Parent as counselor for certain merit badges

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Ruggie
Guest

Posted: 19 Jul 2004 11:59 pm Post subject: Parent as
counselor for certain merit badges

I know that as a parent i can be the merit badge couselor for
my son HOME REPAIRS MB (but cannot sign it off). What other
MBs does this rule hold?

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BM_Crawford
Life

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 20 Jul 2004 12:14 am Post subject:

I believe all. The reason for this is finding a merit badge
councilor in itself is a skill. It teaches kids how to call up
someone on the phone, set up appointments, and alot about life
in general. It is also very wise to have your son look for
councilors outside his own troop. Later on when it comes to
his BoR and Scoutmaster's conference they like it when a scout
has badges from outside the troop. Parents are not really
suppose to be the councilor for their own child because it
limits that experience.
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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optimist
Advancement Chairman

Joined: 27 Jun 2004
Posts: 146

Posted: 20 Jul 2004 08:14 am Post subject:

There is no rule in Scouting which limits any parent from
being a merit badge counselor for their own child as long as
they are a registered merit badge counselor in that subject.

That having been said, I personally believe it is preferrable
for a parent to avoid being a merit badge counselor for their
own child if other merit badge counselors are available.
Interaction between counselors and Scouts is an important part
of the learning experience and it's just not the same if the
counselor is your mother or father.

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ScoutmasterBob
Counselor

Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 79
Location: Woods Cross, Utah
Posted: 21 Jul 2004 03:23 pm Post subject:

As long as the parent makes sure all the requirements have
been satisfied, as they would for a Scout that was not their
son.

But there is nothing like that nerveous feeling you get in the
pit of your stomach just before you go see that MBC to pass
off a MB.
_________________
Bob Torkelson
Scoutmaster Troop 538
www.wx5troop538.homestead.com
Live The Oath!

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evmori
Tenderfoot

Joined: 06 Jul 2004
Posts: 13
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posted: 22 Jul 2004 10:37 am Post subject:

You can be a counselor AND sign off on your son's merit badges
as long as your son has met all the requirements for the
badge.
_________________
Ed Mori
Troop 1
1 Peter 4:10

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BM_Crawford
Life

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 22 Jul 2004 12:55 pm Post subject:

I dont think you should though. I think a policy should be
implimented banning that. Perhaps one merit badge per
parent/scout.
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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evmori
Tenderfoot

Joined: 06 Jul 2004
Posts: 13
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posted: 22 Jul 2004 01:25 pm Post subject:

Brian,
Actually in my Troop we do have a unwritten policy that a
parent will not be a merit badge counselor for their son(s).
The reason is in case anyone questions something, no one can
say "Dad/mom approved everything. Was it really done?"
_________________
Ed Mori
Troop 1
1 Peter 4:10

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BM_Crawford
Life

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 22 Jul 2004 03:21 pm Post subject:

I agree with that %100
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Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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Billvann
Second Class

Joined: 14 Jul 2004
Posts: 19
Location: McHenry, IL
Posted: 22 Jul 2004 03:27 pm Post subject:

evmori wrote:
Brian,
Actually in my Troop we do have a unwritten policy that
a parent will not be a merit badge counselor for their
son(s). The reason is in case anyone questions
something, no one can say "Dad/mom approved everything.
Was it really done?"

I urge my son to select others as a counselor to prevent any
presumption of favoritism as well as I think it is good to
broaden his perspective by working with other adults other
than me. But there are many merit badges for which I am the
only counselor in the troop. I could insiste that he search
for an out-of-troop counselor, but that's a bit harsh and
singles him out. I also know that I can do a good job as a
counselor and that HE will come away better for it, regardless
of what anyone else may want ti think or imply. I also insist
that he save all his paperwork from his badges, not just me,
so he has proof of his efforts towards earning any merit
badge. It also serves as a fine keepsake for 20 years hence.

