Leaderboard

Listen to your parents. It's fine for those of us who have decent paying day jobs to volunteer some of our free time for smiles. It is an entirely different thing for a young person to forgo good employment opportunities or neglect his education. If I remember correctly, you need that money for college.

Nothing negative about that. That's Scouting - being allowed to fail and cheerfully learn and correct your mistakes.

As I understand two patrols of girls age 11 to 14, the Blue Jays and Eddie Spaghetti, were formed and competed. A little history was made at the Boy Scouts’ 2018 Camporee. The first two-man saw race was not won by men nor boys. It was an all-girls patrol unit called the Blue Jays, formed solely for the weekend, who rocked a bucksaw fastest through a fir log outside of Fort Vancouver. The fact that the Boy Scouts of America six months ago reversed a century-old policy that prevented girls from joining as Scouts was not lost on people nearby, who turned to watch the girls shear of

This is where many of us take for granted that we've each gravitated toward the CO's who give us the latitude we feel we need to deliver the program we think we must. As a scout, I was always puzzled why a troop started up on the same side of our very small town as my own troop. Reflecting on it, I've come to realize that my SM, who was more than happy to have some rough guys as ASM (all good as gold, but not necessarily paragons of the church who sponsored us), was not the kind of guy everyone wanted to be scouting with. Although strict regarding manners and generous towards missionaries

Rogue troops. 'Nuff said.

I keep picturing Spanky and Alfalfa with their "He-Man Wom3en Haters No Girlz Allowed" sign.

Still recovering from the Ordeal. Tired, sore but smiling. I just watched a young Arrowman drape a brotherhood sash over his fathers shoulder just a few hours after he gave his younger brother an ordeal sash. His older brother, who was the head elongomat for the weekend, was standing nearby watching and smiling. That should keep me going for a while.

The most outdoor-oriented GS/USA troops are ones who have leaders in their mid-twenties (who are not moms), or they are leaders who already work closely with BSA and are translating the boys' program to their girls. The problem of "play-it-safe" SMs (both male and female, but mainly the latter) is imploding a lot of BSA units. I have two young relatives who quit their troop because the promise of scouting wasn't being delivered. Last I checked they were playing gaga ball in a pit at a Trail Life gathering. I don't blame boys who move on if 14 girls just "show up". The best-case scena

Over under is much sooner. I would say that as the first girls could go into Scouts late summer and/or fall of 2019, then the current Webelos Den 2 girls (and as "thousands are flocking" there are likely some) will want to visit troops in about 6 months. That is when the initial uproar will happen. "What do you mean this really active troop that my daughter want to join is boy only??" and "we had separate dens in the pack, why not separate patrols??" Likely not everywhere or in every council but I bet enough to be a trend BSA National will roll over like a mobile home in a tornado...

I definitely understand the shifting sands feeling.

Legally yes. The Court of Public Opinion no. BSA will fold on the Linked Troop concept at the first mumble of law suit. Somebody will complain that having to start a completely new unit when their is a perfectly functional unit at the same CO is an unreasonable standard. It does not have to be right. As long as YPT is covered National won't stand the negative PR. My CO wanted to stay all boy but fears the PR as well so will wait and see. But we do not have to argue. It will be resolved in less than 18 months. Surely I am not the only one who sees this?

Concern is that the "Linked Troops" is (was) a new term maybe 60 days ago. It speaks to the evolving and somewhat confusing rollout for the Girls into Scouts. National and professionals are digging their own holes on this. At an annual program rollout for local council the presenting teams discussed name change (yes / no / maybe / not sure); how will summer camps handle girls (Oh we've had Co-Ed Venture groups at camp so we have great experience) which is not really true and over the last 5 years maybe 2% of the total campers and only in later less filled weeks; and that adding girls in

Lots of good advice. Don't envy your having to make a decision. After my father left, I had to work. I was fortunate in that lifeguarding was fun. But if I could have staffed camp, I would have, BUt the pay was a heck of a lot better with the lifeguard job.

Aside to scouters: when you need to choose a health plan, ask if they have any youth employees. If they don't, inform them that you will continue your search.

Make a list of pro's and con's that each opportunity offers you this summer and BEYOND. Employment is not just about $ but also experience learned and networking contacts made. Any hospital or other patient-contact jobs on your radar? My $0.02, good luck.

As I was walked by a patrol, a scout asked, in a tone loud enough to carry, is the rinse water supposed to be hot or cold? But as the scout finished the question, he was already walking away saying”I know, check the handbook.”. The biggest problem with the Scout Handbook is the adults, because, other than advancements, they really don’t know what the books say. Example: the handbook is very clear how and when a scout wears the uniform. Yet, every troop has a different policy. Our scouts were always encouraged to reference all their sources when they taught subjects. They were also al

With the recent discussion about Totin' Chip and such, I have been reminded of the unfortunate fact of the catastrophic loss of our White Ash trees here in the east , due to the Emerald Ash Borer. I have had to oversee (and participate in ) the removal of more than 20 mature , large trees of late, both around my own house and our Meeting House Property . One counted 87 rings (!). With all that in mind, I offer for your edification, a guide sent to me some time ago (you may note the dated prices), on how one might "Heat Your Home With Wood For Free": How to Heat with Wood for F

I realize that this isn't the actual situation, but I can't help seeing this image. (Campfire has died down. Scouts are done for the day. Scout master pulls a book out of his bag.) SM: Okay scouts. Everyone get into their tents and I'll read you a story from the handbook. Scouts: HOORAY!!! (scurry off into their sleeping bags) SM: Okay... (settles their reading glasses) Section 7.0.4.4 Discontinued Merit Badges... Scouts are not allowed to begin work-- Scouts: (from tents) You've read that part already. Skip to the good part.

COs do differ in their mission, and how they want their various "ministries" to reflect that mission. Some COs want exclusive involvement by their scouting programs to the CO, some less are concerned about that. Some CO's have a heavy hand on the program through their COR, others let the COR run more freely, and some of those CORs delegate more to Committee Chairs and SMs than others. You do raise a point @qwaze about the number of units that many here may have experienced in the past. When there may have been more units available, the COs probably could have more tight control and it