When has BSA in recent history ever not allowed a pilot program go all out? This decision has been made by the pros, and I bet Oct. is the next time the volunteers meet to rubber stamp the decision.    

In 1989 when aged based patrols became the recommendation instead of Traditional, mixed aged patrols, that was the beginning of fall of the Patrol Method. In 2012, when they no longer allowed patrols to camp on their own without adult supervision,  that furthered the fall. In 2018 when they no longer allowed patrols to have any day activities, i.e. patrol meetings, hikes, camp shopping etc, unless 2 registered adults over the age of 21, that nailed the coffin shut IMHO.

Yep. I'm convinced that those at National haven't a clue how to develop young people into ethical and moral decision makers. Has DEI killed the Boy Scouts? Leadership development in scouting is passive form of learning. Good leaders make good role models for good leadership. The folks at National are reacting the same as the Girls Scouts national leaders when they lost the understanding of how to build character. Like the BSA, they started promising leadership as a virtue of the program. They believe that giving a scout a chance to lead makes them a leader.  Ironically, I believe that the GSUSA has a better chance of giving a patrol method program now because they don't have boys to dilute their program to make everyone happy. But, like BSA National, they don't know how to implement it. Barry

When California passed AB218 with it's special 2020-2022 window to unofficially target scouting we knew there were going to be more entities sued. Back in February and May this was being discussed but it's hitting the news cycle again. Schools are now being targeted.  https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/08/17/wave-of-sexual-assault-claims-is-latest-financial-crisis-for-public-schools-local-agencies/

The post was for info of any interested.  The Villa is a historical building and the damage is to the story of the house.  Yes, the elements are not picky about when or where they roar.  I was at PTC years ago during one of the storms, at lightning struck a tree in the lawn area of the Villa, where we watched the deer graze and rabbits nose.  The tree exploded, literally into a pile of firewood and splinters.   Making repairs as close to the original as possible is the goal, while protecting the edifice with updated options.  For me, it seems important to keep the original designs and if possible the original materials, or surviving similar ones in use, while adding protections as able.