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I keep saying that cell phones are the new Swiss army knife -- just a utilitarian item that can be used correctly or incorrectly. I think this is one of the areas where BSA has to catch up with current life. We used to argue about it in our units but within the past decade attitudes changed drastically for several reasons: 1) Adult volunteers cannot afford to be detached from work or personal life on a regular basis. It's just the reality today. Too much stuff happens. It's very hard to recruit adult volunteers on camp outs without wi fi or at least cell service. 2) Cell phones are

We have a new CM that knows it all because, well you know. He poked my kid the other day and stated loudly, "he can't that have that patch there, you know". Its a Whittlin' Chip patch on his right pocket flap on a Webelos uniform. Maybe it can be there, maybe it cant. I have seen the arguments on that one. I DO know that the minute he poked my kid it fused that patch to the shirt more firmly that badge magic and it just wont come off now.

Esoteric Important Unimportant are my middle names. As you know, my mother had it in for me from launch point.

@ThenNowHang around after the case is closed. You will see the same or bigger discussions on particular requirements of particular badges, uniform minutiae, and a million other esoteric important unimportant things!

This is nonsense with absolutely zero basis in either the YP rules or common sense.

One caution to add to this discussion — at this point, we don’t know how many total cases there were at either of the camps where COVID was reported (this and the other thread), nor do we know all the BSA affiliated camps where COVID cases have been detected. Our troop was at a camp last week and we received notification that there were scouts who tested positive immediately after they returned home and so had been potential sources of spread while they were at camp. I don’t have a link or citation to give you since it looks like there hasn’t been any public report of the events. Beyo

We just got back from camp and there were some scouts with phones, some in our troop. Mostly used them for taking snapshots the way one might have used a camera in my youth to take photo memories of camp (and the quality of cameras on phones is killing the point and shoot camera market, so your troop historian might not have many other choices about recording camp if they are doing their duties) and some for contact with family back home (mixed blessing in some cases). When we had buddy groups of scouts spread about camp when severe weather rolled through, their ability to check in with lead

Not sure about how obvious my comment is. Often what I think is obvious or self-evident apparently isn't. Agreed that scouts is the best place to learn it.

I think that's obvious. And what better place for kids to learn the best ways to use a tool like a cell phone than scouts.

Almost all areas I go backpacking there is no cell service. It is imperative that we also ensure scouts know more than just "use the cell phone".

"That is right up there with hanging up on a Scout who calls asking if you will counsel him on a Merit Badge. After all, one-on-one telephone conversations are expressly prohibited." i could never bring myself to do that. i did ask that they have someone on the line the next time. Nor did I erase emails addressed ony to me. Rules are easy if the rule-maker knows nothing about the facts on the groud. Like "stay put" in each and every wilderness survival situation.

I would also say in many cases a switch from a chartering organization sponsorship to a facilities use agreement really won't change much of anything and in fact simply might formalize the status quo. Most of our relgious COs think they just provide space for us anyway and many are incapable of providing any kind of oversight -- the congregations are too small and/or too old.

Real camps don't have wifi. Go sit on a rock and enjoy the breeze.

How critical is the CO concept? To me, not at all since 99% of COs don’t do anything other than provide space free of charge. What happens if organizations don’t provide space free of charge? The organization crumbles. It has been hard as our troops and pack have been a wandering group of pandemic refugees. It is hard to grow when you meet outside of a school with no access to bathrooms or each unit meets at member houses backyards. Not easy.

I had a copy of the NDA forwarded to me. They most certainly are under an NDA in order to obtain information as part of this process. The signature line is my council's president. The demands on our council are much, much more than the TCC claimed. It was purported that the TCC wanted to leave councils with 2 years operating expenses. We won't be left with that. We are being forced into a merger as a result. This is likely because our council is 100% cash with no properties whatsoever to sell, making us a very small minority (out of 250 councils, I think around 10% have no camps or offic

After over 4 years of working in the field, today was my last day as a Professional Scouter. It's been an incredible ride, but it's time for me to move on and start the next chapter in my life. Thank you to everyone on this forum over the past years who helped me grow as a Pro. If you ever have any questions about Professional side of Scouting, or "the Dark Side", please don't hesitate to reach out. Volunteers are some of the kindest, most selfless people you will ever meet in this world. It was truly an honor to serve them, and I will miss working with them dearly.

