RememberSchiff

from the Daily Mail link Last year, Josie Appleton, director of The Manifesto Club think tank, which campaigns against excessive regulation, said endless forms and recent child abuse scandals were deterring adults from signing up as Scout helpers. Forms for the Disclosure and Barring Service, which replaced the Criminal Records Bureau in 2012, are a particular problem. She said: ‘There is an incredible level of bureaucracy to do with child protection, and we’ve heard from parents who have been given DBS forms when their children are registering, before they’ve done anything. ‘Child protection is about common sense not about filling in forms. ‘It must put off people and I know of volunteers who have resigned over the degree of bureaucracy, particularly repeat checks.’ Same problem here. I have been unable to get anyone ( teacher, policeman, nurse, doctor, EMT, plumber, electrician,..) who has no kids in scouting to volunteer. No one. At most they initially agree but when they see the vetting process they either say 1. I have already done that for my job or another youth activity why do I have to do it again or 2. shrug and say I am offering to help but I will not jump through hoops (filling out forms, background checks). And it is just not Scouting. I volunteered to be an Library Assistant at my son's school. I had multiple background checks for Scouting, Little League, firearms,... but the school district and state required a new one. Because of my age, archived microfiche records needed to be searched manually. Months later as the school year ended and my son graduated, my background check was finally approved.

https://thriving.childrenshospital.org/my-blue-eyed-boy-donate-life/ My blue-eyed boy: The decision to donate life By Krista Skinner "...Our family has been touched by donation before. My husband is a living organ donor and Aidan had written about how much he wanted to help someone like his dad someday. We knew that Aidan would want to help whomever he could. On July 2, 2014, my blue-eyed boy left us to become a hero." ...That a young 12 year old scout would think so far ahead to help others... Scout Salute to Aidan, his family, and New England Organ Bank.

Welcome to scouter.com

Anyone using the Therm-a-rest NeoAir mini-pump - $40, two AAA batteries?

Are we talking bug juice or real juice? In US, regular soda is carbonated, HIGH sugar content, usually caffeinated more than coffee, no nutritional value.

Ugggh, you're killing me here. Scout law, Patrol Method.

Welcome. What leader training have you taken either online or in person with your Council?

National has communicated the alcohol policy change about as well as they did the Tour Plan policy change. As John mentioned, many if not most, councils and camps believe the old BSA policy remains As a facility (Philmont - RS) of the Boy Scouts of America, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted on the property. http://www.philmonts...e/policies.aspx Other council/camp websites still quote the old policy. The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. According to the current GSS,that restriction no longer exists rather just no alcohol use around scouts or at a scouting activity, as I (and others) suggested in a response on Dec 16 (see above). I predict an adult work party at our local camp this fall will have no scouts, no official designation as a scout activity, and a keg! Hmm, I wonder if Sierra Nevada will add "Served at Boy Scout Bechtel Summit Reserve" to their ads. Which beer will win a BSA concession contract?

Mic dropped by OP, topic locked.

IMHO, said adult should be awarded an "untied" knot award and, in this case, I could go along with instant recognition.

Update: Thousands of athletes from across the country will ...participate in the 2017 U.S. Championship Series for the Spartan Race. The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve is hosting the event Aug. 26-27. It will be televised on NBC Sports. ... Nearly 25,000 people are expected to come to West Virginia for the event which includes a series of challenges featuring obstacle courses of various sizes and difficulties. http://wvmetronews.com/2017/01/18/2017-spartan-u-s-championship-race-to-be-held-in-beckley/

Ah my suspicions are confirmed! He trying to steal a scouter.com moderator with a offer of a higher POR at his server.

My guess, he's talking about replacing scouter,com with a scout-run chat server.

Some of our scouts have used Minecraft (they setup their own game servers) and Xbox-live as a communication means. Generally troop/patrol discussions were short and the subsequent game playing long. Scouts have done similar with ham radio, but be aware managing an operating Discord server is much more work. Do you have the time? Maybe like ham radio, the server is only live for a hour or two each day? With your parent's consent, start small and unofficial and go from there. How will you authenticate users are real Scouts? I disable spammers on scouter.com daily. My $0.02

