Author name: Assistant Scoutmaster

TEMPORARY FOR SHELTER-IN-PLACE:

The following information is for how scouts can get requirements signed off as well as how to sign off requirements during these challenging times where we need to follow shelter-in ordinances. Information is subject to change and if you have questions, please contact your patrol leader or the Troop SPL. 

IF YOU ARE A STAR, LIFE, OR EAGLE SCOUT – PLEASE READ FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SIGN OFF REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUNGER SCOUTS.

IF YOU NEED REQUIREMENTS SIGNED OFF – PLEASE READ FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DO THAT.

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FIRST – A very important reminder for our First Year Scouts and Parents

Parents may not sign off on requirements!  

ALSO – Any activities done while a scout was a Cub Scout may not be used for scouts’ BSA requirements. For example, if you went on a 5-mile hike in January while you were still a Webelos, you can’t use that hike to sign off a requirement as a Boy Scout. All requirements must be done while you are a Boy Scout.

If you’ve already accidentally done either of these – no worries! Just get the requirement signed-off again using the correct procedure outlined below.

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HOW TO GET REQUIREMENTS SIGNED OFF:

In Troop 805, all requirements for the Trail to First Class should be signed off by another Scout who is Star rank or above. The only exceptions are the Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review requirements.

If you are working on a requirement for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class, you need to reach out to a Star, Life, or Eagle Scout to get the requirement(s) signed off. For easy reference, we’ll call Star, Life, and Eagle Scouts “Senior Scouts.”

During this quarantine period, you should reach out via email or telephone and set up a virtual meeting (telephone or video conference) with a Senior Scout. For requirements that can just be “discussed” – a telephone conference is fine. But if the requirement is a “show” or “demonstrate” requirement (for example – “tie a square knot), then you will need to do a video conference.

When you virtually meet with a Senior Scout, they will ask you to explain or show them the skill required for the requirement. For example, you will tie a square knot over the video conference so they can see you do it correctly. Once they are satisfied you have completed the requirement, they will virtually sign you off (please see below for how they will sign off).

You may contact any Senior Scout and ask them to meet with you using the TroopMaster email function. You can also reach out to Senior Scouts for help in learning how to do the skills, even if you’re not ready to sign it off yet. It is highly recommend using our Troop Guides, as this is part of their leadership role in the Troop. For a list of the current Troop Guides and their direct email addresses, please refer to the Troop Scout Leadership Directory as of March 2020 that was sent to Troop scouts/families.

*Most requirements for Star, Life, and Eagle Rank are signed off by the Scoutmaster or ASM. If you need to sign off requirements for one of these ranks, contact the Scoutmaster.

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HOW TO SIGN OFF A REQUIREMENT (IF YOU’RE A SENIOR SCOUT)

Normally, Senior Scouts would initial and date a completed requirement in the Scout’s Handbook. But since we can’t physically sign any Handbooks right now, the Troop is temporarily authorizing the following procedure:

Once a Senior Scout has verified a scout has completed a requirement, they may give that scout permission to sign the Handbook for the Senior Scout. That is, write the Senior Scout’s initials and the date in the correct spot in the Handbook. Scouts can ONLY insert a Senior Scout’s initials when and if the Senior Scout has given them permission to do so. (Let’s all remember that A SCOUT IS TRUSTWORTHY.)

Here’s an example of how this would go:

TENDERFOOT SCOUT: …And that’s how you tie a sheet bend!

SENIOR SCOUT:  Great job!  Okay, you’ve completed that requirement.  I give you permission to put my initials – “B.D.” – and today’s date in your Handbook for Second Class Requirement 2(f).

TENDERFOOT SCOUT:  Thanks!  Wow, Scouting sure is fun!

SENIOR SCOUT: I know right?!?!