RememberSchiff

1 hour ago, Tron said:

...

Didn't the bolos come out of Philmont? I once had an old timer tell me that the rule "back in the day" was that you could only wear a bolo if it was purchased at Philmont. Where I live, if I see someone with a bolo, with my personality, I typically ask them if they have ever even been West of the Mississippi, and then when they so no and don't get the whole out West vibe bolos give off I mock them to some degree and ask them something about when they are picking up their spurs. 

Don't know. As I understand bolos came out of the Southwest;  Philmont is in the Southwest, so sounds possible.

Back in the day as I prepared for Philmont, I heard various alumni state one could only wear Philmont belts, bulls, arrowhead patches, neckers, etc. if one completed a Philmont Expedition.  It must be earned. Then my beloved Troop Scoutmaster who had never nor would  visit Philmont requested I purchase a Philmont belt & buckle for him.  

A dilemma to  test of Scouting values?  Where is it written?  Confident that I wasn't officially doing a wrong thing, I bought him the Philmont belt and buckle. 

I felt the same about Bolos.  I thought neckers were uniform... worldwide.

On 4/2/2025 at 11:40 AM, InquisitiveScouter said:

Good luck finding it... I looked for about 20 minutes, with no success.  I'm sure you'll share when able

P.S.  Last one posted on BSA website??  2019

https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/about-the-bsa/annual-reports/

Although, you can view 2023's here...

https://www.scouting.org/about/annual-report/

But scan through the links... what's with not putting them up after 2019?

I did find the World Scout Foundation 2024 Annual Report which was PUBLICLY released a couple of weeks ago.

https://annualreport.worldscoutfoundation.org/2024/

As for Scouting America's complete 2024 Annual Report aka Report to the Nation, I have not found the complete report online. Maybe it will be available in its entirety at the National Annual Meeting or some time after.

Perhaps an adventure trip with your son who snaps photos on his cell and shows to his fellow scouts.  Bottom-up, scout-led changes to troop outdoor program.

Are you an adult leader in Troop?

@MrGumby welcome to scouter.com.

19 hours ago, mrjohns2 said:

Now, all we need is the Scouts to read them! 

Back in the day, I remember the old merit badge pamphlets were always red. 

Or perhaps merit badge pamphlets are printed outside the US? 

Free is Great but maybe this technology is 10-15yrs too late to attract current teen eyeballs and attention spans. Youtube? TikTok?

My $0.02,

"Take a trip like no other with Philmont's Hut-to-Hut. Join us for a luxury trek with a five-night stay in the backcountry and base camp locations.

As you hike between locations with just a daypack, our staff will transport your belongings to the next site and set up your accommodations, ensuring everything is ready for you upon your arrival. Guests will enjoy delicious meals and have plenty of opportunities to socialize, relax, and explore Philmont's.."

Source with photos:

https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/hut-2-hut/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJO_WGFINa0/?img_index=5

On 4/6/2025 at 1:36 PM, RememberSchiff said:

The LA abuse settlement still needs to be approved by both the county claims board and county supervisors, is a billion dollars more than what county officials had anticipated as the worst-case scenario to resolve a flurry of lawsuits — and far more than other organizations notorious for allowing unchecked sex abuse have paid victims.

Much more at source:

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-04/in-unprecedented-payout-l-a-county-settles-sex-abuse-claims-for-4-billion

Update April 29, 2025: LA County Supervisors approved settlement which become the largest abuse settlement in US.

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/la-county-unanimously-approves-4-billion-sexual-abuse-settlement/

Here's a 3 minute video of scouts and adult leaders biking.  My question how did they get the changing camera angles? 

The Hill Country Amateur Radio Club (HCARC) invited members of Troop 111 to take part in building a radio beacon.

“One of our members is an executive in scouting, so when we do something that’s STEM oriented, we invite them. If they can find two or three scouts who are interested, then we support them and we present projects to them at their meetings,” said Hank Ortega, a local HAM operator and member of the HCARC.

More at source, very interesting:

https://www.hccommunityjournal.com/article_ddbf679f-1255-4f6e-92c9-34ad8e79ff48.html

April 25,2025:

“Instead of selling Boy Scout popcorn, we go elk antler hunting,”

Build our own grabber gadget as a patrol project? Hmm, a scout is Thrifty,  maybe build a grabber for a scout Earth Day cleanup then give it to Mom for a Mothers' Day present?  Reduce, ReUse, Recycle. 

I found two interesting DIY grabber projects on Youtube. Note for safety reasons, I did not want to make/use sharp poker sticks for litter pickup.

This one seemed the simplest.

While this one required woodworking tools and skills

or a perhaps there is a scout-crafted solution out there?

Safety is Job one which can be challenging with litter cleanup projects. We have been using gloves and grabber sticks as the scouts below.

But buying grabbers ($15-25 each) limited the number we could bring to a cleanup, maybe there was another solution?

Here a University Extension service, designed for vocational certification, was adapted for a whole day outdoor classroom merit badge experience.

