I would agree with the comment that the criteria for the Scholarship merit badge needs more meat ... but it should not be grade driven. Scouts do their best...that does not necessarily translate into an A average. I do like the idea of a research component for further education/career opportunities.
The public speaking merit badge is valuable but perhaps some kind of public speaking should be a rank requirement associated with Star, Life, and Eagle. Something to do within the unit or before the Chartered Organization. But to play the devils advocate, my son never earned the badge and never did alot in school. However, being a patrol leader and senior patrol leader he learned to express himself to adults and youth in the troop. This had carried over into academic life and sports, and as parents, are amazed at his confidence and competency. He actually volunteers to speak. Our troop was boy run and the leaders encouraged each boy to speak up, express themselves and present their ideas.
I really do not know much about the track opportunities outside of school varsity sports. I am familiar with club (travel) soccer, swimming, baseball, hockey. Having an opportunity for scouts who already compete on a school team run in the off-season at meets against other scout teams and non-scout teams might be good to stay in shape and compete at different distance intervals for training purposes.
I also would throw out there the opportunity for councils to initiate triatholons at at their various camps...easily do running/cross country, simming, and biking. Perhaps have a state league between councils that host this event as a series over a period of a few months...again scouts and non-scouts could compete. There are ice hockey leagues that do this throughout the summer.
Merit Badge counselors should be a no fee position, fully registered with BSA and have the background check completed. Bonus if they ar youth protection trained... but I agree that having some counselors take training is shooting ourselves in the foot. Some people do not have the time and question why we would require that when they have signed the application/disclosure statemnt to do a CBC. Teachers are a valuable resource and in our state are fingerprinted etc To ask them to go through a training is insulting. They work with youth everyday and really know what is appropriate behavior. Parental involvement, CBC, and the buddy system should sufficiently our youth pursuing a badge.
If someone is a current registered leader (and therefore has completed the CBC) why do we need another application...it is absolutely redundant and individuals are reluctant to hang out their SS# again for something that they already ahve givern us. Makes them think we are not careful. My question is how do you know which badges are being covered and how does a boy contact a counselor if someone in their troop does not do a particular badge.
I agree that the one charter rule would streamline the process considerably. I think that this would also help distribution of Scouting Magazine and its various inserts...presently a troop leader gets troop inserts and when he/she is multipled into the pack a Cubmaster, does not receive the cub info.
I do not want to complicate the process (this is supposed to streamline!!!!) BUT I am rather concerned about the possibility of having too few leaders necessary to complete a charter. In rural communities the paperwork to charter etc can be overwheleming..I am concerned about the large packs/ troops being serviced by one committee with a CR, CC and two MCs...alot of work for leaders that could be overseeing over 100 youth in three programs. I agree with the idea of sub committees but in order to charter perhaps the cub,scout and crew person (sub committeee) must be listed in order to charter. Along the idea if there are more than 50 cubscout aged biys there must be MC for cubs indicated...similar to a DL needed for chartering. If the charter leadership committee is too small, there is the possibility for burnout and adult turnover without experienced replacements.
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