I don't believe a carte blanche policy to prohibit parents
from being counselors would be wise. There are just not enough
qualified volunteers, especially in smaller communities where
this would not be practical. Besides, we are all on Scouts
Honor and any abuse would only be detrimental to our sons'
growth.
_________________
Willie Vannerson
ASM Troop 149
McHenry, IL

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Margaret Meck
Guest

Posted: 22 Jul 2004 04:44 pm Post subject: Parents as merit
badge counselors

Does anyone have any experience with accommodations for
special needs children? How do you handle the parent that
wants to go to the merit badge with a child and do the work?
Apparently there is no written guidelines from BSA.

Any advise that you can offer I would appreciate.

Margaret Meck
Committee Chair
Troop 241

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steelgirl
Tenderfoot

Joined: 02 Jul 2004
Posts: 10
Location: North Carolina
Posted: 22 Jul 2004 07:55 pm Post subject: Parent's as
Merit Badge Counselors

Well, when you have a troop of 20 scouts, it is hard not to
have a parent be a counselor for their own son for 2-3 merit
badges. What we discourage is All merit badges being done with
a parent as counselor. However, don't forget... for a parent
to become a merit badge counselor, they have to be approved by
the advancement chair and by the scoutmaster of the troop. So,
if the parent isn't qualified to counsel a particular subject,
don't let them.

I did Personal Management with a group of about 6 scouts, one
of whom was my son. I try to work with a group, when I do a
merit badge that my son will also do... such as Truck
Transportation. However, when we started on Family Life, I
made sure that another person also was a counselor for that
merit badge, and we worked it so we signed off on the other
person's son.

We try not to let any adult counsel more than about 6 merit
badges, and try to limit the number of Eagle Required to 2 or
3 at most. This means that you need an active Advancement
Chair and Committee Chair to round up merit badge counselors
within the troop family.

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steelgirl
Tenderfoot

Joined: 02 Jul 2004
Posts: 10
Location: North Carolina
Posted: 22 Jul 2004 08:02 pm Post subject: Parent's Doing
the Work / Special Needs Scouts

We do have a number of special needs scouts in our troop. One
thing that we do if the scout has trouble with the written
part of a merit badge AND they have defined special needs, we
will let them do part of the MB verbally. But, they have to
really do it (not their parent talking for them).

I had trouble with parent's sitting too close when I was
counseling for merit badges before Troop Meeting Time in the
troop Room. What I tried to do is to suggest that the parent
move to the next table over. And, if a parent comes to me to
say that their son did such and such on a merit badge, I will
say fine, have you son see me and we will discuss it. And I
have sometimes taken a parent aside (usually one of the
younger scout parent's working on their first merit badge) and
explained the role of the merit badge counselor and why the
scout needs to do their own work without the parent sitting
right there.

That be said, we all work and encourage our scout boys at home
to work on their badges, and help them find information on a
topic if they are having trouble locating what they need.
That, is like helping with homework. We can be a resource so
they can accomplish on their own.

Hope this helps!!

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kvd08853
Guest

Posted: 23 Jul 2004 09:41 am Post subject: Parents as MB
counselors

We too have the unwritten rule stating that parents should not
be MB counselors for their own sons, however, as the Troop
turns over, we've had to relax it somewhat as it seems less
and less people like to "help."

As the Scoutmaster, I always will work with my sons on the MBs
that I am a counselor for, but I ask them to get another
counselor to sign off that the requirements are completed.
Lessens the chance of showing favortism or any suspicions from
the Council Advancement committee when the time comes for
Eagle BoR.

Ken Van Dongen
SM, Troop 89, Hillsborough, NJ

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Guest

Posted: 23 Jul 2004 01:48 pm Post subject:

Steelgirl

Thank you for your response. I appreciate your insight. We are
more than willing to make accommodations for special need
scouts, but we are not sure at what point you ask the parent
to step aside.

Hopefully we can accommodate everyone!

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PaulSWolf
Tenderfoot

Joined: 06 Jul 2004
Posts: 12
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Posted: 24 Jul 2004 06:39 pm Post subject:

Here's the official rule from Advancement Committee Policies
and Procedures (33088D):

Quote:
There is no restriction or limit on the number of merit
badges an individual may be approved to counsel for, but
they must be approved by the committee for each specific
merit badge.

There is no limit on the number of merit badges a youth
may earn from one counselor.

An approved merit badge counselor may counsel any youth
member, including his or her own son, ward, or relative.

