Eagle94-A1

Ditto what @DuctTape said, what do the Scouts want to do?

Congratulations to your son!

Folks are still learning about COVID-19 because A) it is such a new virus and B) there are legitimate concerns that information about the virus was initially withheld by the CCP. Plus as more research is done, the information changes.

Well i just had a visit from one of my son's friends. The his troop is also doing their own extended summer camp since they were going out of state for camp. They are doing a 5 day summer camp of 8 MB sessions and then a 50 mile canoe trip.

The 2 camps I worked at in the UK, used that model. troops stayed at the camp and did their own things. The camp had available different activities on a ala cart model. So if the troop wanted to repel of the Cliffs of Dover, they could do that for an extra fee. Rifle shooting, ditto. Kayaking or sailing in the Chanel, again ther was a fee. My troop is doing their own camp. We got less than an month to prepare, so we are working on 2 options: 1. modern, MB oriented summer camp with limited choices of MB, or 2. hybrid activity based/ merit badge summer camp. Option 2 has them working on 2 MBs Environmental Science and Canoeing. Environmental Science was one of the most requested MB and Canoeing gets them wet since we have no swim area. We are giving them 2 options because there is a push by a few parents to make it MB focused. One in particular is trying to push it so that his son can get the remaining MBs for Eagle. But what is frustrating is that all the MBs he needs, he either has partials in, or started working on, and he has a counselor for those when is working with. We also have a few Scouts wanting a MB oriented summer. The rationale is that it is easier to earn MBs in one week of camp than throughout the year. (An aside, I think part of that is some summer camps are cutting corners. I have known Scouts "earn MBs" that they did not actually complete.) Activities at this moment include the following: First Aid (Helicopter Crash) Pioneering (Catapults or bridges, depending upon how much rope we can get) Orienteering (Patrol vs patrol), and Wilderness Survival (overnight experience). The activities will allow the Scouts meet T-2-1 requirements, and/or MB requirements. Plus they can be fun. memorable experiences. FORGOT TO ADD, all the activities have specific requirements that they meet for MBs and advancement.

My troop is doing their own camp. We got less than an month to prepare, so we are working on 2 options: 1. modern, MB oriented summer camp with limited choices of MB, or 2. hybrid activity based/ merit badge summer camp. Option 2 has them working on 2 MBs Environmental Science and Canoeing. Environmental Science was one of the most requested MB and Canoeing gets them wet since we have no swim area. We are giving them 2 options because there is a push by a few parents to make it MB focused. One in particular is trying to push it so that his son can get the remaining MBs. But what is frustrating is that all the MBs he needs, he either has partials in, or started working on, and he has a counselor for those when is working with. We also have a few Scouts wanting a MB oriented summer. The rationale is that it is easier to earn MBs in one week of camp than throughout the year. (An aside, I think part of that is some summer camps are cutting corners. I have known Scouts "earn MBs" that they did not actually complete.) Activities at this moment include the following: First Aid (Helicopter Crash) Pioneering (Catapults or bridges, depending upon how much rope we can get) Orienteering (Patrol vs patrol), and Wilderness Survival (overnight experience). The activities will allow the Scouts meet T-2-1 requirements, and/or MB requirements. Plus they can be fun. memorable experiences.

Negative, Ghostrider. What I wanted was IF increases occurred, they would give us enough advance warning so that folks could come up with a plan to get the money. Advance notice to help units and members budget is a lot better than A) Waiting until the beginning of Round Up season to announce fee increases or B) Waiting until days before the recharter process goes online.

Not necessarily. In at least 1 instance, I know a council, or more specifically a SE and DFS, that attempted restrict access to a council camp, and with lower attendance at the camp, reduced funding to the camp. The camp was essentially maintained by 2 OA chapters and troops in 2 districts. Rumor had it that the SE and DFS were trying to get the trust to give outright ownership to the council. Thankfully the camp is still in a trust. Later, a different SE not only removed some of the restrictions at the camp, but also invested in maintenance and repairs. That camp usually has more attendance than the other council camps, including the primary one used for summer camp.

I do not know why my council president emailed us on Friday, but he did. and I am glad. The SE's have had a heads up since NAM. While the pros should be notified in advance, because they will be facing the backlash, the info needs to come out in a timely manner. And I agree the infographic did cause more confusion than helped IMHO.

So what will the fee be for 18 to 20 year old ASSISTANT Scoutmasters?

Trust me, I know.

looks like I got my wish.

'AWESOME! TOTALLY AWESOME!" That sounds like a major project. Good luck to your son.

Where I am at, an extremely rural area with the median household income for 4 is Approx $42K. A lot of folks can barely afford Scouting. And COVID is going to make it worse. On a Positive note, someone is listening,National gave us the price increase for this year 2 months before Round Ups start, and told us the 8-1-21 price and 8-1-22 price in advance, @Cburkhardt, if you passed along my suggestiut folks can bon ot the powers that be, THANK YOU! The price increase will hurt, budget and prepare.

