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I think predicting the future is a great thing to do at the end of the year when everyone wants a break from doing the hard stuff. But this discussion has taken a nice turn. I appreciate the range of possibilities. When you're running towards protection and away from the saber toothed tiger, it keeps things in focus better than what I've always seen from BSA singing "the future's so bright I gotta wear shades" - because that song was about nuclear war. I agree with @Cburkhardt that we need to believe in the program but I also think that there are changes that we're ignoring. There are asp

All good advice! If you choose to participate in some activities, plan on waiting in line for some of the most popular ones (ala Disney). Bring something to occupy your time while waiting (or make friends and chat!) Get two portable batteries for your cell phone. Fully charged before departure. (Make sure you have a charging cord to connect portable battery to phone, and a spare cord, too! Would be best if all your connections used the same type cord... make that investment.) Take lots of pictures. Camp security is no joke... A Scout is Trustworthy. 50,000 ARE NOT! I

"It depends". Schedule several practice camps for your slid together Troop. The Scouts probably won't know each other to begin with. Work with your SM. This is a NEW Troop at a NEW Jamboree, since COVID etc. Scout led. EXPECT alot from your Scouts, they will not disappoint you. Your tents will be given you, your cot will be given you, you will still be living out of a duffle . I would think no real room for a trunk. . Walk everywhere. Get your hiking shoes worked in. Rain shoes, serious hiking boots.... Summit is just that, up and down, alot. Rain gear. Door m

Extrapolating membership results nationwide from one enthusiastic scoutmaster’s troop is even less predictive of the nation’s circumstances. I was once that enthusiastic crew advisor, but I realized that irrational exuberance does nothing to prepare one for the future. Ignoring the experience of other scout associations around the world is the height of arrogance. That’s okay. We’re American and need to maintain that exceptionalist swagger. But one needs to own the at-home facts in evidence. This forum holds posts from scouters who’ve lost interest in BSA once it proposed BSA4G. I’v

Another observation you can take from Scouts Canada- outdoor opportunities abound, and families don't necessarily need an outdoor focused organization to enjoy the outdoors. If we look at Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, where there are numerous open spaces and outdoor opportunities abound, BSA numbers have been exceptional low. BSA policies that can hinder the outdoor experience do not help either. A childhood friend lives in Maine and was taking his daughter deer hunting when she was 9 years old. She wouldn't have been allowed to handle anything other than a BB gun in a BSA setting. Safety

I just don't see girls as being all that pivotal either way. They are a great and no brainer addition to a youth organization but in the scheme of things, at least here in the US, I'm not sure it has had much bearing other than providing a helpful blip through a couple of very dark years. Where the UK is concerned, I think some of its success has more to do with the fact that it has had consistent, identifiable, high profile advocates from the late Queen to Bear Grylls to more lately Catherine Middleton. They are so high profile, we are aware of their involvement even in the US. I also think t

I had to decide under which topic to include this. Training? History? Working with Kids? When do we REALLY start "working with kids".... when they are our kids.... Personally, I can relate to this very item, which I cribbed off a Facebook page (with the author's permission). Growing up, our country home included a 55 gallon drum set on bricks, in which my job was to BURN our trash.... Responsibility.... Nelson R. Block on Youth Training….. Scout buddies – Once again, I present this essay in honor of this day: I have good thoughts when I take out the trash. On

Most of the conversation in these postings regards two questions: “Is what our lodges do with regard to the depiction of Native American culture ever going to be accepted by the larger Native American community?” And: “Is the continued engagement by youth members of the Order of the Arrow in the representation of Native American culture fundamental to the achievement of BSA goals? The answer to both questions is no. It is impossible to envision a time when Native American communities will broadly accept the depiction of their culture by our young people through costumed depictions o

In our council unless you are raising money, they could care less. No marketing, no support to new or old units. Remember, Scouting is about the cash and keeping the pros paid. As long as they can keep cashing in on the cache and history of BSA, they are happy