"Each mentor brought the latest equipment they use in the field, and Scouts rotated between five stations where they learned mapping and drafting, surveying history and careers, leveling, creating boundaries, and 3-D laser scanning."

University of Florida School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences ,  Surveying Merit Badge

Great story which captures the intent of merit badge program - spark an interest,  enthusiasm, hands-on, minds engaged, adult association ( professionals and previous scouts}, career possibilities...

https://alachuachronicle.com/scouts-earn-surveying-badges-thanks-to-uf-geomatics-extension-program/

https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/surveying/

Scout Salute,

Seemed timely and topic relevant...

“Remember, we are just custodians, we are here for a very short period of time on Earth. So when you work with Scouts, make sure we pass along a good Earth and a good world and all the good values that are important.”

“Often times, young people get sidetracked by and consumed with commercialism – things like television and cell phones are not as important as the values that you teach in Scouting. That’s what’s important, so make sure you teach your Scouts how these important values will stay with them the rest of their lives, while consumerism is just fleeting and passes through your life as a person.”

Pope Francis (1936-2025) in a 2015 interview with ScoutingWire Bray Barnes

Reference:

https://www.scout.org/news/scouts-worldwide-pay-tribute-to-pope-francis

April 21, 2025:

Scouting America announce its partnership with #MyFriendToo US, "a groundbreaking initiative and resource – MyFriendTooUS.org – launched during Child Abuse Prevention Month to help children support their friends in disclosing sexual abuse to safe adults.

Originally created by Protect Children in Finland and adapted for the U.S. in collaboration with ChildFund, #MyFriendToo US is the first program of its kind in the country, directly addressing the fact that children often disclose abuse to a friend rather than to an adult. The initiative equips children and youth with the knowledge, tools, and language to guide their friends toward safety and healing."

https://www.myfriendtoous.org/

More at Source:

https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/scouting-america-joins-myfriendtoo-us-initiative-to-empower-youth-in-the-fight-against-sexual-violence/

Tonight! Sales pitch for 2026 slots at SA High Adventure Bases.

Recently uploaded Scouting America Annual Affiliation Agreement with Catholic Dioceses/Parishes/Schools

https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/524-95225-Catholic-Affiliation-Agreement.pdf

Hurricane Helene, 1100 acre scout camp buried under debris, Camp Ranger Troy Williams, FEMA PPDR program, 

"For the PPDR mission, property owners must submit a Right of Entry (ROE) form, which is a legal document that allows government contractors to access private land to remove debris. Collecting and verifying these forms is one of the first critical steps in determining eligibility and getting work underway. Without it, the Corps (US Army Core of Engineers contractors) cannot remove debris from private property."

...

"Camp Grimes is on track to fully reopen by June 1. One troop has already stayed overnight and soon there will be 400 Cub Scouts arriving for a major weekend event."

More at Source:

https://www.army.mil/article/284821/camp_grimes_comeback_how_usace_contractors_are_powering_recovery_in_mcdowell_county

Then again, suppose the Scout's Eagle Mentor stood up and grabbed a Commissioner to jointly educate the Troop Committee?

My $0.02,

Seemed topic related.  Princess Kate celebrates a “very spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection” in nature  with Scouts.

"On Monday, April 14, 2025, Joseph Csatari passed away peacefully in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 

His career as an illustrator and fine artist spanned more than 60 years. He worked in oil, watercolor, pastel, and charcoal, and his artwork has been recreated on collectible plates, figurines, and medallions and displayed in museums throughout the country. Csatari spent more than 10 years as art director to his friend and mentor Norman Rockwell on the beloved illustrator’s Scout calendar paintings. In 1976, Csatari embarked on a freelance career and was asked to continue the annual calendar commission in the Rockwell tradition. 

In a letter sent from Chief Scout Executive Roger Krone, he writes, “Joe joined Scouting in 1953 as an artist in the layout division in the Supply Division's advertising department. He held numerous positions during his 24 years with the organization, including taking on the role of Art Director of Boys' Life magazine, like his mentor Norman Rockwell, in 1973. Joe’s son Jeff was also an editor for Boys’ Life for more than 5 years. In 2005, Joe was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award for his dedication to Scouting. Joe was a remarkable artist and a cherished part of the Scouting family. His artwork captured the spirit of Scouting for generations, and his legacy will continue to inspire us.” 

Joseph Csatari didn’t just paint life—he painted what is best in life. He gave us moments frozen in time, full of laughter, learning, and love. In doing so, he ensured that his vision of America—honest, hopeful, and full of heart—will never fade. Thank you, Joe. May your memory be a blessing, and may your art continue to inspire generations to come."

Source National Scouting Museum:

Thank you. Scout Salute and Farewell,

7 hours ago, Tron said:

Is there any follow up on Central Georgia? If they sold their HQ does that mean they are dissolving the council?

Central Georgia Council still exists.  Scout HQ and Shop are located at 4335 Confederate Way, Macon, GA. They appear to schedule outdoor programming at non-council or other council facilities.