Author: Frank

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No more, no less

33216_WB-2What if a high school math teacher decided that during her geometry class she would start teaching her students about calculus?

What if questions about calculus appeared on the course midterm or final exam?

In the first instance, the teacher could be trying to show her students that what they’re learning – in what to some may be a pointless geometry class – is of value further along in the spectrum of mathematics. After all, calculus does rely on many of the concepts learned from geometry.

But in the second case, the teacher is clearly out of bounds for expecting that her students should demonstrate some proficiency in limits, differentials or integrals – subject matter that isn’t required by the geometry curriculum.

Yet there are some in Scouting who apply the same practices with our Scouts. Continue reading “No more, no less”

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The Scoutmaster’s Vantage Point

campaign_hatI attended a district planning meeting last fall at a church which charters a rather large troop. The Scouts were there, setting up and checking their patrol boxes and getting ready for the church picnic the next day, for which the troop was doing the cooking. Assistant Scoutmasters were working with the patrols where needed, helping them to figure out their equipment, how things went together, and providing support from the equipment coordinators.

Where was the Scoutmaster? Continue reading “The Scoutmaster’s Vantage Point”

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Q&A: SSNs, background checks, merit badge counselors

ssn_mag_200Time for a few more answers to your questions, this time about Social Security numbers on adult applications, the criminal background check and how to become a merit badge counselor.

I don’t like giving out my Social Security number. Why is it required on an adult application?

An adult applicant’s Social Security number is required on the adult application form in order for the National Council to conduct a criminal background check. This is done on every volunteer who applies for membership in the BSA. Continue reading “Q&A: SSNs, background checks, merit badge counselors”

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Courteous

scoutlaw-05_250Twice last week, I was greeted by one of our former Scouts in public, once at a restaurant and the other at a store.

We were having lunch and both my son and I noticed a busboy who looked familiar, but neither of us could place exactly who it was until he came over and said “hi” to us, or more specifically, to my older son, five years removed from the troop but who must have made an impression on the younger fellow. He was working hard, clearing dishes and doing side work, and it looked like he was giving an extra measure of service when compared with the other bussers. Continue reading “Courteous”

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A Scout is Kind – even when you don’t expect it

gossip_200Over cracker barrel one Saturday night at a campout a couple years ago, as the boys were off at their patrol sites getting ready for lights out, we adults were talking about our boys. We had been watching them from a distance all day as they went about their daily tasks, and I mentioned that it was great to watch my son going about the business of camping with his patrol, helping to instruct and signing off the younger boys from other patrols, and working with his patrol to get their meals cooked and the kitchen cleaned up.

One of the other dads happened to mention that he’d seen his son in action from a distance too, but in another way. Continue reading “A Scout is Kind – even when you don’t expect it”