How to count community service hours?

[AquilaNegra2]

My boys have plenty of community service hours, but a few questions came up on how to count community service hours and I'm interested in hearing your responses.

Scout #1 lives 60 minutes from service opportunity A, a 60 minute project. Scout says he was told by forgetful ASM that his transportation could count or the smaller project wouldn't have been worth his parent's drive time.

Scout #2 is dropped off for what he is told is a six hour help with Eagle project preparations. It's slow going and they spend a lot of time talking, watching, and receiving instruction from the adult in charge, but not a lot of time actually doing the preparations. Adult says two hours' of credit; Scout says he was there the six hours and available, and should get credit the whole time.

Scout #3 volunteers at a BSA summer camp (no pay). Scout's actual work time is ten hours per day, but says he was available and on standby for another six hours per day.

None of these boys needs time for advancement; it's all toward working for community service-based awards.

[smtroop168]

My boys have plenty of community service hours, but a few questions came up on how to count community service hours and I'm interested in hearing your responses.

Scout #1 lives 60 minutes from service opportunity A, a 60 minute project. Scout says he was told by forgetful ASM that his transportation could count or the smaller project wouldn't have been worth his parent's drive time.

One hour. Scout makes the choice whether or not to help.

Scout #2 is dropped off for what he is told is a six hour help with Eagle project preparations. It's slow going and they spend a lot of time talking, watching, and receiving instruction from the adult in charge, but not a lot of time actually doing the preparations. Adult says two hours' of credit; Scout says he was there the six hours and available, and should get credit the whole time.

Eagle Project? Adult-in-charge? 6 hours

Scout #3 volunteers at a BSA summer camp (no pay). Scout's actual work time is ten hours per day, but says he was available and on standby for another six hours per day.

10 hours.

None of these boys needs time for advancement; it's all toward working for community service-based awards.

My opinion is "hands on time".

[wagionvigil]

My boys have plenty of community service hours, but a few questions came up on how to count community service hours and I'm interested in hearing your responses.

Scout #1 lives 60 minutes from service opportunity A, a 60 minute project. Scout says he was told by forgetful ASM that his transportation could count or the smaller project wouldn't have been worth his parent's drive time.

One hour. Scout makes the choice whether or not to help.

Scout #2 is dropped off for what he is told is a six hour help with Eagle project preparations. It's slow going and they spend a lot of time talking, watching, and receiving instruction from the adult in charge, but not a lot of time actually doing the preparations. Adult says two hours' of credit; Scout says he was there the six hours and available, and should get credit the whole time.

Eagle Project? Adult-in-charge? 6 hours

Scout #3 volunteers at a BSA summer camp (no pay). Scout's actual work time is ten hours per day, but says he was available and on standby for another six hours per day.

10 hours.

None of these boys needs time for advancement; it's all toward working for community service-based awards.

My opinion is "hands on time".

If scout #2 was told six hours he gets 6 hours.

[Mrw]

One hour, six hours, ten hours.

[Quailman]

My son participates in a challenger little league program that uses buddies to help the kids with disabilities in the field and dugout. They are expected to arrive at least 15 minutes before the game and stay after the one-hour (plus until the current team's at-bat ends) while the kids have sno-cones and other snacks. They each receive a certificate thanking them for three hours community service. They are generally there no more than two hours, but the field is at least fifteen minutes from anywhere. The buddy organizers give credit for travel time and round up to the next whole hour, because it's a big chunk out of a teenager's Saturday or Sunday.

So when these kids turn in the certificate to their Sudent Council/Honor Society/Scout Troop, they will get three hours credit. I'm in favor of allowing resonable travel time, but one hour each way for a one-hour project seems extreme.

[joat]

The correct answer may be found in the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Figure it out. Teach it to boys.

[Billiken]

The correct answer may be found in the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Figure it out. Teach it to boys.

well said.

[AquilaNegra2]

The correct answer may be found in the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Figure it out. Teach it to boys.

Not really helpful, joat, since each person is upright, trustworthy, and honorable; just sees from a different point of view.

Thanks for everyone's opinions. They mostly confirm my own.