What happens if a Scout has a disabililty that keeps him from earning all the “required” merit badges?
A. There is a provision for alternative merit badges for a Scout who is unable to complete all the “required” merit badges. Plans and approvals must be done before the Scout does the alternative merit badges. If he earns a badge before getting approval from the council advancement committee, he may not be able to count that badge as an alternative to one of the “required” badges. Work on this with your district advancement chair immediately when a disabled Scout joins the unit or when a Scout in your unit becomes disabled. (Or do it right now, today.) See the Boy Scout Requirements book for more information. Units cannot make exceptions other than as noted there and in the Boy Scout Handbook. See also the booklet called A Scoutmaster’s Guide to Working with Disabilities (publication #33056A). Q. Does it matter what order people sign the project approvals? That is, must the benefiting organization sign off before the Scoutmaster and unit committee? Must the Scoutmaster sign before the u