Paul Wolf

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ScoutmasterBob
Counselor

Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 79
Location: Woods Cross, Utah
Posted: 02 Aug 2004 03:45 pm Post subject:

Margret Meck Wrote
Quote:
Does anyone have any experience with accommodations for
special needs children? How do you handle the parent
that wants to go to the merit badge with a child and do
the work? Apparently there is no written guidelines from
BSA

I have done some limited research on your question about
Scouts with disabilities.
The only thing I have found so far is from the National
Website
www.scouting.org
And I really had to look for it. They said:
Scouts with special needs must earn as many merit badges as
possible towards the Eagle rank and then contact their local
council for a list of alternative merit badges for them to
complete.

I will do some more research on this subject, and will start
another discussion group in the advancement area under
foremost advancement about Scouts with disabilities.
_________________
Bob Torkelson
Scoutmaster Troop 538
www.wx5troop538.homestead.com
Live The Oath!

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wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 191
Location: PA
Posted: 02 Aug 2004 04:03 pm Post subject:

Although there are allowances for Special Needs Children they
must still Earn the MB themselves. There are alternate
requirements for some ranks and badges that you can get from
Mational. Recently I had a young man with No usable hands take
climbing MB. He did his three rappels and used his elbows to
do his climbs. Sometimes the only limitations on the boys are
what the parents put on them.
_________________
Action Center D Rappel Tower Director 2001 and 2005 National
Jamborees
Northeast REgion Area 4 Venturing Chairman
Wagion 6 Lodge Advisor 96-99
"If you ain't A bear you're a Meal"

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 02 Aug 2004 08:36 pm Post subject:

Wow. That's pretty amazing, waigon. I guess I really don't
have any excuses not to do some things...
_________________
John Baunach
Troop 42
"If it were easy, it would have been done before." -Jeana
Yeager, co-pilot of Voyager

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wagionvigil
Counselor

Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 191
Location: PA
Posted: 02 Aug 2004 08:48 pm Post subject:

When I hear someone say"I can't do that" My response is" How
Do you Spell Can't ?"W-O-N-'T"?
_________________
Action Center D Rappel Tower Director 2001 and 2005 National
Jamborees
Northeast REgion Area 4 Venturing Chairman
Wagion 6 Lodge Advisor 96-99
"If you ain't A bear you're a Meal"

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Kobalt
Star

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 98
Location: Louisville, KY
Posted: 02 Aug 2004 08:55 pm Post subject:

I guess you can pull in my quote I just put on my signature.

In case you didn't know, Voyager was the first non-stop flight
around the world. It was basically a flying tank of gas; it
took off on a 15,000 foot runway and only had 800 feet of
runway left before it finally left the ground.
_________________
John Baunach
Troop 42
"If it were easy, it would have been done before." -Jeana
Yeager, co-pilot of Voyager

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RWSmith
Counselor

Joined: 13 Jul 2004
Posts: 55
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posted: 03 Aug 2004 06:36 am Post subject:

All,

ScoutmasterBob has wisely started a new thread on the subject
of Scouts with Disabilities requirements and advancement. As
Bob said in his new post, the subject deserves it's own
thread.

If you have questions or answers about Scouts with
Disabilities or 'Special Needs'...

Please, click here:
http://www.meritbadge.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=103
_________________
Bob Smith, OA, NESA, DAV
ADC, Apache District

If you can read this, thank a teacher... If you can read it in
English, thank a Veteran.

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Guneukitschik
Life

Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Location: Waynesboro, PA
Posted: 05 Aug 2004 09:36 pm Post subject:

The only thing I would be concerned about is some parents seem
to be harder on their own child, therefore they may be
requiring the scout to do more than the stated requirements.

Parents as counselors can be a great asset to a troop.
Sometimes it is hard to find counselors for every merit badge
and any resource that is qualified is a good one!

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Lynda J
Scout

Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 6
Location: Texas
Posted: 12 Aug 2004 10:32 am Post subject:

I counsel and sign off on my son's badges. I do require him to
contact me in the same manner that other boys have to. He has
to call me and set a date to meet. I also require that he does
badges either with a buddy or as a group.

