Eagle94-A1

Sometimes there are situations where a specified parent's time is SUPERVISED (emphasis) and they are not to be alone with the child. Judge was shocked when I as a teenager requested supervised visitation for my father. To all outside appearances, he was a nice normal person and not the physically and mentally abusive individual my siblings and I knew. My request was granted, and thankfully he never tried to force me to visit. We have one Scout whose mom can only have him in a supervised situation. Not going into details, but it was over 10 years before she was finally able to see him, and it was at the grandparents house.

I was in a similar situation when I was a Cub Scout Day Camp program director. Mom was on the not to pick up section of the health form we received prior to day camp. The parent/guardian told us they wanted her banned from camp, and they told us about the court order. I told the parent/guardian that until we had a copy of the court order, we could not ban her from camp, just from picking up. Next day, we got a copy of the court order, and the key staff was notified. This was something we did not want broadcasted everywhere per request from parent/guardian. Since everyone needs to check in and get an ID badge, the thought was we would catch her if she showed up. Thankfully she didn't show up. I would have a discusion with the camping director and/or SE.

If the Scout Shop is any indication, they either are, or will be discontinueing the program as those medals are on sale. That doesn't happen unless they discontinue something and trying to get rid of them. https://www.scoutshop.org/national-medal-for-outdoor-achievement-610646.html

There is an approval process for Eagle. First there is the BOR. Once that is completed and signed off, then it goes to council and national. The purpose of that is to review records and make sure everything in is order on the council level, and pro forma at National. If the council is sayin no, something may be wrong regarding the records, and a simple updating of the records may work. I know of 2 cases where the council either had the wrong dates for the various ranks (my case) or had incomplete records ( one of my Eagles) I was denied my Eagle after the BOR until I was able to submit my handbook with all the signatures which updated the records. My Eagle was able to submit copies of his handbook, as well as advancement reports to update the council's records. A more serious problem which happened this year to one of my Eagles. His entire Eagle project book and application was "not turned in" after the board of review. We discovered this 3 months after the fact when I inquired for him. Thankfully, the district advancement chair requires 3 copies of the Eagle application ( Scout copy, unit copy, and council copy) and 2 copies of the service project book (Scout copy and council copy) so that the Eagle was able to resubmit the completed paperwork. How old was he when he had his Eagle Board of Review? It sound like he had the BOR when he was 18 years, 4 months. If that is the case, He would be ineligible for an Eagle BOR without NATIONAL (emphasis) approval. That happened to one of my Eagles. He was unable to get an EBOR before 18 years, 3 months due to boot camp. He was 18 years, 3 months and 1 day old. Came straight home from boot camp to the EBOR only tpo be told he missed it by a day. He had to appeal to national, get approval, and then conduct the EBOR. He earned Eagle, but never had an ECOH because by the time everything was done and approved, he went active duty. Sounds like a paperwork issue on the council level is the problem. Your son should have received a letter why his Eagle was not approved and the process to appeal it if that is the case. I'd start calling council.

Is the Court of Honor, the ceremony celebrating the the accomplishment, being denied, or the Board of Review, the meeting that reviews the Eagle Candidate's requirements and awards the actual Eagle Scout rank being denied? If it the Board of Review that is being denied, there is a process to called "Initiating Eagle Scout Board of Review Under Disputed Circumstances" that the district/council will have to become involved with. If it is the actual Court of Honor Ceremony, different units do different things. As Q noted, some units have it all on the Eagle and his family. Others take full responsibility. Some units do them as part of regular COHs. Some do special Eagle COHs as needed. And some units only do 1 Eagle COH a year and celebrate all of that year's Eagles at one time.

You don't mean the survey where 16% disagreed with removing time requirements for Palms and 78% STRONGLY disagreed with removing time requirements? And while we are on surveys. What about the survey results on the membership policy changes 5 years ago? Slight majority opposed those changes. BUT why wasn't Western Region's LDS members' vote counted in the results? I'm sure that an overwhelming majority of members disagreed with those changes. And why did National unveil the "Family Scouting" member Town Halls with such short notice, and limited the member surveys to those who attended? And why have those results of the members surveys NEVER been published publicly? @RichardB can you see why those of us in the ranks are not happy with national? As to your survey, YES and YES YES and Yes YES and only the stuff relevent to program. Lots of the stuff is fluff, and one entire issue, the family camping issue, IMHO had no reason for being published. Yes MEMBERS AND THEIR PARENTS SHOULD GET LETTERS AND?OR EMAILS! Not everyone is a Scouting junkie.

