“Jeno” wrote and asked us: “I’d like to ask about “extra” requirements required for rank advancements.” Okay. The short answer is that the BSA says that they’re not allowed. “Our scoutmaster requires all boys 1st class and above to complete a “mock eagle” project before allowing them to advance to star and life.(one to […]

 
  Bill!! It is my honor to have been of service to you and those Scouts…I’m happy to be back on Scouts-L (probably the discussion group you speak of; I’ve returned there after a three-year absence…couldn’t get the connectivity to work in a reliable manner) and also to be around on LinkenIn’s Scouting discussion area […]

 
  (Ana is a Scouter working within a unit chartered to the International School in the Netherlands.) Hi Ana!! Great to hear from you again!!! You wrote and asked me: “We are an international unit made up of approximately:  1/3 all American families, 1/3 families with one American parent and one “other” parent, and 1/3 […]

 
  Cross your fingers (or maybe hide your eyes…you can’t really cover your ears with written communication! *smiling*) Pending someone ELSE telling me “you can’t do this at work — even during your break time!” or some system administrator blocking the IP addresses so that I cannot post… …after a THREE YEAR ABSENCE (yeah, it’s been […]

 
  Elizabeth Robertson wrote and asked: “Hi Mike.  I’ve got a question and while it reads funny, I really need a serious answer in the manner of your “Patch Police” comments.” I will do my best, Betsy!!  “My son started Scouts this month. We went out and purchased the uniform, the book, and some other […]

 
  Hey Scouters!! The Boy Scouts of America announced on 1 August 2011, the first of several changes to how some awards previously “maintained and restricted with appropriate national office approval before awarding” will now be managed soley through their local Councils.  There will be additional announcements coming through your local Councils within the next few weeks about other […]

 
  Hey Summer!!!  Good morning to you!!!  Yeah, my new car is equipped with OnStar ™.  It features a built-in speakerphone.  I have a love-hate relationship with it. First equipped on selected GM cars back in 2002, OnStar™ ‘s speakerphone is SUPPOSED to make life easier for the driver.  It was supposed to prevent driver […]

 
  Nancy Ernst wrote and asked me to identify some old merit badges she gained possession of: “These are not current ones I am sure. These are going to date back before 2004, but I would appreciate any information you might have.” Hi Nancy!! I earned *both* of those merit badges, Nancy. They both exist […]

 
  Hi Bill…  Andy McCommish asked me to assist with answering your question posed to him.  You asked Andy: “I have been registered as a Scouter Reserve for several years. Now I hear that National is doing away with this position, Can you let me know.” Yes… and here’s why. The BSA has been concerned with what […]

 
  Mike Lampkin asked me via Facebook (you can ask me questions there too… see the link below in my signature!) “I am looking for the definitive, best-practices answer to conducting a proper opening flag ceremony for Scouts. I figured you would have both a Scouting and military perspective on the topic. Most of the articles […]