If we set a rule that did not allow parents to counsel their
own child we would cut the number of counselors available to
us. Our Troop split the badges up so we could cover more. I
took mostly nature and animal related while someone else took
business related. It give us the ability to cover more badges.

I grew up in Girl Scouts and my parents were the leaders.
Believe me I had to more than earn everything I earned. I
think that many times the children of leader parents have a
higher standard set for them just so other parents can't say
"well he is the leaders son and has an easier time".

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BM_Crawford
Life

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 12 Aug 2004 01:07 pm Post subject:

Thats true but there are too many parents who will just sign
off to get their kids through. Its happened before, even once
in my troop. Thats why we dont let parents sign off anymore.
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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Guneukitschik
Life

Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Location: Waynesboro, PA
Posted: 12 Aug 2004 02:15 pm Post subject:

I would have to agree that most parents are harder on their
own children than on other scouts.

There will always be someone handing out merit badges..... our
job as leaders is to try and recognize & put an end to it. but
there are too many good parent/counselors to justify not
allowing parent merit badge counselors.

What about a lone scout.....this may be the case where there
is no choice but to have a parent/counselor?
_________________
http://www.bsatroop88.org

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RWSmith
Counselor

Joined: 13 Jul 2004
Posts: 55
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posted: 12 Aug 2004 03:31 pm Post subject:

Lynda J wrote:
I counsel and sign off on my son's badges. I do require
him to contact me in the same manner that other boys
have to. He has to call me and set a date to meet. I
also require that he does badges either with a buddy or
as a group.

If we set a rule that did not allow parents to counsel
their own child we would cut the number of counselors
available to us. Our Troop split the badges up so we
could cover more. I took mostly nature and animal
related while someone else took business related. It
give us the ability to cover more badges.

I grew up in Girl Scouts and my parents were the
leaders. Believe me I had to more than earn everything I
earned. I think that many times the children of leader
parents have a higher standard set for them just so
other parents can't say "well he is the leaders son and
has an easier time".

You go girl.
_________________
Bob Smith, OA, NESA, DAV
ADC, Apache District

If you can read this, thank a teacher... If you can read it in
English, thank a Veteran.

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BM_Crawford
Life

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 12 Aug 2004 10:18 pm Post subject:

I am not saying that its bad but I think it should be done
sparingly and that scouts should try to look for other merit
badge councilors before there parents. Even when you call your
parents its still not the same as calling a complete stranger.

But I applaud what you do Lynda J and if you are going to be
the MBC for your son than that is most definately the way to
do it!!!!
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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Lynda J
Scout

Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 6
Location: Texas
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 02:11 pm Post subject:

There is a boy in our troop that we were not really sure he
had done all the requirements for the badge, but the counselor
had signed it off. No we can't keep him from getting the
badge. But it is also a badge that several of the other boys
need to be earning. We have set it up so that this boy has to
help teach the badge. He is learning a lot. We now feel
comfortable that he knows the material for the badge and it is
helping him learn to work with the younger boys.
We are actually thinking about having boys help with a merit
badge they have already earned.

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Guneukitschik
Life

Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Location: Waynesboro, PA
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 02:21 pm Post subject:

Our troop has found that works especially well for
orienteering and pioneering mb's.
_________________
http://www.bsatroop88.org

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Buffalo Bill
First Class

Joined: 15 Jul 2004
Posts: 54
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 02:24 pm Post subject:

When a boy comes to me for a blue card to work on a badge with
a parent I ask the parent if it would be possible for the
parent to teach another Scout or more in addition to the son.
Usually the parent is more than happy to help out. If not, I
ask if the boy can bring me a copy of the MB worksheet (from
meritbadge.com) for our records so we can reference it for
other boys.

B2
_________________
Bill Britt
Scoutmaster
Troop 509
Hurlburt Field, FL

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Guneukitschik
Life

Joined: 02 Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Location: Waynesboro, PA
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 02:29 pm Post subject:

That sounds like a good idea!
_________________
http://www.bsatroop88.org

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syck03
Scout

Joined: 13 Aug 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Wurzburg Germany
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 03:10 pm Post subject: Parents as Merit
Badge Counselor

Here's the official rule from Advancement Committee Policies
and Procedures (33088D):

There is no restriction or limit on the number of merit badges
an individual may be approved to counsel for, but they must be
approved by the committee for each specific merit badge.