I complained to my SE when the rules first came out. He was one of the good ones and went up the food chain to National to find out why. The rules are based upon DOL and OSHA laws, and were implemented at the request of one non-profit that BSA does work with. If memory serves, it is Habitat for Humanity that requested we follow these rules when working with them. For whatever reason, National decided to implement them in the G2SS. Agree 100%.

Sorry, I left a lot of details missing on the camporee situation. Mom was there and fishing too. So all three of them were fishing, not just him and his son. I've been in the situation before, i.e. 2 events at the same time, and have gotten the wife to help out so I could keep the commitment. If the wife wasn't there, I could understand a little better. And I can understand medical emergencies. Guy who scheduled the Cub event had one and was not present. Also another staffer was in the hospital, and his display had to be cancelled. Thankfully I found out in advance, and was able to change things last minute. Dad also didn't do everything that he agreed to do. He was suppose to arrive early the day before to set up a bunch of different exhibits. Instead he showed up with the troop that nite. Set up was done by the replacement during the scheduled activity. Some of the things that were suppose to be done were not. And so patrols didn't see much of anything when they showed up. I overheard one PL telling another that the display was cancelled because nothing was there. Another detail left out was the person he got was suppose to help run another event. That event was short staffed as a result, and had lines waiting. In fact, they had to send people away in the morning because there was too many folks. So while he didn't leave me in a lurch, he did cause headaches and complaints as a result. And then the straw that broke my back was him complaining about where I put him and how not many showed up in the afternoon. I politely told him that A) Thaat was why I did not want to place him in the location he requested, and wanted to put him in a more visible one and B) since the display was not set up at the start of activities, groups that went there thought it was cancelled and the word was spread. So those are some of the reasons I just don't rely on him anymore.

Update. Meeting with the MC and Scout didn't take place. Another issue from summer camp, one that everyone thought resolved, took precedence and lasted all nite. Going to be a long week.

No medical reasons for him staying with dad. And the kid is not afraid to camp, but is afraid to sleep away from dad. We have one Scout with a medical condition already. No one, except the Scout himself, has a problem with him sleeping with dad. That Scout is working on independence from dad, and was in his own tent the entire week of summer camp. Precautions were made, and dad was in a tent next to him. But That Scout is slowly getting independence. As for abandoning his buddies, yes. This past week, he abandoned his buddy. Previous camp outs he has abandoned anywhere from 1 to 2 Scouts, and in one case his entire patrol as they built a group shelter.

My wife "forced" me to go to summer camp with the oldest the first year, and is forcing me next year with the youngest. I've mentioned the Scout with the medical condition previously. He cannot camp unless dad is with him. And we have one other mom who forces dad, who is currently a MC and working on becoming an ASM, to go camping. Difference is that medical dad does not interfere and lets son do what he is suppose to do. Other dad went to camp, took classes, and only took pictures while at camp. He pretty much left son do his thing, and he did his. There is no bullying, and it seems as if the parents are not letting their son fly. I believe the SM was pressured by the parents to let him have a BOR for Second Class, and he gave in. Currently I am an ASM. And I did try to discuss the matter with the dad twice. First time dad dind't say a word, and it went in one ear, out the other. The second time dad got defensive and threatened to leave with his son and family. This was at the camporee I was running, and he was suppose to run one of the key events at the camporee .I walked off since I had bigger issues to deal with at the camporee. I brought the matter to the other Scouters in the unit, and they thought it was no big deal. If I would have known he was going to skip out 1/2 the day like he did, I would have told him to leave. That is what I am trying to do. But the problem seems to be getting worse. That family keeps coming on camp outs. And the troop is not doign a camp out next month. Instead a "group of families" are going whitewater rafting. This was something the Scouts picked to do, and was turned into a family event. While my middle son would love to go, he when he was told it's family event, he decided not to go. And there are others who want to go, but because it is a family camp out and a parent needs to go, they cannot go. And then there is the issue of dad and son staying in a hotel one night during summer camp with mom and little brother. Funny idea popped into my head of doing a lost camper drill next time this happens. wake up the entire troop and send out search parties to look for him.

