RememberSchiff

All: Remember their viewpoint and expectations coming from Cub Scouts. They are seeing the same basic methods suddenly become more complicated. Add to that by this time, these parents have been exposed to other youth organizations - sports, church, schools (our competition) that are less complicated. Thanks for your feedback. hedgehog: Your son had you as his MBC for THREE Eagle required merit badges? That what be questioned at our district EBOR. perdidochos: Ok, you consider them selfish and unreasonable. Parents already read the YP in scout handbook with son and often see the YP cour

1, Agree as in I taught my son to swim, I taught him carpentry...My son and I worked on (earned) a arrow point/merit badge together. 2. No just a request/idea they had, More a point of pride in parenting. As stated above they were expecting a more adult-run (organized) and fewer (as in one) fundraiser that they had in Cubs, not being able to sign-off on anything, particularly in their area of expertise, was something they missed from Cub Scouts. Why can't I work (counsel) one badge with my own son. I've been a (whatever) for years . What is the problem? It was an idea I had not heard

Paperwork which for some reason has to be redone from Cub Scout to Boy Scouts 1. Adult BSA application + $ 2. MBC application 3. An agreement contract 4. copy of drivers license 5. Criminal Offender Record Information (Mass) form. From personal experience, this can take a long time to process. Online 1. Youth Protection training Classroom 1. Essentials of Merit Badge Counseling . This gets pushed by Council every so often but then they realize no instructor and not much interest. I think that is all of it for our council. YMMV, particularly in PA.

Yes. These parents were heavily involved in Cubs, some as DL and assistants. All were burned-out from 4+ years of Cubbing and just wanted to work on one Boy Scout badge with their son. One of the things they enjoyed the most from Cub Scouts was working with their sons on advancement. They were willing to work with more scouts, but not willing to go through all the BSA steps to be MBC. Parents teaching their sons a set of skills. Anyway they left. They had also expected a more adult-run scout program with fewer fundraising as their Cub program was. They are good families and I expect th

We had a some families leave our troop at re-charter time last month. They had expected and wanted Boy Scouts to be similar to Cub Scouts but there was one particular complaint that has me thinking. Each of these parents missed signing off on THEIR son's advancement, in particular a merit badge which related to their work or hobby. They went from 100% signoff ability to 0%! They were NOT interested in the Boy Scout hassle of becoming a MBC. They just wanted that part of Cub Scouting that was lost - I want to work on a badge with MY son and just MY son...and don't lay a guilt trip on me.

Our troop gifts just the Eagle Award Kit, the economy version. The scout's name is added to our Eagle Roster on our troop website.

Sad news "Robert Dick Douglas Jr., who joined the Boy Scouts on his 12th birthday in 1924 and by 17 had shot a lion on safari in Africa, hunted whales and grizzly bears in Alaska and written two books on his adventures, died on Wednesday in Greensboro, N.C. He was 103 and one of the nation’s oldest Eagle Scouts." http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/26/us/robert-d-douglas-jr-eagle-scout-elder-dies-at-103.html?_r=0

Merry Christmas (there should be a Boys Life cover image above, at least there is in editor.)

Can watch here http://www.nbc.com/running-wild-with-bear-grylls/episodes Available until Jan 12

LED lanterns and headlamps. You do not need to light up your campsite like Fenway Park, just your work area. Safer can carry in backpack and use in a tent. No asbestos mantles, no glass globes to break, no temp issues, no petrol, no fire/fume concerns, no propane tank issues. We intend to switch to rechargeable batteries when the original batteries die. This is their third winter and they are still bright, Streamlight Siege lanterns (come in different sizes). Multiple light modes including RED led (good night light). Brightest setting is 340 lumens is plenty. Each patrol has one 3D ba

I thought it was an entertaining interview. Disappointed that there was no mention of scouting. Smores was a nice touch. I was surprised that the Secret Service allowed Bear to have that knife. Does the President carry anything - no smartphone, no canteen, no matches, ...wallet?

http://lagniappemobile.com/facing-budget-deficits-boy-scouts-prepare-land-sale/ The organization is selling two parcels Scouts executive Michael Hartigan said are located on the outskirts of the improved campgrounds, so the sale will not affect traditional scouting activities. Hartigan said families near the camp’s boundaries approached the council about purchasing the land for a yet-to-be-disclosed amount. “It is important to note we are not selling our Boy Scout camp,†Hartigan noted. “There are acres that we own which have not been used by the Scouts for decades and we hav

REMINDER: Tonight Dec 17, 10pm ET on NBC.

