Merit Badge Policies

[milominderbinder2]

This is the discussion for the Merit Badge Policies page on meritbadge.org.

Please help proofread the text by comparing it to your BSA Advancement Policies #33088 © 1989, 2007 Printing.

For a summary of the most common questions and answers, see the Merit Badge FAQ

- Craig

[mhjacobson]

There is a real problem with the comment regarding the extension for special needs scouts. There are two classes of special needs scouts:

1) those who are registered through a special needs unit -- these scouts do not need a formal request for extension they are registered with the council as special needs scouts and with severe to profound disabilities

2) those who are registered through a regular unit -- these scouts are not listed on their registration form as special needs scouts -- the unit leader will need to contact the council advancement committee for advice on how to get the age limit extended for the scout. Currently there is no form in place to use to request the age extension, the Taskforce on Scouting for Youth with Disabilities is looking into the problem. Currently a letter requesting the age extension, along with substantiating documentation, will need to be written by the parent, countersigned by the scoutmaster and committee chair, and submitted to the council advancement committee.

[milominderbinder2]

There is a real problem with the comment regarding the extension for special needs scouts. There are two classes of special needs scouts:

1) those who are registered through a special needs unit -- these scouts do not need a formal request for extension they are registered with the council as special needs scouts and with severe to profound disabilities

2) those who are registered through a regular unit -- these scouts are not listed on their registration form as special needs scouts -- the unit leader will need to contact the council advancement committee for advice on how to get the age limit extended for the scout. Currently there is no form in place to use to request the age extension, the Taskforce on Scouting for Youth with Disabilities is looking into the problem. Currently a letter requesting the age extension, along with substantiating documentation, will need to be written by the parent, countersigned by the scoutmaster and committee chair, and submitted to the council advancement committee.

While a Special Needs Scout may be in a typical unit or a special needs unit, there is only one designation of Special Needs.

In either type of unit, the same rules apply. The Special Needs Scout should be registered as special needs with the necessary documentation. In either case, a plan is developed for each individual Scout. There are no age limits for Special Needs Scouts. A few years ago, a special needs Scout earned Eagle at age 40 and was continuing on for his first palm.

For this reason, Time Extensions are not needed for Special Needs Scouts.

Let's continue this discussion of Special Needs in the Special Needs thread.

- Craig