How to hold one-on-one Scouting conversations while following Youth Protection guidelines
A Scoutmaster conference or Eagle project discussion work best as a one-on-one conversation. That raises questions of Youth Protection.
Youth Protection and texting with Scouts
Today’s Scouts prefer to text. How does the Youth Protection rule prohibiting one-on-one contact apply to texting with Scouts? We asked the expert.
Can a volunteer serve in multiple positions within a unit?
Can a volunteer serve in multiple positions within a unit? Can, for example, an assistant Scoutmaster also be on the unit committee? We asked the expert.
When can adult leaders wear the BSA’s Trained patch?
The BSA’s Trained patch sends a clear message to Scouts, fellow Scouters and parents. It says, “I know what I’m doing.” Here’s who can wear it.
Three-finger sign in Hunger Games movies isn’t infringement. It’s just cool.
A Scouter and blog reader saw something familiar in the marketing campaign for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2”: a three-finger sign.
How does two-deep leadership apply when driving to Scouting events?
Does “two-deep leadership” apply to driving to and from Scouting events? In other words, are two adults required in each car? We asked the expert.
What’s a new Order of the Arrow dad to do when his son isn’t yet elected?
At a recent camporee, an assistant Scoutmaster was called out to join the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s national honor society. His son was not.
Exactly when do you become an Eagle Scout, and when can you wear the patch?
Exactly when do you become an Eagle Scout? When is it official that you’ve earned Scouting’s highest rank? We asked the expert.
How to perform CPR
You can’t learn how to perform CPR from a blog post. Consider the CPR guidelines here to be a jumping-off point before you take more-formal training.
What are Lone Scouts?
Certain circumstances make traditional Scouting an imperfect fit for certain young men. That’s why Lone Scouts was created.
Scout neckerchiefs approved for wear with nonuniform clothing
Scout neckerchiefs, long a symbol of the movement around the world, are approved for wear by American Scouting members whether in or out of uniform.
Ask the Expert: Do you need to travel in uniform to be covered by BSA insurance?
Does your unit need to travel in uniform for BSA insurance coverage? We asked the expert to settle this rumor once and for all.
How to keep OA elections from being a popularity contest
Follow these steps, brilliantly devised by National OA Committee Chairman Ray Capp, to keep OA elections from becoming a popularity contest.
Ask the Expert: What is (and what isn’t) a camping night for the Camping MB?
Tent, hammock, cabin, retired battleship — all offer great experiences for Scouts, but only some count as camping nights for the Camping merit badge.
Ask the Expert: Should units carry a balance in their unit accounts?
Should your unit bank account have a large balance you carry over from year to year? That question about unit accounts is answered in this Ask the Expert.
Ask the Expert: Are OA life memberships a thing?
When inducted into the OA (Scouting’s honor society) you get a sense of brotherhood that stays with you for life. But can you be a life member of the OA?
BSA discourages unit-owned credit cards, debit cards
The BSA discourages the use of unit-owned credit cards and debit cards. Event registration should be paid by a volunteer and properly reimbursed.
Let’s stop the practice of having Scouts sing for a lost item
Forcing a Scout into singing for a lost item is bullying, and bullying is prohibited in Scouting. Read this important Youth Protection reminder.
‘No one-on-one contact’ applies to digital contact, too
The Boy Scouts of America’s “no one-on-one contact” rule applies to electronic communications like texting, email, Facebook and Twitter. Here’s how.
Here’s how Cub Scouts will earn Nova Awards under the new program
How will Cub Scouts earn Nova Awards once the Academics and Sports belt loops go away? Here’s the answer from Richard Stone of the STEM/Nova Committee.
The truth about LDS Scouting
Mark Francis, director of LDS-BSA relationships, shares how LDS Scouting works and the ways in which the church and the BSA support each other.
Why isn’t the World Crest pre-sewn on BSA uniform shirts?
The World Crest, that purple circle worn by Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts and Venturers, doesn’t come pre-sewn on uniforms. Here’s why.
BSA immunizations: What’s required, what’s recommended
What are the required BSA immunizations? Tetanus shots are a must for anyone attending programs or activities with an annual health and medical record.
BSA alternative requirements ensure youth with disabilities get the most out of Scouting
BSA alternative requirements benefit Scouts or Venturers with documented disabilities. So they can be a Cub Scout past age 11 and a Boy Scout past 18.
Cloud control: Digitizing medical records? BSA says please don’t
Digitizing medical records is a no-no, BSA says. Records are not to be digitized, scanned, sent by email or stored electronically by unit leaders.
Inside the next-gen program features for troops, teams and crews
The three-volume Program Features for Troops, Teams and Crews is your youth leaders’ go-to resource for planning a fun and engaging program.
How the BSA views unauthorized use of the Scout uniform by non-Scouts
The Boy Scouts of America’s symbols, including the Scout uniform you wear every week, are protected under U.S. trademark law. Here’s what that means.
BSA discourages use of unofficial merit badge worksheets
Unofficial merit badge worksheets hasten the process of earning a merit badge, but are they allowed or encouraged by the Boy Scouts of America?
Merit badge counselors: Facts about limits and counseling family members
FAQs about merit badge counselors: Is there a limit to the number of merit badges an individual may counsel? Can someone counsel his own family member?
When should youth and adults wear the Eagle Scout medal?
When (and where) adult and youth Eagle Scouts should wear the Eagle Scout medal is the subject of our latest Ask the Expert.