fred8033

I'd question the value of scouting if that's the average. For active scouts in our troop, the average was closer to 15 to 20. Summer camp 5 nights. 5 to 10 of the offered monthly campouts. 3 nights a year does not sound like fun scouting. I really hate thinking that way. Yes possible, but what is the value of scouting then.

I wish everyone the best. Change can be very, very painful. Personally, I enjoyed the OA events and ceremonies. Using AIA folklore added character. For long-time OA members, it's core to OA. I also cringe and won't defend the OA AIA ceremonies when asked by others. I personally don't want to be associated with it. For new scouts and their families, it's an obstacle to overcome.

This is one of those cases where I roll my eyes. The key is should youth be challenged by going outside camping to have experiences beyond their comfort zone. Then whether it's BSA or a NSO, it's moot. IMHO, a NSO would be a huge waste of pre-existing resources and goodwill to rebrand to satisfy a small population of disgruntled people. BSA cries out for real, massive re-engineering, but destroying and restarting is just not a real option.

@Mrjeff The challenge is defining what are the rules? With BSA been beat up with so many challenges lately, I really don't know the rules your a concerned about. A specific MB that is strongly political? Faith requirements? Sexual orientation? Gender? What is your analogy specifically targeting? At some point, I wish we'd just define Eagle scout (our ideal result) as completing 100 nights of camping with similar number of cooking their own camp meals, setting up their own tent, etc, etc ... and, some skill demonstrations (First aid. Swimming. Camping. Cooking. etc, etc) and sa

Ten years ago, we were at least $7000 for a few years. Four scouts active and two adults. A few years the kids attended summer camps from multiple troops. Sometimes high adventures. Other costs. ... On top of the explicit cost, add wear and tear on cars and adults and time away from jobs.

Councils are already seeing that. Thus councils starting all-in funding themselves too. Individuals pay much larger fees and are not expected to do FOS.

Question ... if $400 is cost, why collect $200 ? Or is the $400 with weekend campouts ?

Nope. It was a power mom that wanted her son to earn Eagle.

I only mentioned camping as we had a similar challenge with a parent suggesting that camping counted by pitching a tent inside a building counted as camping as the scout did not like sleeping outside. That defeated purpose of the badge. Similar to a stationary exercise bike instead of a road bike outside on the road.

Cycling or hiking or swimming. It's not really required. If none of those are possible, then there are other options like @RememberSchiff suggested. I read in the original post "had" large motor delays. I took it as the scout matured slowly. If the scout still has disabilities, than the disability route should be taken. Also, I really like what @InquisitiveScouter suggested. I see many adults all the time use recumbent bikes. There are three wheel versions of those too. https://www.amazon.com/Mobo-Recumbent-Cruiser-Tricycle-3-Wheel/dp/B002LOT6SK/ref=sr_1_16?crid=1CNSPNNDL

No for different reasons. It's just a badge. Earning that specific badge isn't really needed. It won't block advancement. What about really growing as a person? That's the MB purpose. Using a real bike is meaningful and useful. ... Would he wear the badge with pride and a symbol of fulfilling what the badge is about? I'd argue no. Sitting on a stationary bike for hours is exercise and not much about cycling. It's like parents that wanted kids to earn camping but the kid would not sleep outside in a tent. So, can you earn "camping" by pitching a tent inside a cabin and then sle

Scouting units should scale up and down depending on resources and interest. No no youth scouts want to be leaders? 19 inactive scouts and 7 active scouts? Sounds like the structured program is not the best. Perhaps there is something wrong there. ... Fine. ... For now, the troop adult leaders should scale back to focus on providing an active fun program. Camp outs. Activities. Fellowship. etc, etc, etc. Troop should not worry about a structured program that develops youth leadership (for now). Plus IMHO, the best lessons for youth leadership happen naturally thru the troop being

General ... COR selects leaders and that's mostly it. KEY POINT --> COR does NOT inject into daily execution. COR does not guide or approve anything daily. Problem is that many people sign up to be COR to get power over SM/CC. The real defense is that SM/CC are volunteers. The willingness to move on is real power. Be prepared to walk away. That takes away the COR overreaching their role. ... Same with CC overstepping his role. CC runs committee that administers the troop. The CC does NOT execute the program or work with scouts. ... Don't passively support the CC by letting hi

Wishing you the best. We get one life. It's right to move on when the magic is lost and the pain becomes real. Wishing you the best in all things you do.

