Scouting FAQ
There are a few questions that get asked over and over again, sometimes is slightly different forms. Here are the most common ones which may save you the effort of sending in your question. But, if it's not here, please ask away.
- Where does this patch go on the uniform?
- When can my son join Cub Scouts?
- How do I find a Pack or Troop to join?
- What about karate and other martial arts recognition?
- Where do Cub Scout Sports and Academics pins go?
- Can Tiger Cubs earn beads before earning their Bobcat badge?
- When is 'Two-Deep Leadership' required?
- On the ______ merit badge, what is the answer to requirement 3b?
- How do I contact the national Boy Scouts office?
- Where does this patch go on the uniform?
- This is BY FAR the most common question asked and you should look at the Boy Scout or Cub Scout or Webelos Scout uniform inspection sheets.
That patch you are talking about is most likely a 'temporary' patch and should be displayed centered on the right pocket. Only ONE temporary patch at a time is to be displayed.
A common way to display temporary patches is to hang a clear plastic patch holder from the pocket button and slip in the most recent patch. The scout can choose which patch from his collection he wants to display on any given day.
This is a list of some temporary patches that people often ask about:- Popcorn Sales
- Any campout
- Pinewood Derby
- World Conservation award
- Scouting for Food
- Conservation Good Turn
- Whittlin' Chip
- Firem'n Chit
- Totin' Chip
The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award DOES go on the right pocket flap. Each additional year it is earned, a pin can be added to the patch.
Other methods for displaying patches:- Cub Scouts can make or buy a red felt vest and put all the temporary patches on it they want, organized however they want.
- Boy Scouts can put temporary patches on the back of their merit badge sash, but I've yet to see one do that.
- Boy Scouts can have a patch blanket with their patch collection sewn onto it.
See BSA Insignia Guide for more details.
- This is BY FAR the most common question asked and you should look at the Boy Scout or Cub Scout or Webelos Scout uniform inspection sheets.
- Can Tiger Cubs earn beads before earning their Bobcat badge?
- On the official BSA Web Site, it says a cub scout must earn his Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. It does not say he can not earn belt loops, beads, or other recognition before earning his Bobcat.
Since the requirements for a Tiger to receive his Tiger Totem are to learn the:- Cub Scout Promise
- Cub Scout sign
- Cub Scout salute
and those are also requirements for the Bobcat badge, he automatically earns his Tiger Totem before the Bobcat badge.
If a Tiger den concentrates solely on having scouts memorize the Bobcat requirements, it may cause the scouts to become bored. Instead, mix fun Tiger activities in and just spend some time each den meeting on the Bobcat requirements.
Just be sure to complete the Bobcat requirements before awarding Tiger badges to the scouts.
- On the official BSA Web Site, it says a cub scout must earn his Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. It does not say he can not earn belt loops, beads, or other recognition before earning his Bobcat.
- When can my son join Cub Scouts?
- There is no scouting program for boys under 7 years old or not yet in first grade. A boy can join Tiger Cub Scouts when he starts first grade or turns 7 years old.
- When is 'Two-Deep Leadership' required?
- I recommend that there are always at least 2 adults at any scouting meeting, event, or gathering. But, according to regulations, two deep leadership is required on all 'trips or outings' so a den meeting, troop meeting, pack meeting would not need 2 adults.
For youth protection guidelines, the 'No One-on-one Contact' always applies. A scout should never be alone with an adult that is not his parent or guardian. This rule comes into play for den meetings, merit badge sessions, scoutmaster conferences, traveling in vechicles, and all scouting activities and meetings.
Some patrol activities in Boy Scouts can be done with no adult leadership at all if the patrol has cleared their activity with the Scoutmaster beforehand.
See Guide to Safe Scouting for official BSA words.
- I recommend that there are always at least 2 adults at any scouting meeting, event, or gathering. But, according to regulations, two deep leadership is required on all 'trips or outings' so a den meeting, troop meeting, pack meeting would not need 2 adults.
- On the ________ merit badge, what is the answer to requirement 3b?
- If you are doing a merit badge, most of the 'knowledge' information is in that merit badge's pamphlet which you should have. If you can't find the information there, then you should be discussing it with your merit badge counselor. I won't be writing answers to merit badge questions.
- Where do Cub Scout Sports and Academics pins go on the uniform?
- The pins are not worn on the uniform. Read More.
- How do I find a Pack or Troop to join?
- Go to Pack & Troop Locator and enter your address. Contact information for your local BSA council will be listed along with BSA units - contact them.
- How do I contact the national Boy Scouts office?
Boy Scouts of America
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
PO Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079
(972)580-2000
- What about karate and other martial arts recognition?
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Comments:
Jun 23, 2012 - La Sondra Jones
My son is will be in 2nd grade next year and he just turned 7 years on yesterday June 22.
How can I get hime into boy scoutfs in Texarkana.
Jun 24, 2012 - Scouter PaulHow can I get hime into boy scoutfs in Texarkana.
La Sondra - Please read the "How do I find a Pack or Troop to join?" section just up this page. It's exactly what you are asking for.
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