Challenge is that dad not only does not help, but encourages the boy sneaking out of the tent and sleeping with him. One time I tried to talk to the Scout into going back to his survival shelter instead of abandoning his patrol mate in the next shelter. dad sat there, didn't say a word until I commented that the trip would not count towards advancement. That got dad's dander up. That episode led to other Scouts congregating around the MC and his son that weekend. On another trip, when the son sneaked out, he point blank stated to the Scouters there that if his son wanted to sleep in his tent he would not talk him out of it. I should add, this is the same family that on several occasions showed up with their Tiger and camped with the troop. Tiger has been a distraction and has interfered not only with the patrol in the troop, but other troops as well as since he was not supervised.

DON'T. GO. THERE! I had to tell my district commissioner that according to council, he was untrained. This is the guy who not only taught commissioner service courses at the UoS, but taught commiser service at Philmont several years.

That is a question for the SM as he is the one who signed off on it. Unfortunately in my troop only the adults and JASMs can sign off, not PLs or SPL. And the ASM responsible for the Scout;s patrol is the summer camp SM, and did not realize he is 2nd Class. I think that is one of the issues to be discussed. I told the SM my concerns regarding the Scout tenting with him and the MC's reliability when someone id depending upon him. At camporee, he was suppose to set up and run an event for me all day. Instead he got someone else to run the event while he went fishing with his Cub Scout son. He committed to running the event 6-8 months prior to the camporee. The fishing derby was announced the week before, and over the camporee chiefs objections. And as I have mentioned, he has left early from camp outs in the past. IMHO, I cannot rely on him.

SM and ASM at camp will be having a talk with them. Both are on the record as being for "family friendly," but I think they are now seeing the disadvantages of such a policy. I hope the adults buckle down and get with the Boy Scout program. He's afraid. Heck he had his entire patrol in one shelter, and dad still had to sit outside the shelter. I was told by another adult that the entire family still sleeps in one room at home, but that is hearsay. Under the new Youth Protection guidelines, making fun of the scout would be considered peer to peer abuse, and would have to be reported to national and the local council. Seriously, nothing is being said to him directly as far as I know. Part of that may be the Scout with an actual medical condition, the one who IS slowly getting away from day because he HATES not being with his buddies. Part of it may be that 1/2 his patrol came from the same den, and they are use to the dad doing this. part of it may be that he is sneaking in so late at night, some of the others do not notice. But I know several Scouts are extremely angry about the situation since he is Second Class, and they feel he has not truly earned it. They feel he was rewarded for his behavior and do not want him in their patrol. Summer camp SM was surprised when I reminded him he is Second Class. Another ASM, the one who organizes HA trips has stated he will not be coming on any of his treks until he can camp without dad.

I was not at summer camp the entire week, just the last night since I was picking up Scouts. But I had a chat with the Acting SM about incidents that happened this week regarding one of the helicopter parents. This is the one who allows his son to sneak into the tent with him. Dad who is a MC, allowed his son to sneak into his tent the entire week they were in tents. Then both of them went off site one nite to stay in a hotel. This is the Scout who has been in the troop over a year. All of the camp outs he's been to he has either A) snuck out and slept with dad, B) had dad stay outside his tent until he fell asleep, or C) whined and left early. SM has had 2 conferences with the Scout in regards to the matter for Tenderfoot and Second Class. Scout was suppose to stop the matter, and it was after the 2nd Class SMC that the dad stayed outside the tent. Since being given Second Class, he has continued to sneak in or whined about the camp and left early. And then both of them left to stay overnite in a hotel. They didn't tell anyone they were doing this until they had arrived at the hotel. Mom and Cub brother showed up early for Family nite at camp. Apparently they got a hotel room nearby. When they had to leave, they went to the hotel instead of driving 4+ hours home. Understandable, but the dad and Scout should have remained at camp. I've commented on the problem in the past and have gotten little to no support on the matter from the other adults. I've even caught hell on the topic when I mentioned that camporees are Boy Scout events, not family events, and only Webelos would be allowed. I was told the troop is "family friendly." But one of the ironies from this week is the person that made the comment is the acting SM from summer camp. I think he is slowly seeing how family camping is causing problems to the patrol method. Another irony, one I am proud of, is the Scout with the documented medical condition. This is the Scout who must have a parent with him just in case. For a year, he was sleeping in dad's tent in case of an emergency. Last camp out the troop went on, he stayed his with his patrol mates! Then for summer camp, he stayed in a tent with another patrol mate! Grant you dad was in the next tent over. But this Scout is slowly getting what he wants; independence.

