Who holds the Blue Card in progress?

[Fibonacci]

A Scout comes to the MB Counselor with a Blue Card; under the counselor's supervision, the Scout begins the MB. For the days/weeks/months that the Scout is working, who holds the blue card? The counselor or the Scout?

We've always had the counselor keep them, but we have a new troop adult who says that the Scout is supposed to be responsible for his own blue card.

[pipestone1991]

I say the counsilor is responsible. That's my understanding.

[Quailman]

I say the counsilor is responsible. That's my understanding.

Spoken like a true scout!

As a scouter and MBC, I say the scout should be responsible.

But seriously, the scout would need it if for example the MBC was leaving town for the summer and he might want to finish up with another MBC. Otherwise, what real difference does it make? I though I had read somewhere that blue cards weren't necessarily required. Mandating who should keep track of them is micromanaging (and could be construed as adding to the requirements).

[deweylure]

The scout should keep the card. I do know at summer camp the counselor keeps them . They will not have to chase scouts down come friday.

Deweylure

[smtroop168]

The Scout. Summer camp is an exception since it is a captive audience and you get them back (hopefully completed) on Friday.

[AquilaNegra2]

Definitely the Scout. Especially if the counselor counsels several Scouts, and/or several badges.

Most of the boys in our troop that are actively working on badges (all 5 of them, pffft) keep theirs in binders with baseball card type holders. One section for completed, one for those they're working on.

[evmori]

The Scout keeps the card. It's his MB, not the counselor.

[ASM-142]

1. Blue Cards are not required.
2. They are for record keeping only.
3. They are for the scout therefore he should keep them.

[Chief J]

As a MBC, I require the Scout to keep his blue card. I update it after each meeting for him.

Chief J

[mhjacobson]

The Scout keeps the card. They serve more than simple recordkeeping, they also serve as a reminder to the scout about which requirements remain. In the case of camp, they also serve as partials that can be brought back to the city for completion of those requirements that could not be completed at camp, or as proof that the scout did some of the non-outdoor prerequisites prior to going to camp.

[alex gregory]

I know and understand why a scout should keep the blue card; but it's so annoying when the scout invariably forgets to bring the card and/or loses cards!

I maintain my own MBC spreadsheet, but is there a problem with asking the scout if he wants me as the MBC to keep the card?

[jr56]

It would make the most sense to have the scout keep his bluecard. Thay way if he moves, or wants to finish the merit badge with another counselor, he has a record of what he has accomplished.

[alex gregory]

It would make the most sense to have the scout keep his bluecard. Thay way if he moves, or wants to finish the merit badge with another counselor, he has a record of what he has accomplished.

No argument. It's not like I'd keep the blue card from the scout, and if the scout is not actively working on the MB I'd return the card to him for "safekeeping" until if and when he decides to resume work on the badge. I've had very few scouts move on me before completing a MB. It's just irritating not to have the card when you're ready to sign off on a requirement.

[smtroop168]

The Scout keeps his blue card. If you want to update your spreadsheet, do so and give him back his card. Why would you give a card back to one scout for "safekeeping" and be the "safekeeper" for another.

Scouts irritating leaders is part of the deal.

[evmori]

I know and understand why a scout should keep the blue card; but it's so annoying when the scout invariably forgets to bring the card and/or loses cards!

I maintain my own MBC spreadsheet, but is there a problem with asking the scout if he wants me as the MBC to keep the card?

Annoying to who? Never annoys me when the Scout forgets it!

[MzTish1]

My son has been working on his orienteering merit badge and his counselor, who is in our troop, kept his card. We just went to a fall campout and one of the activities was orienteering and fulfilled part of the requirements. By the way, our troop came in first place in this activity. However, we did not have his blue card with us as the counselor did not come on this campout, so now I'm hoping he can receive credit for this. I think the scout should keep his own card as it will just make it easier all the way around.

[wagionvigil]

That has been talked about here and using the search part you may be able to find that. I could lok it up for you but that is not how I work

[smtroop168]

If you were there, you can provide "credible evidence" of completion of the requirement. Since the MBC is in your unit, this is a no-brainer.

Also in this case, it wouldn't matter if your son had his card with him unless there was another Orienteering MBC there who could initial it.

[MzTish1]

Thanks for the quick replies. Being a newbie to merit badges this has been a great help.

[Quailman]

Much of the orienteering requirements he needs to demonstrate to his MBC - point out symbols on a map, explain terms, show how to take a bearing, etc. If you're talking about requirement 7:

Do the following:
a. Take part in three orienteering events. One of these must be a cross-country course.
b. After each event, write a report with
1. a copy of the master map and control description sheet ,
2. a copy of the route you took on the course,
3. a discussion of how you could improve your time between control points, and
4. a list of your major weaknesses on this course . Describe what you could do to improve.

The report should suffice.