Wëlënakwsu

From 11 to 13 I did not know summer camp existed.  We had a great time the rest of the year… Scouts advanced,  lots of weekend trips and a good Scouting experience.  When I was 14 we were offered Council Provisional Troop summer camp.  A few Scouts went, had a great time and many were subsequently on staff. 

Summer camp may not be essential to Scouting, but it does enrich Scouting greatly.  If a Scout has an opportunity, but never does… it’s their loss, but does not preclude Eagle.

In my District many Troops do not go as a Unit to summer camp or make alternatives known to Scouts.   Part of camp promotion includes offering a Provisional Troop and encouraging Scouts attending camp with a neighboring Troop when feasible. The Council mails publicity material direct to families about camp, including Provisional options.  We do what we can to lead youth to the summer camp lake and hopefully make them swim!

Program is doable.  Two travel days to & from camp, maybe one day with 10 or 15 mile hike, that leaves four days with free time, advancement, games and cooking…  similar to extra long weekend camp trip.

The challenge is probably insurance and regulatory to varying degrees depending on property ownership.  In my State due to the number of youth and hours, this would be subject to Health Department laws for Children’s Camps which for a Troop would likely be insurmountable. 

Beyond the first line the letter should discourage parents more about attending.  

Since at least 72 hrs... the requirement to be a registered leader (CO approval, YPT et al) and submission of Health Record should be in letter.

From my Troop and District experience: JTE achieves nil and little interest from good and not-so-good units.   Issues include:  More paperwork (example - Unit JTE Guidebooks alone are 27-34 pages long), Too complicated (example - many cannot calculate Retention, Confusion (between calendar year and charter year reporting period) and it’s assumed earning a JTE patch is an  incentive… for most it’s not. 

In particular (and my pet peeve):  Council already has much of the information, such as Membership Building, Retention, Advancement, Leadership and Training and Long-term camping that could be provided to the Unit.

What I’ve done in a District role and I suggest to others:  Once a year mail a short letter to Unit Leader (CM, SM, etc), CC and COR reporting their JTE metrics known to the District & Council.  If they are so inclined, they can continue the JTE process.  For those who do not pursue: the Commissioner/District staff does “triage” and helps those they can… not to fill out JTE forms, but to improve the unit planning, membership, program, etc.

'Base "performance' on numbers, and someone will cheat.' 

I Agree.  One example... When I was a District Commissioner I had a ongoing disagreement with some professionals about "quality" versus "quantity".  I considered it an achievement when the Scout Executive agreed not to re-charter some Ships and Troops that added membership, but were really military cadet groups.

Membership numbers are not an absolute criteria for performance, but is an indicator.  Membership changes due to many factors, including the performance of the CO and their adults offering a quality program.

From Annual Reports on BSA web site:

Basis trend of above... My estimate, really hope, is that after further LDS subtraction of about 15-25% male membership in Cubs and Scouts BSA is nearing its' "plateau" of boy membership.  I am aware of nothing that may increase boy membership significantly.  This includes USA population growth because Census data projects nil increase of 10-14 year old males during 2016-2020-2025.  https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2017/demo/popproj/2017-summary-tables.html

(FYI...  Census reports 31,751,000 male population between 5 & 19 years old for 2016.)

Increase due to girls in Cubs and Scouts BSA...??? Need more info for prediction which I cannot find on the internet.   Can anyone provide current & detailed membership data and market research for girl membership? 

Do not involve a Committee vote on tent selection, leave it up to those sleeping in them. The Eureka Timberline 4 person is probably the Scout standard and a good choice.  I would set the budget max at the cost of a Timberline.  For flexibility of sleeping arrangements and avaialble tenting space, I've found that a 4 person is better then 2 person tent.

Campmor is great and they advertise a less expensive Mountainsmith Bear Creek 4 Tent.  Involve your Troop Quartermaster more and FYI... I've found that putting an inexpensive plastic ground sheet under the tent helps save the floor.

I assume thiefs would steal a trailer regardless of the markings.  I also assume the Scouts take pride in seeing their Troop # emblazoned and create fond memories.  Thus I'd vote to keep the trailer marked and perhaps greater chance of being recovered.

Most trailer thefts are probably for the contents and not the trailer.  Thus thiefs probably don't know what's in a Scout trailer... items with nil re-sale value - except maybe scrap metal!

PS:  I've always been associated with Troops where equipment kept in a CO room or closet and transported to camp in Scouts'  packs. 

Before changing, "Double check" regarding unit number color... The Troop might be doing their "own thing". Red was the color for Boy Scout Troops years ago.

To be 100%... Are you with a Cub Pack or Scouts BSA Troop?  If Cub Scouts, you should replace Troop Committee insignia with Pack Committee position insignia on left sleeve. 

