Krampus

If that were true than fund raising itself would not be allowed given your definition. Private benefit is defined in the code. Non-profits are allowed to raise funds for a particular event. They are allowed to target those funds -- as long as they are applied evenly -- to all scouts who raised funds. This is spelled out in the code.

My advice would be to talk to a tax attorney because I am sure I am glossing over the details. What I understood from our meeting with ours I posted here. What was clear was that you could not hold a generic fund raiser and deposit what the boys sold into their ISAs. You could have a generic fund raiser and put all money in the general account and then split equally among all scouts. You could also have a fund raiser for all scouts going to [insert activity] and all participating scouts should have an equal share of those proceeds put in their ISAs while excluding those scouts who did not part

The lightest one I've seen is 3.3 lbs. Worth the weight in someone's pack.

Interesting. I think I agree. We had a district event the other night. I was a chance for the Cub Scouts to meet the troops and talk to them. Think convention table top displays. It reminded me of rushing a fraternity when I was in college. The troops were out in force trying to reel Webelos in to talk. Most were talking AT kids/parents rather than asking them what questions they had. My guys just answered questions. I could hear parents complaining that they were overwhelmed. How does hit relate to council? The district and council people present took the opportunity to chat up the troop

We co-mingle summer camp with council high adventure. We try to stay at camps that offer a balance between adventure, MBs, first year scout and decent cost (under $320). Most usually offer rates between $220-280 for out of council troops but they usually offer 1-5 free adults. Transport usually runs us about $300/scout for a bus. Not cheap but if you have ever spent summer camp in Texas you'd know why we leave for cooler climates.

And that big an area has problems with money? Any reason why they are losing so much they need to close down and sell these camps?

This is a Chicago area council? Wow, are they losing membership/money that much?

I'm stunned. That's something I would let the district know. If they treat a scout like that openly imagine what else might be going on. This is a big fear of mine for any scout, but especially with scouts I know are less popular. I try to make every ECOH when possible. I think I've missed two (one due to surgery) in all my years. I always try to make sure the ASMs and PLC are in attendance and encourage parents to get rsvps months in advance so they can drive attendance. Congrats to your son. It is a huge accomplishment!!

If you made this statement in Texas you might not make it out alive.

ISA's are not prohibited nor will it raise a red flag just because you use them. That is a myth backed up here. You need to avoid private benefits and a few other things. You'd be surprised how easy it is to get a tax attorney or CPA to review the applicable tax code and advisories and your unit's approach. Many people will do this pro bono if your paperwork is good. We had a parent (with this background) look over our stuff.

We are honest with the parents that join our troop about a few things: Kids are going to argue. Yeah, this is Boy Scouts and scouts are expected to live the Oath and Law, but nobody is perfect, these kids see each other at school and sports, so conflicts are going to happen. We let the resolve but monitor for safety. Bullying is strictly monitored. Colorful language will get dropped at some point. We're not monks. Even a monk might curse if he hits his thumb with a hammer. 11-17 year old boys are no different. Society, social media, parenting styles all impact how guys act in school as well

Mexican Lasagna. Same items as you'd use in regular lasanga (except corn tortillas instead of noodles) but then add in taco seasoning and other mexican cheeses as you layer in. Great dish.

Same here. If I don't know the scout I won't take the meeting until I talk to his leader for these exact reasons. We meet at Starbucks and I require that I meet the parent and the scout before we begin work if I don't know them. This is my policy to protect me. If someone doesn't like it they can find another counselor.

This doesn't happen overnight. What is national doing to proactively assess and help councils? Anyone know? I'd be interested what programs national has in place to monitor and help councils...also to see how effective these programs have been.

...and further confounded by the blue card itself which would seem to indicate that the unit leader signature is de facto authorization to begin working on the MB in question.

Have him get certified to teach CPR/AED. You can then teach other troops and raise funds at the same time.

Send a runner. Pop smoke and make a landing pad. If that's not an option, carry out with minimum movement for the vic. Basically if they're fully envenomated they have few options. Staying put is the worst.

Somewhat related... http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2015/07/16/travel-in-uniform-for-bsa-insurance-coverage/

We recommend this for our scouts. It is a good, sturdy pack and for a 50L pack holds a great deal. Works for 90% of our outings. Would not recommend for extended high adventure trips but it works just fine...and the price is right!

Nope. Never seen it. And if it is not in the GTA I won't follow it. Geesh, isn't life hard enough already?

Interesting tent guide which may be helpful. Take a look at the tent at the end. Could you ever imagine such a thing?

This reminds me of my CERT training and the use of the "black tag". I thought CERT was going to teach all this advance EMT-type stuff. When I saw the black tags and why we use them, I learned quickly that we don't do CPR in CERT situations. Not sure I'd agree if I was in the situation and saw the kid dying. Agree the training should focus on making good medical decisions (e.g., leave the knife in, don't pull the stick out, stabilize the patient and send runners, pop smoke and wait for care flight, etc.).

@@Stosh, you have training most people don't. If two leaders from each unit are required to take the WFA the unit in my area offers, they will get some pretty serious training. One of the ASMs in that troop who is an EMT, says the training their unit gives if pretty darn near what he took to get his EMT-Basic certification. He said it was far better than his ECA training, at least as far as covering how to care for wounded when medical care is many hours or even days away. As far as worst medical case I have seen away from care. A scout opened up his knee cap and was bleeding bad. We stabi

Nice thoughts @@DuctTape, but getting more than 4 boys together to do anything with all the things they're involved in is terribly difficult these days.

Yup, try putting out a note to districts in large metro councils near your home (Dallas comes to mind), asking if any unit is upgrading gear to donate their old gear to your unit. I am sure you'd could fund two troops with donations. In my district alone I know a unit that recently gave away all their gear because it was too (4 years) old.