BSA v. Organized Sports

[WVBeaver05]

We needs to realize that in many school systems sports and band, though often not a graded subject, can affect other grades. I have had boys told if they miss a certain # of practices they are out. Well SCOUTING ISN"T THAT WAY. It is the only youth activity where there is no second string and we don't sit people on the bench and we don't kick them out for not coming every week.

Kids can do both. With out help and our encourgement. If we start telling them that they have to chose between Scouting and school sports Scouting will be the loser and in the long run so will the boy.

Have a boy in band this year. He won't be at our first 8 meetings because of band. Guess what we will welcome him back after that time with open arms. I will not give him a hard time. And even if asked my opinion I will not put his Scouting life above his school life. It isn't fair to him. Yes we do have to start making choices, but in Scouting it shouldn't be an either or.

WOW Lynda!! I couldn't agree with you more. This is exactly my position. We have boys that come in for the last 15 minutes of the meeting while little league football is going on. They get the announcements that way and we are happy to have them when ever they can be there.

I would never suggest that a Scout choose one or the other. Scouting will be there when the Scout can come. I know other leaders that would prefer to treat it just like sports, band, etc. do and always be first.

I do get quite annoyed when Scouts committ to an activity and then don't show up and don't call, etc.

YiS

[WeeWillie]

I don't have a problem with sports, band, and other activities that compete with Scouts. My problem is with parents who are trying to create the Trophy Kid with a killer college application by enrolling their kid in 3-5 extracurricular activities.

I removed a Scout from Patrol Leader after he missed the 3rd camping trip in a row. He wanted me to reinstate him so he could have credit for his 6 month position of responsibility. His son was in band. swimming, basketball, Hands Across the Border (We are 12 miles from Mexico) and Jr National Honor Society.

[RMM]

Scouting and sports, band, etc can go hand in hand. I became SM in January. Boys would not attend meetings and outings due to track, baseball, wrestling, basketball. I would not want to loose a young man due to a perception that it was one or another. I spoke with the boys and parents and hooked them up with MB counselers for athletics and sports. This next COH we will be presenting a number of young men with these MBs. Pluses, the boys are still involved in Scouting. They felt wanted and most attended summer camp or the Mt Whitney treck and the younger boys see a program where we find a way to work together.

The parents have commented that they appreciate not being forced into a corner to choose one activity over the other.

Full disclosure. I also take the month of August off from the weekly meetings so I can coach football. I work with fantastic ASMs who step up to the plate and are very active to allow me to do this.

[Lynda J]

I agree with RMM. Talk to teachers. Ask the Art teacher if they could help boys with Art Merit Badge. Last year I ask the middle school music teacher is he could help with the music badge. He was thrilled.

This year I am askingthe Speech teacher if she could help a couple of boys with Public Speaking.

Getting teachers aware of what some of their students are doing outside school can always be a help. Especially when those activities are positive ones.

And remember they only can say no if you ask them But they can't say yes if you don't.

[lifescoutforlife]

Great idea Lynda, I coach at our school but I'm not a teacher. I'm going to ask a few of them to help teach MB classes.

[Lynda J]

They don't have to register with BSA. They do have to fill out an adult application and a MBC application. The go through getting approved by district and council. I haven't had a single one refuse.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Actually, in our council, you can not be a MBC unless you are registered with a troop. This can be a hassle for the folks whose boys turn 18 and the adults no longer want to be involved with weekly meetings. Because of this, our troop pays the registration fee to keep adults on for MB's. We would also be willing to pick up the fee for a teacher wanting to counsel.

[PaulSWolf]

Actually, in our council, you can not be a MBC unless you are registered with a troop. This can be a hassle for the folks whose boys turn 18 and the adults no longer want to be involved with weekly meetings. Because of this, our troop pays the registration fee to keep adults on for MB's. We would also be willing to pick up the fee for a teacher wanting to counsel.

There's really no need to do that. They must, indeed, be registered with BSA, but not with a Troop. MB Counselor (Position code 32) is a DISTRICT Position.

ANYONE can register as a Merit Badge Counselor, and there is NO Fee if that's their only position. See "Advancement Committee Guide - Policies and Procedures" (33088E)

Recruiting Merit Badge Counselors.
...
A Guide for Recommending Merit Badge Counselors is used to obtain names of prospective counselors at parents' meetings and from schools and universities, service clubs, religious institutions, government agencies, industries, armed services, and the chartered organizations.
...