It's very important, but even with the training I've seen ... people run the program they've learned from the previous unit leaders or they do what they want. Training is very important but not a failure root cause. This is a fundamental issue in my view: the broken connections between packs and troops. Directly related, "emphasizing" troop shopping is bad. If the unit is not a good match, then switch. Fine. BUT! It's bad to have individuals shopping around causing splits and breaks in continuity. A few big units thrive. Smaller and medium units hurt. Worse, lon

Troops have a big mix of families. Some families have their act together. Uniforms ironed and ready to go. Others, can barely get by each day and never know where the scout uniforms are. Others are somewhere in the middle. ... Above answers are correct. I just suggest thinking of this with a soft and compassionate heart. At the same time, a well uniformed troop is a pride point for the scouts too.

Sounds very normal and a good representation.

I've never understood scouting finances. 1000 youth at say roughly $100 per youth revenue gets $100,000. How can you pay a council president, staff and other people at that level? I know there are other fees (camping, sales, etc), but it still leaves the vast majority coming from fund raising. Wow.

Dropped it can easily become evidence of negligence and liability. It's one reason I think BSA should move away from being a "membership" organization.

Scouting is financially prohibitive. I noticed that ten years ago. At one point, my family had four active scouts and two registered adults (wife and myself). With new council fees ($200+), my family would be at $890. Add unit dues for four scouts. Add another $1500 for summer camp. Add another $30+ minimum per person per weekend camp out. Add miscellaneous costs. I would need to budget at least $4000 per year to have my kids in scouting. That is two or three really nice family vacations per year. Heck, I could afford a small camper at this cost.

Same conflicting statements existed when I went to Sea Base and when my younger son went. Show the doctor the participant guide to the doctor. Have the doctor sign the form. You are good. Call Sea Base office if really concerned. FAQ --> https://www.bsaseabase.org/scouts/resources/faq/ Sailing guide (page 5) --> https://www.bsaseabase.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2022-Sailing-Participant-Guide-.-Editable.pdf

The quote is the rule, but the application is confusing. Backcountry is about extricating a person in an emergency. Sea Base is not called out in the rule when Philmont is explicitly named. Sea Base activities are often where a rescue boat can pull right up to the scout ship or Munson island. So, does "backcountry" apply? ... Many resident scout camps could be considered far more back country than Sea Base. IMHO, use the Sea Base participant guide for clarity.

I know Philmont does that. Does Sea Base? I just looked in the Sailing participant guide. It says 295; not by height. FAQ --> https://www.bsaseabase.org/scouts/resources/faq/ Sailing guide (page 5) --> https://www.bsaseabase.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2022-Sailing-Participant-Guide-.-Editable.pdf

Lion and Tiger dens of less than eight are problematic as the den usually doesn't survive to Webelos / AOL. Lose one or two a year. By Webelos, you are at two or three scouts. The den folds. IMHO, get your daughter into a healthy den / pack. At some point, it's about your own kid's experience. The years go very, very quick. Really. It's not worth fighting a bad situation. Sometimes it's better to let a den or pack die fast; than to drag it out.

LOL. Like we haven't. Stop trying to chastise. Be part of a conversation. Like many hot topic Wikipedia pages, the page is littered with inflammatory, inaccurate statements. Quotes taken from news feeds over years without checking if the news feed was right. The first statement talking about abuse says 92,000 cases (CNN). PBS put the number at 80,000. (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/judge-upholds-boy-scouts-2-4-billion-bankruptcy-reorganization-plan#:~:text=More than 80%2C000 men have,the bankruptcy process was manipulated.) Missing is the late night infomercial