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Don't approach the murder kitten like this guy did. Note that her kittens were nearby which puts her in defensive mode. Get big, get loud, don't run away. You can't out run it and running away puts the cougar in predator mode. DO NOT BEND DOWN! Note when this guy bends down the cougar charges. It makes you look small. Find a branch or something you can grab and throw without bending down. He eventually threw rocks and the cougar ran off. If you have trekking poles, water bottles, etc. throw them. Put the damn phone away so you have both hands free.

This the theory behind the newer WB course, and mine at the time in 2000. But, there are a few unexpected complications that seem to upset the theory. 1. Scouters, even those coming from Packs, are expecting to learn some hands on scouting skills, especially leadership skills. 2. The staffs don't really understand what WB is trying to pass along, so they aren't selling their program very well in their course. Just reflect back on all the posts in this thread where WB is called a leadership course. It doesn't matter how much previous training a participant brings to WB, if it is

I've ran into those critters. I've also ran into critters who believed if you aren't wearing beads, you don't know squat. I found it interesting that when i suggested something, it was ignored. When my beaded friend suggested the same thing, it was brilliant. Focus on your scouts. Do what is best for them. Don't worry about anyone else.

This is an extremely rare encounter. Cougars avoid humans. You could frequently hike that area and not see one in 10 years. The presence of the kittens is the only reason he saw the cougar. People safely hike alone in bear/cougar territory all the time. Look at the people who thru-hike the AT, PCT and CDT. Most go solo. Might want to wait for the hands to stop shaking before wiping or you'll just create a bigger mess.😲

Yes. National changed their membership policy in 1990 to accept women troop leaders. The unforeseen consequence was the sudden rush of unexperienced troop leaders needing training for a troop leader experience. Wood Badge was at the time an "ADVANCED" Scoutmaster training course designed for EXPERIENCED Scoutmasters who wanted to expand their skills. As an advanced course, the curriculum was heaving into using an idealistic simulator troop environment and culture as well as using scout skills for teaching models. The simulated troop and scout skills were just props for teaching ADVANCED TEACHI

"Now see, this? This part? That's where the cougar started to gnaw on my leg. Sorta painful, but just look at how amazing the wide angle lens is on that iPhone 12! Amazing, right? That's not a red filter, that's my blood smearing on the phone case, but can I just tell you that the phone never broke? I mean my leg did in multiple places, but the phone? Not. A. Scratch!"

I wanted to pull this as its own topic out of the WB thread. Here's the first confirmed sighting of (National-sanctioned) virtual IOLS in the wild out of National Capital Council. https://scoutingevent.com/082-40623

Nor have they mastered teaching outdoor skills on line. Not nearly. More pretend accomplishment.

Well obviously the SM is gonna need to do some conferencing. He could start by saying there's a stranger on the internet who says the best scout ever aged out at 2nd class rank. What made him the best? He invited his neighbor to visit his troop. The corollary is, of course, that to be the worst scout ever all you have to do is drive someone to quit your troop. And I was on the brink of being that scout on a couple of occasions. The offending scout might not even have a clue about what he did. Did the SPL or the scouts' PL witness the altercation? Was it overt hostility or just o

or a painter?

Once the camel's nose comes into the tent....

I wouldn't hike anywhere without a stick or a pole. We don't really have mountain lions around here but we do have bear. There are also a lot of people who hike with their dogs off leash and they are not all friendly. We have also had a number of cases of rabid animals attacking hikers. That's another issue scouts could use more consistent education about.

It is an encounter though that may become more common. Cougar populations are increasing and the species has expanded. Dispersing young adults are being reliably if intermittently sighted in any number of unlikely states from Illinois to Louisiana to Connecticut. In Utah where this incident took place the cougar population has tripled in recent years. Black bear populations are also on the increase in many states. Since the U.S. population is also increasing and Covid is causing more people to look for more remote trails, this video is a good reminder to be prepared.

Glad there is a video attached. Otherwise, I might have referred them to YP guiidelines.

At one time there were 3 different WB courses: Scoutmaster, Cub Scout Trainer, and Exploring Advisor. Exploring WB was not around when I was a young ASM, just the Cub Scout Trainer and Scoutmaster. Both courses were intense, weeklong courses focusing on a specific program. You had to not only complete the basic training in the program you were in, but also have 2 years of experience AND be invited. The two years tenure was waivable, but you still had to be invited. Most WBers I encountered were cool, but there was some that were cliquish, and had attitudes. Sadly I seen the attitudes more sinc

LOL, WB used to be an advanced Scooutmaster course until 2000. WB is a designed team building course for all Scouters from Cubs to Venturing. But because of it's legacy, most participants and staffers think of it as Troop Leadership course and are greatly disappointed. Personally, I believe the value of the course is in the working the Ticket because that requires the participants to think what they want to do and then create a plan to do it. The rest of the course agenda is filler to have an excuse for serving frozen cheese burritos. Barry

7. Don't hike alone in cougar / bear country. 8. After the encounter, wipe.

I think they can also do the Protect Yourself Adventure instead of Cyberchip if you prefer. https://i9peu1ikn3a16vg4e45rqi17-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/510-77819-PTYR-Adventure-Tiger-Requirements_WEB.pdf

I looked up the address where they had tried to serve Mr Van Arsdale on Bing Maps, and noticed a sign on the building that seems an apt comment on the case, or at least his involvement with it... m In filings today, it seems that the LCC/BSA and the TCC are mostly in agreement on providing full information about Local Council assets... some complaints from councils that they weren't properly given notice, and that they might need more time, but no objection to any other party finding that information out if they can obtain it somehow. The big sticking-point going into this week's he

Work with that newer councilor. Move past the SM and just get it done. It's sad when things like this happen, but in reality ya want your kid working with adults that want them to succeed. And, the vast majority of scouters are that type of person.