My understanding - A subsequent law HB 1276 fixed some problems: how often to renew background checks would now be 5 years instead of 3, “direct volunteer contact" was better defined, and two of the background checks, PA State Police and Department of Human Services, would now be free. If a FBI background was required, the volunteer would still bear that cost. - Council and National will collect background checks only electronically, volunteer/unit/CO handle paper - Councils post updates and links, but make it clear each volunteer is responsible for whatever background checks ne

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20151216_Ex-Boy_Scout_boss_to_lead_group_that_helps_gay_youths.html Thomas Harrington, Eagle Scout and former Cradle of Liberty Scout Executive, will be introduced Wednesday as the new CEO of Valley Youth House, an Allentown-based organization with offices and initiatives in Philadelphia. In an interview, Harrington said the policy that disallowed gay scouts was set by the national Boy Scouts of America and had no bearing on his new role at Youth House, which, among other programs, helps gay, lesbian, and transgender youths find jobs, housing, and com

Could be deer eggs.

A 43 page guide for OA elections? Was this guide written in Florida? I did not see a step where the "eligible" scouts were asked if they were interested in joining. Back in the day, we (my troop) was courteous enough to ask scouts rather than pressure them in front of troop to join. And in this day and age, parent notification and permission should be obtained before the elections. My $0.02,

Enjoy your family vacation.

I understand your situation and concern. I wish misconceived traditions like this were uncommon. It is okay for you or your son to say "No thanks". As always talk the situation through with your son and do what you think is best for him. I'm hoping he says "I'm with you Dad."

The OA is suppose to help mentor scouts in camping and outdoor skills. Discuss outings ideas. The OA lodges around here used to publish an informative Where to Camp guide which was very helpful for yearly planning. I see little of this now. OA weekends are at council camp and why would any loyal scout want to camp elsewhere. There is also the free labor aspect for council camps and that is a major reason for drawing in dads who have and can use power tools. Some of our scouts join OA but within a year they usually fade away due to the time demands. Our SM has stated he has no use for O

Most useful a scout can earn: either Public Health or Safety. I recommend both to my scouts..."Safety First" particularly as the older teens become more carefree dudes. Most useful that I earned: Lifesaving (1968?). I earned Public Health and Safety as well, but I rescued 3 swimmers as a lifeguard later. Back then in my community, Lifesaving MB was earned by completing the Red Cross Senior Lifesaving course at the town pool. For me, it was also the hardest merit badge to earn though Personal Fitness with its pull-ups was close. First Merit badge while useful was mostly review. My

IMO it appears the 2016 requirement changes are an indirect admission that more (exercise, service, camping,...) is better scouting than quicker (FCFY...).

Less structure, more fun. Try incorporating some of your ideas into a fun group activity, say like Hunger Games. For example for survival, have a collection of items (useful and not) and give a group of scouts x seconds to grab only y items. Oh and make it a surprise. They should have no idea what is coming next. No pins for being there. Best group wins the golden pine cone. My $0.02 P.S. If you Yawned, they will too.

The ones that are school-like (keep a log, notebook), chore-like/tedious, out-dated, not fun...i.e.,the ones that don't interest a scout. Communications Emergency Prep Cooking My scouts will choose a 10 mile hike in a cold rain over keeping a log/notebook every time.

There is more crime, noise, trash, and unruly people in state parks here. Yes we use the buddy system and I may stay up to keep watch. Our past bad experiences have been frequent and severe enough that we rarely camp or hike at state parks and when we do it is early or late in their season. We camp at scout camps, National Parks/Forests ($$ prevents riff-raff), or private property. Safer. Well it was.