Qualifications of Counselors.

Persons serving as merit badge counselors must be registered as a merit badge counselor with the Boy Scouts of America. They must be men and women of good character, age 18 or older, and recognized as having the skills and education in the subjects for which they are to serve as merit badge counselors, as well as having the ability to work with Scout-age boys.

Register merit badge counselors by using the basic adult registration form. All merit badge counselors must be approved by the council advancement committee. Merit badge counselors are not required to pay a fee if they are only registered as merit badge counselors.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Paul - I agree with what you're saying but I'm telling you, in our council, a MBC must be registered with a troop?

[WeeWillie]

If your council is not following BSA policy remind them that if they are not following higher authority, what right do they have to insist you follow theirs.

[Lynda J]

MBC's go through the same back ground check as anyone registering with BSA, Willie is right. BSA policy is that MBC's do not have to be connected with a Troop. If your Council is going against BSA National policy. They can't expect you to go by theirs. Also make sure they are truly requiring this and it isn't simply someone elses idea. We have had that happen. Someone tells someone else that Council has a policy about this or that. The word spreads and everyone thinks it is a rule. When it is truly checked it was never a policy.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

The folks at the desk where we submit ANY scout forms at council are the ones saying that a MBC needs to be registered with a troop. I do think I will call someone else at council to confirm this. Maybe, the folks at the desk are wrong and I've never pushed past them. I will let you know.

[FrankJ]

It is in the advancement committe guide pg. were it states that merit badge is a council position pg 12--14 covers merit badge counselor qualifications & so on.

If you still have connections with a troop, have them turn in just the merit badge counselor app. It will not cost them anything & make the gate keeper happy.

[pipestone1991]

I play soccar, and am pretty good at it, practice is during meetings, but, I still show up for the last 30 minutes of the meeting. I'm also going to my OA Ordeal tonight for the weekend but will have t hurry to get home for a game on Sunday.

[ccmason]

Looking back on Scouts and sports in my life, I don't remember missing meetings or practices. I started both at 11 yrs old. I played 2 sports all the way through high school and was still SPL, active in OA and I never missed a meeting or a camp due to sports, when I was active with both.

I learned a lot from both with regard to team work, leadership, hard work, earning your way, honesty, etc. Those are the things that I want my son to learn as he starts his journey into Scouting and sports. If he earns his way to Eagle Scout, or Captain of a sports team that is great, but most of the life lessons he will learn will come from the process of getting there.

[WVBeaver05]

Most of the conflicts that we see are from the "little league" type sports rather than the school ones. The schools tend to practice right after school, but the other ones practice and play later. Now "little league" teams even play numerous games on Sunday's (that wasn't allowed here 15 years ago).

School bands also tend to conflict with Scouts.

We are happy to have the Scouts attend meetings and activities when they can.

And you are right! It is about what is learned along the way.

YiS

[momma_bee]

According to the school calander, the band plays every Friday and competes every Saturday, except for homecoming and one other day.

I hope they don't think we will be planning AROUND that! I can't even picture planning 'with' it.

[vpalango]

We had this case with a scout last year. The boy in question was in marching band, and essentially was tied up for every weekend through the summer and fall. Essentially, he didn't participate with the troop for the first half of the year. We welcomed him back just after Thanksgiving, and he decided this year not to continue with band, and he's our SPL.

Being flexible is what will keep the boys with us. Make sure they are having fun, and we'll keep the ones who really do have Scout Spirit. Some others we will loose, but like anything, our program will not the some boys choice, we just have to make it fun and rewarding for those that do choose it.

YIS

[lifescoutforlife]

Sports and scouts can go hand in hand. Every scout in our troop plays one to three sports every year and will miss meeting every now and again. As long as they are calling or finding out what is going on and making it to outing's or meeting's when they can they never miss a beat. Sometime's I wonder as a parent how I keep up with just getting them where they have to be let alone doing everything that they have to do. If they can do both at the same time cut them a little break if they have to miss out on a few things.

[momma_bee]

The thing that drives me up a tree is the parents who feel we need to plan around the activities.

Ok, I feel better now. I guess the view is OK from the tree. Good thing I've been safety trained and am properly secured and belayed.