Is there any guidelines in the age scouts share tents?
Are there any age requirements or guidelines on selecting scouts to share tents?
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HalfEagle Answers
- Active 2011–2013
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Questions from Scouters, asked and answered on HalfEagle.
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Can anyone send a negative letter to an Eagle Board of Review without the Scout's/Unit's Knowledge?
I recently went before my Board and found out that I had been set up for failure by my Council Commisioner. He had recruited certain people from my past to write negative letters and submit them to my Eagle Board, which he hand-delivered.
Tattered American Flag Disposal
Will you dispose of a couple tattered American flags for me?
How should Boy Scouts be split into patrols? Why?
I've read about the idea of "New Scout" patrols, "Regular" patrols, and even "Venture" patrols within a troop. What's the right organizational method? What's the mechanics for choosing which Scout goes into which patrol? (Voting, PLC, SPL, Scoutmaster, etc.) Also, should a troop have distinct patrols that survive through the years or should patrol identities…
Are there other Scouting organizations like the "Order of the Arrow?"
Not all Boy Scouts catch on to the OA. Are there other organizations within Scouting for older Scouts to be a part of? I'm not looking for a distinct program like Venturing for them to transition into, but an organization that still fits within Boy Scouts.
At the district level, how do you recruit new Scouts?
One of our districts has an opening for membership chair and I've been considering offering to help. However, I'm a bit stuck for the method that's employed at the district level to recruit more Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers. What programs/methods work at the district level?
What is the ScoutParents program? How is it used?
When I read the definition of what a ScoutParent is, I get excited about the program: > A ScoutParent is a parent or adult mentor of a Scout who enthusiastically participates with their Scout and also helps other volunteers to provide the best quality program experience to all youth in every unit.
What approach do you use for large-scale instruction in Scouting?
The perennial problem of merit badge "academies" is the notion of having 30+ youth in a single room working on a merit badge like Citizenship in the Community with just one or two instructors. What strategies work in this kind of situation?
What's the best way to utilize Den Chiefs?
I've had trouble in the past convincing fellow adult leaders to embrace the Den Chief program. Adult leaders in the Troop don't always see value in recruiting or supporting Den Chiefs and the adult leaders in the Pack either don't understand why the Den Chief is there or don't know how to work with that…
What's the best approach to teaching First Aid skills?
I know that the approach will incorporate the EDGE method of training, but what creative/innovative ways do you teach first aid that keeps the youth involved and interested? I've done "simulated disasters" on a small scale before but found that the Scouts didn't really take it seriously. Is there a trick to that approach?
What certifications are required for a pack, troop or crew to have an aquatic event?
Are they different for the different levels or is it all the same training?
What is the official policy regarding patch trading?
Where can I find a definitive set of rules regarding patch trading? Are the rules different for the Order of the Arrow versus non-OA patches? In other words, can adults at a cub scout event trade activity patches with youth?
What are some fundraiser ideas?
Also, what is the best way to organize fundraisers at the troop level? Are there any guidelines from BSA National about how to do this?
What international Scouting events are available to U.S. Scouts?
When I was a Scout, I had the opportunity to attend the Icelandic National Jamboree as part of the American contingent to the event. How could I find opportunities like this for Scouts today? Also, what opportunities are there to travel outside the USA for Scouts *not* as part of a council contingent?
What are the requirements for a campership?
Our unit has received some donated funds intended to be used as camperships for youth whose family might not be able to afford all of the fees for summer/winter camp. How should we go about determining how to disburse these funds? What requirements can we set for the youth applying for them?
What kind of favors or gifts are appropriate to give out at an Eagle Court of Honor?
I had a unit leader contact me with this question recently. They were looking for wooden nickels with the Eagle Scout's name and COH date but also other ideas for gifts to give to each attendee at the COH that were: - inexpensive - customizable - could be purchased in quantities as low as 20-30 items - durable Thoughts?
What is the age requirement to attend Philmont?
Is it the same for all the high adventure bases or is each one different?
Are trampolines an approved activity?
Trampolines have been banned from most schools and athletics due to their high injury and severity rates. After being closed for decades there are now commercial trampoline facilities popping up all over and many of them are targeting scouts and other youth groups by offering group discounts.
team building and cooperation skills
I have a group of webelos that are constantly fighting and picking on each other. i need some ideas that will have them working together to build up their cooperation. the problem is that they are all so competitive and DO NOT like to lose.
When can scouts drive themselves and/or other scouts to various scouting functions?
The Guide to Safe Scouting contains a "Youth member exception: When traveling to and from an area, regional, or national Boy Scout activity or any Venturing event..." What the Guide to Safe Scouting doesn't clearly address is youth members traveling to and from a unit, district, or council activity either individually as drivers in their…
Eagle Board of Review letters of recommendation
Is there any standard procedure regarding the letters of recommendation given to an Eagle candidate i.e. are they returned to the Scout or are they kept by the Board and disposed of later.
Increasing Trainings in a Unit Without Bombardment Approach
How does one increase the trainings within one's unit (Troop, Pack, or Crew) without making it feel like one is constantly bombarding the unit's leadership, committee and scout parents with so much training in one year? Since most of the training is good for 2 years, I'm thinking they will get another training bombardment later.
Scout Information
Where do you get most of your information to keep current on all that is Scouting? Internet? Scout Office? Professionals?. There are lots of avenues for getting Scouting information.. How do you get it?
Scouts being Thrifty? (opens in a new tab)
Does your Unit do fundraising as a unit or require the Scout to be thrifty and earn his own way without Unit assistants?
What is the best way for young Scouting alumni (21-30) to stay involved? (opens in a new tab)
The Boy Scouts of America has been pushing to reconnect with alumni for a few years now. While this is a great idea and needed, how are Councils using their alumni and getting them to stay connected? So far my Council has reached out for money by inviting them to fundraising events and sending out…
What would make this site even better?
You are welcome to send me feedback directly, or if you'd like, reply here to also test the site. :)
Can a parent be a merit badge counselor for their own son?
If so, does the Scout still need a buddy or can they work on it alone together?
Can youth use chainsaws? (opens in a new tab)
I assume that Cub Scouts are a no, but what about Boy Scouts or Venturers?
Best ways to increase Scouting for Food donations
What are effective ways to increase the amount of food donated when conducting a door-to-door Scouting for food drive? I'm looking for ideas in regards to "drop off bags at homes, then pick them up a week later" type drives, not food drives in general.
Tour Permit vs. Tour Plans
What's the difference? Are Tour Permits still required? When do I use a Tour Plan?
What order are knots supposed to be worn on an adult uniform?
I've heard multiple answers: - By date earned - By difficulty - By personal importance What's the right answer?