http://www.toothoftimetraders.com/carry-on/-7394101857829580560/product

Maybe the idea is for father and son to construct a car without woodworking tools or maybe the idea is to get beer and soda sponsors for a scout event? The January pilot event was in Michigan Crossroads Council and sponsored by Tibbs Brewery (Kalamazoo) , who sold the kits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7zrNtv-jug Perhaps related, this week Don Shepard, the current SE of Daniel Webster Council (NH) , has been named the new SE of Michigan Crossroads Council of the Boy Scouts of America will have a new leader starting in May. The Michigan Crossroads Council was formed in 2012 through the merger of nine councils throughout the state's Lower Peninsula. It is now the largest council in the United States, serving more than 67,000 youth ages six through 20 and more than 20,000 adult volunteers in 66 counties with a statewide staff of just over 100 people. Shepard said he thinks the MCC could serve as model for consolidation efforts in other areas of the U.S. where the Boy Scouts has a presence. "Where it makes sense, I think leadership of the Boy Scouts of America will begin the conversation about consolidation efforts," Shepard said. "The streamlining of the MCC and its statewide operations has created additional opportunities to provide a greater and more enhanced menu of programming and services to Scouting youth and volunteers in Michigan." Well, good to see the beer is flowing at Council. http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2017/04/dan_shepard_named_as_new_leade.html

How does your CO feel about Lions and Tigers? If they share your opinion, IMO they should talk to Council.

All too true. Too often adults (usually TC) get frustrated by the disorganized, sluggish, and maybe lazy developing scout leadership, and take over. Lessons lost.

Having them at the US Embassy (US soil) is different from having them at a Canadian airport (Canadian soil). If I was a Canadian, I would not allow a foreign government police powers on Canadian soil. I would be ok with the US pre-screening and Go/No-go but detaining should be a matter for solely for RCMP or Canadian police.

I was not aware there are US Border agents working pre-clearance to US at Canadian airports (currently 9). The procedure is also in effect at the Port of Vancouver, at Vancouver’s train station and on some B.C.-Washington ferry routes. Pre-clearance is expected to be introduced at Montreal’s train station for Amtrak’s Montreal-New York City route later this year. http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2017/03/30/canadians-growing-uneasy-about-more-power-for-u-s-border-guards-in-canada/ http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2017/02/13/bill-c23-proposed-legislation-would-heighten-powers-of-u-s-border-guards-in-canada/ An international agreement with the US in 2015 permitted U.S. border agents to operate on Canadian soil, in airports, rail, bus and other terminals. This was to create “pre-clearance†to reduce delays at US entry points. Now a new federal proposal, Bill C-23 would give U.S. agents on Canadian soil, even more powers, including the power to detain Canadians, conduct strip searches of Canadian travellers, and to carry sidearms. “A Canadian going to the U.S. through a pre-clearance area [on Canadian soil] can say: ‘I don’t like the way [an interview is] going and I’ve chosen not to visit your country.’ And they can just turn around and walk out,†says Calgary immigration lawyer Michael Greene, the national chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s citizenship and immigration section. “Under the new proposed bill C-23, they wouldn’t be able to walk out. They can be held and forced to answer questions, first to identify themselves, which is not so offensive, but secondly, to explain the reasons for leaving, and to explain their reasons for wanting to withdraw,†Greene says. A survey released today by the polling firm Angus Reid Institute shows Canadians are becoming more uneasy about giving American authorities more powers on Canadian soil. IMO, very odd, sounds like the movie Casablanca.

“People in Canada used to take it for granted that they could just go to the border . . . but that’s no longer the case,†he said. Sigh, people in the United States too.

Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly visited Detroit on Monday (3/27/17) in part to allay fears from local Hispanics and Muslims about President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, but the results were mixed. ... “No one is targeted, regardless of what unfortunately gets reported sometimes,†Kelly said. “Every single time a foreigner or American citizen comes into this country — and there are millions every day — they generally move straight through the process. A very tiny number are set aside for additional screening. That’s not based on religion, color or politics, and I reject anyone who makes that claim. “The conversation today revolved around ... how ... we look very, very hard at terrorism (and) terrorist initiatives. ... Generally speaking, I think they were most interested in hearing from someone who has this job and makes no distinction between race, color and politics. It’s all about protecting America.†... "If they're in Canada legally, and they have the proper paperwork, they don't have to worry about anything," Kelly said. "I don't get it. But it's their business. And if they feel that way, that's their loss, I guess." http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/27/homeland-security-secretary-visits-detroit-area/99690472/ http://www.npr.org/2017/03/29/521920595/canadians-report-more-scrutiny-and-rejection-at-u-s-border-checkpoints

I worry more about real estate agents on local Council Executive Committees. Hello mergers, good-bye camp(s).

Regarding "entertained", show Cubs how to start a fire when it is wet out. Most young kids assume it cannot be done.

Maybe our BSA membership card should include our insurance underwriter (MHBT?), policy number, Council point of contact. I have not seen or read the actual policy, Anyone, anyone ...Bueller, Bueller? I have read the Council-issued sparse insurance certificate stating general liability insurance coverage exists. Why not a link to the insurance policy pdf on the Council website?