Merl Whitebook wrote in a message to Ron Boyd:
 MW> Ron:
 MW> You bring up an interesting point.  While we have not had
 MW> the transfer scout, we have had scouts attend "out of
 MW> Coucil" Merit Badge Fairs, and come back with a hand full of
 MW> MB's.  (including such things as Family Life and Citizenship
 MW> and *.*)  We have a rule that Eagle required MB's must be
 MW> completed within our troop.  At the same time a requirement
 MW> for the completion of the MB is demonstrating how the MB has
 MW> been incorporated to your "Scouting life style". You are
 MW> right, it seems to make a difference.
Merl, while you make some valid points, you should read the Policies and 
Procedures Manual from National concerning the "additional" requirements 
which you are placing on your Scouts.  National clearly states that no one 
may place additional requirements upon a Scout in the completion of the 
requirements for rank advancements.  
While your "rule" about where and how a Scout completes one of the "Required" 
Merit Badges may be fine for you, don't be surprised at some point in time 
where a parent takes exception to your standards.
I am anxious to hear from you how a Scout "Demonstrates" how the Swimming MB 
has been "incorporated into his 'Scouting life style'".
In Scouting and Brotherhood,
    Bob 
District Advancement Chairman, Pioneer District, Quinnipiac Council
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