I found out that my council has been on a conditional charter for 4 years now. We don't make goals this year, merger process begins next year. With COVID-19, and increases in fees ($99 for existing youth including $33 in council fees) i see us losing existing members. Add in the incoming lawsuit commercials, i see no chance of meeting membership goals. As for financial goals, we have been running in the red for a few years. Council cut 3 professional positions and increased facility fees. Now there is talk of harvesting and selling properties. Hopefully they will not sell the local camp,

feels like I'm staring at force ghosts of Baden-Powell, Seton, and Beard

I think that there are many better places to wear that parent pin. When you are in uniform everyone knows that you are supportive of your daughter, the Scout. What about when you aren't in uniform? How do you express it then? My dad was an ASM the entire time I was a scout. He later was SM for many years after I was gone. I never felt like he didn't support me because he didn't wear a pin on his uniform. I was super proud when he had his pin on at church or work though. Lastly, I would ask that you think about your role when you are in uniform. When you are in uniform you are n

Back in the day, we used green ribbon and a straight pin for the Mothers' Pins as they were called. I personally despise the new necklaces as they are designed for Cub Scouts and Scouts, BSA. I am sorry but it is two distinct programs. The two programs need their own ribbons/necklaces. On a uniform note, There is no prohibition on wearing the necklace with the uniform. Although I still think the leather rounder temp patch with the mentor and parents pin is better.

Putting words into somebody's mouth is rarely a good idea, and rest assured, I always read my own messages. I never once said "I disapprove." You might infer it, but you can't claim I said it, and just to reinforce my point - I express no disapproval of anybody's uniform, despite the fact that I do openly state my disagreement with the position of some regarding parent pins upon them. But they are two different things, and I'd appreciate if you wouldn't try to divine what I do or do not approve of when I am perfectly capable of doing so myself. I will define my own opinions - not you. Thank yo

One thing I saw someone wearing was a leather rounder with Eagle mentor pins on it. He wore it as a temporary patch. If I was to wear unofficial pins, I would go this route.

You clearly would not approve of my uniform that is adorned with knots. I would rather let my actions stand for me that the uniform per se. The youth see me doing servant leadership, support of the youth, standing up for what is right, and letting them lead speak for my scouting not my uniform.

First @rickmay, congratulations to your daughter! By now you know that rank advancement ain't easy. It takes a good bit of dedication on the part of your daughter, her patrol, and her troop. I accept a few dings on inspection and wear an Eagle parent pin and/or mentor pin on the collar of each of my uniforms. So my saying you can't wear a parent 2nd class pin would be akin to throwing stones from a glass house! But, something to think about: everybody in the troop already knows your proud of your kid. What about the folks at church, work, the gym, the bar? Folks made those pins for y

Actually, parent pins shouldn't be worn on the uniform, and there's really nothing to be gained by doing so. Let your child represent him- or herself in the youth uniform. You best represent the Scouts by being properly uniformed yourself, and part of that means remembering that parents' pins are meant for non-uniform wear. Nowadays, there are nice parent ribbons available at the Scout Store on the which you may place your pins, but again, those are not to wear on the uniform. In our troop, when we present our parent pins we remind them that while they are lovely reminders of their child's acc

I am normally pretty steady, but those using the uniform rules of National (in my estimation seeking to elevate their own importance within the program over trifles), affect an attitude that any trivial or minor deviation from National's "rules" constitutes a point of attack against the alleged offender. So if some scout or adult offends National's rules on Eagle Scout Pins (Mom, Dad, Mentor), what are we to do? Those pins are revoked? Eagle Scout status is revoked? I have been the fortunate recipient of several Mentor Pins. Each was presented to me as a complete surprise.

If wearing the pin would in any way encourage my child, I'd wear it. The insignia guide is precisely that--a guide. Not holy writ.

Actually, the only flair I have is the two Eagle Dad pins, and the three Eagle Mentor pins (and sometimes a temporary patch, usually a Camporee patch).

If he truly poked (touched)the child that is physical abuse of a youth member under youth protection and he should be reported if he want to get all legal about scout rules.