RememberSchiff

http://www.marinij.com/general-news/20171023/fairfax-road-collapse-kills-boy-scout-camp-staffer "A Boy Scout camp staffer who was performing roadwork outside Fairfax died Monday after the road collapsed and his tractor tumbled approximately 250 feet down an embankment."

Similarly, Massachusetts had a citizen petition called Proposition 2 1/2 over unfunded state mandates. The idea was simple, limit property tax increases to no more than 2.5%. With limits on local tax revenue, the state would have to provide more funding itself. In practice, it is more complicated and of course the state setup yet another staffed agency of Local Mandates to obfuscate and dictate. And on it goes. Unfortunately, "Learning for LIfe" is a common name for a variety of non-BSA education programs at the state and local level so it is hard to know what is being funded.

@@DGS welcome to scouter.com

@@drvivc welcome to scouter.com

I think funding extra education programs (for lack of a better term) at the state level is an annual controversy in Florida. I was surprised at the amount nearly $2M. http://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article154126309.ece/binary/Final-Veto-List-2017-As-published.pdf

Update 10/23/17 The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently completed a report regarding a fatal sailboat accident that killed three East Texas Boy Scouts,... but say there are specific laws about what information TPWD can release regarding accidents involving juveniles, and to whom that information can be released. TPWD says to ensure their compliance with these laws, they have requested an opinion from the Office of the Texas Attorney General. http://www.newschannel6now.com/story/36655468/tpwd-issues-statement-on-accident-that-killed-3-boy-scouts

Florida Governor Rick Scott, an Eagle Scout, vetoed a $2.5 million education appropriation. pulling the plug on their character education program. The Learning for Life program has been taught in some school districts for 20 years. When he vetoed the money, Scott said since the instruction is required by state law then “districts should use current resources to provide the instruction.†The budget shortfall in Suwannee River Area Council is $155,000 http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2017/10/22/boy-scouts-caught-unprepared-gov-scotts-veto/780014001/

Back in the day (here he goes), new scouts (and their families) who did not adapt to the program within a couple of months were dropped at recharter. We also had a smaller adult footprint in the program, just a SM, ASM, and 3 to 5 on Troop Committee but that footprint could be felt on an adult's backside if he/she interfered with the program. Troop adult leaders had the backing of CO and Neighborhood Commissioner. No "confrontation avoidance" back then, no wonder the term "helicopter parent" did not exist. My $0.02

I embellished the title. Nearly every day, I wish my sons and my scouts had the Scout program, scouts, and leadership that I had as a youth. Can we reclaim program elements that have been lost? Or will a shelter scout program take hold, maybe scouts will become iscouts where "i" is for inside, internet, and insured? My $0.02,

IMO, not sufficient. I think a better guideline might be to perform flag ceremonies for non-political events which would occur whether a politician attends or not, e.g., Memorial Day service. My $0.02

@@ValleyBoy welcome to scouter.com

@@scout010 welcome to scouter.com. I wear a Wilderness instructor belt all the time.

Maybe, but not called Girls Life as that magazine already exists.

League of Legends? Scout code? I guess character building is about building your "game" character online? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76cG7bcmmqM

To be sung at recharter Que Sera, Sera Whatever will be, will be The future's not ours to see. Que Sera, Sera

...or using Scouting to push video gaming? http://www.elpasoinc.com/news/local_news/boy-scouts-try-video-games/article_67bda04a-b1c8-11e7-9ad1-8b0194ee0537.html El Paso,TX Venture Crew partnering with video game retailer Gamestop. “We’ve got (the national organization’s) attention now,†said Jack Peterson, who sits on the Boy Scouts of America committee for the venture group. “Every time we ask a group of scouts ‘who plays video games?’ everyone raises their hands.†Peterson said the point of the venture group is to reach young men and women who are not acquainted with the Boy Scouts or who live far away from one of their branches. “Scouting is attractive to kids in urban areas, and it’s tough to get to a meeting when you live in a rural area,†he said. “We’re also wanting to attract kids from diverse backgrounds that play video games.†The Boy Scouts started the program on Oct. 5 after leaving flyers at local Gamestop retailers inviting interested players to join the group. A handful were present during the venture group’s first meeting at Guillen Middle School in South El Paso. “This gives them an opportunity to continue in scouting but in a non-traditional manner they can identify with,†said Horacio Porras, scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts Yucca Council in El Paso. “This is going to allow them the opportunity to be a part of the gaming and scouting community but on a much broader level.†The scouts were provided with a Sony Playstation 4, and it didn’t take long for them to start playing a type of game known as a “platformer.†The game is called Rayman Legends, and when playing with a partner, it requires cooperation and timing between two players. It’s not obvious, but the game helps the scouts learn how to communicate through virtual communities, an increasingly common way to interact in the workplace. “This is a safe environment where they can be among friends and learn part of those characteristics as far as the scout code,†said John Townsend, the crew advisor. Townsend said he makes sure the scouts play games that they can learn important skills from. The online community can be a rowdy one, and that is where Townsend plans to step in. He knows playing video games against others online can expose the scouts to taunting and inappropriate language. (Okay no argument, civil or uncivil, there - RS) “They stir the pot in an effort to rattle you,†he said. “That’s not what this is about. This is about providing a safe environment where they can enjoy the company of others.†Zane Chamlee, 16, a student at Valle Verde Early College was watching his colleagues play the game. He said he is looking forward to participating in the program. His favorite game is League of Legends. “It’s literally the largest game in the world,†he said. (I thought that was soccer? - RS) Cherish Calero, the district manager for Gamestop in El Paso, said the company partnered with the Boy Scouts to help provide resources to the scouts who don’t have the video game consoles or accessories needed to participate in the program. It’s not the first time Gamestop has partnered with charitable organizations to provide video game accessories. They’ve also worked with Ronald McDonald House Charities and Make-a-Wish Foundation. “It’s important that kids learn the life skills that gaming can offer them,†she said. Unbelievable. What next, Congress aiding the sale and distribution of opioids?

Not seeing it @ 5:30am EST

@@OwlScouter welcome to scouter.com

In my experience, agreements among units about who will "take" what groups of incoming scouts only causes headaches. There are always exceptions and surprises with the membership. So in talking to the other two packs, you might say "Our pack leadership has decided to accept girls, if you do not, please direct them to our pack." My $0.02

Does your CO host a Girl Scout unit?

It's funny how policy is pushed aside by practicality in the field. My $0.02

If the transition plan is not known at recharter, some CO's of packs may have second thoughts.

Thanks for your long service to scouts and Scouting. May you find joy with your family. RS

I am waiting for the Girl Scouts to announce that they will now sell popcorn too!

Here Youth Protection training must be taken every TWO years. Five years sounds more sensible but then we likely have more child abuse litigation. Once and done works for me. In our general program, there is NO first aid training requirement for adult leaders. Some camps and activities, e.g. Philmont, may require leaders have CPR and Wilderness First Aid training. Doesn't make sense to me either.