RememberSchiff

http://www.clomedia.com/articles/6346-be-a-boy-scout-prepare-for-digital-badging ...BSA’s merit program is adapting to digital-native members by adopting digital badging, a method to earn and display learning achievements such as certificates and completed classwork. “Every experience could really become a credential through the use of things like badging,†Swanson said. “They’re great tools to track both formal and informal learning, whether an employee is taking a class or simply turning to the Internet for an answer.†The Boy Scouts of America have a similar approach to give its members credit for their learning, from requiring them to spend days in the wilderness to offering 136 courses via smartphone. Every experience counts, said Diana Childress, vice president and managing director for strategic initiatives at Pearson North America. She teamed up with BSA’s Wellen to create the badging program. Childress met with scout troops before their 12-day trek at Philmont Scout Ranch, the largest Boy Scout High Adventure Base. She said the participants hit the trails with phones in hand, living out the organization’s motto of using any tool they have, be it a piece of rope or piece of technology. “This is about the fundamental earning of a credentialed badge for each subject and accumulating them in advancement,†Childress said. “It’s an enhancement of the learning experience.†I remember when we tracked animals and each other more than advancement, did scout things without getting credit or expecting it ... That last sentence just bugs me.

Said it before, get rid of "Scout". Didn't like it as a non-rank, and like it less as a rank. AOL scouts are bored by the review. Less talk, less chair-time, more hands-on and on the go - FUN. Move knots and knife safety to Tenderfoot. Why not explicitly state "After successfully completing all requirements for this rank, including a Scoutmaster's Conference, request and complete your Board of Review. First Class First Aid. Should include what to do at scene of car accident. My $0.02

I think National (CSE Ben Love) banned the confederate/flag and emblems back in the 90's. The only flag to display was the US flag.

Been wondering if citizens, even us Yankees, might rebrand the Confederate Flag for new battle(s) against government?

Add plastic wrap to the list of camp contraband. I have a sad story to tell you... Troop A plastic wrapped Troop B's latrines. Troop B thought Troop C was to blame The next morning, a Camp Commissioner inspected Troop C's latrine and took a...Shaving Cream be nice and clean. Shave everyday and you'll always look keen...

We dropped newspaper/magazine recycling long ago. Lower collection volumes, lower recycle payouts. We have thought of sponsoring an "electronics" collection but other groups jumped in. Word is they barely broken even. Some roadside dumping occurred too, as some did not want to pay to drop off their 30yr old cathode-tube TV., etc We still do bottle and can recycling but revenue has been down. Some blame the economy as folks do their own returns. Recycling revenue is shrinking while the troop activities expenses are growing. Anyway this recent article lead to this topic. http://www.effinghamdailynews.com/news/local_news/boy-scouts-stop-collecting-recyclables-from-area-businesses/article_8f331e52-8ec7-5895-a26e-a541e7178c27.html Oops that overused word sustainable...I'm a little teapot. Short and stout...

One report said North Ponil Canyon. Scout salute and farewell

Found an interesting fact which may or may not have any relevance, a new SE, Daniel Templar from Garden State Council (NJ), was selected the month before this announcement. http://www.gardenstatescouting.org/news/gsc-scout-executive-dan-templar-named-new-scout-executive-cradle-liberty-council https://www.colbsa.org/news-and-information/news-and-information/daniel-a-templar-named-scout-executive.html

Yeah. "Your honor, no harm no foul." , and the judge quickly awards all winnings to the victim and a prison sentence to thief. I have assumed that unit trailers are stolen with the most frequency, sadly maybe it is unit funds?

Yes I have seen local day trips as you mentioned, but I have not seen this level - coordinating with a school to make their shop facilities, etc, available. Hmmm, maybe Schiff should paint a sign "Available for camp programs, Call Super" and post at a tech school near our camp.

Interesting idea, a scout camp (Camp Post) wanted to offer a merit badge but did not have resources so they partnered with a nearby school and its enthusiastic welding teacher. The South Plains Council of the Boy Scouts of America (TX) is partnering with Post High School’s welding program in the Scouts’ summer camp. Welding campers spend most of their time at headquarters a few miles west of town, but travel to the school each morning. good article http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2015-06-24/boy-scouts-fire-new-welding-program

“At the core of these discussions is the understanding that above all, we want to create a sustainable program providing a better scouting experience for our youth.†said William Kline, Council President for the Revolutionary Trails Council headquartered in Utica. “With a combined Council we can attract more scouts, train more leaders and develop programming that we never thought possible to get our Scouts excited and learning.†Yeah maybe. I have previously sought an example where a merger of councils increased scout membership, I have found none. Short time financial benefit with a continued decline in membership as resources are stretched and then a few years later on to the next merger. "Two strong councils" might better left alone for the scouts they serve as Nashoba Valley decided in a proposed merger with Mohegan Council. Their Executive Council voted against the merger but not before placing their main council camp safely in a trust. Next time any National or Council professional mentions the over-used word "sustainable", I want them to sing "I'm a little teapot." My $0.02 and good luck to the scouts of both councils.

Over a year, four fundraisers and $13K gone... maybe the CO should replace the whole Troop Committee.

