Leaderboard

As others have noted, not sure the group (NEC Team) really understands how things work now. They seem to think that making some adjustments or tweaks will make everything better. The NEC should have presented a plan on how to FOCUS the Scouting program and movement on our strengths and market differentiation (outdoor program, youth led, self reliance, problem solving, personal growth) and how to leverage that to grow the program. Hint - it's not STEM, safety, popcorn, and professional staff Lastly, this is great - since financial challenges prevent us from being able to meet de

Reading the text of the three priorities, it is clear that National retains the delusion that all Scouting flows from the professionals: "Recommendations that help engage and empower more volunteers to deliver and support Scouting locally will move forward, which will be vital to our Movement’s sustainability since financial challenges prevent us from being able to meet demands with professional staff alone." And: "[C]ouncils can focus on bringing Scouting to youth, families and communities with the support of local volunteers." (Emphasis added.) Scouting exists only because individ

I am stunned and in awe of the Churchill project. Do nothing hard. Punt on the major decisions. The three priority items are ones that should have already been done as a part of regular business practices.

...Adrian’s kits are full of materials that are described as anxiety and autism comfort items, and as a part of his eagle badge requirements, Adrian supplied the kit to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department to use as a tool when they are responding to calls that involve autistic people or people in extreme anxiety. The kit contains headphones, sensory balls, fidget spinners, pipe cleaners, stretchy men and flavored tongue depressors, which are Adrian’s favorite. These kits are now carried by 42 medic units in Fairfax County, and when they are working with an individual with autism

His 2009 dissertation: (free ) . Very interesting read on James West, James Beard (zingers), patrol method, the Interracial Service, BSA early history, immigrants, minorities, urban vs rural, conservation/animal rights vs pioneering/scoutcraft...Good stuff. https://escholarship.org/content/qt6s56c7cg/qt6s56c7cg_noSplash_adb0c60e663dce67efa6513d5571baa4.pdf Subsequent book (2016?): Modern Manhood and the Boy Scouts of America In this illuminating look at gender and Scouting in the United States, Benjamin René Jordan examines how in its founding and early rise, the Boy Scouts of A

Why am I not surprised. And with the large number of layoffs, I bet it won't be considered retaliation. Like I said the good pros either leave, get sidelined to obscure positions, or they get fired. It would have been much, much, much worse. There would have been no input from the membership and volunteers. National would have done whatever they wanted, and there would be nothing we could do because it would be a done deal. IMHO that former professional helped Scouting , and not hurt it, by leaking the info.

BSA is so caught up in its old view of what it is that it missed an historic opportunity this spring and summer to recruit youth especially at the cub level. No other youth organization was as well positioned as this one to provide outdoor opportunities to youth. Instead it focused on online merit badges and zoom meetings. We were more worried about summer camps than summer fun. From family to socially distanced den and patrol hiking to birding to weather watching to insect and mammal study it could have had pre packaged programming that got kids and families outdoors in the backyards or in l

The whole Churchill Plan thing is symptomatic of BSA's continuing problems: In the face of an existential crisis, it is asking ordinary business questions about how it can be more efficient and do a better job marketing and recruit more volunteers and continue operations on a tighter budget. That lack of perspective is bad enough given the potential crippling outcome of the bankruptcy. But the bankruptcy is not the existential crisis that BSA faces. The real crisis is the devastating and ongoing loss of youth membership. The number of youth members in Scouting programs affects everything,

It isn't happening now, so lets move forward and work with our current options and stop making noise when not necessary. Be happy that for the moment, not all the doom and gloom is in motion. Certainly stepping, if slowly, in a better direction.

The NEC [National Executive Committee] also agreed that the following three recommendations will not be considered at this time: Combining Sea Scouting into Exploring, Ending all youth programs at the age of 18, and Sunsetting the Learning for Life curriculum

Scoutmaster Burkhardt Reviews Summer Camp at the Summit This is a review of summer camp as experienced by Scouts and leaders at the Summit's “James Justice National Scout Camp” in early August, 2020. The Summit is known for its role in hosting jamborees and is used for high adventure and training activities. However, this review will focus solely on the summer camp operation. I am wearing my hat as Scoutmaster to inner-city youth from the District of Columbia in writing this. Late in the review, I will make limited comparisons to council summer camps as I have experienced them as

The issue that I addressed was whether a Black Lives Matter representative stated that looting was acceptable. You suggested that the sources that you named saying that she did express that view were "conservative," implying that this made them untrustworthy. I cited several non-conservative sources for the same story, including Black Lives Matter itself. The representative of SBLM, Ariel Atkins, then told NPR - a left-wing source: " that her group '100 percent' supports the violent looters who trashed chunks of the Windy City Monday, again repeating her claim that it is 'reparations.”' 'T

Thanks. I actually didn't keep track of that. I perhaps tried a little too hard to just be along for the ride and let the scouts/interpreter run the show.

