Eagle94-A1

13 hours ago, Tron said:

Your council has the secret sauce, you should share with everyone and save the camps.

Even moneymaker camps will get sold. We had a local Scout camp on the border of 2 additional councils. So folks from 3 councils used it. Heck one of those councils even held district events there because of proximity. Additionally it was about 15 minutes off the interstate, so units travelling would use it too. The small primitive camp made enough money to support itself, and subsidize some of the costs of the main camp. Someone decided to move as much infrastructure as possible to the main camp, sell it, and use the money to improve the main camp. Yeah, the main camp is still poorly run and only has 4 weeks of camp.

Disrespectful Pros has been the norm in my Scouting career. That has involved many years in 6 councils, and i cannot tell you the number of pros. Good ones leave because they also get abused and disrespected.

55 minutes ago, Tron said:

I think the CST model is failing because the CST volunteers are overwhelmed at how poorly qualified the council and district volunteers are.

In my neck of the woods, the folks who know what to do at the district and council levels have been run off pros. Reason is they see the mistakes the council is making, and when they bring it to the pro's attention, the get ignored, yelled at, or cursed out. They either get removed by the pro, or quit out of frustration.

1 hour ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

I have never been impressed with the communication prowess of the organization, nor the flow of information from National to units.

Not just units. Anyone remember when national made policy changes regarding Tiger Cubs and BB Guns, and didn't tell anyone teaching shooting sports directors at NCS? So folks were not aware of it until 6 months after it went into effect, after Cub Scout Day Camp and Resident Camp season. You would think any changes in Shooting Sports  Range and Target Activities , the NCS Staff would be the first to find out and disseminate the info.

1 hour ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

With the old interweb thingy at our fingers now,  you'd think the simple solution is a "Daily Read File" or some such.  National posts all policy and procedure changes there, and anyone can access and read.  

The hard part would be keeping duff, fluff, puff, and stuff out of it... you know, propaganda, feel good, and image pieces like you see here https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/

 The way National changes things, a staff couldn't keep up on a daily basis.

3 hours ago, mrjohns2 said:

Agreed. I had hope that the CST would really help. I would love it if a unit had a question, they go to the district training chair who can't answer it, they go to the district training chair who can't answer it, who goes to the council training chair who can't answer it, who then goes to the CST training chair. They, then, know all of the different resources at national and get an answer. Then roll it back to all the people that rolled the question up. I haven't seen it happen. 😞 I have suggested a few times to go to the CST resource, but everyone looks at me like that would be crazy. 

Sadly it is easier to keep up with social media postings on topics than do the above. Heck I have found out things before the pros find out. And I have been asked by my council to take down my reposts of national announcements because they ant to put their spin on it.

1 hour ago, Tron said:

So the general vibe out of the 2026 NAM is that national, council, and districts support the units and changes are coming between now and this time next year for the organization to align to that philisophy.

"There is always home, a fool's hope."  We will see, but I am not holding my breath.

What I want to know is why would a council, knowing the refresher course would be coming shortly, require everyone to complete SYT by April 1?

9 hours ago, Tron said:

National could fix this, I would propose a 3 step solution.

S1) Update MBC training, apply a test, training expires every 2 years.

S2) Tell councils that they cannot restrict the number of MB an MBC can teach, instead tell councils they can only restrict what is considered qualified to be an MBC.

S3) Force every district and council committee to have sitting and meeting MB committees.

As others have said, national won't change things because it hurts their bottom line. Heck they encourage. I remember one council in FL was given all kinds of praise in a NAM video on the number of MBs they awarded during COVID.

6 hours ago, Tron said:

I totally get this, I'm even a parent who expects MB at summer camp, though the pressure is on my kids to actually perform. God help them if they come back from camp with a partial; partials trigger the old "What were you doing instead of completing this?!" and subsequent chastising about how much they are applying themselves and how much they would apply themselves if it was their own money.

Sadly this is the attitude of too many parents. Summer camp is supposed to be more than MBs. The attitude is why a camp will give Basketry away, when Scouts did 1/2 the requirements. That is why summer camps give away Canoeing to folks who spend 15 minutes on the water every day, and when the Scouts go on a canoe trek with the troop, cannot do basic maneuvers. And I can go on.

3 hours ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

1 Timothy 6:10

Maybe that is why national and council are in the situation they are in?

19 minutes ago, Jameson76 said:

A lot of these issues are caused by councils not planning MB events far enough out in advance  using MB classes / events as profit centers

THAT. IS. IT!  (caps for emphasis).

One district had an MBU on the same weekend for decades. Well organized, experts for MBCs, etc. However council was not making any money off of it. They created their own, the same exact weekend, but at a much higher price. Original group followed NCAC, and raised costs a bit so the council could make $1/person profit. You think council would be happy?

Council cancelled the event one month before it was to occur, and after the registration deadline to their MBU. 

1 hour ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

4.  Did the counselor ask you to bring any work you had completed ahead of time? "No"

5.  So how did the counselor see your work for requirement X ??  "He never saw it." (Later, at home, I check the website for this event, and there are no pre-requisites listed.)