National can remove any employee and the SE is the top BSA employee in Council. In the past, National could either retire/fire an employee who could still be a volunteer member or revoke membership and begone. The latter seems more rare today. The Executive Board selects the SE. My experience is this is someone recommended by National (after all National trains them) and is rarely local talent but maybe that is a coincidence. What difference does it make? It shows there are consequences for disobeying, embarrassing, or surprising National. IMO, a joint announcement would have been more scout-like. Maybe National was offered and declined? The above is my understanding. Related official document: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/commissioner/pdf/33161.pdf

More sad details... http://www.cbsnews.com/news/boy-scout-leader-dies-on-fathers-day-hike-with-troop-2-sons-in-new-hampshire/ "It starts to gain elevation quite quickly," Saunders said of the trail, but the group hadn't been hiking that long. "It's one of those odd things. There wasn't any rhyme or reason to it, and it was fairly quickly," Saunders said. "He just sat down on a rock and collapsed." Gunnar Burdt, scoutmaster of Troop 735 of Gamber, just outside of Baltimore, said the nearly three-mile hike to an Appalachian Mountain Club hut was planned by Rippeon, a "high-adventure" outdoors trip in scouting, where "you go do something that's going to push your limits and tests your will," Burdt said. "He was our map guy, our GPS man," Burdt said. "We relied on him heavily for planning these adventures." The group has canoed 100 miles in upstate New York and backpacked in the Colorado Rockies. They chose the White Mountains this year; Rippeon, an avid hiker and scoutmaster before Burdt, had visited the area before with his older son, 17-year-old Ryan, about six years ago. "He was familiar with the area and the Appalachian Trail," Burdt said. "Our plan was to go hut to hut for four days and we would summit to Mount Washington on our last day." Burdt said half of the group had made it up, including Ryan. Others, including Rippeon, his son Patrick who is 11 or 12, and another leader were behind. When Rippeon collapsed, the other leader, an AMC employee coming down the mountain and two other hikers came to his aid, but Rippeon died. Rippeon, a Navy veteran and an engineer, "always lived by the Boy Scout oath and law," Burdt said. "It was very important to him. Boy Scouts was in his blood." Burdt said Ryan is about to earn his Eagle Scout honors, "which his dad is not going to see."

Likely the charter will remain and some heads will roll. Please meet your new SE (from 1000 miles away)...

http://www.wmur.com/news/boy-scout-leader-suffers-heart-attack-while-leading-troop-on-hike/33705776 http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Boy-Scout-Leader-Dies-From-Heart-Attack-on-NH-Trail-309019451.html A Boy Scout leader Vernon Rippeon 51, of Westminster, Maryland died after suffering a heart attack on a hike Sunday morning (Father's Day). According to Fish and Game officials, Mr. Rippeon was one of four adults leading a scout troop on a five-day presidential mountain hike. They were on the Crawford Path in Bean's Purchase when he suffered a heart attack. CPR was started almost immediately, but it was unsuccessful. Rippeon's two sons were among the group. Scout salute and farewell.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gilwell-Park-Scout-Campsite-Beer-Tent/215956765124757 Wonder if the World Jambo down at Summit will have a beer tent?

1. "First be sure you are right, then go ahead" - Davy Crockett. Sort of the American way whether dumping tea in the harbor, sitting in the front of the bus, or shooting aquirt guns. 2. Yes, a historic re-enactment of the first rendezvous, 1825 McKinnon, WY. The 90th anniversary! James Beckwourth describes: "Mirth, songs, dancing, shouting, trading, running, jumping, singing, racing, target-shooting, yarns, frolic, with all sorts of extravagances that white men or Indians could invent The first rendezvous of white traders and trappers in the Rocky Mountains occurred in July 1825 just north of McKinnon along the Henrys Fork river. They joined members of William Henry Ashley's expedition. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountain_Rendezvous My $0.02

As I recall in 2003, the City of Philadelphia opposed the exclusionary policy of both gays and atheists. The COL Council news release specifically mentions "imposes no membership or employment restrictions based on an individual's sexual orientation." but does not specially mention religious orientation though I am encouraged by the invitation of "We welcome any person of good will". https://www.colbsa.org/news-and-information/news-and-information/cradle-of-liberty-council-announces-new-membership-and-employment-standards-policy.html

Yes mostly overdone. This "differences" mindset can be more destructive than forced-busing and perhaps with similar results - white flight from the public schools but maybe with vouchers this time. I agree with Morgan Freeman who said in an interview, the way to end racism is to stop talking about it (race). Mr. Freeman does not think of himself as a black man, rather "Morgan". Deliver the American culture of equality for all. My 2 aspirin

Yes. Checking after the fact by viewing online, statements at a TC meeting etc. can be problematic as people get busy or forget, that's why I favor a unit financial policy of two signatures on each check. Not foolproof.

Lets hope they resolve issues fairly when holding their fellow scouts accountable.

The bank didn't catch it, but likely the two unit authorized members who correctly signed the next check noticed that the previous check(s) was not properly authorized by two authorized members (carbon copy) and was for personal reasons. More proactive than reactive.

It is ironic that we realize background checks are not sufficient for youth safety, so we need and require adults watching adults - two deep leadership as the better way to keep our youth safe. Money safety is another matter, we trust $27K cash with a lone adult.