Krampus

What if a near-Earth objects hits us tomorrow? What if no one re-charters? Let's see how this plays out. The KoC is simply working with the parish and diocese to consolidate all youth groups under one umbrella. They didn't do it screw scouting. So, yes, it was a simple reorg. However, no one has ever said that there is not SOME consolidation during ANY reorg. Some units may not find a parish, but I suspect you might see a unit merger OR they will find another CO.

It is not just my unit. It is every unit I see and talk to. It is my personal interaction with the OA youth on which my opinion is based. These guys are the popular types, many not very good leaders.

Wouldn't record attendance at NOAC prove the point of everyone gets in? How can our overall membership numbers be dropping, but OA members rising to record levels, if not the fact that we are accepting more (undeserving) people in to OA? In my troop as a kid we have maybe 8 guys in OA out of 70+ guys. We had plenty eligible. We all camped a ton. But we really only thought those guys who were elected deserved it. They walked on water in our eyes. Today I cannot say the same.

@@desertrat77 is spot on. These facilities have not been upgraded in 40 years. Their are at least 10 years since the last repair. Ever seen what the Texas sun does to untreated wood? I encourage those folks that "see no problem" with those pics to come to Texas and visit the camps. The out-of-council boys get the worst of the facilities. Now, the council says they have plans to upgrade things across all four camps. And a few camps are getting some upgrades, but the point is the money is being spent in the wrong places on the wrong things. Add to that the insult of having someone say FOS i

We agree, though I personally don't see a variance year on year. Straight popularity contest. I've seen guys who were solid leaders, outstanding campers and have 10 times the service hours of the other candidates go un-elected for several years....all because they are not popular, but still very good scouts. How do you "elect" adult OA members then? Too bad. Today does suck and yesterday was much better. Doesn't this actually prove the point I am making? Even you -- a very gun-ho Brotherhood member -- is not active in OA right now nor were you "as active as you wanted

The point is that the trap johns are horrid in 103F heat. The smell is god aweful. The kids cannot stand the smell and all head to the staff (flush) latrines. Wash up facilities are bad too. Compared to other options outside of council these facilities are in the Dark Ages. Then they spend millions on a facility that is only used by the staff and super volunteers and OA? We won't even talk about the $12m still in the bank which was given specifically for camp upgrades by Ross Perot. But okay, fine. Don't upgrade the stuff the units use frequently....but don't come asking us for money eithe

Look at all that hand-holding going on in Syria between the Muslim factions. Warms the heart.

One does not have to risk one's life to save another, so that litmus test is moot. People's lives are saved every day without the rescuer putting their life in danger. It likely is fairly subjective even to those reviewing the application. I have friends and family that did some pretty heroic things; one even was nominated for the CMH.To a person they all just say they were doing their duty. IMHO it is THOSE PEOPLE who are the heroes. Let the board decide. If they agree, fantastic. If they don't, I wouldn't worry. In fact I would not tell my son (or anyone else for that matter if I wa

Still so many heathens to convert.

Isn't that usually paid professionals? My brother-in-law is a former EMT (like @Stosh) but he is under no legal obligation to render any assistance.

All good responses which take us back to the original post: Why OA? It's a weekend, a flap and another set of dues. There is no obligation, no teaching, no mentoring, no service...no honor. Everyone gets in. Pay your dues and wait, everyone makes Brotherhood. Wait a bit longer, play some political games and, again, pay more dues and you make Vigil. That's my area, at least. I will not belong to OA. These days, it is more a badge of honor NOT to be in OA. People ask me why I'm not and I tell them. Most nod their head in agreement. Some nod and tell me to join and change it. Few...very f

That threat was always there.

See a therapist. Same problem here but only on certain posts.

I am sure if you submit someone in charge will define it for you...as to whether your son's situation applies.

I could buy all that, HOWEVER: Wouldn't better sanitation take priority over a $3m training center? Wouldn't better food safety take priority over a $50k storage garage? Wouldn't higher water quality take priority over $60k for new golf carts? Wouldn't a better med hut take priority over a $2m welcome center for camp directors? I've looked through the standards and local laws. What is being done in my camps has nothing to do with standards. It has to do with making the camp look nice for those who matter....and that's not the people who pay the annual dues.

The press does not seem to echo any concern. Can't find a single story about it last I looked. I can't see the church turning down any units. The units in my area are already "absorbed" in to the Catholic parish. They have new meeting locations, etc.

Seems to be working now. Wasn't since the crash. Was not working earlier today when other posts were quote. Very odd. EDIT: Not working entirely. Was quoted in other threads and did not notify.

Got that...finally. Do you get quote notifications too? Still don't.

Still not working. Tagging people works but they get no notification that they're tagged or that someone has quoted them.

One would think WB would have a module on parent mgmt and conflict resolution.

ROFL....do they teach that? We had a parent help her son buy food for a camp out. He showed up with Friday dinner: Microwave hamburgers in plastic pouches. I kid you not. The kid knew better; the parent insisted what she bought was more "practical" for the camp out. Not sure you can fix that amount of stupid.

Here's one of the two new buildings. I can understand. But if things are so modest it sounds like cash flow may be the problem. My council his HUGE and we have four camps...all of them have issues. All of them have great buildings for staff but slight amenities for us members. The council has money int he bank. We also have Taj Mahals for scout shops and offices, so I know where they spend the money and where they don't If your council has three camps then maybe they have one or two too many. If the offices are spartan then austerity measures may be needed. If fundraising is an is

Yes, or just short of full training for ASMs (minus leader-specific and IOLS). We never want to be in a position of having to cancel an event because we don't have trained adults around. This also includes making sure all ASMs have WRFA, basic first aid, CPR/AED, etc. We also make sure we have at least 20-30 boys trained in these same areas. Let's face it, the old goats are the ones most likely to need aid.

Unless that Scout (who has earned Scout under the 2015 requirements) and starts working on Tenderfoot *before* Jan 1, 2016. In that case he may use the 2015 requirements until he completes FC. If he does not complete FC in 2016 he must use the 2016 requirements. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/program_update/pdf/Transitioning_New_Requirements_2016.pdf

The councils SHOULD be able to recover their operating costs through: Sale of merchandise Fees for summer camp or use of council camps FOS and other donations/bequests Sponsorships Fundraising...and if nuts, popcorn don't work find something people actually need Upgrades can be funded by fundraising, having the OA actually *do* something, ask for units to help by volunteering to work on projects, get in-kind contributions, etc. Cut costs b/c I will guarantee if a business man got in to the council's books they'd fine a lot more to cut than the council does But no, councils take the easy way