That’s right, stop doing requirements for ranks. Instead focus on doing the things Scouts do. What do Scouts do? Scouts go camping and while they are camping they- Cook the food that they selected, purchased and packed Light campfires Read More →
The Guide to Advancement 2011 is now available online with helpful internal links. There’s also a PDF version of the guide. Related resources at ScoutmasterCG First thoughts about the new guide and a Podcast on the subject Mandated Procedures, Recommended Practices Discussion with Read More →
I recevied this question recently via the website contact form. The email address given did not work so I am publishing the question and answer here. -Clarke I’m a assistant scoutmaster and was recently contacted Read More →
What follows is a collaboration between Larry Geiger and myself. Larry has a great deal of insight on why and how Scouting works; he sent me a couple of different writings and ideas and I saw some connections that Read More →
In ornithology ‘fledge’ generally means independence of the chick from parents; a young bird whose feathers and wing muscles are sufficiently developed for flight. Fledge is also a term that describes raising a young bird. Ornithologists apply the term Read More →
I heard somewhere that a Unit Commissioner read the new Guide to Advancement and said: ’Council and National expect us to set requirements for being active and if they eventually find them too strict OR Read More →
The National Outdoor Awards program recognizes Scouts for some above-average participation in challenging outdoor activities. A combination of merit badges, rank, and activities qualify Scouts for hiking, aquatics, camping, adventure and riding awards. Has anyone Read More →
Here’s what makes an Eagle Scout; A Scout completes the requirements as issued by the B.S.A. and is approved by a duly constituted board of review. That’s it. So what about those oft discussed and argued qualities like Read More →
My son passed his Eagle board of review in late September and I was invited to join the district advancement committee to review Eagle projects in mid-October. A few days later, the new advancement book Read More →
In my work with our local planning commission we are charged with interpreting and applying standards in the Zoning code. These interpretations often turn on little words; in fact one becomes adept at finding the little words Read More →
The new Guide to Advancement repeatedly emphasizes that we are charged with helping individual Scouts succeed. Mentoring, coaching, advocating for the Scout, establishing and defining reasonable expectations are all aspects of Scoutmastership the guide mentions again Read More →
MyRoadToEagle.com is a free internet advancement tracking website designed by a current Scoutmaster. There are a lot of ways to track advancement online and with smartphone apps but MyRoadToEagle.com has the best graphic interface I have seen Read More →
A significant addition the new Guide to Advancement walks us through the sometimes thorny issue of evaluating active participation. I have struggled at times, as have many of us, with judging how to interpret this requirement. Read More →