Now that Scout is a rank and they "5. Demonstrate your knowledge of pocketknife safety." I woul dhave them do a quick review. But I know some troops automatically award Scout rank at cross over because all the requirements for Scouting Advenutre coincide with Scout rank. Arrow of Light Adventure: Scouting Adventure Complete the following Requirements. Prepare yourself to become a Boy Scout by completing at least a-c below: Repeat from memory the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. In your own words, explain their meanings to your den leader, parent, or guardian. Explain what Scout spirit is. Describe for your den leader, parent, or guardian some ways you have shown Scout spirit by conducting yourself according to the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. Give the Boy Scout sign, salute, and handshake. Explain when to use each. Describe the First Class Scout badge, and tell what each part stands for. Explain the significance of the First Class Scout badge. Repeat from memory the Pledge of Allegiance. In your own words, explain its meaning Visit a Boy Scout troop meeting with your parent or guardian and, if possible, with your den members and leaders. After the meeting, do the following: Describe how the Scouts in the troop provide its leadership. Describe the four steps of Boy Scout advancement. Describe ranks in Boy Scouting and how they are earned. Describe what merit badges are and how they are earned. Practice the patrol method in your den for one month by doing the following: Explain the patrol method. Describe the types of patrols that might be part of a Boy Scout troop. Hold an election to choose the patrol leader. Develop a patrol name and emblem (if your den does not already have one), as well as a patrol flag and yell. Explain how a patrol name, emblem, flag, and yell create patrol spirit. As a patrol, make plans to participate in a Boy Scout troop’s campout or other outdoor activity. With your Webelos den leader, parent, or guardian, participate in a Boy Scout troop’s campout or other outdoor activity. Use the patrol method while on the outing. Do the following: Show how to tie a square knot, two half hitches, and a taut-line hitch. Explain how each knot is used. Show the proper care of a rope by learning how to whip and fuse the ends of different kinds of rope. Demonstrate your knowledge of the pocketknife safety rules and the pocketknife pledge. If you have not already done so, earn your Whittling Chip card. Scout Rank Requirements All requirements for Scout rank must be completed as a member of a troop or as a Lone Scout. If you already completed these requirements as part of the Webelos Scouting Adventure, simply demonstrate your knowledge or skills to your Scoutmaster or other designated leader after joining the troop. Repeat from memory the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. In your own words, explain their meaning. Explain what Scout spirit is. Describe some ways you have shown Scout spirit by practicing the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. Demonstrate the Boy Scout sign, salute, and handshake. Explain when they should be used. Describe the First Class Scout badge and tell what each part stands for. Explain the significance of the First Class Scout badge. Repeat from memory the Outdoor Code. In your own words, explain what the Outdoor Code means to you. Repeat from memory the Pledge of Allegiance. In your own words, explain its meaning. After attending at least one Boy Scout troop meeting, do the following: Describe how the Scouts in the troop provide its leadership. Describe the four steps of Boy Scout advancement. Describe what the Boy Scout ranks are and how they are earned. Describe what merit badges are and how they are earned. Explain the patrol method. Describe the types of patrols that are used in your troop. Become familiar with your patrol name, emblem, flag, and yell. Explain how these items create patrol spirit. Show how to tie a square knot, two half-hitches, and a taut-line hitch. Explain how each knot is used. Show the proper care of a rope by learning how to whip and fuse the ends of different kinds of rope. Demonstrate your knowledge of pocketknife safety. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parents Guide" and earn the Cyber Chip Award for your grade. 1 Since joining the troop and while working on the Scout rank, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

