DuctTape

I do not disagree, at least not much. A good commissioner can only do so much. If the unit wants to do a non-bsa program denying the scouts a real scouting opportunity they can and do. You hinted at this by admitting the leaders (sic) only do the basic required trainings. One might argue that if more is necessary, then more should be required. The major issue is even WITH the training, they ignore what they are supposed to do. Often with phrases, "this is how our troop operates", even when it contradicts the training and literature.

I am not sure they can do much more for the local units. IMO the entire BSA structure predicated on the authority of the IH of the CO is the major obstacle for any real reform. Problematic units do not utilize district/council trainings, trainers, etc... They do not see themselves as having a problem even though they are not delivering the BSA program. The district and council have no authority to step in and make real changes when a unit is operating in a way contradictory to the BSA program (eg. adult led & run eagle mills). Perhaps one place where the council & district CAN exercise some authority is true vetting and training of mB counselors. Also in ensuring district & council camps are run in a way to maximize the BSA program with fidelity and not enable the problematic units.

With these numbers, I am not surprised of the difficulties. 2 scouts is not a den, 4 barely. Not to sound harsh, but these numbers do not make viable dens, let alone a pack. The pack needs to either fold or merge IMO.

A BA tent is an ultra-light backpacking tent, so weight will be always on the mind. Even still, it can be set-up rain fly first w/o a footprint, and a cheaper and even lighter than the footprint plastic groundcloth can be found using polycryo plastic (sold as window insulation). Get the giant size and cut it. The stuff is way stronger than it appears. I am veering off from the needs of scouts and into the ultralight backpacking territory.

Footprints are a waste of $ IMO. Easier and cheaper to cut a piece of heavy duty plastic sheeting to size.

Johnson Outdoors, the makers of Eureka Tents is exiting the tent manufacturing. Their Eureka Timberline tents have been mainstays for Scouts for decades. There might br some good deals to be found as they sell off their remaining inventory.

I disagree that the way we experienced it is not useful for todays youth. Den-centric can be just as active as the leaders desire, just as pack-centric can be boring inside stuff. A den is much easier to organize a hike, or outdoor activity too. Family attending a campout is much easier as a den too. I also disagree with the current parent sign-off.

It might have been 3 years for me, not sure. It was the late 70s, so before Tigers too.

My cub experience was vastly different from what I have been hearing the last few decades. Cubs. for me was NOT a family affair, nor a Pack-centric unit. We had a den which met weekly after school at the den leaders house for an hour or so, then walked home or our parents picked us up. There were a couple pack meetings throughout the year, maybe 2 or 3. Pinewood derby and B&G are the only ones I remember. There were also a couple pack campouts, but we mostly stayed with our den. I do not recall ever really interacting with another den. Each den meeting we would do an activity, sometimes a continuation from the previous week. No "requirements" were ever signed off by parents. AOL was an extra award one could earn as a Webelos, and there was only one year of it. There were only 4 years of cubs, iirc, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos.

If possible, I would move towards a Den-centered approach instead of a Pack-centered. Imagine the den meeting with 3 adults and 8 kids. Much easier to manage. For example, at the Elem school, each den gets a room. Keep the dens separated except for necessary functions (which are few and far between).

The rear-view mirror has been for a while now the only place where National and Council fees provided any real value to a member or unit. IFF BSA is going to continue into the future, tbe entire business plan needs to be reformulated. IMO, HQ and Councils need to almost eliminated. The entire structure needs to be reversed (as does most units). Patrol/Den is at the Top. All other bureaucratic groups sole purpose is to support the patrol/den. All revisions of handbooks and mB pamphlets can be handled by volunteers. Many of us have been willing to do thus for decades, but have been shut out. HQ needs to be the Volunteer Board and have near-zero staff. There should be no national fee. HQ should exist to leverage decreased costs to members and units for insurance, etc... These costs get paid directly to insurer. (Snark comment... If HQ needs funding, they can sell popcorn). Councils should exist solely as a "gathering" of units. No need for Professionals. End of rambling thoughts.

Wish I could help, but after reading the actual words of the the requirement I am even more confused now. Is this participation in a project or an emergency drill? What does "a real one" mean. A real drill or a real project? A real drill or practice drill? Like I said I am even more confused. (a) Take part in an emergency service project, either a real one or a practice drill, with a Scouting unit or a community agency.

