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Remaining optimistic is a real long shot from what seems to be happening with this administration. So, please do not hold your breath that he will actually agree to do it. JMHO of course, but his track record is not rosy.

Latest from FB: We received the following message from National this week: “Beginning this week, Scouting America Outfitters will start shipping Eagle credentials to local councils. The initial shipment will include 1,000 sets, and starting next week, they will increase to 3,000 sets per week. Based on this schedule, it will take just over four weeks to clear the current backlog. Please note that these credentials will not include the president’s signature at this time. While we remain optimistic that approval from the White House will be granted, we recognize that we can no longer delay distribution.”

I am sure that there are councils that use training rather than certification; mine is not one of them. I must have copies of the certification cards for all my staff, since NCAP Standards SQ-405 states what we can accept, depending on the time for EMS to get to our locations. SQ-405 also states the following under verification: Documentation of age (health officer must be at least 18 years of age) Description of camp program and camp health officer qualification requirements Statement from EMS provider as to response time OR Google Maps or Map Quest printout showing response time to nearest EMS Relevant certificates on file

This is the correct attitude right here. Especially the occasional review part; heck we all forget stuff.

This seems really bad at first. But is it that bad? I was able to see my CST membership April to April for the past 4 years and that 25% drop doesn't show year-over-year April-to-April in my CST. My CST might be an anomaly, but I doubt it.

The key that is going to mean no is the end of item 10. "Carry everything you will need throughout the trek."

Funny you should mention.... I have been trying to organize/schedule CPR/AED training for some time and by chance at a recent IOLS/BALLOO weekend, met a Scouter who does such things. We got it scheduled, and it will occur tomorrow. There is a fee, which I find reasonable for what is offered. He remits his share BACK to the org that he works with. We have publicized it in local Scout Troop, District and Council Campfire sites, and in our local newspaper and in our church. One of the rationales for this is our House of Worship is FINALLY to buy/install an AED. Now to the frustrating parts... 1) we have been greatly underwhelmed by the sign ups. We shall see how many they have from the internet sign up.... 2) One Scout enquiry was to ask about "the CPR Merit Badge Class, and what rank requirement it met". I had to respond that it was NOT a "Merit Badge Class" (they might have thought it was First Aid?), that it was instruction in the skill, and as to what, if any, rank requirement it fulfilled to ask his Scout Master. 3) Since I work at a Retirement Community, I am required to take just this sort of training. I can say that since my Paleolistic days as a Scout, up to my present state, I have learned no fewer than five techniques to deal with loss of breathing/heart attacks, each an improvement on the prior. I can claim only two times when this training has been of value, one very good, one not so. I tell people it's like wearing your motorcycle helmet or your auto seat belt.... you may only need this training once, but which once?

BTW, I have had conversations with Camp Directors on this wrt NCAP. And wherever the standard is vague or conflicting, they have interpreted it in their favor (training versus certification). I know a Camp Director who also asked for clarification from National on this issue... and got no response. So he used "training" versus "certification" to meet NCAP requirements.

Agree!

As long as they realize that there are situations where BSA does require a copy of the certification card, such as meeting health officer requirements for day camps, etc. and that just having NO6 in their training on my.scouting will not suffice; I would rather they know what to do in case of an emergency than having a piece of paper in their wallet.

And a new countdown begins…..great news.

What's even more sad, is a lot of these folks/survivors probably aren't aware their attorney fees are going to chip away at these small payouts. However, there is a thread on Reddit that is growing with survivors who are firing their attorneys to get more of their recovery. Particularly amongst those law firms that signed up mass clients and really didn't do much except file some paperwork. I also read the Trust is pushing back and even denying some attorney fees due to complaints and/or lack of work that doesn't come close to 30-40% contingency fee (most involve Matrix claims.

Well.....if you want to see this move ahead, it's nice when there's a bit of good news. The Circuit declined the en banc appeal: Docket Text: ORDER (CHAGARES, Chief Judge, SHWARTZ, KRAUSE, RESTREPO, BIBAS, PORTER, MATEY, PHIPPS, FREEMAN, MONTGOMERY-REEVES, CHUNG and RENDELL*, Circuit Judges) denying Petition En Banc and for Panel Rehearing filed by Appellant Lujan Claimants. Krause, Authoring Judge.[*Judge Rendell’s vote is limited to panel rehearing only.] (SB) So.....the appellants now only have one recourse left, a hearing before the Supreme Court. If they take it that far a couple things to note. One, SCOTUS rules relatively quickly whether they will put it on their docket. Two, it would be unusual for them to take this on after the Circuit had a unanimous decision and then refused a full circuit review.

Agreed. The FB groups are wild.