Instead of testing out, the first course in scoutmastership should have as a prerequisite mastery of all 1st class rank skills, signed off by your troop’s SPL/JASM. The opening line of the syllabus should read, “Now that you demonstrated that you are a first class scout ... this weekend will give you the tools, as well as the fellowship of other scouters, that will help you excel as a scoutmaster. ...”

I've only read the introduction so far. My first impression is that, for the majority of issues, nothing has changed, at all. It's the same arguments about program, council, national, parents that "Molly coddle" their kids, "the good ol days" when kids were self reliant, struggle with incorporating minority immigrants and more. 1920 and 2020 look surprisingly similar. It might have some good insights into how to move forward with less national resources as they had little. Only warning: this is a real thesis and not a scouter U thesis.

And this is why our scouts should be encouraged to meet directly with BLM and LEO to provide venues for orderly discussions. Nothing ruins a propaganda machine more than kids asking tough questions. Patrol, verb: observe and report.

I'm still here because the scouting movement is bigger than BSA. The scouting movement exists in the hearts and minds of millions of scouts and scouters. No bankruptcy court can take that away. If BSA folds, we will still be here to keep the spirit of scouting alive.

Another way of looking at @skeptic's point: If you're sure the BSA is going to fold then why are you still here?

I get that and am glad your unit had a good week at camp. That being said, not sure one can really evaluate the camp and program there without fully acknowledging what a huge waste of BSA resources this was. Yes is it likely a nice facility. The National team did in fact spend north of $750MM on the place and there is no real path for this vanity project to be in the black. At this point it is a facility looking for a purpose. Where did all the cash go over the last 10 years, well you were there.

Sorry @Navybone but you dismissed one series of reports based on bias. When shown a different report from a mainstream media outlet you deflect to Russians? That's laughable but typical. Beyond that, anyone who has actually picked up a copy of the SunTimes in the last 10 years knows exactly where their politics lie.

Looks to me like these folks are working hard to save and improve the movement. I appreciate their work.

Note the key words: "at this time".

Yes, we know that there is no current test out option for these courses. But just like BSA approved Dodgeball as a game for Scouts to play, at one time BSA did allow test outs IOLS. It was in the syllabus, and there was a form that had to be filled out.

I admit I got some mixed emotions on this. Grant you the research on this topic I did was over 20 years ago, and more information is now available than when I did it. But here is what I found. Yes some professionals really did screw up and not follow National policy of the day. They did allow folks to continue in the movement when they should have been removed. That is inexcusable. THEY are the ones who failed our Scouts. And yes the BSA did not report a large number of abusers to authorities. However this was a time before mandatory reporting laws were on the books. If the child's p

This issue will not go away. Though I don't see the harm and I could easily counter-argue from many directions, it's non-productive. Society has changed. Kids don't watch cowboy and Indian movies anymore. Whole generations are losing connections to our past. ... The key problem is protesters will always be using BSA to prove their point at BSA's expense. .... IMHO ... We can come up with our own ceremonies that are just meaningful without using Indian lore. ... Sadly, our scouts will lose out by being less aware of our countries Indian past, but so be it.

Moderator note, let's keep on topic Summit Summer Camp experience - activities, cold showers , costs, gear, medical checks, camp setup, check-in, safety,... Thanks P.S. oh and food. @John-in-KC @MattR

Dear Friends: The policy issue of whether the Summit should have been built or whether it should be retained through bankruptcy are fine matters to discuss, but I hope that can be done elsewhere on the site where policy matters are handled. This is a very detailed review of a summer camp operation that most of us have not experienced and many have been curious about. My intent is to provide a straight-up review of the summer camp only. The previous pro/anti Summit discussions on this site have been exhaustive and informative. Experiencing summer camp there last week was very satisfying fo

@John-in-KC there was a reduction in the National Council Staff by 110 positions yesterday. These are trying times, I have no desire nor inclination to join the debate or speculation here. Good people, who care about our country, our youth and the program of the BSA are no longer employed. Keep them and Scouting in your thoughts and prayers. RichardB

My friend who used to work for BSA until today posted this. My heart goes to those affected by this. Today, the BSA permanently laid off a large number of employees (I am told it is about 40% of the national office staff) as it tries to survive a number of unplanned events that affect the organization more severely than many can even imagine.

When you are looking at reporting on such issues as protest and BLM, I would ask that you do keep a sharp eye on what is being reported. This is a great article by NYT on Russian disinformation and an attempt to widen the gulf btwn the political parties. We have issues in this country, lets not help Russia (or Chinese) attempts to bring us down from within. Question the reporting, even if it is confirming your own bias. About three years ago, when it was BLM versus Blue lives matter in the press all the time, Twitter was able to track the post made by russian trolls and how they would