Merit badge procedures

[ynotquilt]

The camp we were at didn't use blue cards. At the end of camp, we got a sheet with all the boys' merit badges and what needed to be completed yet. Our Sm then filled out blue cards for each of the boys badges and attached a copy of the sheet. That is what our council told him to do, and my son just finished his partial on swimming with a counselor who is known to be very thorough and who had not problem with it.

[TCC7]

ICanCanoeCanU
We do it in our council the same as with ynotquilt. For those partials received at camp a new Blue Card is written up if the scout wants to pursue it. He is then assigned a counselor. We also keep a record of the partials from camp.

cballman
Here is what the Advancement policies and procedures says about group instruction.

The question arises as to whether it is permissible to have scouts earn merit badges in groups. Many subjects may be presented to groups of Scouts without defeating one of the purposes of the merit badge plan - working closely with a qualified adult.
The National Executive Board has approved this policy statement on merit badge counseling:
"To the fullest extent possible, the merit badge counseling relationship is a counselor-Scout arrangement in which the boy is not only judged on his performance of the requirements, but receives maximum benefit from the knowledge, skill, character, and personal interest of his counselor. Group instruction and orientation is encouraged where special facilities and expert personnel make this most practical, or when Scouts are dependent on only a few counselors for assistance. However, this group experience should be followed by attention to each individual candidate's projects and his ability to fulfill all requirements."
In harmony with this policy, a troop or team may use merit badge counselors in unit meetings. The merit badge counselor can make a presentation covering the highlights of a merit badge subject. Scouts should then be given an opportunity to try some skill related to the badge. This introduction to a merit badge can spark an interest in the subject.

So it seems the BSA wants everything possible done to insure the integrity of the Counselor-Scout relationship and not just how many we can fit in the class. If the integrity can't be maintained then the number of scouts should be lowered that we are working with. It also seems that merit badge classes shouldn't be held at unit meetings, only an introduction and a skill related to the badge subject.

[ASM-142]

As a MBC I do not keep blue cards for scouts for badges in progress. This is something that the scout should keep. I sign off on requirements as they are completed and return the blude card to the scout. Once complete I will keep the counselor portion of the blue card.

If a scout comes to me and tells me he lost his blue card. At this point there is no proof that any requirement was satisfied. I can not just sign a blue card without evidence. I know that a scout is supposed to be trustworthy, but he also should take responsibilities for his own actions.

[Mrw]

I am the one who stated that if he loses the blue card, the scout must start over. We tell our boys the same thing about getting rank requirements signed in their books. We do not keep track of who has done what requirement because it is their responsibility.

As for giving the partial blue cards back, I have only had one boy "lose" a blue card and have to replace it. He finished the badge and stuck the signed card in his shirt pocket where it promptly went through the wash and left him with blue mulch in his pocket. He was able to call the counselor and she mailed him a re-signed card.

I have never had a boy lose one he wanted to finish.

[Suzyplus2]

Deweylure,

It does appear as if you have been granted some differing opinions as to how each troop handles the 'blue card issue'. Have any of the suggestions helped you to help the scout in question complete his merit badge and receive credit for it??

Most of the responses ultimately indicated that the blue card is the responsibility of the scout. Even if the scoutmaster is holding it for the scout, I am sure that the SM would provide the card if asked for it. If you would like any further suggestions, please let us know how we can help.

YIS,

Sue

[evmori]

I'm a MBC and the Advancement Chair for my Troop. As a MBC, the only blue cards I keep are my portion of the completed ones. All partials and new blue cards are the responsibility of the Scout.

As the Troop Advancement Chair, all partial & completed MB's are entered into Troopmaster. The completed cards are returned to the Scout at the COH along with the MB. The partials are returned to the Scout at the next Troop meeting. These blue cards are the responsibility of the Scouts not the MB counselors or Advancement Chairs.

[ASM-142]

I'm a MBC and the Advancement Chair for my Troop. As a MBC, the only blue cards I keep are my portion of the completed ones. All partials and new blue cards are the responsibility of the Scout.

As the Troop Advancement Chair, all partial & completed MB's are entered into Troopmaster. The completed cards are returned to the Scout at the COH along with the MB. The partials are returned to the Scout at the next Troop meeting. These blue cards are the responsibility of the Scouts not the MB counselors or Advancement Chairs.

This sounds like the perfect way to handle things.

[deweylure]

At this point in time I spoke to the scout and asked him to call the SM. I have decided to wait a week . If the boy tells me he asked and can not get the blue card I will call then SM myself.

Thank you for the suggestions. I will let everyone know how it turns out.

Dewey

[Lynda J]

In our troop, also, any scout at anytime can look through his own file. We keep blue cards, notation of special awards, current physical forms, etc in their file. It works for us.

I would not keep a scouts medical form in an open file where other scouts could access them. I know most boys talk about stuff with each other but some boys may have things on their medical that they simply don't want other boys to know.
Our medical forms are all kept in a locked file where only SM and ASM have access.

[Suzyplus2]

to Lynda J:

Good point about keeping a scout's own file private from other scouts. That is exactly what we have.

These are NOT files that travel with me to scout meetings or even committee meetings. The scout must call ahead to make an appointment with me and he (along with parents) comes to my home to peruse only his file. For us it seems to work, but we only have 30 active scouts in the troop at the moment. We may double next spring based on current Webelo transition expectations are, and may end up rethinking that procedure , but for now - it is good.

Sue

[deweylure]

Just an update. My prveous post I asked about the scoutmaster keeping the blue card and the scout not be able to get it from the SM. I spoke to the boy he said he can get the blue card but has not produced it to me. The ball is in his court as far as I am concerned.

Dewey

[deweylure]

To put an end to this one. I emailed the boys father . The scout brought over another MB Card. I signed it for the requirement I witnessed him do and gave it back. Case closed

Thanks for the replies






Deweylure