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If Ultralight or Kephart could return to scout-run and thrifty...maybe All Stars can backpack without adults or replace their Eagle project with a solo wilderness experience or ...

I think the BSA needs to be laser focused on getting kids out into the woods, on adventure, and on service. Everything else is a distraction.

I could see something like that. Aside from the cultural appropriation issue, I just don't see Native American theme resonating with youth today like it did 30, 40, 50 years ago. The bigger issue is making it back to a real "All-Stars" Honor Society again...starting with changing the election process away from the current "vote for everyone if you want to" that has made getting in the OA just another checkoff box after 1st Class and 15 camping nights.

Before NYLT was JLTC (Junior Leadership Training Conference). Our troop started doing our own version for the PLC and the council liked it so much that they asked us to do trial versions at the counsel level. We used the Patrol Leaders Handbook and SPL Handbook for skills guides. You can do one yourself, just identify what skills you want the scouts to learn, then find fun ways to teach them. Do the course over a weekend of camping, backpacking, canoeing, or biking. Or all four. It should be something different from a typical camp out and some special. Movies and pizza would not be

or maybe something like traditional woodcraft type outdoorsmen ala Sears, Kreps, Hastings, Kephart. Since Kephart is likely the most well known, call it "The Kephart Society." Keeping the OA as its roots, the acronym could be O.A.K.S. If OA is rebranded, perhaps return membership to a place of honor; reserved only for the "all -stars".

Don't fetch your mourning armband just yet, @desertrat77, at least not for OA. Every other youth program I've been associated with - Little League & AYSO - each had an All Star component. Some All Star program will naturally accompany Scouting, in whatever form survives, to meet the needs of those who just can't get enough as well as serve as a beacon for others. We need an All Star program, and for better or worse OA is ours. I do believe there are Sacred Cows within the OA. Any traditions that smack of "Cultural Appropriation" (dancing, regalia, etc.) even now are being hust

"One-and-done" rank requirements and their partner in crime, the "no re-testing" rule, are so ingrained in our advancement-centered Scout culture that they will never be changed. The only way to keep Scouts current in their skills is through practice and competition. Now, suppose an adult Rovering organization were to catch on, with BPSA-like "skill proficiency" badges that required annual or bi-annual re-testing. The pride of the Scouter/Rover adults in their skills, and the cool badges to accompany them, could inspire (what else?) more new non-advancement awards that youth could earn

After logging into Scoutbook this morning; I had to share a screen shot for my personal kids: Even with a 3 year age gap between them, they have both earn the title of Eagle within 7 months of each other. The younger one even finished it during COVID 19.

I don't remember any age requirements for OA. But I do remember tenure requirements for Tenderfoot Second Class, and First Class. I also remember "Master the Skill" and "The badge represents what the Scout CAN DO, not what he has done" (sic) were the advancement standards to meet, and not "one and done." like today. I also remember being able to vote for 1/2 the number eligible. In my first OA election, they were 3 of us eligible. I could only vote for 2, and I did not myself as the other 2 were my role models and mentors. I think the old standards produced a more mature, capable Ar

In a way, Scouter.Com was the birthplace of Traditional Scouting in the United States. Back in the 1990s Craig contacted me about an article I wrote for Scouter.Com's print publication. It featured the adventures of one of my Patrol leaders, a 12yo free range kid who took his Patrol into the woods most weekends. They lived on the rabbits and squirrels they hunted using a spear extender illustrated in one of the Patrol Leader's near-century-old library discards, Scouting for Boys. Craig invited me to join his fledgling movement. Scouter Terry then set up a list serve for us, that inc

ultralight backpacking isn't something new or far-out. The old-timers preached it. Any of the authors I posted earlier were extremely weight conscious. And not because all their gear was heavy stuff, or they didn't take anything and were miserable. It was all about skills, knowledge, experience, and not taking extra stuff. In general folks carry heavier packs now than they did and that is with modern equipment.

Completely agree.

@ROVERS on behalf of moderators of scouter.com , welcome.

BSA's position is consistent, and honest, that the the councils are separate legal entities. But that doesn't mean they aren't related for purposes of a lawsuit. Three separate legal entities approved my membership as a scout leader: my chartering org, the council, and national BSA. If I commit a heinous act against one of my scouts all three entities may face civil liability, and all three will be sued together. Whether the councils are independent will likely not ever be settled as a matter of law, that is it's unlikely that that issue will be decided by a judge and then definitive

I dont personally know anyone who is into ultra light backpacking. There are some, but I don't know any. The OA is the one program that is youth run, at least in my lodge it is. This whole native american thing is just another unnecessary conflict. Our lodge has a native american member and local, real, tribal member native americans have an open invitation to attend any of our events to view our ceremonies and provide chritism. Without exception, they are appreciative of our efforts to commemorate their culture. I would suggest that adults let the voting members decide what they want and

Perhaps there could be stages of experiences and adventures in which one could demonstrate advanced competency while also providing stewardship based service. They could take different tracks as well. hmmm....

BSA National? In the words of Lem Siddons (Follow Me, Boys!): "They'll gum everything up." It needs to start on the local level, with some older Scouter friends getting together -- without youth -- to show each other outdoor skills, take hikes, and sit around campfires enjoying each others' company. Then they invite some of the younger Scouters in. It's not long before they are setting up model campsites at IOLS sessions and camporees, teaching whittling and map reading and how to cook foil dinners -- and telling tall tales. Eventually someone asks them, "Who are you folks? What is

A Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla was the Chartered Organization for my Ship in 1970's suburban Chicago. I earned Quartermaster in what can only be described as a splendid Scouting unit. The Auxiliary members were our adult unit leaders. Sea Scouts (called "Sea Explorers" for a brief period of time when temporarily combined with the Exploring program) and the Auxiliary was a perfect program combination then and can be again on a national basis. Most of our Sea Scout alumni joined that Auxiliary Flotilla and became its source of new membership -- I think we had the youngest average age for a

I'm sure the council's executive committee will announce their decision as soon as BSA tells them what the council executive committee's decision is going to be.