Big difference in the way camps operated when I was in the UK and here.While I do think classes for SOME, emphasis SOME MB classes is excellent ( shooting sports and aquatics come immediately to mind), there is too much emphasis on MBs and classes. One camp, which the adults said we won't got o again for some time had too much emphasis on MBs and not enough on FUN. (aside, it was a MB giveaway camp, only free time was at nite and you had to sign up for the free time activities in advance; then first come first serve) They are at Raven Knob for the 2nd year in a row, and appear to be having fun. good mix of program and classes. But the decision has been made to pick a new camp for next year to get variety. But the problem is widespread. parents, and some Scouters, want their Scouts to take as many MB classes as they can. I know one SM said that one of my Scouts wasted his time taking Swimming MB a second time because the Scout wanted to swim in the afternoon. OK I admit, I wish he would have taken Lifesaving a 2nd time instead, A) to practice his skill and B) So I could "drown" him when I became his victim. :) But I have heard of SMs saying they do not want their Scouts having free periods. And of course lots of parents. And some camps offer classes at nite! OK I can see Astonomy MB. One camp did Journalism MB at nite too, so they could print the camp newspaper. But I have seen the Citizenships and other paperpushing MBs being offered at nite. One of the things the camp I worked at in the UK was limit what you can book in advance. Some activities had to be booked in advanced, i.e. rappelling on the White Cliffs of Dover, so we could schedule the certified folks to run it. But other activities you selected 1, 2, or none prior to arriving, then when you got there, see what was available. We had no problems except for one Belgian troop. They were only suppose to stay 2 nites, biking their way across England. But when their chase vehicle broke down, then got in an accident, they stayed the entire 2 weeks with us instead.

Sadly at my council's camp, the problems you described are the norm. That is why we and other troops no longer go there. That camp was not what I was used to as the one I grew up and worked at was completely different. It was a shock to work there the first year. And it has steadily gotten worse. What broke the camel's back was A) one Scout "earning" a MB he dropped after the first day, B) a group of Scouts "earning" kayaking and/or canoeing in 2 days, yet they could not save their lives in a canoe or kayak when the troop did a float trip. As for female Scouters and Moms, I agree. I see some of the silly rules, i.e. no water guns, no laser tag, no pioneering projects over 6 feet, etc as a result of female being involved. I remember having a conversation with one mom about the gold MB sash pin. I told her it was a waste of money as a safety pin could be used. She stated that safety pins can be dangerous and hurt a Scout. I had to tell her that we teach Scouts to use knives, axes, and saws; I think they can handle safety pins. I had another mom tell me my P-38 can opener was a dangerous weapon.

Not for much longer. Boys can't do anything by themselves after October 1, 2018.

Understood. My uncle harped on me to get Eagle. I would not push him, and he may change his mind. We have one Scout who was only interested in earning First Class so he could go on the AT. Now at 16 years and 11 months, wants to earn Eagle. He went to an Eagle COH and it inspired him.

If they are active, advancement will come naturally. At least for Apprentice and Ordinary.

You need to contact the CO to explain in detail everything. First call is theirs. If they agree to have you, then apply to see if BSA will accept you. I can tell you this. We had one parent agree to be a DL and was denied because of a 20 year old substance conviction. He was actually being the den leader and we never got word about his acceptance or not until someone looked into it. The council is suppose to contact both the individual and the charter organization rep (COR). They contacted the COR, but never the individual in question. And the COR never told anyone.

I hate to sound harsh, but you need to recruit other Scouters. I know it's tough. But I have seen first hand the problems siblings cause. You have already lost one Cub over the siblings, you will probably lose more. And then when the siblings are of age, they will not be interested because they have already done they stuff and will be bored. The den leaders need to focus on all of the Cubs, and a non-Cub age child does not help that. And it only gets worse. It is happening with my troop, we have one family constantly showing up with their Cub Scout. He constantly interfering and distracting the Scouts and his parents let him run wild. SM won't do anything because the troop is "family friendly." He doesn't realize how he is hurting not only the Scouts, but also the Cub by allowing them to keep coming to meetings and camp outs. Agree that person would be ideal. You know coed dens are not allowed Good catch.