RandyPrice

We have a difficult time getting people to attend our local RT. To be frank it's boring and takes basically and entire evening.

Thanks everyone for your replies. We have decided that the boys Mother will need to attend the campouts as we don't want the responsibility. The only thing that kind of stinks is that I feel we are sacrificing others "rights" to accomidate this one boy. By rights I mean we have to limit what everyone can have. Hope that makes sense.

We have a boy that wants to join our Troop that has a SEVERE allergic reaction to peanuts to the point any contact could kill him. He wears an eppy (sp) pen 24/7. The problem is so many foods contain trace amounts of peanuts and his mother wants us leaders to read the ingredients on every single item we buy for campouts. I don't like the liability. He's a nice kid but the other leaders are also concerned. Anyone else have issues like this?

So your answer is boys will choose sports and video games even when scouting is more fun. Hmm' date=' My observation is boys' do fun in the order of the most fun first to the least fun last. Barry[/quote']

 

Our Troop has some boys that are talented playing sports and are looking at scholarship potential, so choosing between the two is a no brainer. We also have a large group of boys that enjoy the campouts and doing the fun stuff but could care less about advancement and attending troop meetings. The other major problem we have is the lack of adult leadership. We have three regular adult leaders that go to every meeting and campout, we can't get other parents to get involved. Are other troops experiencing this problem?

Barry, hard to compete with sports/video games. When I was young (I'm 50) sports weren't played year round (also home video games were in their infancy). Also I don't know if it's a problem all over but Scouting in N. IL has the stigma of being for dorks/losers.

Do you think that Scouting will exist in next 50 years? I notice locally that attendance has declined. It's hard to compete with year round sports teams, video games, and the stigma that scouting is for losers. Thoughts?

Our Troop didn't go this year. We have went in the years past but the boys are tired of the event. Not to be putting it down but it really needs a major overhaul. It's the same scavenger hunt every year.

I see scouting on the decline. Locally we are competing with year round sports teams and the belief that scouting is for dorks. Competing with X-box, X-Box 1 and PS4 is also becoming more difficult.

I understand you can donate whatever dollar amount you want, but having the preprinted pledge cards with the $ 150.00 being the lowest pledge turned me off, also having the presenter standing there waiting to pick up the cards seemed low class. Everything with scouting seems like it going up including re-chartering. Many of the parents in my Troop haven't had raises in years.

We had our annual FOS presentation last night and boy was I surprised. The entry asking donation was $ 150.00. Wasn't it only $ 75.00 last year? I live in a somewhat economically challenged area. Not too many folks can afford this. Other?????

We have the same problem in our troop. We are always in need of drivers and it's always the same people.

We go out. Anyone hassles you, just tell them your reasons. Up to the council to step up their game and make their camp something worth going to.

 

You keep going to Tesomas...that'll make room at your camp for our troop...I've heard good things about that one though

This has been a hot topic for years within our Council. Anyone else??????? We have two camps within our council that are good camps but seem better suited to younger Scouts (IMO). For the last three years we have attended summer camp at Tesomas and have enjoyed it but our troop gets the stink eye from some of the council leaders for going out of council. I say it's up to the boys and the leaders where we go. Thoughts?????

In retrospect, I probably should have excused myself from the EBOR. I guess I'm one of the odd balls that places too high of a respect for an Eagle Scout.

Has this happened to you? Been asked to be part of an Eagle BOR and feel that the Scout in question isn't really Eagle material? I was recently asked to be on the Eagle BOR of one of our scouts that I have known for many years. It was openly known that he was bribed to complete his Eagle. He had a crappy attitude towards scouting and only did it to achieve his bribe. I spoke with several of the other people on the BOR and was told if a scout has fulfilled all the requirements you really can't deny them their Eagle. I guess it's true but to me it diminishes the achievement.

Thanks for the replies. I recently had a parent who was willing to help drive a group of boys to summer camp (> 5hrs away). When I started asking about her insurance limits, etc... She said well maybe I won't. I understand that the BSA is trying to Cover their butt or covers yours but as complicated as everything else is in life all this training/paperwork just turns people off, myself included.

I hope my topic made sense but if not let me clarify. If I want to take the boys on a road trip I have to fill out all the paperwork on who's going, what kind of vehicle, insurance info, etc... also does everyone going (adults) have all the required training. I've had some parents initially seem interested in helping until they hear about all the training/paperwork that's required. Thoughts???

BDP00 You are right. Since our troop has grown it has certainly become both a blessing and a curse. We hace cliques within the troop between the boys, partents/leaders that don't agree on things, not enought help from the parents, etc...

Our Troop started out with 6-7 boys. They are all Eagles now. The Troop has grown to 15-20 now and now it seems like we have alot of drama that didn't exist when we were small. Kinda thinking smaller is better in this instance.

I agree with many of the posters. I've witnessed a few scouting divorces in my tenure as ASM. I'm not saying that it was the primary reason but it sure was contributory. Sometimes (please no rock throwing) I think scouting can become a cult.

My son went to Jambo in 2010 and HATED it! Not only was it $$$$ but it was Africa hot night and day. He also went to Philmont that same summer and was disappointed in it. I know I'll catch alot of flack for what I'm about to say but IMO, Jambo, and Philmont are big money raisers for national.

This topic mirrors my Scouting Divorces thread. I've only been involved in scouts for 4 or so years but I see MANY people that have made scouting their lives. One guy in particular has not only gotten divorced because of it he has lost his kids too. True story!

Was at our OA Winter Banquet and saw some folks that I hadn't seen in a while. Was surprised to hear several of them were recently divorced. I asked if scouting had anything to do with it. They both said it was contributory.

While at Wood Badge doing the pratical I called my wife one evening to check on things at home. She was mad at me for being on "vacation" and leaving the kids and family responsibilities on her shoulders. When I returned to camp my fellow Beavers (4 men and 2 women)sensed my being down. At this point I felt I could confide in them. When I told them my Wife was mad at how much time I was spending in scouting ALL of them said they too had had arguments with their spouses. I really enjoy scouting but can see how if it's not balanced with other family obligations it can cause problems. I've heard other scouters say it's best if your spouse is also involved but that can cause problems too.

Have you saw it in your council? I have in mine.