John-in-KC

Matt nails it. In the name of "safe Scouting", liability avoidance, the National Council has gutted things which youth could do on their own, accepting a certain degree of risk in life. We will start with patrols having activities on their own, without requiring adult supervision. While I believe the program should have modification based on best outdoor practices (are we leave no trace or not?, do lashings in back country make sense at all?,...) I think the adventurous outdoors is the essential vehicle of Scouting, and we are not using it very well any more at the National program design level. I think we need sequential, not concurrent advancement, but I believe the MB plan to Eagle is far, far improved over when I was a youth member. Look at everything with a critical eye. That starts with the salary of the CSE, and works its way down. Now with that, as a Mod, this is a superb thread, and we ask you just keep it focused.

My two cents, as a Lutheran Christian. In the direct context of Scouting around the world Scoutmasterblog is pole vaulting over mouse turds on male-ness of God. Scoutmasterblog is pole vaulting over mouse turds on monotheism v polytheism. That wipes away 3/4 of his article. The remaining quarter is non-theism, and a-theism. Sorry, I cannot go there. Go back to the root, to the writings of B-P. Now, imo, the DRP should be formed from writings of B-P. That would end the disucssion. There is room for Hindu, Buddhist, and even Shinto. If there's room for that, the DRP covers a darn broad tent. There is no room for non-theism or a-theism. My thoughts amongst fellow friends and Scouters.

The deadline has passed. This is now in effect.

Click on this link to Bryan on Scouting, then READ AND HEED!!! This is already in effect! Here is the central information of the article: Effective Sept. 1, 2015, the use of 15-passenger vans manufactured before 2005 will no longer be allowed in connection with Scouting programs and activities. 15-passenger vans manufactured in 2005 or later may be used, as long as they are equipped with Electronic Stability Control and seat belts for all passengers and the driver. This applies to all vehicles, regardless of ownership (privately owned, owned by chartered organization, rentals, etc.). Moderator's Note: I am not enabling discussion of this. It's a done deal. The topic is pinned.

Moderator's Note: Please keep the conversation focused.

The training is designed for adults. The youth get what they need to know in BSA Requirements, or here at Scouting dot org. Personally, I would prefer you counsel out of troop. The kids in your troop will figure out how to push your buttons. Within the ADULT ASSOCIATION method, one of the best things a MB counselor does is get the boy used to a cold call interview ... which he will have at 16 or so when he goes out to get his first JOB!!

My opinion: We've lost the real intent Baden-Powell wanted for Scouting: A game with a purpose. I don't care if the emphasis is historic camping or STEM: If it can be a game with a purpose, it'll support the youth. If it's not a game, then it won't capture their desire to participate.

With reluctance, I'm moving this to I&P. There's a lot of commentary on the usefulness (lack thereof) of districts and councils. This needs to be there.

I'm with NJ. Not moving this to I&P ... yet.

Of course, Stosh only has two youth under charter...

I will say this: I honor to call Jim Terry (late the Deputy Chief Scout Executive, CFO) a friend. He was the SE of Heart of America Council. He is a true believer in traditional Boy Scouting. He was worth 600K to BSA. Make no mistake on that.

Again, working from the National Standards of Recharter experience... Have a plan either to.. - work with your DE and the Council Registrar if internet recharter will not let you recharter the unit for "below minimum youth membership." - or to migrate your boys if your Council refuses to recharter an understrength unit.

Topic title edited by a Moderator.

My only comment is that the Standards of Recharter require five youth members (3 if LDS) for a valid recharter. Two boys=Council will not entertain a recharter.

2011 IRS Form 990 Salaries begin on page 12/69 (Adobe) or Page 7-5 (IRS) with Mr Mazzuca's... http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/2011Form990.pdf

This morning, scouter.com had a spammer hit the forums. @@Stosh reported half a dozen incidents. In each case, it was a true spam. I have purged the posts/threads from the database, and I have banned the poster from our forum. Thank you for your timely reporting, Stosh!

Moderator Note: No apparent controversy. Off to Open Discussion-Program the thread goes.

Moderator Note: This topic has broad interest to uniforming, especially when the unit is located in a lower income area. Moved to the Uniforming sub-forum.

NOAC is so big it requires a MAJOR university. In the Middle West, that would be: The University of Missouri The University of Nebraska The University of Oklahoma The University of Arkansas, MAYBE NOAC is way to big for any scout reservation, even HRB, with it's 2000 bed capacity.

Moderator's Note: Please stay on topic.

Topic moved by a Moderator.

Lots of boys go in provisional status with other troops to camp, for a host of reasons. I wouldn't even blink an eye. Pay for the MBs. It's less than $5.00 each, patch and card. As far as advancement coordination goes, sounds to me like a friendly cup of coffee between two Scoutmasters is the path to success.

@@SpEdScouter, the OA ceremonial rings are also restricted land ... the idea is we keep mystery for the YOUTH. How many other Scout Reservations have a ten day cycle? HRB does. How many have THREE campfires during the week? HRB does. How many Scout Reservations camp 1500 youth and adults in each of five sessions, and 1000 in the last? HRB does. HOAC is doing something right. As @@WAKWIB said, contact him directly. He'll be glad to share details. He and I are friends locally here in KC@@SpEdScouter

OUCH!!!

For Utah, here are the big and true questions: 1) Will there be LDS adults who love Scouting at the point where they re-roll to ordinary charter, vice the mandatory LDS charter? 2) What are the logistic impacts of merging Councils in Utah? 3) What is the impact on National of a $10M revenue hit (assuming $100K per position, 10M pays for 100 professionals).