Leaderboard

Our Troop had developed a practice of dividing for summer. 14+ to high adventure, under 14 went to merit badge camp (if you didn’t have anything you’d rather do). Consequently we were producing cohorts instead of Patrols and a Troop. This also set up a Cub Scout-like dynamic where adults are directing too much stuff because the Scouts do not know what to do. Not always, but often enough that the Scouts looked hen pecked and indecisive. This year we got the band back together. The older Scouts joined in at summer camp. It was just a few of the older Scouts but it was enough to make a diffe

I am just back from my third summer camp as an adult. I was a Scout in the 1970’s. So I am constantly trying to reconcile memory with current observation. The first summer camp that I participated in as an adult we had one Scout called out for OA. I believe that was the last OA election the Troop had. The fellow that was chosen declined the honor. . The next years no elections. I watched our Scouts during the OA ceremony at summer camp and I was pretty sure there would be no interest in OA nominations going forward. Dutifully eavesdropping after the ceremony this year, I heard a couple

We are just back from summer camp. This is my third camp as support leadership, next year I've raised my hand to take the lead so I'm capturing some of the observations, notes, etc. immediately on return while fresh in my mind because my mind is a sieve I thought I'd post some of the general comments here and see also if I can take advantage of the accumulated wisdom and recent summer experiences of those gathered here. We had an AMAZING week. Should note we had over 30 scouts with us, so some of this might be more relevant to a group that size, but still worth sharing. Will encoura

Our Troop just returned from Sea Base and everyone used the neoprene dive socks. The flippers they provide are made of rubber and if you are snorkeling/scuba a lot can cause blisters. The dive socks are not too expensive. We also made swims out to islands and when you take the flippers off, it was an added benefit not to be on the rocks barefoot.

Very poorly worded.... I would read this to say you must determine whether you can adjust sights before you begin shooting for score... If you can adjust, then do requirement l) and show that you can shoot 15 shots (five groups of three) that can be covered by a quarter. (It doesn't matter where that grouping is on the target.) Then, m) make the adjustment and then shoot 25 shots (five of five) for score (which aims for bullseye) In this scenario, Scouts must shoot a minimum of 40 rounds. If you cannot adjust, you must shoot 25 shots (five groups of five) that can be covered

We've had a few folks post that their SM refused to allow OA elections. I always thought it was the duty of the SM and assistant scout masters to make program opportunities available which comport with the program, the OA being among them. If the scouts decide not to participate, so be it, but at least they self-select not to participate. We've had the scouts decide not to attend district camporees, mainly because the theme was the same, year to year-cooking-sponsored by a unit which essentially had to fund the materials themselves and did so marginally. It was all lecture-scouts s

Hugely agree. When my dad was a kid, they played cowboys and indians. Gabby Hayes and John Wayne were in the theaters. My friends and I played Hogans Heroes as kids. We watched re-runs of Gilligans Island. This generation has been online their whole lives playing Minecraft and drowning in politically correct messages. The OA scripts are old and out of place. Much of the script can be salvaged. ... Time for something simple and authentic.

It is adults who drive most of this and the negative connotations are perhaps most extreme in OA but not unique. There are also those adults who get up in front of other adults and youth and sing the Back to Gilwell song, or others who insist on singing some of the traditional camp fire songs or skits that are also more for the 1950s. I have seen this chase prospective or new scouts and families out the door. I think BSA needs to reevaluate how it is presenting itself overall, not just in OA.

I'll double and triple that recommendation. You do NOT want to walk the rocks barefoot. We did out island adventure and tall ship sailing. When coming and going to the island, you can walk thru sharp rocks and also algae and muck. You do not want small cuts and/or bacteria getting in. Some type of foot covering is important.

Coral Reef Adventure. It was a lot of fun! The Scouts did a great job, and enjoyed snorkeling, fishing and exploring historical sites. I’d definitely recommend attending Sea Base if your Troop hasn’t been there!

@ThenNow From my understanding, there were many professionals who felt that something constructive should result from the information in the IVF. After seeing the ones that were publicly released, the paucity of information, especially for older cases, would tend to negate any useful study. My understanding is that legal counsel and PR were rather emphatic to keep everything behind lock and key. So feel better that efforts have been made. I feel that examining the files and consulting with experts could have provided enhanced warnings and some keys. The 1960’s and early 1970’s

I beg your continued indulgence for my horrible typing on this thread. I’m even worse pecking it out on the phone than the full-size keyboard.