boomerscout

why so many drop-outs? what reasons are they giving?

not really about outfitters, but go to

http://www.quietjourney.com

Moose Lake is so built up (cottages), it's like Grand Central Station. Plus, all the speed boats don't help. Pop for the tow up Moose if you are starting from there

I saw this article in the current issue of Scouting

good article in the current Scouting Magazine on a troop trip to the Virgin Islands. The criteria for the trip may help you

we flat out tell them No Families-that this isn't summer vacation. only one parent may come, has to go thru some yp training, and we make them sign a statement that they cannot be in the same sub-group as their son in any activity, nor as an activity judge, that they are there as Troop Adult Volunteer.

most of the "volunteers" have sons in the New Scout Patrol (and that is probably why they worry-Jr. away from home for the first time), for which we do a couple of cabin camps first. We tell the volunteer we could really use them as kitchen help and clean-up. Most then change their minds. The ones that do come get the subtle hardsell on becoming part of troop's adult cadre

after one or two treks at Philmont, you might suggest they consider Trail Crew or Rayado.

are they interested in field biology? tell them about the Hornaday medal. a patrol week out west at Boulder Outdoor Survival School may interest them.

It's hard. They are about 16, and the rest of the troop is about 12. this is too wide an age spread for one troop fits all

don't the Seals themselves investigate imposters? I believe they do. This maybe should be the first step

snacks--money for lots of snacks: snacks during the travel, snacks while at Jambo, snacks during side trips. also pack some stamps for picture postcards. may need some contingency money to replace broken or lost gear

car wash works better if you combine it with a bake sale. keep the baked goods well away from the hoses in case (I mean when) the water fight starts. Bake sale portion does better if you can also offer cold soda pop, iced tea, water or even hot coffee.

Has anyone made money with a free car wash?

we've been pushing the gardening mb like mad, but no-one wants to pull weeds. we've suggested our rent-a-scouts cut their prices for those down on their luck--some will, some won't. we sometimes help other non-profits with volunteer help

it is almost impossible for small town merchants to compete with the Big Box because they can't put in the hours necessary (9 to 9 everyday). Has the town contacted mainstreet.org?

if the town can't do manufacturing, that leaves farming, tourism or bedroom community. can the old railroad bed be turned into a bike trail? anything historic happen in town where you can have a yearly festival?

nolesrule:

we do the giftcards for two area groceries. first we took a survey to see where the Scout parents actually shopped, and approached those specific stores. one gives us 3%. we still need to call the parents from time to time to refill the card, or even do they need a new card. receipts from renewals go into a hopper for prize drawings at the Families of Troop # Christmas potluck (where we discuss the troop's past year)

do the math: $100 a week for groceries is $150 into the troop ea year

newbies can't organize an entire outing first time right out of the chute. we have them organize part of the outing. when they get that right, we give them an additional part.

drivers - for the drive home - ask their carful how everything went. this is a much more relaxed setting, but with a captive audience

John-in-KC: From having lived in the area, I can tell you that not many in South Florida buy Christmas wreaths

Not everyone likes to sell. Your three (?) fundraisers: pizza cards, spaghetti dinner, popcorn all involve sales. You might consider a change of pace -- a non-selling findraiser.

who set up the troop's accounting-bookkeeping system in the first place? the way troop expenses are jumbled with personal expenses makes us wonder.

Please don't be offended by us. Some of us who have been in Scouting a long time -- from Cub Sprouts to Scouter have been there, done that. We sometimes see consequences where newbies may not even see causes. Sometimes we are even correct.

>>Just a note - You are the Advancement Chair. How a Troop puts it's finances together is NOT YOUR JOB. Your CC is in charge of the Troop Committee. This includes running the Committee meetings and shutting down discussions that get out of hand or go on to long. The CC is also in charge of all of the Troop Committee members, including the Advancement Chair and the Treasurer. Any discussions about how the Troop finances are run should be starting with the CC, the Treasurer, and the SM, NOT the Advancement Chair -- Scoutnut

pass out pledge cards

they listen real good after that

we were adult led our first two years, while we worked on a transitioning program, and we remain adult led for the new scouts patrol. We show plenty of scouting type movies to "suggest" things. we also have brochures for high adventure & similar in the literature rack. the plc has its own subscription to Scouting.

we do a lot more than 90 minutes a week. add in the patrol meeting, which is usually some kind of field trip (they take public trans) or outing, our monthly backpacking hike to camp, quarterly fund raisers, community service projects, summer camp, high adventure, merit badge programs, occaisional fishing trips...

we love going to camporees--our district, out of district,,,when our Scouts visit others & come back to us with "their troop does such & such, how come we don't?" We'll tell them "you want it , you can have it. just submit a budget & Gantt chart to the troop."

we also like the inter-troop patrol competitions; tells us if we're effective or not. If not, we discuss it with the PLC & the SPLs; their decision.

some camporees have a skills award camporee patch instead. those who earned them, wear 'em. those who haven't seem to get peer review.

during patrol cooking, we make sure the PL rotates the position so everyone learns to cook. Ever eat your own cooking? You learn real fast

I had to double-check with our treasureer, but yes, using a tax exempt account for personal use items is quite frowned upon.

If Johnny wanted to lend the troop $10 for mb manuals, that would be OK as long as they go into the troop library after he's done with them. (I know, another loan to make good on) Buying a pack or other personal equipment would be OK if they're going to be used as awards, but not if an individual just wants to get out of paying sales tax.

