Every situation is different. Whether you are new to Scouting or you have been involved for a while, sometimes it is helpful to get input from other Scouters. We are here to help each other.
A number of readers have asked questions about a variety of situations in their units. You might find the answers helpful.
Remember that your local council and the Scouters in your district are usually the best people to ask. But if you want to do a little research first, then check out this list below.
A reader asks "I have quite a number of different little patches that I would like to give out to my scouts. Is there a list with pictures of what these different patches would be awarded for? "
The adults involved are very enthusiastic, which is great, but they tend to talk over the kids and take over the meetings. Some of the adults are keeping the kids form running the meetings successfully.
A reader is involved in a large troop, but due to low participation from scouts it is difficult to have patrol leader elections and a youth led program.
A reader asks a question about how many meetings are required to cover First Responder: " I have a parent who’s trying to tell me it can be done in a 1 hr trip to our local fire station. I’m thinking it should take about 5 meetings or a good the better part of a Saturday. " I think the answer might be somewhere in between.
A reader is looking for a tool to determine if an activity in the community corresponds/matches-up with a requirement toward an Activity Badge for Webelos.
Nancy sent in this question: "I would like ideas for a winter camp that we either play inside or outside in the snow at a cub camp with 3rd year Beavers."
All Tiger Cub activities are to be done with an adult partner. The adult partner can be a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc. I've even had a college aged sibling do activities with Tiger Cubs.
A reader asks " We are planning my son's Eagle COH and he also recently earned his Venturing Ranger Award. The Crew Leader has agreed to award this during his COH but I can not find any type of "script" for the Ranger Award for the Crew Leader to use. Any suggestions? " First of all, congratulations to your son. Eagle and Ranger! That's a special accomplishment.
Reader Shelley asked "I'm a new Troop Committee Chair and was wondering if anyone has some great questions that they ask their Scouts during their Board of Reviews?" Sometimes committee members struggle to come up with good Board of Review questions.
For requirements, the Scout must do the requirement as written. The Advisor, consultant, merit badge counselor, etc interprets those requirements to the best of their ability to ensure that the Scout fulfills them. They may not add to or subtract from the requirement.
A reader's son doesn't want to continue in Scouts BSA: "I have tried to make it sounds really cool, he's got friends moving up and friends in a troop now but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I can't force him so am I doomed to this disappointment?"
A reader asks about service projects which can be done with social distancing. I can think of lots of possibilities, but two of my favorites are freezer meal outreach and yard work for the elderly.
A reader asks "My cubs earned the Cub Scout World Conservation Award as Bears. In June we will be Webelos and part of our den program this year is to offer the Nova Wild program. Do they need to earn the CS World Conservation Award again or can the award they have earned be applied to this Nova program? We have not applied the Conservation Award to any other Nova Programs." Add your comments.
What type of shirt do female den leaders wear? (yellow or tan)I want to get a shirt to wear so my Webelo Scouts understand and take pride in the uniform.
How do you do Cub Scout genealogy requirements when you have children from non-traditional families who may not know who their grandparents or even parents are?
A reader asks about the Backpacking merit badge "I understand that the purpose of the backpacking merit badge is to learn backpacking skills, but where does it say that they had to backpack every single day of those 5 days? They were already in Philmont, backpacking and staying in tents. I think the counselor is missing the point of the requirement and adding more to it. "
A reader's troop is handing out mothers ribbons to some of the moms at a Court of Honor. How should this be handled since not every mom paid for a ribbon.
Aaron sent in this question "I am looking for ways to welcome Webelos into Scouts BSA at Pack Meetings, any ideas? Like a cross over, but not as formal."
A reader asks about being youth-led when all of the Scouts have no previous experience. "The girls have tried, but without experienced scouts in leadership positions to model how to plan a scouting year, run troop meetings or plan a trip, and troop trainers to instruct new scouts in camping skills, like established troops have, things have come to a stand still. "
A reader asks "Curious as to what others had done for the putting on a carnival (Bear Requirement for Grin & Bear It). Any ideas would be appreciated!"