There is no limit on the number of merit badges a youth may
earn from one counselor.

An approved merit badge counselor may counsel any youth
member, including his or her own son, ward, or relative.

I agree with this 100%. There is NOTHING wrong with a parent
teaching his son and signing off on merit badges as long as
the parent is a approved merit badge counselor.

Alot of the time merit badge counselor's for some merit badges
is hard to find.

I have been in Scouting a long time this comes up all the time
not just for merit badges but also for rank. It doesnt matter
who signs off as long as the scout has learned the
requirement.

In my troop(Troop 62 Wurzburg GE Military Base) we have have a
shortage of adults leaders. We are happy to have good merit
badge counselor or Asst. Scoutmaster. I care less if their son
in in their patrol and they sign there son's book.

More troops and scouts need to stop worrying about who signs
off.

Just though I would give my $0.02 If this offends you, You
will get over it.
_________________
Paul Syck Jr
Committee Chairman Troop 62
Asst. Scoutmaster Troop 62
Member Black Eagle OA Lodge 482

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BM_Crawford
Life

Joined: 12 Jul 2004
Posts: 131
Location: PA W/F Council
Posted: 13 Aug 2004 03:29 pm Post subject:

But you cannot ignore tha facts that contacting a MBC that is
not your parent is an important lesson in scouting itself. And
I HAVE seen situations where parents just sign off the
requirements for their kids on many different things. I've
seen it in Cub Scouts and I have seen it in Boy Scouts. I'm
not saying that MBC should be councilors for their kids I just
think it should be greatly limited with only a few merit
badges you can give your kids and then they should start
looking at other councilors.

Alot of parents who are councilors wont even let their kids
take more than one merit badge from them because they
understand that the experience of contacting someone els for
it is very important.
_________________
Brian Crawford
Troop 251

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[SLB1026]

What a great discussion! Being a MB counselor, and a mom of a scout, I personally do not see a problem with this. I think it takes away from the possible counselors. My husband was the cubmaster for 4 years, and I believe it was a llittle bit harder on my son, because of it. My son had a goal to get all of the Webelos pins, he achieved his goal. Not because he was the cubmaster's son, but because he did it on his own. I always made sure his den leader signed off his requirements, and that my son kept all the papers he wrote in his scout book, so that if anyone had a question, boom, there it was in black and white. We did however, have somewhat of a problem with 2 scouts wearing older brother's pins that they really didn't earn, but thought the pin looked cool. That was a really tough situation. I think parents at the Boy Scout stage would be a little more hesitant to just say...oh, you did it close enough, I'll sign off on it, especially if they are a MB counselor, and know that there own kid could take alot of heat....I think for the most part, people are pretty honest. After all, they do have to be approved counselors!

[syck03]

When I teach a Merit Badge and my son is taking it he does the same as everyone else. In my Troop there are very few Merit Badge Counselors. We are on a Military Base in Germany and people are moving all the time and it is hard to fing good leaders and when I find a good leader I care less about if they are signing their sons book ect.... I am not going to keep my son from taking a Merit badge just becouse a few people dont like it. Everyone needs to stop worring about what everyone else is doing and only worry about what they are doing and how they can make scouting better. Scouting is a great thing but it takes good leaders in a troop to make it run smooth.

Just My $.02 worth If this offends anyone you will get over it.

[SLB1026]

Kudos to you Paul! You are so right!

[BM_Crawford]

Yes but not ALL parents see it that way. I have seen first hand where a parent has signed off all the requirements up to First Class! I'm sure it has happened other times. As I said before the experience you get from calling someone els is a major part of the MB process teaching kids how to contact strangers and make phone arrangements. You just cant get the same affect with your old man.

Not only is this my opinion but I've gone through it all and know the experience. For alot of young people a phone call can be a big deal and it teaches them to get over it.

[syck03]

BM_Crawford, You are correct not all parents see it that way. But there still is nothing wrong if they do sign off.

