RememberSchiff

That was then ... since then we have had the Mars Climate Orbiter measurement failure and the need for part and tool compatibility in the International Space Station. NASA went metric 10 years ago. https://www.space.com/3332-nasa-finally-metric.html Bought a John Deere tractor and was surprised, yet prepared, that all the fasteners are metric.

Naturally, but scouts would be going green, consider the gallons of water saved from not having to wash virtual uniforms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOpIwPmffFo

It does get confusing. Our local camp has female Venture staff members dressed in Native American garb in their weekly OA ceremony. They dance too, mostly as the caboose in the OA dance train. My Sunday morning mixed metaphor.

It reads like another "local option" situation. From the superfluous Scouter Code of Conduct I will not possess, distribute, transport, consume, or use any of the following items prohibited by law or in violation of any Scouting rules, regulations and policies: Alcoholic beverages or controlled substances, including marijuana. Concealed or unconcealed firearms, fireworks, or explosives. Pornography or materials containing words or images inconsistent with Scouting values. My read is if local laws and licensing are followed and the scout facility has no rules regarding alcohol or s

My understanding is the British Explorer Scouts have about 30 merit badges while the BSA has 140? Instead of using a sash, Explorer Scouts sew badges on their sleeve.

This weekend! Former New England Patriot wide receiver, Randy Moss will be there, running and raising money for charity. http://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/20170825/randy-moss-introduces-spartan-racing-to-west-virginia Hopefully, World Jambo planners are watching.

Allow unit's local sponsors to advertise on scout clothing, etc. ?

@@Cambridgeskip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMRUHGnN29s No worry. I thought it was a good topic.

Okay then. I think we agree that many factors, one being membership policy, effect membership numbers.

Maybe a scout carries a RFID with all awards earned. Add a smartphone photo app which reads RFID. Point camera to scout and app superimposes uniform on scout with all earned awards. Virtual uniforms, what a concept.

Yes a stunning amount, the cost of a week at summer camp. Council has said as fewer families donate "their share" , the requested amount has increased. I'm told the majority of families in our troop donate $50 or less to FOS. I should have also mentioned that fatigue over the number of fundraisers was another exit factor.

Regarding membership totals, is recruitment down and/or retention down? Locally our annual recruitment has been about the same for the last 5 years but retention numbers are down. In exit interviews, parents and scouts cite costs, friends left, time commitments, and other choices as factors. The "other choices" were considered less costly and more age appropriate. In 2013, FOS here was asking for $125 as the annual council cost per scout. This year, FOS was asking for $350. Hello Xbox.

There's another controversial change needed at World Jamboree to bring the BSA in step with the rest of WOSM and the world - metric. I noticed British badge requirements for swimming and hill walking, etc have distances stated in meters and kilometers. If we the BSA are going to change, we might as well go the distance.

In another thread @@Cambridgeskip made this comment I suspect that there will be a big effort to capitalise on the world jamboree (which will give you some brilliant PR if 2007 is anything to go by), I'd expect to see some rebranding, changes to uniform* and as Ian suggested, a big push to change public attitudes. The results won't come over night, but they will eventually. *I hope I don't offend anyone but if I could make one suggestion to BSA to change its image. Lose the badge sash. Seriously. The uniform over all isn't bad, I particularly like the navy blue shirt for cubs, much b

@@ianwilkins , @@Cambridgeskip well said.

Exactly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kbTbg00AJU

My understanding from LDS news releases below is not all those boys will "filter back" only those who desire to advance to Eagle will. My guess, boys who just want to continue in Boy Scouts will join a non-LDS troop. The Church will continue its Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs for boys ages 8 through 13 because they “meet the development program needs of boys from ages 8 through 13.†It will also be involved in Friends of Scouting. The First Presidency letter states that “young men over the age of 14 who desire to continue to work toward the rank of Eagle Scout or Queen Scout should

The Dallas News printed this comment from BSA BSA spokeswoman Effie Delimarkos said the organization has tried to initiate talks with the Girl Scouts for months and did speak with GSUSA leaders earlier this month about identifying "potential areas of opportunities for alignment in the future." She said that while no new such programs had yet been implemented or decided, "based on numerous requests from families, the Boy Scouts has been exploring the benefits of bringing Scouting to every member of the family - boys and girls." "We are disheartened to see the Girl Scouts pull away

@Hawkwin your experience is similar to Catherine Pollard with Boy Scouts. Pollard ran a Milford, CT troop from 1973 to 1975 when no men volunteered. But her application for a leadership position was denied when the Boy Scouts contended that a woman was not a good role model for young boys enrolled in Scouting. ... In February 1988 the Boy Scouts of America did away with all gender restrictions on volunteer positions. Pollard, who was 69 at the time, became a scoutmaster in Milford and praised the Boy Scouts' leadership. "I do think that this is marvelous, because there have been wome

Ugh, whither core competencies. If Scouting Magazine cannot find someone on staff more knowledgeable about camping, then time to pack up and go home. I bristle when noobs create new technical terms, so a pot is hardware and clothing is software. Advises readers to pack light and then look at the Hardware list. No first aid kit, no mention of bugs,... My $0.01

@@kscouter thanks for that link "Through various means we have learned that BSA is very seriously considering opening their programs to girls and we have made repeated efforts to engage with them and talk about the implications," Well at least someone high up in Scouting is listening to our comments.

I see scouts wearing neckers and properly over the collar.

or go Donald Duck