Cubmaster Pete

I'm a railroader, and this breaks my heart. Please just pay attention, don't try to beat the train. Look both ways, whether there are lights, gates, wooden crossbucks, whatever.

Not only does this affect the family, but the crew on the train as well. We are helpless when this happens, we can't stop in time. The guilt you live with is overwheming.

This will not end well for Philmont, I'm sorry but it won't. 

48 minutes ago, desertrat77 said:

What a mess.

National advises struggling units to "sell more popcorn."

When National struggles, they pawn Philmont.  Without notifying the Philmont oversight committee.  The Philmont oversight committee!  I guess the committee didn't have a need to know.

Remarkable business strategy.

This is what frustrates me the most. It's not the higher fees, I can deal with that. It's what appears to be blatant disregard for volunteer input, something that the BSA supposedly prides itself on. Obviously that's not true.

No more than right now is it more important to focus on the unit.

Wow. The list of topics related to poor communication from BSA continues....

It's obvious to me something is up. Something bad is happening, and they don't want to tell. If volunteers are so important, why don't they communicate with them? 

16 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

I'm with TMSM, just do a group trip and don't call it scouting. Or call it unofficial scouting so that families understand liability is on them. I guess I was a bit of a Pirate as well. We took our Webelos to a state park for five nights each summer. I did inform Council and the only suggestion they had for us was do a swimming test so we would know each scouts skills, even though the park we attended had a Lifeguard. We acted like scouts with uniformed flag ceremonies each morning and evening, but the parents knew it was unofficial. We had a blast. 

If the parents are going, then just do it. It's really more for the adults experiencing a group of youth on camping trips. Everyone will have fun because a 1 mile hike will not take much time at all.

May I suggest good-ol campfire cooking instead of the typical backpacking meals like oatmeal in the pouch. Bacon, eggs, potatoes and coffee. Something about cooking on a campfire that really brings out the romance of adventure in nature. Save the minimal stuff for the 5 mile backpacking trip next year. You can carry a skillet for a mile.

Barry

Yes, parents are going. And I would rather cook out there than eat freeze dried stuff, or sandwiches.

I sat down with them (boys) and I asked what does everyone enjoy the most, they all said camping. I suggested a "backpacking" trip and they flipped out. Parents are on board too.

This all stems off my oldests AOL experience that has been less than stellar. That's a whole other topic (If you ask nicely, I might tell you) Anyways, he was jealous of what we are doing, and told me he wants to come be in our den. He crosses over in February, and he is very much looking forward to Scouts BSA

That's a great thread, thank you!

1 hour ago, Jameson76 said:

My input, but then I'm a bit of a pirate, would be that if you feel the group can handle this adventure, go forth and enjoy.

We think alike  ☺️

13 minutes ago, qwazse said:

Get a hold of council and ask them to approve the site.

I will check, although our Scouts BSA troop has stayed here before. I'm guessing it already is. State Park land..

25 minutes ago, RememberSchiff said:

 A lot of fun and a great adventure.

Yes, more adventure the better!

1 hour ago, RichardB said:

Day Hikes are age appropriate.   

What you propose is most likely not age appropriate, unless you have council designation of the site.   Otherwise this is prohibited.     

 

BSA age appropriate guidelines mention Backpacking-Overnight Backcountry. We would not be in the backcountry  (less than 20 mins from automobiles) and the scouts won't be carrying gear for a muti-day trek. Realistically we would be out there for less than 18 hours.

My son's Bear den becomes Webelos I this coming June. Had the idea of taking them backpacking overnight. Ice Age Trail is near our community.

We would only hike a mile or so in, stay overnight, come back next morning. Very low key, dads stay in tents boys would stay in the backpack shelter (like a small log cabin) I'd like to expose them to different outdoor activities, keep them interested. Planning process, etc...

Anyone done this before?

1 hour ago, Thunderbird said:

Something like this?

Tiger Cub Tiger Totem Instant Recognition Kit Cub Scouts

 

 

Yep,  that's it. Just curious if anyone has some laying on the bottom or their awards box.

16 minutes ago, walk in the woods said:

Room was very quiet.  Lots of grumbling as people left following the meeting.  Several families have already said they won't be back as a result.  We're trying to find funds to help offset.

Sad... what did your cost end up being? Ours is $105

Does anyone have some they are willing to part with?