We can use our troop funds to buy tee-shirts (a previous example you mentioned), but only if everyone participating in a troop activity is going to get one.

I agree your CC has to go. Threatening to call the police shows she should not be around children. It's probably too late now, but someone should have gone to Council with it

How is your troop progressing to becoming patrol or boy-led?

by letting them fail more instead of rushing in to fix things. By not signing off on things when they almost have it instead of being accomplished at it.

we volunteer at the soup kitchen--mostly on holidays I admit. It gives a chance for some of the Scouts to talk with those who gave up too soon.

we push the personal merit badges (budgeting, etc). the counselor we send them too is a stickler for getting it done right

if our t'feet are having trouble starting a fire, we show them how it's done, but then put it out & make them start their own fire

we they hand in their yearly dues, we ask for a writen report on how they earned the money. we tell them "got it from parents" won't be acceptable for next year.

we give them multiple chances for responsibility in various troop activities. at the campfire their peers judge them (privately if it's really bad)

"I could honestly give a rats bum what happens as long as the boys have what they need to succeed."

Good for you! Absolutely!

This is considered troop supplied gear. The reason is that it's too expensive for the typical 11 year old to buy, it lasts for years as Scouts come & go, it may be used by several people at the same time

1 nylon dining fly 12'x12', weight about 4 pounds

2 collapsible poles for dining fly, weight about 1 pound

I BSA Philmont backpacker nylon tent with poles

(per each 2 persons), weight about 5!4 pounds

1 trail chef kit: 6 pounds or: 4 pounds

8-quart pot 6-quart pot with lid

4-quart pot with lid 4-quart pot with lid

I fry pan with handle 1 fry pan with handle

1 chef cutlery kit: 2 large spoons, 1 large spatula,

2 pair hot-pot tongs

1 extra %quart or 6-quart pot for washing dishes,

plastic trash bags, salt and pepper

dishwashing soap, hand sanitirer

scrub padr

water purification chemical

150-foot length of %-inch nylon rope,

3-5 bear hags (for hanging food)

plastic strainer (or screen) and rubber scraper

toilet paper

1 sewing kit with heavy thread and needle

*metal tent pins, 10 per person

*2-3 collapsible water containers, 2 112 gal. each

*2 or 3 backpacking stoves

*2 one-quart fuel bottles and funnel

1 crew first aid kit-see page

*duct tape for equipment repair

spices for cooking (optional)

padlock for your crew footlocker (extra security)

*waterproof ground cloth, 5'6"x7'6", 1 per tent

*3 fifty ft. %" nylon cord

Field Guide

*sunscreen and shampoo

*insect repellent-not aerosol

*2 or 3 water purifiers/filters

I multi-type tool

*insect repellent

* 1 bottle sunscreen, at least 25 \pf

* 1 camp shovel/trowel

The following is personal equipment. Each Scout supplies his own by making, buying or borrowing it.

uniform (or parts thereof as money is earned)

pack with padded hip belt

'pack cover-waterproof nylon

'6 t012 (gallon size) Ziploc plastic bags to pack clothes

sleeping bag in stuff sack lined with plastic bag

sleep clothes-worn only in sleeping bag

(T-shirt and gym shorts)

'straps to hold sleeping bag on pack

'foam sleeping pad (closed cell or Therma-Rest)

Layer A (Hiking Clothes)

hiking boots-well broken in

lightweight sneakers or tennis shoes

'3 pairs heavy socks

'3 pairs lighter inner socks (polypro)

3 changes underwear

'2 hiking shorts

'2 short sleeve shirts (not nylon)

'1 hat or cap-flexible, with brim

Layer B (Cool Evening)

1 long sleeve shirt (wool or flannel) .

'1 long pants, cotton or nylon (not heavy jeans)

'1 pair insulated underwear (polypro)

Layer C (Cold)

'1 sweater or jacket (wool or polar fleece)

'1 stocking cap (wool or polypro)

'1 glove liners or mittens (wool or polypro)

Layer D (Cold, Wet, Windy)

'1 sturdy rain suit

Eating

deep bowl (small, plastic)

'cup (measuring style)

'spoon

'3 or 4 one qt. water bottles

"small pocketknife (A)

"matches and lighter in waterproof container

"flashlight (small with extra batteries and bulb)

"compass-liquid-filled

"2 bandannas or handkerchiefs (BB)

"lip balm (with SPF of 25) chapstick __

"soap, biodegradable

"toothbrush/toothpaste

"small camp towel

sunglasses (inexpensive)

"ditty bag (for personal items in bear bag)

"whistle

watch, inexpensive

rubber bands (large for packing)

"foot powder

"note pad and pen

"daypack for side hikes

list was cribbed from a Philmont guidebook, but is fairly indicative of what is troop supplied, and what is Scout supplied

I'm not understanding what you mean when you say you give your Scouts items to purchase?

Also, could you go into more detail on your expenses for advancements? I'm really confused!

We take a Scout is thrifty to mean each Scout must earn the money to pay his yearly dues. Also, that he needs to keep his individual account up to pay for campouts. His personal equipment he buys or makes himself--not counting birthday, Christmas and other gifts, but not handouts.

This is the troop's first year? It will be easier next year as you will then know what has worked, or not, and how much it cost

not sure how I got stuck under Unit Fundraising. Oh, well!