagle, the Eagle App & Leadership Service Project Workbook)
2. Boy Scout Requirements Book #33215
3. Boy Scout Handbook

I would sure like to see the reference for that. Having never noticed any document citing an order of precedence, I would have expected the Requirements Book to have been the highest.

This is especially true after a bought a copy of 33088 last year. The "comic bookish" quality of the content presentation made me question why I didn't save my money and use it on something else. All the cutesy fonts, pictures, colors, backgrounds, etc. make it hard to read at best. To be fair, the index and table of contents are good providing some redemption (a weakness in many BSA publications).

In any case, I don't see how it can have precedence #1 since it does not present individual requirements.

YiS

[milominderbinder2]

The National BSA is a corporation. A corporation must have a set of bylaws that direct their operation.

Corporate Polices are the plans of action to carry out the bylaws. The Bylaw takes precedence. For this reason, the BSA Advancement Policies restates key applicable bylaws. Our Advancement Policies also specifically refer to the Boy Scout Requirements as a support document as well as the Eagle Scout Application and Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook.

Within the framework of the Bylaws and Policies a corporation may also issue handbooks as a collection of instructions as a ready reference and other documentation. Because the Policy specifically references the use of the Requirements, the Requirements, though a support document take precedence over the applicable handbooks.

So unless stated otherwise, the order of precedence for corporate documentation is:

1. Bylaws
2. Policies (in this case, Advancement Policies)
3. Policy support documents (Boy Scout Requirements, Eagle App, & Workbook, in our case)
4. Handbooks and other documentation (Boy Scout Handbook, Scoutmaster, etc.)

- Craig

[Mrw]

My son has a disability but wants to try bicycling if the MB counselor will allow it and swimming if he won't. He uses an adult tricycle, which is not addressed in the MB requirements or pamphlet. All the verbiage says "bicycle", which is what he calls his three-wheeler. He still might not be able to coevr 50 miles in eight hours as the last requirements states.

I can guarantee the counselor who does cycling in our troop would accept the trike as a bicycle. And if our friend who uses a hand-cycle were of an appropriate age to earn merit badges, I am sure he would accept that as well.

Wish you son well on the badge for me!

[milominderbinder2]

My son has a disability but wants to try bicycling if the MB counselor will allow it and swimming if he won't. He uses an adult tricycle, which is not addressed in the MB requirements or pamphlet. All the verbiage says "bicycle", which is what he calls his three-wheeler.

It is named Cycling Merit Badge not Bicycling on purpose.

This exact case came up in our council. We called and verified with National that adding a "bicycling" requirement is in fact adding a requirement to cycling. Here is what requirement 8 & 9 of Cycling say:

8. Avoiding main highways, take two rides of ten miles each, two rides of fifteen miles each, and two rides of twenty-five miles each.

9. After fulfilling requirement 8, lay out on a road map a 50-mile trip. Stay away from main highways. Using your map, make this ride in 8 hours.

You are to take cycling rides. They named the merit badge and chose their wording carefully. Adding unicycle, bicycle, tricycle, or quadracycle as the type of cycle is adding to the requirement.

Have your son check with the Cycling counselors before requesting one. Make sure they understand.

Tell your son 'Good luck!'

- Craig

[Quailman]

I see what you mean. Thanks for the clarification!

2: Clean and adjust a bicycle. Prepare it for inspection using a bicycle safety checklist. Be sure the bicycle meets local laws.
3: Show your bicycle to your counselor for inspection. Point out the adjustments or repairs you have made. Do the following:
a: Show all points that need oiling regularly.
b: Show points that should be checked regularly to make sure the bicycle is safe to ride.
c: Show how to adjust brakes, seat level and height, and steering tube.

I guess that wording threw me. He needs to contact the MB Counselor himself, but I'm already pretty sure he'll be okay with it. I know the MBC, but this hasn't come up.

[evmori]

F. Can someone add an age requirement?
No. Any Scout can earn any merit badge at any time.

Not entirely true. Some MB's have pre-requisites. EP requires Swimming to be earned 1st.

[wagionvigil]

Ed I do not see that in Emergency Prepardness. I see First Aid but it is not required before starting the MB. It says earn First Aid.

[evmori]

Ed I do not see that in Emergency Prepardness. I see First Aid but it is not required before starting the MB. It says earn First Aid.

You are correct as always wagon! My bad! Typing without thinking! Thanks for the correction!

[smtroop168]

How about Motorcycle?

[wagionvigil]

Whitewater requires that you have Canoeing MB or if doing it in a Kayak the Kayaking Award Before doing any of the requirements except the first two.

[mhjacobson]

A Council can chose an alternate merit badge instead of a required merit badge. A counselor does not have the right to reduce a or substitute requirements even for a Special Needs Scout. p. 41 "

Actually that is not quite correct. On Form 58-730 (Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges), the Unit Leader and Committee Chair recommend the MB substitutions that are approved by the District and Council Advancement Committees (and the appropriate level professionals) and the Scout's parents. There is NO requirement that the scout challenge the MB prior to making the request for the substitutions, but rather there must be a Medical or Administrative Statement and substiantiating documentation.