If a Scout camps several nights with his troop before getting a signed blue card from his Scoutmaster, do those nights count toward his earning Camping merit badge?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what a Scouter, who I\u2019ll call James, wondered last week in an email. James wrote:<\/p>\n

\n

I have a question concerning when a Scout must have a blue card. Our troop has a merit badge counselor that told boys that none of their camping nights count prior to them getting a signed blue card from the Scoutmaster.<\/p>\n

It seems that I have read that this is contrary to BSA policy. Could you point me to a specific BSA reference for this?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Well, James, there\u2019s no greater authority on this than Christopher Hunt, advancement team leader here at the BSA\u2019s National Office. <\/span><\/p>\n

First, read his short answer: \u201cFor Camping merit badge, all campouts since the Scout joined the troop should count.\u201d<\/p>\n

So in this case, the merit badge counselor is mistaken. But a similar logic applies to progress toward other merit badges, as well. Here are some of the answers Chris has provided to other Scouters with related questions:<\/p>\n

Collection-based merit badges<\/h3>\n

Question:<\/strong> In merit badges like Coin Collecting, can a Scout use a collection he started before even joining the program to fulfill requirements?<\/span><\/p>\n

Chris says: <\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

<\/strong>For certain merit badges like Coin Collecting, for example, most counselors would accept a collection that had been begun well before a Scout was even eligible to join. The experiences in finding coins and adding them to the collection would build as the boy learned about the mint markings and conditions of the coins and resources he could use to discover their value, and so forth.<\/p>\n

In the same way the experiences on campouts build as Scouts mature and learn how to stay warm and dry, and efficiently take care of their campsite. Instead of collecting coins these Scouts are collecting campouts, and what they\u2019ve learned on the campouts can become the background for productive discussions with the counselor.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Visiting landmarks<\/h3>\n

Question:<\/strong> If a Scout visits a national monument with his family, can that visit be applied to Citizenship in the Nation merit badge?<\/p>\n

Chris says:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

If a Scout visits a National Historic Monument with his family and then wants to apply that to Citizenship in the Nation (req 2a), then the counselor should ask him what he learned and found interesting about it. That part of the requirement is, of course, more important than the actual visit. If the Scout remembers what he learned and found interesting, and if the discussion can be related to some sort of citizenship lesson, then the requirement should be checked off.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Cooking merit badge<\/h3>\n

Question: <\/strong>Some Cooking MB requirements seem to indicate Scouts work directly with their counselor. Do the above rules apply here?<\/p>\n

Chris says:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

In Cooking there are a lot of discussion items that most counselors would want to conduct directly with the Scout after the blue card is signed. That would be appropriate. Past work for some of the other requirements might be acceptable, however.<\/p>\n

For example, if a Scout planned a menu in the past and then developed the plan and prepared the food as stated in the requirements, then the counselor should give this consideration. He might discuss how it all went and what the Scout learned; and he might want the Scout to have the SM confirm it was done. If the counselor is comfortable the intent of the requirement was met then he can check off the requirement.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

More on Camping merit badge<\/h3>\n

Question: <\/strong>What if I have a Scoutmaster or counselor who\u2019s asking for \u201cthe source\u201d on what you\u2019ve said above about Camping MB?<\/p>\n

Chris says:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

In merit badges like Camping, nights camped since becoming a Boy Scout all count, regardless when other work on the merit badge began, or when the Scoutmaster signed the blue card.<\/p>\n

This Clarification has been provided through our e-newsletter, Advancement News<\/a>, and through our Twitter account. The Application for Merit Badge \u201cblue card\u201d has also been reprinted to reflect this, and the revision of the Guide to Advancement, scheduled for release later this summer, precludes the practice. Wording changes in the reprinted blue card and the Guide to Advancement revision also no longer use \u201capproval\u201d or \u201cqualified to begin working [on the merit badge]\u201d in association with the Scoutmaster\u2019s initial signature on a blue card. It now signifies simply that the SM has had a discussion with the Scout about the badge, and that he has provided the name of at least one merit badge counselor.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

An important reminder<\/h3>\n

Chris says: \u201cIt is not the Scoutmaster\u2019s decision, in any case, one way or the other. Only a merit badge counselor can decide if requirements have been met or not<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ask the Expert your question<\/h3>\n

Chris has been very helpful in answering these and other tricky advancement questions. Keep them coming to scoutingmag@gmail.com<\/a>, subject line \u201cAsk the Expert,\u201d and I\u2019ll try to track down an answer.<\/p>\n

Follow the Advancement Team on Twitter<\/h3>\n

Get the latest BSA advancement news on Twitter by following @AdvBSA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/a> <\/p>\n

(from Bryan on Scouting http:\/\/blog.scoutingmagazine.org\/2013\/04\/30\/ask-expert-mbs\/)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If a Scout camps several nights with his troop before getting a signed blue card from his Scoutmaster, do those nights count toward his earning Camping merit badge? That\u2019s what a Scouter, who I\u2019ll call James, wondered last week in an email. James wrote: I have a question concerning when a Scout must have a … <\/p>\n

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