I've never done WB and any interest in it died the first time I watched a bunch of grown adults sing that kooky song at a COH that led to two of our newly crossed over scout families immediately pulling their scouts out, lol. However, I've known a lot of people who have gone through the training and are just great people and seem to have gotten something out of it. I think the point is it isn't for everyone and a weekend or two of training doesn't a leader make. Sometimes it only makes bad leaders worse because now they have a badge. While I didn't ever do Wood Badge, I and another per

Have you ever read "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking", by Susan Cain? It helped me understand myself and my own leadership strengths as well as be able to better recognize them in some of my more "quiet" scouts. The book also showed how we often make mistakes about what true leadership is.

I did all of that. It never bothered me.

"How do we know any of the claims are real? After all some of these cases go back decades." Some of the offenders confessed. Otherwise, exactly. That is inherent in the political decision to allow stale claims.

I do believe that there is a fair public policy question here. Should the country have ever removed the statute of limitations and should organizations like the BSA, churches, and other COs be responsible for abuse claims from that long ago? These organizations all have permanence due to the nature of the kinds of organizations that they are. They have all made decisions years ago that if made today would be considered reprehensible and subject to legal action. Should quasi-permanent institutions like these be held liable for the these terrible decisions by people who are long since gone a

Like gamblers - but at a rigged table.

The purely political act of virtually eliminating periods of limitations for these claims means that defense is impracticable or literally impossible, Many of the accused and all other adults around at the time died years ago. Thus, accusation equals guilt. Indeed, it makes perfectly good sense is accusation equals guilt. "The statute of limitations is a statute of repose, enacted as a matter of public policy to fix a limit within which an action must be brought, or the obligation is presumed to have been paid, and is intended to run against those who are neglectful of their rights, an

For a female scout who joined right at the beginning (February 2019), the timing is possible. The ranks with “time in grade” require 14 months, plus the time required to attain First Class. Since the beginning of February 2019 there have been approx. 19 months. So, assuming completion of First Class in 5 months, the timing is possible for an very advancement-focused scout. Particularly if the scout involved joined at an older age, and so was motivated by the deadline of aging out (setting aside the potential for extensions), it doesn’t surprise me that there are scouts who have either comp

In our area there are few backyards and certainly no one has swimming pools. Most scouts live in apartments in Elmhurst ,NY. All pools are closed now. In the best of times it is hard to find a pool where swim tests can be administered. Many boys have to be taught to swim before they can take a test. We use a college pool to teach but it is closed now because of Covid-19 with no opening date in sight. We still cannot camp overnight in N.Y.S. College life guard does not allow us to do rescues in pool. He does not even like scouts to jump into pool except at far end. These things sometimes have t

The BSA uses a commercial company to run background checks. What they're going to pick up is things that are a public record, basically a credit report and a list of criminal convictions if any. There is almost zero chance that what you're describing exists in any data base that anyone would be able to access. Put in your application, don't worry, and hope that this becomes a weird/funny story you tell in the coming years.

I would leave the individual requirements blank (SC 5b and FC 6a) in Scoutbook if the Scout has not passed them yet. Scoutbook has a Notepad & Comments feature that is available for each individual requirement and at the bottom of each rank, merit badge, and award. You could add a note to First Class / Star / Life ranks and maybe one or more of the individual requirements that the Scout still needs to pass the swim test (the first requirement for each rank, Scoutmaster conference, board of review, etc.). At Scoutmaster conferences and boards of review, check to see if the BSA's

Yes, but this has become an issue in my district in central NJ. Many outdoor community pools didn't open this summer and indoor pools are still closed. In more dense neighborhoods, a lot of families only have above-ground pools. So quite a few units in our area have struggled to figure out a viable option for scouts who are hitting this requirement as their only impediment to advancing, which is a surefire way to disenchant them with the program. This is especially an issue for new scouts who are 14-15 (as many new girls are) who might not make it to Eagle if they have to delay advanci

Stosh, Qwazse, Both excellent contributions. When I hear mobilization it means pack for a trip, grab riot gear, fill out this, etc., etc. Probably overthinking based on my pre-conceived, work-related definition of that dirty word. I really like the two step approach suggested. For the record, I have never been mobilized for anything that youths would be encouraged to go to...no looking for lost, etc. My primary assignment is fatal crash reconstruction & forensic crime scene mapping. I know enough about emergency management to know I am not a leading authority. I will check in

First of all welcome to the forum! I would think that state law enforcement and regional emergency medical teams may not want a bunch of little kids hanging around some major crisis, but as one who served in a small town in rural America, all hands on deck were a welcomed sight. Especially the scouts who were trained in what to do and and what to not do! We held our simulations on Saturdays so as many people as possible could attend, not just the elite trained. One example that has always set well with me was we were doing a scenario of an anhydrous ammonia leak at the local far

CERT (community emergency response team) should hold drills once a month. I'd contact them to see if the scouts could come participate. BTW, the minimum age for cert training is 14, so some boys can take the training to be on the team. (A lot of the training would cover the merit badge.)

It's coming. It was announced in that group by someone on the National Committee the same time as virtual ILST/ILSC that virtual IOLS is coming soon/within a week. I know several councils that did improper/unauthorized virtual IOLS and/or allowed for "testing out" of IOLS due to COVID in the spring. That pissed off the folks a Scouting U. (those left after the purge/layoffs) so this is now coming to allow or authorized virtual IOLS.