A reader asks "Our den leader does 90% paperwork and talking at den meetings on the items in the handbook. Is this they way it is or are there other packs and dens that do hands on activities to accomplish same goals? "
In many pack traditions, the Blue and Gold banquet is not just a celebration of Cub Scouting, but also a sort of awards banquet. But this can be a problem since it falls in February while there are still several months left in the program year. I
Scott sent in this question: My son is home schooled and has to do the requirement for second class 9a. The drug awareness part. do you have any suggestions on what he can do to meet this requirement?
During a Scoutmaster conference for the rank of Life, a Scoutmaster is requiring a Scout to answer questions from earlier ranks and merit badges, erect a tent, fold a tarp without wrinkles, keep track of paperwork and badges, plus other things. But a Scoutmaster may not add or take away requirements for advancement.
Beth asked, "I realized once again that, as proud as he is to wear the uniform at a Scout function, he still feels uncomfortable wearing it in public. I have seen this with many other boys as well. Has anyone else noticed this trend, and what can be done? These guys are the future of our country and doing great things everyday, and yet the cool factor is just not there."
What does the fleur de lis symbolize in Scouting? A reader asks if it is appropriate to give a fleur de lis plaque to a Cub Scout who has earned his Arrow of Light but is not continuing in Scouts BSA.
Reader question: There is a cub in our pack that has no interest in the outdoors. He and I were talking about our upcoming family camp and he is dreading it. How can I help get him interested in being outdoors?
An unusal question: "Hi, my son is up for an eagle BOR very soon, and I was wondering what type of questions they ask parents. I was informed the scout steps out of meeting while the reviewers ask parents questions. "
A reader asks if Scout skills can only be learned at Scout events. While this is typical, if a Scout learned the skill elsewhere and can fulfill the requirement then it should be signed off.
Rev. Jim sent in this question: "I was asked for do prayers for two cub scout packs for their Blue and Gold ceremony o the Crossover. where would I find appropriate Prayers. Thank you." Thanks for the question, Rev. Jim. Since Cub Scouts should be familiar with the Scout Law, I suggest you use a prayer based on it.
Heather's son wants to earn all of the merit badges. She is looking for a list of similar badges to help him along. I know it is difficult, but I recommend that you as a parent try to stay out of this process as much as possible.
Can a troop place requirements on how a Board of Review must be requested? For example, can a troop require that the Scout request the BOR by phone rather than in person?
Debbie asks if winter camping is appropriate for Cub Scouts. The age-appropriate guidelines provide some insight. But how cold is too cold for Cub Scouts?
Kathy asks if a fifth grader who did not earn the Webelos badge can earn the Arrow of Light. Yes he can. The Webelos badge is not required for the Arrow of Light.
A Wolf den leader asked a question about how to fulfill the Footsteps of Faith requirement. She wanted to take her Wolves to a Buddhist temple in the neighborhood so they could learn about a different faith, but the Cubmaster objected. What do you do when the Cubmaster is opposed to the location you want to visit?
Reader Beth asked "Should I do a Broken Arrow Ceremony for boys who have just come into Scouting in Webelos 1? I did one when the other boys earned the Bear in the Spring, but now I have 3 new boys."
A reader asks about unit finances: "My boys just joined or local pack in our area last August. This pack has like 60 kids. The 1st thing I noticed was that everything was very very unorganized, but I didn't want to be one of those parents that gripes and does nothing. So I took a seat on the committee as the Fundraiser chair. Since doing that I have witnessed some things that are disturbing to me and I know cant be right...."
I received this question from a reader: Hello, Is camping over night with a scout troop, a "must" for Webelos for the Arrow of Light badge? If they just participate in scout led activities during the day, is that enough? Thanks !
A reader is looking for a gift for someone in the Scouting unit who loves Star Wars. I was asked for suggestions, so here are some in a wide range of prices.