Wanted the forum's thoughts on this topic. Here's the background... I am a CPR/AED (and First Aid and Wilderness First Aid) Instructor. I train about 50 people each year in BSA, and issue certificates from the organization certifying me as an instructor. The training books, materials, and certificates for the courses have a cost, most of which goes to the certifying organization. When I organize and offer a course, I explain the fees associated, and I do not tack on extra fees to generate an income. Basically, I offer the training for free, but ask for a cost to cover the items above. This helps keeps costs extremely low for our volunteer leaders. And because of this practice, I have many more requests for courses than I can offer. I have to turn lots of folks away, because I do not run my training as a business as many others do. (The market rate locally for an in-person, hands-on, CPR/AED class is about $100.) I keep records of all courses, and the syllabus I teach for each specific class. After issuing certificates, I also submit a training report to council for N06, CPR/AED. Due to economic pressures in some units, I have been asked (I am purposely vague there) to provide training, but not to issue "official" certificates (due to cost), and then further asked to submit training attendance to council for N06 CPR/AED for tracking in adult leader records, so they are covered with respect to the Guide to Safe Scouting which requires "training" instead of "certification".) So, we have a distinction between the two statuses, certification versus training, with one difference: one has a paid certificate from the issuing agency, and the other does not. I have been thinking a lot about this and researching BSA "requirements" (for adults and youth), and state and federal laws and have the following observations/thoughts. 1. If a person attempts CPR and AED use without training or certification, they are covered by Good Samaritan acts and Federal legislation. 2. We would desire that everyone be "trained" in CPR and AED use. 3. Some businesses and occupations require CPR "certification." 4. Guide to Advancement 2025 does not require a certification, per se, for rank requirements or merit badges, but specifies *Note to the Counselor: CPR instruction, wherever it is required, must be taught by people currently trained as CPR instructors by a nationally certified provider such as the American Red Cross, the Emergency Care and Safety Institute, or the American Heart Association." 5. BSA has no specific prescription (that I can find) for awarding N06 training code. When entered, N06 has an expiration of 2 years, in line with all certifying agencies... Currently, I have no issue with training and testing folks according to an approved syllabus, and awarding CPR/AED N06 without them paying for a certificate. What are your thoughts? I was going to punt to BSA National Health and Safety Committee, but, as @qwazse says... 😜

The Trust is not in a hurry to give an updated estimate, as it is highly unlikely that the end result will be anything even remotely close to your $33B or greater figure. Insurance claims will have to be settled for far less than potential, as it can take a decade to otherwise reach a conclusion. I have seen on a Facebook group that some believe they will receive $2.5M cash and are setting up trusts for grandchildren. Good luck to them on all of that. While it will still be significant I suspect it will be a small fraction of "fully funded".

Thanks @BadChannel70. June 1 update: average $566,526 per TDP claim. [This has gone up every month, contra to what I thought.] For the TDP, 53% claims determined and 29% paid (17,009 paid) For the IRO, 26% claims determined and 9% paid (18 paid) It looks like the Expedited Distribution is just about finished (less than a percent undetermined, 92% paid). This would represent about $20MM for 6,000 survivors. Less than 1% of 2.4B, for 10% of claims. If the Trust were to stop here, just based on claims paid amounts (not determined), they would need just over $9.5B, with 35% of the claims paid. Without factoring in non-Matrix IRO payments, the Trust needs about $33B to be fully funded at these averages. The Trust of course, having determined 58% of the claims, could probably give a better estimate.

Under ---> News and Key Documents ---> Reports (Click on May which is really June 2025)

It does, indeed: 10. Following the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code, participate in at least three backpacking treks of at least three days each and at least 15 miles each, and using at least two different campsites on each trek. Carry everything you will need throughout the trek. @ScoutsMama I hope the Scout enjoys this weekend, but don't get bogged down of whether "it counts for anything". Many, many youth in the program don't even experience more than a single overnight backpacking these days, so take the experience as an "intro" to backpacking of sorts, and cherish it.

This would be really neat to look at. If you do get them, could you scan it to share?

The merit badge counselor is of great importance here. It has been a while, but I do believe the requirements do state to carry everything throughout the trek.

Someone in the troop said it doesn't say carry the pack for 15 miles. They said in the supplemental documentation that we shouldn't overread the requirements, and GTA says we aren't allowed to create requirements via parsing. I'm just not sure what is right and if that should be counted as a 15-mile backpacking trip if more than 1/3 of the time you don't have a backpack on.

My initial take is you could count the 8.5 backpacking miles, but the 6.5 may be considered hiking, but not backpacking. There is a definite difference between the two. Also, consider the intent of the merit badges. As much as some may overlap, there is a benefit to a separate mindset. I applaud you and the scouts for the entire program and outing.

@ScoutsMama welcome to scouter.com

Hi: I am looking to expand my Scouting collection and reference library to include "Wood Badge Instructors Guide to Practical Training" from either a) the "first" era (1948-68) or b) the "second" era (1968-2002). Does anyone know or have? Thanks!