For once, my council is getting ahead of this. this was sent in an email today We just learned this week that on August 1 the following national fees take effect: National Registration Fees - $66 for Scouts and $42 for adults New National Joining Fee – one-time new Scout membership fee of $25

If the 18 - 20 year olds are treated with the same respect as other Scouters, i.e they count towards 2 Deep rules, I am game.

So true. DON'T GO THERE! I thought I read somewhere that a council was either considering an Eagle Application Processing fee, or implemented one,

Today was a long but good day. My Facebook Memory for today was May 28, 2014. My oldest attended his first PLC as the PL of the New Scout Patrol. i commented how he was a little overwhelmed at times, but represented his patrol well. He did a really good job as PL. So good in fact, that when his term as PL ended, he was nominated for, and won the SPL position, beating out slightly older and experienced Scouts (troop he was in at the time was 2 years olds and the oldest Scouts were 13) Well tonight, he had his Eagle BOR. Paperwork is being cent to the council tomorrow, and onwards for national confirmation. Here's the funny thing. I knew since he became SPL at 11 he was going to make it. I admit I tried to talk him out of being SPL at 11. I talked about the challenges he would be facing, especially as an 11 year old. But the last time I tried to talk him out of it, he said something that made me realized he got everything we try to teach these Scouts, summed up nicely as servant leadership. he told me, "Dad, the troop elected me SPL, I can't let them down. I gotta do the best job I can for them." Life at the moment is very good.

My troop growing up did the bare bones type of camping. We went out every month, except December, and costs were in the $5 - $10 to cover food and supplies. We didn't do camporees, or any fancy dancy camps. We went to summer camp, and while we did do MB classes, it was nothing like today's camps. While 6 day sessions were offered, the last 2 period of the day were free swim, free boating, and free shooting sports. Unless a MB you wanted was only offered in 5th or 6th, you were out having fun. Night classes were special 1 nite event like CPR certification, First Aid certification,. and Hunter safety. Obviously Astronomy we every night. And we had fun.

Canada trip, did I think I was going to die? Yes. Did i get lost? No, but I was a might confused. See a bear? No but I saw beaver. Cold? Turned blue like a Smurf due to hypothermia BEST FREAKING ADVENTURE OF MY LIFE!

The most obvious #1 "sacred cow" as you mentioned is Eagle Scout. It is synonymous in the public with Boy Scouts of America as evident by that term in literature and movies. Also there is a large active alumni group, NESA, and even larger number of Eagles who have supported the Scouts in the past. That support would be jeopardized. Further, the BSA has turned it into a goal or "brand" and is the very reason why girls wanted to join the BSA. So it may be considered the "holy of holies," with no prejudice towards our Jewish brethren (why it is lowercase). So I think Eagle Scout is safe. Your reference to the OA is a very valid one. Some would consider it a sacred cow. On the plus side, the OA does a lot of work at the council level, to the point that some call the OA, the BSA's slave labor corps. And that does not include all the small events Arrowmen tend to run and organize. OA also does a lot of volunteer work at the national level with the HA work programs and jamboree service corps. A lot of labor costs are save via the OA. And historically Arrowman tend to be dedicated Scouters providing leadership throughout council programs and financial support through money AND gifts-in-kind, i.e.supplies given and equipment loaned. Plus it is "Scouting's National Honor Society" or whatever it calls itself today. But if BSA is anticipating the lose of camps and HA bases, is the OA still needed? As an old school Arrowman, I would say NO, because camping, both promoting it and taking care of the properties, is a the core function of the OA, the heart if you will. In this politically correct world we live in, is OA's "cultural appropriation" a liability or an asset? LIABILITIES, because we do have lot of lodges doing things l wrong AND we have a general population that refuses to have discussions and are unwilling to listen. After all the OA has helped preserve and promote Native American culture over the years ( see my posts on that topic).While Camping and "Cheerful Service" are the heart of the OA, the spirit or soul of the OA was the Naive American symbolism. And that is slowly dying. Are the membership stats indicative of a successful program or failing program? While individual lodges may be succeeding, over all the OA is a failing program with the moss of membership and failure to retain members. So why maintain a program that will have no purpose (HA bases and camps), its traditions are a liability (AIA), and membership is shrinking? I hate to say it, but I see the OA being sacrificed off the bat. And if it isn't, it will be a slow, painful, disheartening death. I think we are already there in my area. And I am not anti-OA. I am a former youth officer and chapter adviser. I have brought dead and dying chapter back to life twice in my career. So I have drank the OA Flavoraid, and probably would still if it wasn't for my sons. I knew problems were there, and predicted some of them when the election procedures changed. But I ignored them because I was living in the past, thinking of the OA of my youth. My sons's lack of interest, and the reasons for it, made me realize how serious the problem has become. And I don't think recent autoacceptance of SMs and reducing time to become a Brotherhood member will resolve them.