[SLB1026]

Basically, there's not much you can do about people who will do anything to get by. That is something that will happen all through life...unfortunately! They may not realize it at the time, but they are doing themselves a HUGE disservice. As always, the scouts that do the work themselves will feel the most fulfilled.

[syck03]

In my 17+ years of Scouting I have seen this subject come up. People will never agree on this subject. We could talk about this for days. A leader is a Leader doesnt matter if his or her son in in the troop or not. The only dissirvice a leader can do is not treat his or her son just like any other scout in the troop. If the do the requirements you cant hold it against them if their parent sign off. If that was the case my son, who is a 1st Class Scout would still be a scout becouse I am also the Advancement Chairman for my Troop and I sign all advancements. Some people just dont understand how scouting is suppost to run. To many people want to make up there own rules.

If this offends anyone you will get over it.

This is a great subject to discuss. I am glad to see people who will.

[SLB1026]

Kudos once again Paul!!

[ICanCanoeCanU]

I completely agree with Paul!

[Guneukitschik]

I also agree....

I think some of it comes down to the fact that some parents are even jealous that the scoutmasters kid is actually advancing faster than their own kid.

[BM_Crawford]

Some people just dont understand how scouting is suppost to run. To many people want to make up there own rules.

I do believe this is more of a philisophical debate vs a debate on policies lets keep it to that thanks

[syck03]

BM_Crawford

I think you have it all wrong.

[BM_Crawford]

No actuall I do have some idea what I'm talking about I am an Eagle Scout and I have gone through the system.

Actually the entire way you present yourself is very uncurtious. I think you should rethink yourself before the next time you speak so you dont accidentally challenge the law again. Thanks.

[wagionvigil]

If you all remember I brougt up the subject about Troop Rules. The only set of rules that matter are the BSA rules. It says nothing in anything I have ever seen about parents not being permitted to sign off on Merit Badges that they are counselors for.I did it as a certified Aquatics director and as a certified Climbing Instructor. Your troop may have this "fake rule" but it is really not a rule and can be challenged. A big part of the problem is that councils are not willing to challenge these troops as they are afraid of loosing scouts. It can be the Camo thing or a rule that works against advancement or a rule that changes the OA election process. I feel sorry for any scout that comes from a troop that has fake rules. It really hold them back and is not scouting in any way.

[cballman]

Wagon you are right .but in our troop we state that any scout leader or first class scout or above can sighn off on any req. between scout and first class except the first aid and swimming req. and no parent can sign off on those req. because we have to many other leaders in the troop. now as a BSA certified lifeguard they make the boys come to me to do and sign off on the swimming req. for those ranks. now that is not 100% BSA rules but when you have parents that just give their kid all the cub scout badges and pins we cant help that but we can make sure that they earn the Boy Scout stuff. also just in case I am an Eagle Scout, a trained ASM, a roundtable staffer, this year a first time college of scounting teacher, and a friend to all scouts.

[BM_Crawford]

As I said before this is more of a philisophical debate than one of policy. I just believe that you shouldnt get alot of stuff done by your parents, I know its not a rule its my belief because the experiences you gain from contacting others.

[syck03]

BM_Crawford, In my 18+ years in scouting I have seen a lot . I have traveled all over the USA and Europe. I have been involved in scouting everywhere I go. First of all if you think I am uncurtious, you need to look at yourself first. I havent been uncurtious to anyone just read the rest of the post. I have seen alot in scouting I have seen a lot of scouts held back becouse of rules that troops have made. I dont challenge the rules that BSA have. I just follow the rules. I dont make up my own rules. I dont like people who try to make their oun rules in a troop. That is not fair to the scouts in the troop. If you dont agree that is you right, I dont care. As long as I am a Scout leader I am going to do what is right for my troop and all of my leaders will do the same. It also doesnt matter that you are an Eagle Scout or not that has nothing to do with what we are talking about. I have seen a lot of leaders that have been Eagle Scouts not follow the rules also. Why dont you do some traveling and visit some other troops and you will see what I am talking about. The last thing I dont challenge the scout law. " A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thriftly, brave, clean and reverent"
As I have said before "This is my $.02"