DuctTape

This would be really neat to look at. If you do get them, could you scan it to share?

The merit badge counselor is of great importance here. It has been a while, but I do believe the requirements do state to carry everything throughout the trek.

I hear you. My suggestion can be a step, just one perhaps, towards filling that divide.

We often lament the lack of District and/or Council personnel (including commissioners) involvement at the Unit level. We have an opportunity for changing this AND increasing both hands-on/in-person training. Send the district/council personnel to unit meetings/events to conduct trainings on a regular basis. This will accomplish more than just those two opportunities, it will also: -increase visibility from district/council. -demonstrate to scouts that adults are also "advancing". -separate the adults from scouts during the scouting event. -allow district/council to observe the unit in action. and more.

Strange to me too. Everything in the backpack for all trips all year.

InquisitiveScouter is absolutely right about training, and how the role of ASMs being up to you. I hesitate to recommend assigning an ASM to each patrol b/c this can very quickly devolve into the ASM becoming the acting PL. This structure works, but it is difficult right off the bat. Instead I would recommend focusing on the strengths and attributes each ASM brings to the table. Have each ASM be "in charge of" one of the SM main duties. You as SM can oversee and steer the ASM to fulfill your vision. This models the Patrol Method with each patrol member having a specific role. It also increases the adult association for scouts as they interact with multiple adults not just the one assigned to their patrol. A breakdown could be: SM-Leadership & Mentoring of ASMs ASM-Camping/activity expert: the go to person for PL/APLs to get ideas about locations, recommendations, etc... ASM-Advancement/skills expert: the go to for the PL to plan patrol trainings & sign-offs ASM-Food/cooking expert: go to for all food & cooking related help. ASM-GearHead expert: go to for tools, equipment help. ASM-Scout Spirit expert: go to for all other "fun" activity ideas (intra/inter-patrol games, skits, songs, cheers, etc...) For clarity, I am not knocking Inquisitive's structure. Their's works, and I would bet it took a while to get there. I only hesitate to recommend it to your situation especially b/c it seems like the ASMs are not wholly prepared yet.

When the methods are employed effectively, they result in the achievement of the Aims of scouting. These are the metrics by which we measure our success in implementing the methods.

As far as changing "troop culture", unless it is the SM with agreeable ASM, it is near impossible. It is much easier to change Patrol Culture as the Patrol makes their decisions. This is best accomplished by having the Patrol choose events separate from the other patrols.

IMO the workbook is awful in so many ways. Filling it out almost becomes the project itself. Adding another layer to it makes it even worse.

There are some who do not even do these on a campout. They are done in indoor classrooms with 30 scouts and a mB "counselor" doing a 2-3 hour presentation including a few hands-on activities. These mB universities cheapen the mB and deny scouts real opportunities. It is both saddening and maddening.

My district merit badge "college" director called me to see if I would do Camping merit badge as I was a registered mB counselor, she wanted to know if I needed a full day for it, or whether a half-day session was enough. 😲 I have said this before but it bears repeating, one of the most important parts of the mB process is the built Adult Association method. Far too often this is lost on the adults. Imagine if the adults in charge of coordinating the mBs at camp, or in a troop had this method at the forefront equal to the advancement method. 🤩 Now imagine the lost opportunities for scouts when this is not done. 😢

Yep. National should be funding the Councils. The "franchise model" does not work except for National.

The only other consideration would be wind. If it was going to be windy, like 20mph wind, that would make 17degrees feel like 0. Also if the camping area is exposed, strong winds could make visibility poor with blowing snow. So besides temperature, there may have been other weather conditions to consider. Btw, I am in NY so 17 degrees is a warm winter day. I recently returned from a trip where the temp was minus 12.

I remember earning the world crest patch by going to an international event in Canada too and IIRC there were a few other requirements?. Our troop participated in the event for years. It was great. Does that mean I earned the current rendition of the award? LOL

I think mine was $50, and it was food (pizza & soda) for the volunteers. I still visit the site of my project now and again. Since then, others (scouts?) have taken it upon themselves to continue and expand my project. Almost 50 years and the unmarked path in an area of the park the county did not even know was their property is now a marked trail with a parking area and kiosk.