1st class scout quits, and rejoins-Merit badges still count?

[cinder]

Sorry for the goofy title, here's the scoop:

My 15 yr old son earned first class in his troop before deciding he wanted a break from scouting.

Now, two years later, he is considering rejoining.

Does he re-enter the troop as a first class scout? Would badges earned prior to his hiatis have the same value (towards higher ranks-Eagle in particular)?

Thanks for any insight....

[PaulSWolf]

Sorry for the goofy title, here's the scoop:

My 15 yr old son earned first class in his troop before deciding he wanted a break from scouting.

Now, two years later, he is considering rejoining.

Does he re-enter the troop as a first class scout? Would badges earned prior to his hiatis have the same value (towards higher ranks-Eagle in particular)?

Thanks for any insight....

Yes. Absolutely.

Specifically covered in Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures (33088):

Here's a direct quote:

Extended Absence from Scouting

Many times Scouts become active again after dropping from other units because of other interests, moving within the community, or relocating to another part of the country. Youth who were members of a "dropped" unit also may become active again.

A proper term for such a Scout is "separated-reregistered." When this happens, the tenure for a Scout's rank is often questioned.

Upon reregistration, the youth should assume the last attained rank verified by documentation from the council service center. His previous verifiable service time in that rank applies toward qualification for the next rank and should commence with his reregistration and with guidelines set down by his new unit leader.

Although it doesn't mention merit badges specifically, any he earned also count. (since for example, a Scout that dropped out after earning Life Scout rank would resume that rank upon re-registering, he would need the merit badges he had already earned to be entitled to be in that rank. Therefore it's obvious that the badges would still be his.)

[cinder]

Wow, Paul - THANKS !!!

I'd searched through numerous resources and did not find the answer!

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply!

Happy scouting!

[smtroop168]

Great that your son wants to rejoin!

Paul is correct in that he enters how he left...same rank, MBs etc. Hopefully he has retained his advancement information to crosscheck with the council's records. I'm not sure how good their archived databases are. The hardest requirement for me would be if he was in the middle of time for his POR for Star so a restart may be in order. I recommend he have a SM conference right after he rejoins to discuss his advancement status.

[evmori]

Yup. He can come back exactly where he left off.! Glad he wants to come back!

[Bill Pitcher]

Any blue cards that he has, for merit badges not completed, are in effect However, the MBC may require that they go over requirements completed, to make sure your son still remembers the material and it's been properly signed off.
Welcome back to the Scouting family. Hope he GOES ALL THE WAY!

[cinder]

Greetings All -

I just wanted to share that HE RE-JOINED !!

It's been three months, but I submitted the paper work this evening.

There's a merit badge fair this weekend, and he (on his own) went to meritbadge.org, printed out worksheets for three different badges (one of which is ER) and has worked on them for the past three nights!

I can say one thing for sure: GOD ANSWERS PRAYER




Hope y'all don't mind if I pick your brains as we travel down this road.....

Thanks for letting me share

[milominderbinder2]

He rejoined and we rejoice!

Good Luck!

- Craig

[lifescoutforlife]

Glad to hear he's back in scouting!!!!!