RememberSchiff

I have zero problem with Venturing.  I think it's good to have that option.  Force-feeding co-ed on non-co-ed programs, thus denying options and choice is a bridge too far for me. but to each their own.  

You missed my point. What if your kids like the program and new members, you would force your kids to leave?

Often with parenting, seemingly simple black and white decisions are more complicated.

My son enjoyed Venturing, I endured it for him.

I walk away from both BSA and GSUSA and take my kids with me if Cub/Boy Scouts goes Co-ed.  It's that simple.  

I follow where my kids interests are. I was not keen about Venturing, but there I was. 

That page shows red, white and blue spinners, but you can only buy the white or blue ones online. Major demand for the red ones, I guess...

NJ, would green work for you?

https://www.amazon.com/America-Tri-Spinner-Fingertip-Gyroscope-Focusing/dp/B07121Y4D1

@@RobbyC welcome to scouter.com. Interesting, well-researched video post, he even speaks of "back in the day".

Besides Camp Bradley in Snake River Council, Idaho,  there are also three campgrounds in Grand Teton Council, Idaho available to the public during eclipse weekend, Aug. 18-21. Scout Hollow near Rigby, Treasure Mountain in Teton Canyon and Camp Little Lemhi in Swan Valley.

The eclipse will be visible at all three sites. Scouting executives also are considering opening Island Park Scout Camp during eclipse weekend.

“We can provide places where people can go have a nice camping experience in a family-friendly atmosphere,†Brown said. “And if people are worried about tree cover and stuff, we’ve checked out where the sun will be and there’s clear areas where people can watch from those sites.â€

Each campground includes water and garbage access, bathrooms and bear boxes. Scout officials also will provide instructions for safe camping in bear country.

Grounds are oriented toward tent camping. There is limited RV space, but no RV hookups, Brown said. No alcohol is allowed at the campgrounds.

Camp Little Lemhi and Treasure Mountain offer lake access where campers can fish. Canoes and rowboats likely will be available as well, Brown said.

Camping is $25 per person per night, or $35 per person for the entire weekend. Campsites can be reserved at eastidahoeclipse.net. Those interested also can call Director of Camping Services David Widdison at 208-709-1158.

“We’re not trying to gouge the public. We’re trying to keep prices in a place where most families can afford it,†Brown said.

There also will be an Eclipse EXPO event open to the general public at the Scout Hollow campground.

Astronomers will be present to educate attendees on solar eclipses. Booths with space-related activities and games also are expected.

The event will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the day of the eclipse, Aug. 21. Tickets are $10, and can be purchased at eastidahoeclipse.net

“The event will have a Scouting flavor,†Brown said. “If a local doesn’t want to camp, they have an opportunity to go do something eclipse-related that’s fun and family-friendly.â€

http://www.postregister.com/articles/solar-eclipse-news-todays-headlines/2017/06/20/scouts-offering-eclipse-activities

Apparently BSA approved.    $6 each

https://sfcbsa.org/events/scout-spinners-sale/

The North Florida Council LFL webpage states 25,000 LFL participants in Duval County alone (news article states 30,000).

Duval County is the 7th most populated of 67 counties in FL.  North Florida Council is one of 9 BSA Councils in Florida. So maybe 150K LFL members in Florida. Agree, the article could be clearer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_counties_in_Florida

https://www.nfcscouting.org/learning-for-life

Agreed. I was surprised by number in Florida 150,000. According to wiki,  LFL nationwide membership is 418,484 so that would be a membership drop of more than a one third?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_for_Life

Disclaimer: Not counting Explorer units, I have not seen any LFL activity.

Update:

The El Paso County medical examiner’s office ruled Scout Reid Comita's death caused by heatstroke.  A record heat wave has now moved into the West.

The teen was working on his last mandatory merit badge, the camping merit badge, when he died while on the hike, his family said.

His Eagle Scout project was to build a playhouse and landscape the area for The Gatehouse, a home for women and children in crisis, in Grapevine.

That project will be completed in Comita’s honor by several members of the North Texas scouting community and friends.

