SM bob

How many Scouts per tent? Typically, more Scouts in a tent = more chit chat at lights out.

We stick to 4 person tents. 4 scouts per tent in winter and 3 scouts in summer.

The leaders and adult drivers set up our own camp and cook separately. The SM and/or ASM will taste test and might give pointers to cook. At our one district weekend campout a year the adults will Dutch oven cook for the Saturday night troop meal. We use this as a way to teach them how good a meal can be. Also it allows the whole troop to participate in the activities / campfire program.

I like the Scoutmaster MB at Woodruff. You get points for taking a nap or kicking a boy out of your chair.

 

 

I told my sons that camp is for those things that are hard to do at home; outdoor adventure, aquatics, etc. We have had some scouts whose parents made them take 5 MB's on the rush to Eagle...can't say they had fun. Boys today are so overscheduled it is important that they have some 'off' time each day--but it depends on the age of the scout. We let the older (and mature) boys a bit more freedom and the younger guys get more structured activities (group climbs, swim time, etc).

I recently ordered a new comfy collapsible chair just for summer camp. Wife complained, but I bet she will make me order her one once she tries it out.

I was not in scouting when I was younger. I got involved with my oldest son. After reading your post I think I am very lucky to have an assistant scoutmaster who grew up scouting and worked 2 yrs at a summer camp. He chooses the summer camp and discusses it with the scouts. My job is to look good at leader meetings and take naps. The camps we have been to do not focus on paper pusher MB's. The MB's they offer are all activity based. The camp schedule lists afternoons as free for activities and hikes. Our troop does not push MB's. If the scouts what to work on them we work on them, but rank is always first.

I have been observing that scouters have complained that summer camps are too expensive, have too many amenities, and concentrate too heavily on merit badges. My troop wilderness camps 6 out of the 12 months. The other months are at parks, district events, or summer camp. If I wanted to wilderness camp with my scouts for a week I would not pick a summer camp. My dream is to do a high adventure week backpacking through Yosemite, sequoia, or other park/forest. Wilderness camping has its place but for a week that is more varsity/venturing territory. The challenge for younger scouts is that they are away from their family. They are out of their comfort zone. Weekend camp trips are quick. Summer camp teaches scouts independence. Having a well developed merit badge program that focuses on the outdoor skills, eating good food in a dinning hall, and havering a big camp fire program makes the time fun. Scouting doesn't have to be miserable. And let's be honest, would you really want to be near the scouts after a week without showers? IMHO for the money scout camp is a cost effective. They are not out to make money off the scouts, but pay for the staff and facility maintenance. Most big camp improvements come from donations or grants.

Trail life is misguided. Instead of an original program around Christian values, they copy the BSA program and modify the names and terms. The families that have issues with BSA should join their church youth group and be happy.

I take morally straight as practicing a religion and striving to be a good person.

 

Is a sin not a sin? Is one sin worse than another? Everyone sins. There are many existing adult leaders who commit adultery or infidelity. Mathew 6 : 14“For if you forgive others * their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins

 

As I said in the beginning of this thread, let God judge we should stick to scouting

Trail life is misguided. Instead of an original program around Christian values, they copy the BSA program and modify the names and terms. The families that have issues with BSA should join their church youth group and be happy.

I am do not believe I'm being judgmental. I am simply stating that sexuality or sexual orientation does not belong in scouting. Any group or program that preaches/teaches/rallies on discriminating or condemning another group is not following the precepts of Christianity. Mathew 5:43-38 clearly states that you have to love your enemy. The new testament does not allow us to hate based on differences. Jesus taught us to love. Why then do we build walls. If a young person wants to follow the BSA program then that is all that matters. Everything else is just a distraction.

Trail life is misguided. Instead of an original program around Christian values, they copy the BSA program and modify the names and terms. The families that have issues with BSA should join their church youth group and be happy.

In my troop there is no no talk of sex or drugs. A scout can be openly gay but he can't discuss it anymore than a straight scout can. Scouting is about responsibility, skills, and community. If BSA allowed gay leaders I would not care, because they like everyone else are not allowed to talk about sex. If trail life is similar to the BSA program, but they teach intollorance they are not being good Christians. Let God judge and the rest of us should go camping.

Trail life is misguided. Instead of an original program around Christian values, they copy the BSA program and modify the names and terms. The families that have issues with BSA should join their church youth group and be happy.

When I was young my grandmother once lectured me on not judging people. She said, "God loves all of his creations. Why would you choose otherwise? It is up to God to judge others. He only asks that we love our fellow man." So when my fellow Christians talk about thier convictions I think to myself would Jesus denounce someone for being gay or different in some way? Or would he try to include them as he did the Gentiles?

 

Scouting is about skills, community, responsibility, and the belief in God.

Starting a new unit is not that hard. You need a chartering organization, such as VFW, elks lodge, PTA, Church, or a business. You will need a place to hold meetings, leaders, and 6 scouts. The paperwork is a few pages of forms.

Trail life is misguided. Instead of an original program around Christian values, they copy the BSA program and modify the names and terms. The families that have issues with BSA should join their church youth group and be happy.

For my troop All scouts/adults pay their own yearly registration fees and boys life subscription. Summer camp is paid by the family. We charge $25 a month. No camping fees. Patrols arrange their own food. Special events can be extra depending on the budget and cost. We mix up wilderness camping with park site camping to keep costs down. As a benefit wilderness camping seems more adventurous to the scouts. Depending on the budget (fundraising & dues) the COR decides how much to give towards any scout wanting to go to summer camp. For my pack The scout/adult pays for yearly registration fees and then $5 a month. The den keep a $1 of that.

The problem with crossing too early is that the scout might not be ready for the independence and expectations of the troop. Also there is a big difference between elementary age and middle school/high school age.

My troop participates in crossover ceremonies. Our scouts perform the opening flag ceremony. Then the scouts carry in a bridge. On each plank is written the scout law. The troop historian recites a crossover speak. The Webelos leader removes the Webelos necker and blue epaulets. Shakes the Webelos hand and sends him over the bridge. As the Webelo crosses over they recite the law. 2 Boy Scout color guards stand ready to put on the green epaulets. Our SPL shakes the hand of the new scout and directs him to line up with the troop. The scouts all enjoy the event.

The gay issue is a red herring of membership woes. There are no gay cubscouts, they haven't hit puberty yet. Until a Boy Scout hits puberty he can't be gay. Once the boy realizes he does not like girls he is about 14-15. None of his friends (fellow scouts that he has been camping with for years) will care that he is gay. The scouts don't care. There is nothing sexual about rock climbing, cycling, hiking, archery, guns, or camping. Scouts don't sleep in tents with leaders but with their friends. The gay issue is irrelevant. Scouting membership has declined because most troops and packs do not have activities outside of the meeting room. When they do it's not fun. I am in a dysfunctional pack and a heathy active troop. The difference in programs is that the boy scout parents get out of the way and let the kids have fun. Most scouts enjoy getting away from home one weekend a month, being independent, sitting around a camp fire, playing with knifes, bows, and guns. The program had it right a 100 yrs ago. Let's not try to square the wheel.

Thank god the belt loops are going away. They distracted cubs from achieving rank advancement. The belt loops give instant gratification, which is teaching the wrong lesson. Instead let's focus on rank requirements followed by elective activities.

At least one parent or guardian of a scout must sign up as a scouter reserve or a committee member. All parents are required to participate in fundraisers or activities. Those that fail to pull their weight are asked to leave the troop. Simple as that. My troop is not a babysitting service.