If you are a Scouts BSA Troop Committee, then green shoulder loops and tan background unit number. (Rather then red background unit number and what seems to be blue shoulder loops which are the Cub colors.) 

https://www.scouting.org/resources/insignia-guide/

Near as I can tell... I would say: Yes, it's still listed:  https://www.scouting.org/resources/forms/

If your District Training Chairman will sign the Progress Record , you're good to go!

Regarding questions about a new Scout having Life rank less then a month after joining Scouts BSA, a Scout Executive explains it in the Tweet 

as "... progress from a foreign Scouting association is... applied to BSA requirements..."

(For Ms Ireland I'd be curious if she meets the stipulation that "Youth from other countries who temporarily reside in the United States, or have moved here,..."

Regarding other comments about lax application of advancement requirements for girls... After holding Unit, District and Council positions I've learned that lax application of Rank and Merit Badge requirements in my District is common.  Alas, the BSA Councils and Districts have never done very good quality control with their franchisee, the Unit.

Attending summer camp as the first trip for most new Scouts is daunting... news boys, away from home, etc.  There is a good chance that if he attends some weekend trips between now and summer, he will be more inclined to attend summer camp.  Except in cases where special supervision or support is required, parents should not be attending trips.  The situation here does not seem very special, but as others commented...  input from the counselor and/or Scoutmaster should be helpful.

1 hour ago, shortridge said:

Not to be brusque, but the parents don’t have a say in that decision. The Chartered Organization owns the troop. Not the Scoutmaster, not the committee, not the parents. It’s entirely the CO’s decision whether to start another unit - whether that be pack, girls’ troop, another boys’ troop, or a crew. If it wants to shut down a unit, it can. If it wants to merge a unit with another of the same type, it can.

Scouting at this level isn’t a democracy. If you dislike the CO’s path forward, you are entirely free to vote with your feet and leave.

If the girls are meeting, hiking, camping, etcetera separately from the boys... then yes the CO does not have to solicit the approval of others.  But... if I was recruiting girls, I would tell existing  parents more then 1/2 month ahead of time to help advertise a new Troop.

I assume thou... the girls are meeting jointly and will be going on outings with the boys, in which case most definitely the boys and parents should have been given more then 1/2 month notice.  A situation where someone signs up for a single sex program and with nil notice it goes coed - is simply wrong. 

Whether you are for or against co-ed Troops, I think most would agree the situation described was handled poorly.  If I was the parent, next time I saw someone of authority in the unit I would mention that more notice should have been given and perhaps - briefly - my view, pro or con.  (Some people are clueless unless you tell them).  It's now up to the parent(s) and son(s) to stay or go.

Currently Pack does not have enough girls & women to offer girls a Cub program, no hint of near term improvement and assuming Momleader cannot attend all the Bear meetings … as Cubmaster Pete suggested: Let the girl attend Lion meetings with Dad and do a few Bear adventures. (Especially if childcare for the girl is an issue for Dad during Lion meeting time!)

In June the girl will be Webelos age and between now and next September the Pack will have to decide if they can offer 4^th and 5^th grade girls a quality Cub Scout program.

PS:  I do not know if there is a National rule, but Councils require a Pack to have at least five or so Cub age girls.  If you’re not sure, you may want to confirm if she is indeed registered.

Another $0.02...   The Scout should have a Scoutmaster Conference.  I think the Guide to Advancement says so and perhaps in some small way a Conference might help his problems.

It's a separate issue if you do not sign the Eagle Scout Rank Application Unit Leader approval.  If it was me, I think I would tell the Scout during the Conference my position on approving his Application.

Basis first hand experience... Crew meeting at same time/place as Troop with joint open/close and as-needed resource is no different than a "high adventure patrol", only with more bureaucracy of a separate Committee.  This is especially true since you mention possibly requiring older Scouts to join the Crew combined with concern about boys leaving the Troop for the Crew.  Consider also future issues if a co-ed Crew meets together with all boy Troop. 

Regarding older boys leaving the Troop for the Crew... This may not be a major concern or Troop active membership loss since you're trying to keep older boys whose Troop involvement is waning involved in Scouting. Generally... if the Venturing program is better for them... they should leave.  One possible option:  Perhaps Crews do not have to meet weekly and thus with a lesser time commitment, perhaps some boys could maintain Crew and Troop involvement.

I assume CO would be same for both Crew and Troop. If so... strongly suggest COR be the same for Crew and Troop.  

Do it right ie separate meetings and do not require older Scouts to enroll.  Venturing Crews are more independent of their adult advisors than Boy Scouts... start now involving the older Scouts in what they want.

PS:  If the Crew and Troop does meet together, a major benefit I've seen is a way to keep 18-20 year olds registered as youth members.

Tiger DL attending Camp-O-Ree… isn’t this up to the Troop or District?

New female Webelos not attending Camp-O-Ree… it’s for the better. 

