Parent as counselor for certain merit badges

[SLB1026]

I will mention again what a beneficial discussion this is. When my son bridged this past year to Boy Scouts, I knew I was going to have to let go. As stated before, my husband was the cubmaster and I was on the committee. Cubs was a family thing for us. When my son joined the troop, it was fine, but I know that they don't particulary enjoy women being real active in the troop. I, however, want to help kids, as I have in the past, and decided that Merit Badge Counseling was the way to go. This way, I can still help kids all throughout council, and if boys from the troop call me, that's fine. I will not refuse to let my son take one of my merit badges because he is my son. He will work just like the other scouts. I can see if you have a ton of MB counselors in one area, but that is just not the case all the time. Also, it is a life lesson as well. The boys that do the work honestly will be the ones that benefit the most. Lastly, parents DO NOT sign off on any requirements in the book, only MB's that they counsel for.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Got it now Syck - didn't read it that way at the time. Thanks.

[Lynda J]

I have seen several post about SM's and parents signing off on Merit Badges. We need to remember that they can only sign off on a Merit Badge if they are a registered counselor for that Merit Badge. This came out of our Council Advancement training three weeks ago.
You can only sign off on a merit badge if you are a counselor for THAT meirt badge.

[Bob White]

In Scouting, family involvement is a GOOD thing. It is promoted at all levels. If a parent has a carreer, hobby or skill that can be shared with their son through the scouting program why would anyone want to deny them that opportunity to strengthen that family bond? Having the opportunity to share an activity that you are enthusiatic about can help your son know and understand you better. Scouting likes that idea.

Because of that the Advancement Policies of the BSA allow a parent to counsel and APPROVE a merit badge for their son ...providing...the parent is registered and qualified to counsel that merit badge.

NO TROOP can have a policy that countermands the policies of the BSA.
The advancemnet program and its recognitions belong to the BSA not the troop.

Hope this helps,
Bob White

[RWSmith]

Hike them to death!

And if by day, it does not succeed, then again by light of stars and moon! ('Swat we did! --when I was a kid. )

[ICanCanoeCanU]

SLB1026 – Don’t for a minute assume that you can’t be involved AND let go! As for women being involved – who ever has the true interest and is willing to volunteer the time, energy and hopefully the dedication to the program should be allowed to participate. Of course when woman are on campouts and such, certain youth protection (and adult protection too) will have to be followed and situations may require alterations. But don’t think you can no longer be involved because you’re a woman. What about the single mothers of scouts? Would anyone expect them to never be involved? Believe me, there are many men out there with difficulties in letting go as well. Just part of being a parent. Maybe I’ll start a new string on this subject?

[SLB1026]

Canoe, yea! I vote for a new string on that one! Perhaps "let go" were not the right words. I am so enjoying seeing my son in Boy Scouts. The main thing is this, the troop where he goes has been around forever, and is a great troop. My dad was an assistant scoutmaster for the troop when I was little! But, unfortunately, the troop, does not make women feel welcome. I know of several in the past who have tried, but it hasn't worked so far. I already told them, I don't want to go on their camping trips (in their opinion, women on camping trips is probably THE worst thing, and it will never happen). All I want to do is help out. Which, is why I decided to go to the council level and do Merit Badge Counseling. I could go down there and push myself in, but I think all it would do is make quite a few of the leaders very unhappy. So, Counseling it is! Also doing a Webelos Woods program, preparing the cubs for the step up to boy scouts. Let's keep this one going....it's near to my heart!

[ICanCanoeCanU]

I did start a new string - woman as adult volunteers, listed under campfire

[52]

Brian, I agree with you. A parent ought to be the last resort, unless he is particularly and uniquely qualified for the MB. Part of the process is learning to talk to experts in their fields.

That doesn't mean a parent can't help their son learn the skills needed to pass, doesn't mean he can't be a resource, or that he needs to take a complete hands off approach. It's simply an issue of accountability -- to not even give the APPEARANCE of impropriety.