This question was sent to me by reader Barbara:It has come to my knowledge that one of my boys (Webelos) is being bullied in school. Now, one of my new recruits is one of the bulliers. I would like to do a den meeting on bullying awareness. Maybe you can be of some help. Thanks.
Reader Robin sent in this request: I am working on a project to help get our new moms more involved. I would like to hear from new moms or even those who have been in scouting for a while.
A reader asks about adults on campouts: "Is this allowed? 9 adults for 19 Scouts? ... I feel uncomfortable that this might turn into an adult hangout." Thanks for the question. I think the answer is ... "it depends".
A reader asks "The fun is gone. I know Scouts BSA is different than Cubs, but is it supposed to be no fun? Is there a suggestion I can take to the Scoutmaster that might help him keep these boys interested?"
A reader asks: Do you happen to have an award check list like your Merit Badges? I love your format and would love to either have or put together a template.
I often get emails recommending one summer camp or another. While I cannot personally visit each of these camps to review them, I'd like to give readers the opportunity to recommend camps to other Scouts and Scouters. So here is your opportunity. Just post your recommendation in the comments below.
If you look at the list of positions which can be used to meet the position of responsibility requirement for Star and Life, you will see that assistant patrol leader is not listed there.
A reader asks "Our cubmaster refuses to do Blue and Gold before Aug. Technically the new year starts June 1st...shouldnt these kids earn their advancements prior to then?" Cub Scouts should be presented their ranks as soon as they earn them. There is no need to wait for the Blue and Gold banquet.
A Wolf den leader is seeking feedback about being asked to stay with the Wolf den next year instead of continuing with her son's den when they move to Bears.
A reader asks " We have kids of different faiths and some atheists in our pack. Do you have a good list of non-religious questions for the duty to God requirements?"
A reader is asking for ideas for the troop's 85th birthday party. I suggest classic birthday party games with a Scouting twist. Get the youth leadership involved and you will have more ideas than you have time for.
Mike wrote to me with this question about Cub Scout recruiting. Could a local mom-to-mom Cub Scout recruiting program get more families into Cub Scouting?
A mother asks " I understand that I cant do his next advancements until after May graduation BUT can I keep doing electives and getting credit for them?"
A reader asks "For Scouts BSA, can the same meeting fulfill both requirements for the communication merit badge and the citizenship in the community? Or do they have to be separate meetings? " The answer can be found in the Guide to Advancement.
A reader asks "This past week I was lucky enough to have two more boys join our Den. How would you go about getting the new boys up to where they need to be without repeating/boring the original four?"
Are you sending your son or daughter to Scout camp? If so, you can send a little care package to help remind your youngster that you are thinking of him or her. Here are some Scout camp care package ideas.
A reader has been told that the role of the pack committee chair is only to handle the recharter. Normally a pack committee chair would do much more than just fill out some paperwork each year.
A parent is looking for information about the requirements for Bobcat for his new Cub Scout, especially examples of the Scout sign, the handshake, and the "How to Protect Your Children" pamphlet..
A reader asks "Our Webelos are crossing over to Scouts BSA and I was trying to think of a project for the tiger cubs to make or do for the boys crossing over? Just so that the TC can be a part of the excitement. Any ideas?"
A reader recently wrote to me with this question about recognizing Eagle palms: "My son is about to get his 17th Palm before he turns 18. Is there some type of ceremony to recognized this similar to the Eagle COH?"
A reader asks about who plans Cub Scout Pack activities. "Isn't it the responsibility of the committee to plan the year, and the Cubmaster to execute?" Ideally, the committee chair would work cooperatively with the Cubmaster, the activity chairs, and other committee members.
Jen asks a question about adult leader succession. What do you do when it is not clear? What if issues such as "its always been done that way" and hesitance of new leaders arise?
Raquel sent in this question: "My Pack has moved to a new sponsor and we would like to retire the old pack flag that represents our old sponsor. Are there any ceremonies for retiring a sponsor Cub Scout pack flag?"
A reader asks about how many requirements must be done at the first Tiger meeting. If you feel like you have too much material for one meeting, split it into two.
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Connect with
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