More at source link

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article156989659.html

http://news.wjct.org/post/after-school-boy-scouts-program-jeopardy-after-losing-state-funding

Boy Scout North Florida Council CEO Jack Sears said Scott’s veto of nearly $2 million jeopardizes the program for 150,000 students across nine school districts statewide.

“We are in communication with the governor’s staff in an attempt to help identify possible alternative funding in order to continue the program,†Sears said.

He said the program will not continue if funding isn’t secured before July 1.

Sears said Learning for Life helps public schools meet a state mandate to include character development in their curricula.

http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/news/local_news/former-commissioner-coming-home-after-transplant/article_dd59b268-aa68-56bf-851a-6d38225dba46.html

Lakeland,Georgia

Boy Scout Troop 415 will be back at Lake Irma next weekend, putting the finishing touches on fellow scout Seanesee Richardson’s Eagle project.

And hopefully helping their friend accomplish his dream of becoming an Eagle Scout.

Sean Richardson, 16, was a Lanier County High School sophomore, a trumpet player in the school band, a Life Scout with Boy Scout Troop 415 at Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Valdosta, as noted in a May 21 article in The Valdosta Daily Times.

On Dec. 12, 2016, his life changed. While changing a tire, a van fell on his chest. He was unable to breathe properly for nearly an hour. He suffered brain damage in the accident.

Prior to the accident, Richardson had earned all of the necessary merit badges and served the required leadership roles to earn the rank of Eagle. He had even presented the proposal to replace rotting wood and paint fences and benches around Lake Irma in Lanier County.

Last month, his fellow Scouts undertook the work outlined in Richardson’s Eagle project. Richardson was there in his wheelchair, with mom Kimberly Richardson.

Scoutmasters believe Sean Richardson has completed all of the necessary requirements and should be awarded the rank of Eagle.

On Saturday, June 24, the scouts will return to put finishing touches on the project, said Stephen Findlay, an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 415.

“Then the project will be submitted to the Alapaha Council by the end of June for the Eagle board on July 18,†Findlay said. “Then the board’s results will be submitted to National. If necessary, we will append a letter describing the situation for review by National. I think if our local board approves the Eagle for Sean, then National will probably follow suit. This is our plan.â€

Scout Salute

welcome to scouter.com @@Beery

Thanks @@NealOnWheels, that is a good read.

Councils decided? I think a piece of legislation called the ADA decided that. There was no choice in the matter. Comply or be fined.

As a private club, the BSA was/is exempt from ADA  which does seem odd if the club has members with disabilities.

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/designdevelop/pdf/D-013AccessibilityConsiderations.pdf

Welcome to scouter.com , an interesting first topic.

Really? You are equating the few disabled scout accommodations with the whole sale addition of women? Come on, you have to see that's a silly comparison.

 

Also, in my camps there are only a few handicap bathrooms and shower facilities. Why? Because there's only ever a few such Scouts. Adding women potentially DOUBLES your need for facilities. Now if you could only require units to be single sex it would be easier.

Silly? I doubt the added membership came close to repaying the ramps ( a lot of ramps), bath and shower facilities and yet it was done. The BSA decided it had to be done. 

I would not be surprised if the expense of handicap ramps and rails alone exceeds the cost of new  bathhouse. As I said before our Councils had to upgrade to meet state health codes.

Why not Summit-level toilet and shower  facilities at all local camps?

I tend to cut new members some slack. Let's refrain from name-calling and over passionate ranting.

https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/16/girl-scouts-cybersecurity-badges-fall-2018/

The GSUSA has partnered with Palo Alto Networks to release new cybersecurity badges over the next two years, the first slated for release in September 2018.

They won't just be about minimizing hacking vectors: Younger Scouts will also learn about data privacy, cyberbullying and how to protect themselves online. Badges for older ones will focus on developing coding skills, learning about white hat hacking and creating firewalls. While preventative training has been erratically present in Scouting for some time -- the Boy Scouts, for example, have had the Cyber Chip youth internet safety certification since 2012 -- the Girl Scouts' new set of badges looks to span a respectable breadth of online issues and opportunities.