How has your units famIies received this? Have you had committee/parents meetings yet about it?

Ours was last Sunday. It went well. Good ideas, good discussion. We made some adjustments, mostly everyone was positive. We set the pack up for future increases and financial stability, even though it meant eliminating a few items we normally paid for to keep costs down. Had several parents that owned businesses offer to donate what was needed to cover defecit, as I refused to ask families for more money to cover a problem that was not our fault on short notice. I wanted this meeting to be about permanent solutions, not temporary ones.

  We were still going to be short at recharter, my DE was aware that we would be. We would be able to pay the balance in January after a normal dues payment,  but the beginning of the year would be a little lean on funds until next dues in April. With PWD and B&G coming up it would have been tough, but manageable.

One of the parents showed up on my doorstep tonight with a check for $1250, no stipulations. 😊 I had no idea it was coming. That will cover the recharter shortfall.

I am so grateful that we can move forward in the plus column starting next year, grateful to parents who understand that this is still an excellent program, and so worth it.

23 minutes ago, PACAN said:

 

The OMG...we are out of business. thanks BSA

The WTH...how incompetent is national announcing this just before recharters.  No Transparency with the risk analysis.  A lot of folks concurring with this one.

I would say I am in these 2 camps.... I will know more after my parents meeting Sunday.

I can't say it's been a fun week...

2 minutes ago, shortridge said:

I’ll give you that, but Scouts BSA advancement can be pricey, too.

Learn something new every day. 

Just a few years ago, Cub advancement was super cheap. That's what gets me right now. 

3 hours ago, ParkMan said:

I'd discourage that.  Let the boys earn all they can - just build it into your cost for the pack.  It will all work out.

I would never discourage any boy from doing anything, but if you earn as many belt loops as one particular Scout I had, it ends up being over $25. 

With the registration cost going up, now that price is $85 to register and pay for just belt loops if someone earns a lot. That doesn't include any other costs. That's a lot of money for us, especially when last year total cost to be in our pack was $75. That's a really hard sell when you have multiple families on low income or multiple scouts.

I think a lot of scouters at the Scouts BSA level don't realize how expensive the Cub Scout award scheme is.

1 hour ago, mds3d said:

 

  Do you really spend $30/scout/year on awards? 

I had a few kids that probably hit that amount. 17 belt loops and other stuff adds up.

I'm pushing for a limit on that at our parents mtg coming up. Just the 5 required and 1 elective.

5 minutes ago, PACAN said:

Ask your DE how you can tap into this magic assistance fund the BSA put in their announcement. 

I inquired about that, and she said she does not have any info yet. She did say that they have a staff meeting next week and hopefully would have more info.

Had a conversation today with my DE. Was very nice, we were both in agreement on a lot of things. She has kids in the program too....

I let her know that between our pack and troop, we do not have enough money to recharter. My intention is to complete all recharter paperwork and turn it in with the total that would be for recharter before the increase.  When we collect dues in January like we normally do (payments 3 times a year), they will get the balance. That's just how it's gonna be, I have no other choice. She appreciated my honesty.

I made it clear I place no blame with her, my council or really anyone else. But we both agreed that my units are not the only ones in our district that don't have enough on hand.

Nothing official from mine, Bay Lakes Council, yet. 

It's not as bad as it could be, but we will still do some belt tightening....

44 minutes ago, gpurlee said:

Unfortunately,  even before the news of the national fee increase, we were already  very concerned about the ability of the pack to recharter and to help families participate in the program.  Nevertheless, we are determined to attempt to re-charter but realize that we may face an uphill battle. I wonder how many other units are in the same position?

With only a month before registration and fees are due, we feel that we will probably have our backs against the wall if there is a significant increase.

I am.

That's what frustrates me the most.  I have no idea what the increase will be. Had we known much earlier, we could have more time  to spread an increase out over time. Now, I have a month. And if it's too significant a bump, the money is not there to recharter. I got to think most packs don't budget for an increase like this.

If it'd not too bad, we will manage.

49 minutes ago, yknot said:

I fault them for being so utterly unprepared despite the fact that lawsuits, liability insurance issues, and registration fees are nothing new. 

This makes the entire organization, including volunteers, look unprepared. 

Most of that post was due to dumpster fire of a week (scouting and non) and a aggrivating comment a den leader made last night.

I feel better, thanks. I like the therapy here. 😂😂