I hate to say it, but I think Sea Scouts, the second oldest program in the BSA ( since 1912) may be one of the "sacred cows" that will be sacrificed. Between cutting off program at 18 and doing away with area and regions, I got a real bad feeling about this. The only way I could see it being saved is if they allow the area volunteers these events. And as good a program as Sea Scouting is, I would hate to lose it. But someone either here or elsewhere, said that BSA could possible hand it over the the USCGA to run since it is their official youth program. Don't kill the messenger. I was an Ordinary Sea Scout. Sea Scouting kept active for a while after turning 18.

2 of my coworkers had nervous breakdowns due to the job. Also 3 of my coworkers, and a DE I had in another council, all had wives leave them because of the job. Heck my wife, whom I dated and was engaged to while I was a DE, after 1.5 months of marriage gave me an ultimatum: her or the job. One of my coworkers, who not only served in combat and was a recruiter, which is an extremely stressful job I am told. He said his time as a professional was more stressful than the 22 years he spent in the Corps.

Mixed emotions on the Webelos program. I have found that when packs utilize it like it was meant to be, preparing them for Scouts, it keeps interested. These packs start distancing parents at events and making sure the Webelos are doing it. The Webelos are doing camping on their own or with a troop, and have the Webelos doing the work instead of the parents. Pack I was with usually did Cross Over in the December/January time frame. It was long enough for them to meet the time requirements. Plus they started doing more with the troop. Middle son's den did a join Castaway/Wilderness Survival weekend with the troop oldest was in. They had a blast. And the Scout who taught them did a VERY good job. He taught them prior to the camp out. So when they got there, the Webelos knew exactly what to do. They had shelters built, and cooking fires going before some of the Scouts! A couple of their shelters were so well built, over a year later, the shelters were still usable if you added a little more debris to them. And while Youngest was ready to Cross Over in December, a few of his den mates were not, and that pushed it back to February, Thank goodness he was able to visit the troop he is in a few months as a "guest." So I know the Webelos Program does work. But I also know most packs are not doing it correctly. They are continuing to treat the Webelos as Tigers through Bears. They are not telling the parents to let the Webelos start doign things on their own. They do not let the Webelos camp on their own, or wait until 5th grade before camping with a troop. And when they do camp, parents are still doing everything for them. Remember the Castaway/Wilderness Survival camp out my middle son went to above? Another pack's Weeblos also went. In fact the Scout doing the teaching had arranged with the two DLs to do joint meetings with both dens at the same time, since both met on the same nite, they would alternate lcoations for a month. Long story short, not only did the parents NOT want to have joint meetings, they didn't think the Scout had the knowledge, skills, or abilities to teach wilderness survival. Especially since one of the dads went through some survival school and got some instructor certification. So that den did their own thing When the time came, that den had a bunch of unneeded stuff they had to lug around, parents complaining the entire time. The while my son's den went right to work, the other den had no clue what to do and was goofing off, not listening to the Scout in charge. Instead of the Scouts building shelters cooking food on fires, etc they parents decided to build one giant shelter for them, and busted out a stove to cook for them. Then they left while my son's den stayed overnight. And I have seen this scenario, parents still doing stuff for their Webelos, over and over again. So I know why people complain. BUT here is the thing. When the Webelos program is done right, AND if you have an active troop, you will retain Scouts. 3 years later ALL of my son's den are still active in Scouting. Within 6 months, 1/2 the other den quit, and 3 years later only 1 is still active.

These two statements really hit home. I was super involved in the OA as a youth and adult. I got in the OA under the old rules the third time I was on the ballot. Yes, it took me 3 years to get elected. And not because I was a horrible Scout either. It was because there were older, more experienced Scouts who I was running against. Heck the first time I was on the ballot, I did not vote for myself because the other two on the ballot were role models and mentors to me and deserved the honor more than i did. But now it is a joke.Heck I have found out that SMs are encouraging troops to vote in all of their First Class and above nonmembers. Because I use to be the OA chapter adviser, my oldest son had helped the OA out a few times in the past. He's noticed the change from honor camper society to being a check mark. He's declined multiple times. because he does not see any value in the OA. He was upset when the OA election team left his name on the ballot, despite stating he had no interest in the OA and wished to remove his name from the ballot. And middle son had some reservations about joining too. He allowed his name on the ballot, and also got elected. But 2 things did in his interest in the OA. First the Call Out Ceremony, or lack there of, did not go over well with him as it was just an adult call out out names. (an aside all of the Scouts I talked to were also disappointed, because something that is suppose to be special, wasn't. a lot of adults in the audience were furious because there was no planning for it, despite it being known and advertised in advance). But the biggest reason was seeing two Scouts from his old troop get called out. One Scout was only involved because he was forced, and he caused more problems than anything else. The other was the Scout who kept abandoning his patrol to sleep with dad and/or family on camp outs. His comment was "how could someone who camp by themselves even be First Class, let alone get elected into the honor society."