Welcome to the campfire. Grab a cuppa and have a seat.

The suggestion to speak with his mB counselor is spot on. While the experience of completing the requirements as written is important to fulfil "advancement" as a method of scouting, the mB process also provides for another significant method, "Adult Association". The conversation, experience and guided decision making opportunity from the Adult Association with the mB counselor cannot be understated in its importance. When one ponders this query putting the Aim of Scouting in the forefront; the Method of Adult Association to help the Scout navigate their journey of completing this badge becomes strikingly obvious.

One thing to add to the discussion is the Uniform is one of the Methods, it is not an Aim. That the PLC understands why uniforms are part of Scouting and that they decide how to address uniforming is what is important.

Boiling water is an excellent sanitizer. Remember the mesh dunk bags? In general the bulky 3 bin assembly line washing stations are some of the most unsanitary methods I have ever witnessed. IMO, It is better to have scouts individually clean their own stuff separately. This becomes the norm anyway in backpacking situations, so why not have only a singular process.

I believe the series of downvotes you received had more to do with disagreement, and your response to the replies. In general this forum is quite welcome to new folks and downvotes are relatively rare. I went back and reread your original post and can see why others responded he way they did. Perhaps it was another communication faux pas. I am sorry you feel that the responses were brutal and perceived them as hostile. I am glad that your issue was resolved to your satisfaction.

The "pay to play" board models have become the norm. For many, the boards have abdicated their oversight responsibility and given over complete control to their CEO/Executive to the point where that employee dictates board policy and even who serves on the board. The boards are now that person's subordinate. Certain organizations which consult for boards have been infiltrated and now recommend even more drastic changes to by-laws which have the effect of making the situation even worse. When the executive is able to insulate themself from any accountability they have become a despot.

It could be. It definitely isn't part of Scouting.

IMO ScoutBook is for the adults and the troop for record keeping. The HandBook is for the Scouts for their record keeping. There is no official standard for using ScoutBook, except for if/when it interferes with the Scout's personal role in their own advancement as a method of Scouting. If the adults "take over" the majority of the purposes of advancement as a method (motivation, planning, record keeping, communication, etc...) then the Scout does not benefit from advancement as a method, it simply becomes a checkbox.

Or when BORs were conducted by "men of the community", which allowed scouts to get an early preparation for job interviews with unknown business leaders.

I agree it is a reminder. And this is due solely b/c of society as a whole not understanding the language of the symbolism in the art world. Thus society thrusts their own interpretation of the symbolism which misses the mark entirely. I am not casting aspersions or laying blame to societies' ignorance or to artists failure to educate. Just sad commentary on the status, appreciation, and understanding (the lack thereof) of anything but contemporary, popular art in our modern times.

I was glad I took an Art History class while in college (back in the last century). I do not recall a lot, but I remember symbolism was the language used by artists. Nudity was expressive of "purity" or "vulnerability". It is unfortunate that our society has lost this understanding and now views nudity in art as something else. 😥

Sadly it does not appear, from what you have described, that this is a real scout troop. They might have a charter and a unit, but the adults are completely missing the point. If the adults do not see this as an issue, and are not willing to listen, learn and change then the only other option is to find a "real" scout troop.

I hear you. And the adults not modeling it makes it even more difficult. The solution is to get the scout leaders (and adults) to speak with individual scouts separate from the group as the means to not overlook them. When everything is done "as a group" this only facilitates participation by those whose personality thrives in that type of situation. Encourage (and model) more individualized communication protocols. I would begin with the 4-step process outlined above with the ADULTS and move towards the following: For the adults, the SM needs to speak individually with the SPL (not with the entire PLC). Second. ASMs need to reorganized to mentor POR like QM, Librarian, Scribe, etc... and not interfere with Patrols. Then with the scouts... Step one, I would start with eliminating "troop announcements". The SPL should go to speak with the PLs individually, then circle back to them to see if they have any questions, concenrs or needs. Step two, the PLs eliminate "Patrol Based Decisions" and each Patrol Leader assign specific patrol positions to the members (GrubMaster, Cheermaster, APL, QM, etc...) These positions need to have specific duties and responsibilities clearly identified. This is just me thinking out loud with what I interpret to be your situation. YMMV.