A Webelos age girl joins Pack with no other Webelos girls is put in co-ed Den with no female Leader.  New girl is then invited to attend a Camp-O-Ree occurring a few weeks later under the auspices by a boy’s Troop that has no female Leader that goes camping. In my summary… while well intentioned , inviting her was a mistake.   It does not work starting a new Den or Troop with only one potential Scout. 

Two woman leaders are acceptable for boys, but two men are not for girls… if I could rule by edict… I’d require two adults, one of which must be male for boy Dens and Troops! In 2014 Scouting Magazine cited 41% of American children being raised by single mothers and Scouting’s value of male role models.

What I think...

YPT for overnight volunteers: Unless required by CO, why made additional rules?  Inform them of no one on one contact, but apply BSA criteria of 72 hours. 

YPT for parents:  Recommend... No. / Inform... Yes as simple as a sheet summarizing CO and BSA Youth Protection (inmcluding YPT online opportunity and abuse reporting #) in your new Scout registration papers. 

YPT for older scouts:  Recommend... No.  In normal course they shoulod be aware of buddy system, no one on one adult/youth, tenting age differences, etc

Keep It Simple... Minimize Troop rules, bylaws, administration,

Alas... for too many adults their BSA involvement focuses on a continuation of earning awards (knots, beads) or progressing to higher office (Unit, District, Council...) and less with mentoring youth. My Wood Badger story... it's pouring rain and I knock on camp's training center door in afternoon asking if we can have our Camp-O-Ree campfire in the big room.  The trainer's answer... "...no Boy Scouts allowed..."  (in a scout camp!)  End of story.... that night window was un-locked, crawl in, open door, have campfire and "left no trace".

If the BSA is betting the farm on girls, besides offering girls membership there should be changes to support the change.  For too many Scouters the administration of Scouting is complicated and the addition of girls adds to the challenges.  The solution the BSA offers is training which in my experience varies too much.  I would re-allocate BSA professional staff and place the leadership and management of training to professional trainers (aided by volunteers).

Carefully consider and soul search your long term plan... truly separate boy & girl Dens or mixed Dens. 

If you have her meet with the boys, it becomes harder to switch later and will start a precedent for the program your Pack offers, ie as designed by Scouts BSA or your own version.

It's late August and I suggest making a placement decision for this girl Bear after the results of September recruitment and enrollment.  If others her age join and you get "critical mass"... easy decision!

If she is still the only older girl Cub and the plan is to offer separate boy & girl Dens, I would ponder the prospects for girl Webelos enrollment next year and for this girl Bear this year:  (1) regretfully advise the family that the Pack cannot accommodate her this year.  OR (2) She meets in the "one room school house" girl Cub Den with the Tigers, with extra attention and duties. 

Regarding "... starting up a unit..."  

Budget for Patrol/Troop equipment like tents, cooking utensils, axes, saws, flags, rope and all the other assorted camping & meeting supplies. 

$40 annual dues might cover awards and some replacement of equipment but not the initial outlay.  Some Chartered Organizations might fund the initial outlay... otherwise start fundraising... 

PS:  Don't forget Boy's Life... optional at least !

Rather then emphasis on the Cubs… recognize the Chartered Organization with a certificate or plaque presentation from the Pack or District.  Do this at an already scheduled event Pack Meeting, Blue & Gold Dinner, etc rather add another event and increase the time demands on people.  Be sure to arrange write up in the appropriate newsletters, bulletins and newspaper.  

Keep any insignia or neckerchief within BSA rules which might preclude a neckerchief for Cub Scouts. As the budget permits, a practical memento would be pack numerals with veteran bar (cost $6-$8)  https://www.scoutshop.org/three-digit-custom-unit-numeral-with-veteran-bar-10413.html or the Anniversary Bar ($1.29) https://www.scoutshop.org/75-year-veteran-unit-bar-emblem-107.html.

Am I ok with it, is it the way to go, can it be a good program ?  YES

Excited about girls in BSA ?... Alas, NO 

All girl Dens or Troops can work and be a good program... but I suspect many Units in my Council who opt for girls do not have the ability, desire, leadership, talent, etc to do it as perscribed.  The shortcomings exasperated but insufficient oversight by the Chartered Organization and Council.

Co-ed OA... gotta think and learn more on that.

If I could wave a magic wand... Détente and cooperation, if not merger, between BSA National Council and GSUSA

Background:  Many senior Council, District, Troop and youth positions

A Committee should not speak with the Scout, leave this to the Scoutmaster and perhaps Eagle Scout Service Project Coach.

I prefer smaller "working group" rather then a Committee, especially when sensitive, emotional, etc situations are involved.  Thus the parents could meet with a delegation of the Committee (Chair, Advancement, etc) and maybe Scoutmaster.  If you wanted to bar the parent(s) from Troop functions and involve Chartered Organization property... yeah you should consult with the COR and/or IH.