Merit Badges

Two anonymous emails: (1) a membership chair worried about an overloaded, non-delegating Scoutmaster and a fraying program; (2) a new merit badge counselor asking about group instruction and how much guidance to provide — leading into an extended discussion on the merit badge industrial complex versus Baden Powell's original intent.

Three anonymous emails answered: (1) whether a pack should subsidize dues for a family that doesn't participate in fundraisers; (2) what constitutes improperly expanding merit badge requirements vs. enriching instruction, and Clarke's critique of merit badge classes; (3) how to select a new Scoutmaster from candidates, using Admiral Byrd's 1928 Antarctica peer-selection story as a model.

Five emails answered: Bill Chapman on merit badge classes; Mike Martin on getting patrols to cook their own food; Steve on debunking scouting urban legends; George on adult interference in senior patrol leader elections; Pete on losing scouts to another troop.

Rob Button (Troop 46, Fayetteville AR) asks about combining merit badges with high-adventure planning — Clarke explains the cart-before-the-horse principle; Rich Billion (Troop 298, Apple Valley MN) asks about implementing the patrol method and keeping older scouts engaged; anonymous question about who may legally sit on a board of review per the Guide to Advancement 2013.

Anonymous (scout reluctant to swim for First Class requirements); Gary Curry (patrol formation, permanence, and scout assignment to patrols); Katie from Sweden (resources for younger scouts and cub-age leaders); Wayne Nemeth (becoming a merit badge counselor and qualities of a good counselor); Alex Keenan (new scoutmaster struggling to engage a disinterested senior patrol leader).

Three anonymous emails: (1) a troop advancement chair troubled by a merit badge apparently signed off in one evening the night before a Scout turned 18; (2) a new troop asking who reviews what on an Eagle application, leading to discussion of Eagle board of review under disputed circumstances when a committee chair oversteps; (3) a Scouter uneasy about staffing a council event designed to sign off Scout skills outside the patrol context.

Frank Maynard and a Scoutmaster ask whether running merit badge workshops at troop meetings is a workable format; Clarke argues the independent process of earning merit badges is the primary benefit

Pete Rivers asks whether partial merit badge completions from summer camp can be signed off by someone other than a registered merit badge counselor. Clarke answers clearly: no — only a registered counselor may certify requirements.

Mark Bowie, Scoutmaster of Troop 531 in Orange, CA, asks Clarke's views on merit badge days — Clarke takes a balanced position, deferring to registered counselors and council advancement committees while acknowledging internal skepticism about rigor.

Mark Bowie, Scoutmaster of Troop 531 in Orange, CA, asks about merit badge days — Clarke argues scoutmasters should trust the merit badge system and not interfere with counselors.

Anonymous blog commenter who withheld a Merit Badge blue card; Clarke explains BSA policy that the Merit Badge counselor has final authority and scoutmasters should refer concerns to the District Advancement Committee.

Brian asks whether an advancement chair or Scoutmaster can reject a signed blue card if they suspect a Scout didn't complete merit badge requirements — Clarke says no, a signed blue card is final.

Assistant Scoutmaster Michael Vino of Troop 2000 in Brockton, MA asks which power tools Scouts are permitted to use and how this affects merit badge counseling.

Merit badge counselors — rules, registration, and requirements

Mark Bowie, Troop 531, Orange CA — asks about Merit Badge Days; Clarke's answer: the Scoutmaster sees only blue cards; counselor quality is a council advancement committee matter, not yours