scoutldr

And a "Made in China" sticker.

My GPS is "Martha". A friend of my son's was taking a long road trip with her husband and 3 year old son. For fun, they selected a different voice for the GPS. By the end of the trip, the son was speaking with a distinct British accent. (I know, you don't have an accent...we do!).LOL.

Forgive me if some thought I was making an unreasonable "knee-jerk" reaction to seeing a Professional Scouter surrounded by youth in uniform endorsing a commercial product on national TV. Now it seems the product is of questionable effectiveness (Trustworthy) and exorbitantly priced (Thrifty). After some 40 years of being told that in unit fundraising, we can't wear uniforms to sell any product, lest it be inferred by the public that the BSA is officially endorsing it, unless of course, the product is the officially endorsed popcorn of questionable quality (Trustworthy) and exorbitantly priced (Thrifty). No, wait...never mind. I see the pattern here. Never mind.

Scout Salute to a brother Eagle to be. This illustrates the admonition that "your project plan should be written in such detail that if something happens to you, someone else can pick it up and complete it as written."

It's available on Amazon for cheap. 2 day shipping if you have Prime.

Just saw the commercial again several times on Fox News. The front and center Scouter is a Professional (as determined by a square knot and position patch). I guess that makes it an official endorsement. Thanks to T2Eagle for the analysis above. I will stick with Dawn liquid at a small fraction of the cost.

In my day, Districts held individual Camporees. When all districts camped together, it was a Camporall. When they got to be over 1200 campers, they were too unwieldy and discontinued. Scout O Ramas and "Scout Shows" are also a thing of the past. WHatever they call this STEM event, it sounds like fun. As long as it doesn't replace actual "camping'.

Non-members are permitted IF they are prospective members. Girls cannot be prospective members of Boy Scout Troops. End of discussion. Keep in mind, however, that you will probably lose this family if challenged. Your move. (My opinion is this ASM should have better sense. A 14 year old should not require 'babysitting", unless she has a "history" of needing constant supervision)

You can always replace your Eagle credentials, and it will come back with current signatures on it. If it's important to him, I would give it a year or so and try it.

It was recently reported in my area (Virginia) that there is an increase in a tick borne virus that causes a lifelong allergy to red meat.

Also keep in mind that some badges are not suited to younger or smaller kids. Things such as rowing, shotgun, lifesaving, etc require more stamina and upper body strength.

Our local AAA team does this also. It is a Council event and any registered scout can attend, regardless of whether his troop does or not.

There are also patch collector groups on Facebook who may be able to help.

Most camps have a first or second year camper program...ours was called "Finish First" and focused on T-2-1 skills for the first half of the day. I would strongly recommend the younger scouts do that, plus one or two other MB like Swimming. Scouts who are already first class should have free rein, but should not be allowed to just "hang out" for the week. Too much free time can lead to unpleasantness.

Zanfel. Yep, that was it. I thought using BSA uniforms and trademarks for commercial purposes was strictly prohibited???

So, I just caught a glimpse of a commercial for a Poison Ivy remedy and when they said "as used by the military and the Boy Scouts of America" and featured uniformed scouter (a commissioner, I think) it grabbed my attention. So, has the BSA started endorsing commercial products? I only saw it once and didn't catch the name of the product.

Bravo!

Would make a good episode for Undercover Boss.

Ahh...merit badges. Well, as the program was designed back in the day, the earning of merit badges was supposed to be an individual effort (or in more modern times, with a buddy). It fosters the "Adult Association" method whereby a Scout (not Mom) is expected to a) identify a MB of interest, b) tell his SM and ask for a blue card and a referral to a Counselor from the District-approved list, c) the SCOUT (not Mom) calls the counselor and sets up an appointment to meet...etc. There are obviously some MB that are "summer camp" badges, such as Wilderness Survival, and the Aquatics. The badges that can be done anywhere else, should be, in my opinion (Citizenships, First Aid, Cooking, etc.). The idea was that the MB Counselor was an "expert" in the field, either by vocation or avocation...not Timmy's mom who volunteered to do 5 different badges for "Troop XX only" (I hate seeing that on the District List). As others have noted, Troop meetings should be primarily for the purpose of planning the next monthly outing, and developing scout skills for advancement, not sitting in MB "classes". Boys sit in class all day long...if you make them also do it in the evenings and on weekends, you will lose them.

Adult leaders are VOLUNTEERS. We don't HAVE to do anything.

Well, with the influx of all the gay and trans youth flooding our ranks, it should balance out. There have been thousands begging to join, right? Is that the sound of violins playing "Nearer My God to Thee", playing in the background?

OK, I will ask the obvious? Why are you doing the Pack Committee Chair's job? As CM, you do not even need to be a signatory on the accounts. As stated above, the CM works the program approved and funded by the Committee. The Committee (and more specifically, Treasurer) figures out the business and financial end of things. Is everyone Trained in their position? If you don't have a functioning Committee, I suggest one gets put into place before you continue with anything.

Bottom line is, the Scout does not get an Eagle Board of Review without your endorsement. You as Unit Leader have to sign your name on the Eagle Application, as does the Unit Committee Chair. Unless he appeals to Council, that is. I would go with my gut. I would be sympathetic and try to get him help and support. But Eagle Scout is now off the radar. He had a chance to repent and go down a different path. He chose not to. His choice, not yours. If you relent and turn a blind eye, you are making a mockery of the Eagle Award and everyone, down to the youngest Tenderfoot, will get a clear message.

https://www.catholicvote.org/external_content/kansas-archdiocese-severs-ties-with-girl-scouts-and-urges-end-to-cookie-sales/

Been a few years since I've been unit scouting, but we (adults) always found plenty of "cheerful service" that needed doing. Most summers, we assisted the aquatics staff since we were qualified in everything except BSA Aquatics School. One year we made major repairs to the dining hall roof. There was one night of the week when all the boys were on "outpost" for Camping or Wilderness Survival and we headed into town for a beer and a pizza. We ARE adults, after all, and should be able to decide how we spend our limited vacation time.