"Active Participation"

Let me preface my comments by stating the I am not going to tell a leader how to run his or her unit. I think, however, that this discussion must be on the table. It has taken me some time to formulate a final opinion on this subject. I expect there will be some who do not agree with me. But, here goes.

For many years, I have viewed the "active participation" requirement to be an objective measure of a Scout's attendance level. Please note that there is no definition of what active participation might be in the BSA literature. It has always been up to the unit or unit leaders to decide what level of participation might be defined as "active." Leaving that definition vague so the unit can make that decision is also a wrong interpretation of policy. In the BSA policy (this the National, not to be changed or altered in any way, Policy), it states that under NO circumstances can ANY advancement requirement be added or changed. That means a unit leader can't say that a Scout must attend a certain percentage of the meetings or activities in order to be active. Or, to use any other subjective means of deciding what "active" might be. If the unit has a "policy" that defines "active" then they have modified or added a requirement. Unit leaders doing that now, are in violation of National Policy.

BSA National Policy makes it possible for every Scout to have the same, consistent experience, no matter what unit is involved. There is a lot of flexibility in the system. That is called program. There are also many good reasons why units are not allowed to "make their own rules." Many unit leaders may have the best of intentions, but Scouting must be individual. It is not for the unit leader to decide what a Scout should get out of the program, but it is up to the Scout to make that decision.

I have heard leaders make the comment that a boy receiving a rank who has not been to meetings and not participated in enough outings, cheapens the program for the others. That is wrong. A Scout may not get the enjoyment, fellowship and knowledge from the meetings and outings he missed but if the Scout completes the requirements, he should get his advancement. Program will not change or suffer because of it. The Scout received what HE wanted out of the program.

Here is a excerpt from a letter response taken from the online site, The NetCommish @USSSP, Ask Andy #34:

"Just to get one point out of the way -- and this is a BSA policy; not some "rule" of my own! -- setting a specific stipulation for the number or percent of meetings or outings or activities a Scout must attend in order to be considered "active" would constitute an addition to a requirement and that's just not permitted. The reason behind that -- particularly in the arena of active participation – is twofold. In the first place, Scouting abides by the principle of "do your best." Secondly, Scouting is the most forgiving of programs, and while other youth activities such as team sports, band, etc., virtually demand perfect attendance to the exclusion of all other activities, Scouting doesn't do this, and never has! That's because we've always considered the youth we're serving more important than the program itself."