I was never asked back to one MBC because I sent a pre-requisites list, which didn't get sent, and didn't give away MBs.

1 hour ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

So, given that, in the past, I have never once gotten feedback on any of the concerns I submitted, once again I submitted Reporting Merit Badge Counseling Concerns. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-800_WB.pdf

Do you think I'll get any constructive feedback on this one?

 If it is a MBC with council affiliations, no. If it is a museum doing their own thing, doubtful.

Sidenote, I ran an Indian Lore MB day as an OA fundraiser/promotions/equipment maker event. Yes, we charged at the time a steep amount, $35 in the early 2000s, but that included craft supplies, and lunch. Folks knew they would not be able to complete the MB in advance, unless they did the prerequisites. And guess what THE SCOUTS HAD FUN (emphasis), new OA chapter got publicity, and we got enough money to get some ceremonial regalia. My point is, if you make it fun, and let Scouts know in advance, they will still come.

Sadly You are right. Even my sons complained about folks getting awarded MBs. One Scout was so fed up with this, he almost gave up on Eagle, saying it is meaningless. 

5 hours ago, H2Ocaveman said:

Keep scrolling, it is not in the best place for clear guidance.  

You ain't joking. It is in a horrible place.

I still cannot find siblings info

5 hours ago, H2Ocaveman said:

It is down the page some....

I am still not seeing it. This is what I am seeing.

12 hours ago, Tron said:

Siblings and parents have carveouts under the new program. Siblings of the same sex can tent and buddy system regardless of age now (since last summer). There is also an "accommodation" for parents to tent with scouts as well (since last fall). 

We're in a whole new world scouters.

Serious question, can you show me where the new rule is at? I can find the parent of the same gender, but not siblings. This is the info I am finding.  https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss01/

12 hours ago, Tron said:

Cash is king is absolutely true. My district has one of the most useless human beings in existance as one lf the vice chairs but he's always going to be a vice chair because of his matching cash donation.

Funny thing is this: if you scream and curse out that top level volunteer, he may stop donating.  And he may tell his buddies what happened, and they stop giving too. That happened.  District had to drop their FOS goal severely since they did this. The current goal is 10% of what is was when I first got here, and that is not adjusting for inflation.

Worse part is the DC was actually doing something.

Or professionals ignoring, shouting at,  or cursing out volunteers

Even before Trails Life, pros were trying to do away with long term volunteers. I cannot tell you how many good, extremely dedicated Scouters left because of treatment by pros. Some left district and council roles to focus ont heir units. Others just quit. And they left vacancies that to this day are still not filled.

20 hours ago, yknot said:

    Or:    "We are men of action. Lies do not become us."

5 hours ago, Tron said:

This is good on you, but really bad on the organization. I do know that national is aware of this/these problems; last year Glen Pounder made mention of digital ID that would be the landing point for all leaders to prove who they are, current registration, position, units, and training. I wonder how long it will take the organization to get there though. 

When I met the then National Chief Information Officer in 1998, he made a lot of promises about SCOUTNET 2000 that was coming our in November 1998.  Vezinni said it best.

3 hours ago, Armymutt said:

I talked to the one dad who covered the knots for me and he said the Director was out there the next day collecting statements.  The fact that no one has contacted me is frustrating.  

I would start collecting my own statements. If the guy was at the event after you left, he is only getting one side, and it may not be good for you. I have seen innocent people get kicked out of Scouting. @InquisitiveScouter is giving you very, VERY good advice. Good luck.

8 minutes ago, jcousino said:

Youth hit by adult direct call to DCPS or police no if and or but. Failing to report is likely a felony in some states. Tell Scout personnel not to release you as a mandatory reporter.

Funny you mention police.  We had a sheriff deputy on staff, and he was in his jurisdiction. Don't remember if he initiated the investigation after calling it in, or was assisting the investigation after he called it in. So I didn't have to call them, they were already notified.  I do know the adult was never arrested, nor kicked out of Scouting as I saw him a year later. He told me he did press charges against the kid for assault with a deadly weapon. Having 15+ witnesses is probably  saved the adult from arrest and dismissal.

IF, you got a motivated Scout, AND they use their free time to practice, it is possible to actually earn a MB at camp. One reason why I like free periods, especially if taking Shooting Sports or Aquatics. 

Concur with @Tron, document EVERYTHING. Include witnesses, quotes, EVERYTHING. And send it to multiple folks: DE, SE, COR, etc.

Closest I have had to deal with was on camp staff. A Scout was being sent home  for behavior reasons, but was hit by an adult, and had a black eye. Mom made comments about YP and reporting the issue. What she didn't know was her son, after he was told to pack his things because he was going home, picked up a stick, and charged the 18 y.o. ASM. The ASM automatically  countered the attack. OH and he attacked the ASM in front of the SM and the entire troop while they were getting ready to go to dinner. LOT OF PAPERWORK WITH THAT ONE! ( major emphasis, not shouting.) 

Moral is DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT! (again, emphasis).

Good Luck.