RememberSchiff

Agree, consider the source and that it reads like fake news, but I was surprised the article gave a specific date for the email - Jan 9. An email snipe hunt is on over the internet.

or maybe the BSA will license these biodegradable paper turtle urns. http://www.passagesinternational.com/biodegradable-urns/water-urns/biodegradable-turtles

I am always skeptical of news sources, some more than others. A recent Buzzfeed article details an Surbaugh Jan 9, email to scout executives which Buzzfeed claims to have seen and spills the contents. How truthful that article is, I do not know, but keep a look-out for this alleged Jan 9 email. @Eagle94-A1 The article does mention Scouter.com. , maybe someday we will be mentioned by the BBC or NYT. Surbaugh said the proposed survey question was a "mistake" and apologized for causing "distress" to members by the mere suggestion of coed scouting — words he said were "toxic" to many scouters. He said that he had stopped the survey from going out to members because "there are those (not just on Scouter.com) that really dislike our leadership and will say, 'See, we told you so. They LIED to us, they just want co-ed scouting, and this is a sleazy, back door way to show that’s what some people want so they can push their agenda forward.'" He added that the proposed idea would also make BSA staff "feel foolish" for defending the organization from accusations of coed scouting.

So your ASM lead by example and opened the gate.

I just think this rescue in Australia is cool. Lifeguards launched the drone, steered it towards the swimmers and dropped a “rescue pod” into the water, where it expanded so the swimmers could grab it and swim to shore. The rescue took just 70 seconds. The two swimmers were exhausted but unharmed. Drone cost $343,000. More info here. Does Philmont use drones? Other than for STEM, I wonder if any BSA camps are using drones.

The tail is wagging the dog here. The SM is responsible for the Scouting Program in his/her troop. If the SM decides NO family outings, then there are none. If SM decides one a year, then one a year. My $0.02

How many of your scouts/families have quit over your Pack's decision to admit girls? Did they quit scouting or transfer?

Be aware some old posts were about old forum sofware.

This topic is locked.

@AVTech welcome to scouter.com

Walter Mondale commentary in Minnesota StarTribune back in August, 2017. We can't afford to get the mining-vs.-land-protection equation wrong But as Minnesotans well know, the value of the Boundary Waters extends far beyond mere economics. A recent scouting magazine article about our secretary of state begins with this sentence: “You could say Rex Tillerson’s path to the corner office began on a portage trail in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Ontario.” The Boy Scouts of America has sent hundreds of thousands of kids into the Boundary Waters since 1923. It is in good company. The Girl Scouts, YMCA camps, Voyageurs Outward Bound School, Wilderness Inquiry, church and community groups, and many other organizations — as well as countless families — have given kids unforgettable outdoor adventures and imparted life-enriching lessons by taking them on Boundary Waters canoe trips. http://www.startribune.com/walter-mondale-we-can-t-afford-to-get-the-mining-vs-land-protection-equation-wrong/441453433/

I am not sure of the "we" here. I do not believe it is a US company mining the ore. We, all of us, need water too obviously. Mine drainage will be a given and continuous. In drier areas that threat is less but treatment of contaminated water has not been effective. https://www.earthworksaction.org/issues/detail/copper_sulfide_mining

Yes, maybe we should discuss with photos how the Outdoor Program (aka Outdoor Method) can help achieve the Aims of Scouting. To my indoor parents, I sometimes say our Outdoor Program is our hands-on development lab. Another $0.02

Update notice contributed by @Thunderbird There has been an October, 2017 update to the announced August 1, 2017 Eagle Palm policy. There is also an unlocked discussion on this topic.

@Thunderbird , welcome to scouter.com

Follow the Scout Oath and Law and you should be fine.

Good point. After an outing, I always wish that I or someone had taken more good photos* to tell a scouting story. *good photos - close-up, in focus, no backs of head...

Parent involvement or coverage is not really the topic here. This is about getting a non-outdoorsy parent to appreciate scout outdoor activities rather than discourage their scout to just do a minimum. Similar to a parent who is not good at or dislikes math telling his high school student to just take two years of math rather than encouraging his student to take more math courses. Sorry I was not more clear.

oh, oops where is that red-faced embarrassed emoticon? From the description of Brownsea II above, I took a different leadership course back in the 60's. Thanks @TAHAWK

That's my wish. And is there enough magic out there in the moonlight to make this dream come true?

Yes, I think they would prefer the term "retreat" over "training". IMO, it should be "Fun with a Purpose" , i.e., they see the value at conclusion. Something was built - a tower, a meal, summit hike, friendships,... some anxieties reduced - bugs, bathrooms, ... My $0.02,

How do we get indoor parents enthused about an outdoor program? Specifically that they understand our Outdoor Method and appreciate the outdoors even if they do not want to experience it themselves.

That would be a good next topic - how to get indoor parents enthused for an overnight, outdoor program.

IMO, working on merit badges is not a part of a traditional troop meeting. Scouts do not teach merit badges as they do other advancement. A merit badge class is not scout-run. In a typical month, we spend two troop meetings where patrols are getting ready ( they are not efficient but they are doing the work) for an upcoming outing, another meeting checking equipment, another on the month theme...add in Philmont/summer camp presentations, fundraiser this and that, community service planning for month, Eagle project help sign-up, ... Where would they find the time in a 90min meeting for a merit badge class? I would not say our scouts are advancement driven at least not after a day at school. They are more get-away-from-homework-Mom-Dad-and-be-with-friends. For them, games trump advancement and to no surprise games are the last 20-30 minutes of our troop meeting. Save the best for last. Anyway that's us and what works for us.

Thanks for posting that link, but I found no mention of <anything>22. I am sure I took the precursor of some JLT variant and it was definitely not White Stag , but it was long, long ago. I do remember it was an intense weekend course, at scout camp in tents.