What options are available?

[WeeWillie]

Everything that your son does toward his project counts towards hours. Fund raising is not an exception. If your son raised funds toward his project, I would expect to see the time spent writing thank you letters to the people / organizations that contributed. A Scout is Courteous.

If you drove him to meeting your time counts too!

[pipestone1991]

Seems like this has been going on forever, huh? First one thing than another. I remember when he got in 'trouble' for advancing too quickly and the leaders were concerned about a younger scout being a higher rank than some of the older scouts or scouts who had been with the troop for a long time.

And then there was the time he was blindsided and called into a meeting of adults leaders because they disapproved of him going to college at 12 and said he was setting himself up to fail, etc. Well, two years later at 14 he graduated with a dual associates degree and honors. Now, at 15 he's working part-time, taking 12 credits, involved with youth group, music, drama, scouts and is happy. He's been accepted into a university for fall and thus the reason he's trying to get his eagle project wrapped up before he leaves home.

WHAT!?

This troop is full of idiots. You can never advance too quickly.

While I thought I was young (at 16) when I started college (along with high school) 12 is very young. Howver, the SM /ASMs are in no way allowed to set up meetings like this. Some scouters........GRRRR!

[aflmom]

Well, I left a message for the CE and spoke with someone at district who was also going to check into it. According to the SM, the CE is pretty proactive so we'll see what happens.

I wouldn't call them idiots. They just approach things a little differently and perhaps not always by BSA rules.

[pipestone1991]

I wouldn't call them idiots.

I would.

They have no right whatsoever to interfere with a 12-year old (who is not related to them) about his education (especially when he is taking advantage of opportunities many would die for.)

[aflmom]

I wouldn't call them idiots.

I would.

They have no right whatsoever to interfere with a 12-year old (who is not related to them) about his education (especially when he is taking advantage of opportunities many would die for.)

In hindsight, our son commented (about 6 months after the incident), that he would have insisted the SPL be present if he had known. From the way it sounded, he handled himself great at the meeting and held it together until he came home and cried. Things that were difficult or bothered him at 12-13 are a piece of cake at 15. A few years along with more experience makes a big difference.

[pipestone1991]

From the way it sounded, he handled himself great at the meeting and held it together until he came home and cried.

Personally I would've switched troops the moment this happened (and reported this to council). Some scouters made an 11 year old cry....I think they don't deserve to hold their membership in the BSA. They are breaking MAJOR rules.

[Bill Pitcher]

This is totally wrong! All time raising money for materials, or seeking donations for materials, or seeking donations of materials certainly counts. Tell this advancement person to read the Advancement Guidlines book. Only raising pure money and giving it to some organization isn't allowed.

Someone needs to train your troop's or council's advancement committee!

[pipestone1991]

Someone needs to train your troop's or council's advancement committee!

I'd prefere to kick them out of scouting.

[Mrw]

Someone needs to train your troop's or council's advancement committee!

I'd prefere to kick them out of scouting.

If they are doing the wrong thing because they do not know any better, then training is appropriate. It is a far easier way to fix the problem than recruiting all new leaders would be.

[aflmom]

No one is calling be back from council or district.

I left a message with the CE last week and spoke with a person involved with eagle advancement last week from the office located in Tampa, Fl. I then left a message today with the next person in the chain of command (per the person who answered the phone). This was after I tried once again to contact the eagle advancement person I spoke with last week who said she would check into it and call me back.

Need I say I'm frustrated...

[wagionvigil]

In ALl honesty these people know the right way but are preferring to do it their way or the way the troop has always done it.

If they have not been trained then they do not belong in the positions they are in. I am for mandatory training. Take it or get out simple. Other organizations have mandatory training we need to put into effect and back it up.

[pipestone1991]

Someone needs to train your troop's or council's advancement committee!

I'd prefere to kick them out of scouting.

If they are doing the wrong thing because they do not know any better, then training is appropriate. It is a far easier way to fix the problem than recruiting all new leaders would be.

Any HUMAN would not make a 12year old cry.

[wagionvigil]

Hello I am the Attorney Representing (little Johnny) in his suit against (persons NAme).

Phone: 770-421-1601 This is the Number for the sounthern region BSA they are the Boss of your council. Rattle some doors.

[aflmom]

To be fair, they didn't 'know' they made him cry. I just went back and looked over my notes about the meeting on Nov. 2005. There were 3 adults and they grilled him for 1 1/2 hrs. One of the adults thought it was over, left, and when he came back made the comment, "Are they still beating you up?" My notes include everything he told me that was said. I didn't do it for documentation purposes, but I included it in a 'book' of his life experiences. Anyway, it's all water under the bridge. My main concern is finding out what the deal is with his eagle project and getting someone to call me back.

How does one go about becoming an independent scout? And if he did, how do we go about him having an eagle BOR? Can a conference call be set up for it? As the parent of an independent scout, would I be the one approving his project?

[pipestone1991]

To be fair, they didn't 'know' they made him cry. I just went back and looked over my notes about the meeting on Nov. 2005. There were 3 adults and they grilled him for 1 1/2 hrs.
1.They went way over the line, any real ADULT would have known that. You don't grill a 12-year old for something that isnone of there business.

How does one go about becoming an independent scout? And if he did, how do we go about him having an eagle BOR? Can a conference call be set up for it? As the parent of an independent scout, would I be the one approving his project?


2. I'm not sure he can become an independant scout if therfe is a troop in the area. The purpose of the program is for those who do not have a unit in there area and those living outside of the U.S.

[Hubert]

I do not think that adults should do this. Weather they are trained or not, I would not grill a youth for that long. If he really, REALLY messed up, it would only be for a short period. plus, if it was that bad, he would be removed from the program. I just htink that the common sense should have went off, being trained or not. You do not need to grill scouts.

[pipestone1991]

I do not think that adults should do this. Weather they are trained or not, I would not grill a youth for that long. If he really, REALLY messed up, it would only be for a short period. plus, if it was that bad, he would be removed from the program. I just htink that the common sense should have went off, being trained or not. You do not need to grill scouts.

Hub, read the posts.....he was grilled (at 12 and for 1.5 hours), for attending college early. the adults were out of line and should be kicked out of scouting.

[Hubert]

Exactly my point. Being trained has nothing to do with it. He is working on his future...isnt that what we want? Is to help provide a better future for the youth? Well, my question is what place does the troop play in this? Its his parents and his choice. I fail to see where the troop comes in.

[pipestone1991]

I fail to see where the troop comes in.

Exactly, this is the thing we don't need in scouting. That is, scouters playing god.

[John F.]

These adults need to remember this scout may be smart as a college kid, but he is still has the emotion of a 12 year old. He didn't need to be grilled for 1.5 hrs.