If you're surprised the Girl Scouts have a new badge teaching important tech literacy, you haven't been paying attention. Back in 2011, the organization added ones for Computer Expert and Digital Movie Maker followed by an attempt in 2013 to introduce one for video games. Following the release of a badge dedicated to nurturing science, technology, engineering and math interests in 2015, the Girl Scouts partnered with Netflix last October to encourage young members to pursue STEM careers.

Really autocorrect? In what spelling-verse is "delineate" replaced with "deli oat"?

The high-in-dietary-fiber-verse?

Something like this should do. Screens would help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhy73y4RvhA&utm_source=social&utm_medium=status%2Bupdate&utm_campaign=jamboree

And yet years ago, the BSA did all those changes and more for the those with disabilities.

About 18 miles outside of Stanley, Idaho right in the middle of the path of the August solar eclipse is Camp Bradley.

"You don't have the town around you, you don't have the buildings, you have mother nature," SE David Kirk said.

When the council realized they were in a prime location they decided to rent out their campsite to people coming in for the event.

"You can always hit the hotels. You can't always hit this opportunity," Kirk said.

The proceeds from the weekend will go to the Snake River Council to support the scouts.

"It's a good fundraiser for us and it also helps the public get to see this special feature," Kirk said.

http://www.kmvt.com/content/news/Boy-Scout-camp-opening-their-gates-for-solar-eclipse-428759733.html

Scout salute  and points for original, heads-up thinking to Snake River River Council

My goto website for stoves is Outdoor Gear Lab

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-camping-stove

Looks like you scooped them with your review of the Jet Boil Genesis. This is the first I have heard of the Genesis product.

We have been using the Everest for years with good results though I have heard mixed reviews from others. We were looking for simmer control, quick boiling,  and the rectangular griddle support. The latter would be a good additional test in your video. A real Lodge cast iron griddle please!

Always mention weight and price  The Genesis System (pots) is $270, I could easily buy two Everest for that. We already have the pots. I am not a fan of special pots for a stove, even a backpacking stove.

I didn't understand your point about the boiling water test being "unscientific". The test was unrealistic. Only Tenderfoots (old ranking system) and new SM's boil water without a lid.

"Keep score"?

Back in the day, we did not.  Oh I helped one little old lady across the street and met my quota for the day. 

A service project was outside of our usual recurring chores which were expected of us: snow shoveling of fire hydrants, leaf raking, spring cleaning. I remember my  Star service project. where we installed gutter downspouts and drainage pipes for a community health facility.

As for today?

Today: 500 Scouts and adults in summer camp. Maybe 10% are women? One small dedicated shower and toilet facility (2 toilets, 2 stalls) will take care of them.

 

Post Coed: 500 Scouts and adults in summer camp. 50% are women? You'd need to dedicated a whole section to women and girls.

 

My local council did an analysis on what they would need to do to accommodate Venturing Crews for a local event. Same numbers, 500 folks and 50% women. They needed to bring in separate shower and toilet facilities meet the demands of privacy, YPT and timing (e.g., rotation of sexes through existing infrastructure).

 

Maybe your camp is different. Mine has already researched the issue and they'd need to build new facilities to handle such a change. 

I doubt this. Even if you laugh at the BSA National camp standards in the shadow of Irving, there are your state administrative camp health codes.

http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=25&pt=1&ch=265&rl=13

(i) Toilets and urinals. The camp shall provide at least one toilet for every 15 females and one toilet for every 15 males. In each male toilet facility, up to 70% of the toilets required may be urinals. In facilities with more than one toilet, some means of privacy must be provided for each toilet.

(j) Lavatories. The camp shall provide at least one lavatory adjacent to toilet facilities. In facilities with more than five toilets or urinals in a room, there must be a minimum of two lavatories.

(l) Shower facilities. Resident youth camps shall provide at least one shower for every 15 females and one shower for every 15 males. Each shower shall be equipped with water to meet the needs of the campers. There shall be soap or body cleanser available at all times.

I think other Councils have addressed coed needs as they upgrade their camp septic systems. to comply with 2017 health codes.