Leaderboard

Bottom up and scout-driven. All Scouting is local. Provide an adventurous, scout-run scouting program in our units and our enthused scouts will spread the word. My $0.02,

To boldly camp where most will not camp anymore!

Just be sure not to wear a red shirt! 😂

Sorry, but It's going to take more than a new slogan, however good that new slogan might be.

I don't see where anyone is singling out the Mormon faith. In fact, the opposite seems true. For decades, Scouting worked to accommodate the wishes of the LDS church, to the point where BSA allowed a customized program within a program. I personally was never comfortable with that as I think Scouting should generally work in any faith environment or in any interfaith mix. Any minor accommodations should perhaps be more appropriately limited to the CO and unit level. I also personally had an issue with the gender disparities in the LDS church, as I do when they occur in any religion from Chris

I love being a scouter, and one of the activities I most enjoy is being a merit badge counselor for subjects that I truly care about....especially Communications (which I regard as the single most important life skill for someone aspiring to a leadership role of any kind). In every class, we've written "letters to the editor" as part of requirement 7a. Normally, that's the end of it. After counseling more than 100 scouts on this MB, I can't recall hearing that the boys' letters actually got published --- or even got read by anybody outside the class. Now, I have an example to

After taking a hard and professional look at everything going on and all the problems we are facing. I think we're going to need more popcorn.

As I recall, back in the 70's BSA was hard on the ropes due to an unpopular war, declining numbers, a negative image and program changes that the rank and file were unprepared for. But, overtime National was able to save it's self. The waters may be rough, but the ship is still afloat. I've a feeling it's still too early for the eulogy, and that the storm can be endured...

Yes. But a marketing program and strategy is necessary to deliver the message. In the early days, books and comics abounded. Written by scouters, but allowed by BSA. Scouting was part of kids entertainment. In these times, kids use youtube, and other social media. To attract them, there needs to be content. Not "how to tie a bowline" content, but the fun and adventures which have the outdoor skills embedded. Also, not to focus entirely on the "super high adventure", but on more everyday scouting activities. A regular campout, not philmont. At least the proportions should be an accurate reflect

I hope and pray my thoughts here will be articulated in a way that will generate a positive response and greater unity of understanding and discourse by those who read it. I notice that the impending separation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Boy Scouts of America has garnered much discussion about the motivations, ideology and mechanics behind this process. However, as I member of that faith, I also see that there has been an unfortunate trend by some to use this as an opportunity to make sideway comments voicing their opinions about our beliefs, our organizati

Oh. Sorry to hear that. I guess I'd say that I've found the Scouting community to be wonderfully embracing and friendly. Sure, not every unit is like that, but many are. Certainly as I've gotten more involved in my district and council I've got a number of wonderful friends that genuinely seem to be really glad I'm here. I'd encourage you to put your uniform on, head to a roundtable, district committee, or commissioner's meeting and say hi. I bet you'll find some really nice folks who are glad to see you.

I'm sorry to hear that. Scouting will be the poorer for it. If I could make an encouragement. Scouting needs people who are willing to help in a number of places. I respect that you reached your frustration point and are done. Consider finding a different spot to help out. Perhaps as a merit badge counselor. Perhaps as a member of the camporee staff. Help with the Eagle process. Perhaps running shooting sports ranges. These kind of roles are almost always overlooked, but Scouting can be so much stronger when great, passionate volunteers get involved in them.

Wow! that really helped a lot! And it occurs to me a metaphor. And a Scoutmaster Minute in there. Something like, don't aim at the beginning, aim at the ending. I gotta work on it but yeah its in there somewhere.

I heard that Rainbow Council is thinking about rolling out a program that combines soccer with scouting in the same unit. Instead of scout uniforms, kids wear soccer uniforms. Instead of learning first aid, they learn to roll around on the ground moaning like prima donas. Here's the story: https://patch.com/illinois/homerglen-lockport/new-boy-scout-program-will-combine-soccer-scouting Since Rainbow Council is clearly on the cutting edge of combinatorial youth activities, here are some more ideas for them: Combine karate classes with scouting: kids don't need to chop wood to build f

Oh, come now! You've seen pictures of snow.....it's that white stuff that covers the ground in the frozen tundra of northern climates....like Dallas.

IMHO, the NCAC practice you describe is an excellent demonstration of PITIFUL servant leadership. If the scouters in Council were GOOD leaders, they'd be checking "downstream" --- looking at the blue cards or electronic advancement records *WHEN THE SCOUT EARNS AN AWARD AND THE TROOP BUYS THE BADGE FOR HIM*. That way the scout has an opportunity to correct himself, and the troop can discover their sloppy advancement processes in time to nip future problems in the bud so they don't end up with a years-long procession of non-compliant sign-offs. Waiting until an Eagle BOR to verify t

In the not so distant past, some councils had community youth soccer/bball groups registered as "scouts". They did no scouting at all, it was just an after school youth sports program. As long as dues were coming in, no one cared. I suppose the number of registered scouts made someone look good too. It was about 10-20 years ago when it was finally cleaned up.

Something has to fill the vacuum since Risk Management removed dodgeball from the program! By the way, the next time someone tosses out "OK, Boomer", just reply "That'll be Civil Rights Generation to you, post-modern nomad."

The great thing about scouting is that it's a very rich program, full of opportunities for people of diverse interests. If Wood Badge isn't the kind of training you want, maybe Powder Horn will be more up your alley. Or maybe take an NRA class and become a shooting sports guru....or one of the American Canoe Association (ACA) instructor classes ---- there's never enough adults in the troop who really know how to teach paddle sports! I've heard that BSA is rolling out an Angler Instructor certification class....maybe that would be of more interest.

...On Veterans' Day evening, Cub Master Matt led the group by flashlight through the cemetery to the grave of Nicholas Cutinha, a local Vietnam Veteran that was killed in battle on March 2nd, 1968, and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Matt asked the Scouts about the word reverence, and had a conversation about how reverence is a higher form of respect that goes beyond simply standing when the Nations flag walks by, or behaving in church while people worship. “Reverence is about getting under the surface of simply showing respect, and really understanding why that

I think we are tracking here. This is a forum about scouting. However, up until the statement by your leader this was publicly a matter of practicality for scouts and the LDS church. After that statement, the LDS church is now faulting the BSA with some implication that it has to do with recent changes. These recent changes inspire passion for many but are a point of belief for your church. I think it makes sense that people would be riled up. Absolutely it is. Not all of us believe in the eventual salvation of all those who are good (I don't know, do you?). For other faith

I think this is problem a semantic point, but... respect - n. 1.a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. 2. due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others. respect - v. admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements. I think we need to show respect for their program (as in noun definition #2 above). We need to exhibit due regard for their feelings, wishes, rights, and traditions. I do not think we need to show

I dont need any future training. I will not be a leader any longer after Dec 31. I cancelled my course reservation this morning