Col. Flagg

Right. And then national sends out (today) a plea to donate money. So...increase fees AND more direct solicitations to members (bypassing councils) for even MORE money??? I think it's clear BSA has no concept of money. You don't raise fees AND solicit for more donations from the SAME group in the SAME week. That's either stupidity or gross incompetence...or both.

No, the gov just spent tens of millions to switch from a pyramid to a plate because they thought the public was too stupid to understand the whole pyramid thing. Then someone took ice cream out of public schools. Nothing like Big Brother.

Sorry. I wouldn't pay. We've told our district loud and clear if they charge a fee we will relocate two blocks away to the other district that will never charge a fee

As a unit we've limited camp to registered, trained leaders and only enough to cover the required ratio.

I'd rather the camp just offer the alternatives, rather than this draconian approach at tacitly , or overtly, forcing people. Everyone should still have freedom of choice. If they want candy, so be it.

They "had to go" to the salad bar? Had to? What if someone said no?

What provisions do BSA rules or policies have an adult removing a scout in good standing from a youth-elected leadership position? Seriously he has ZERO grounds for removing him unless there's a pre-arranged and documented requirements for the SPL to be at said event. Otherwise it's yet another adult sticking his schnoz in to some place he shouldn't.

District? $144!!!! How are THOSE costs justified? Curious as to what they are offering.

We moved to PLC-based planning about a decade ago after one SM was all about adult-driven outcomes. Took two years but the boys picked it up and have run it ever since. We do TLT every year (twice) and Program planning is one module we do; complete with hands on exercises.

The barriers I see to OA participation: - Conflicts with other unit/district events. - Poorly run or developed events. - No perceived value from attending OA events. - Adult driven outcomes, events, activities. - Still seen as popularity contest in many units rather than brotherhood of elite campers. - Another expense. - Can cannibalize other unit events or involvement.

Some will say you're incorrect. If you were incorrect then why open Boy Scouts instead is lowering the Venturing age? The REAL reason is exactly what you'd state: Pressure from outside to open Boy Scouts and make Eagle accessible to girls. Saying otherwise is white-washing what BSA is trying to do.

Annual elections in January. OA Advisor (ASM) works with unit Arrowmen to promote OA within unit and to remind guys if they are on the border of eligibility. Make sure elections note all camping nights and service hours for each candidate; makes it less of a popularity contest. Any candidate that does not meet SM recommendation has an SMC several months ahead of time to put them on notice. Once elected we do our own tap out (district's takes three hours and no one likes it). OA Rep manages candidates to make sure they take their Ordeal. Once full Arrowmen, the unit OA hosts refreshments a

$34 to join $12 for Boys' Life $xx unit join fee $xx council add on fee $30/month for camp outs ($300/year) $200 for summer camp $87-$134 for Scout uniform $74-$357 for adult inform When BSA actually adds up all the costs to be a Boy Scout and compares that with select sports, they are actually just as expensive as many sports. So their logic for raising fees is a lie. Supply doesn't operate at a loss, it's paid for through cost recovery and profit from sales. http://www.scoutstuff.org/bsa/uniforms-insignia.html

2.2m memebers x $9 increase just about covers shortfall of 180,000 LDS kids not registering. What I object to most is 1) the steep increase (last time we went from $18 to $24 with the same excuses), 2) no notice (should we really give money to an organization that has no clue they need to boost fees until now?), and 3) the patent lying about the justification for the rise. I'm about fed up with BSA's inability to be honest with its members. BTW, a $9 increase IS a big deal to some families. $33 is the ante in to the game. I want to see what has gone up so much that it requires BSA to

Lol yeah they have to two recovery teams here the day off after four days of 14-18 hours. The worst thing now is the mosquitoes!! They are thicker than I've ever seen them...and that includes Northern Tier. Needed netting on the boats to even make moving folks possible. They spraying Monday to suppress any potential for West Nile. Good luck with your work @@Stosh.

None. We require the roles to be filled. No need to double up since we have plenty of scouts. If you don't have enough Scouts then doubling up may be necessary, though it may not be necessary.

Meeting with parents and Scouts. Put them on probation. If behavior doesn't improve then ask them not to attend Pack meetings. There's no reason that the Pack should suffer. When they crossover you should let the receiving troop know their behavior issues.

"On my honor I will do my best, to do my duty TO GOD and my country..." Looks to me like God *is* the first priority. One takes an Oath to do their best to do their duty to God, then country. We say this every week. How is it NOT clear that duty to God is first?

Your SM is bang off on this one. Your son is showing his duty to God and respecting the wishes of his dying mother. If he's transitioned his duties for the event to his ASPL he need only meet with the PLC to get their agreement. He should lay his cards on the table and note he's obeying the Oath and Law AND still making sure the event is covered. THAT TOO shows leadership...not just his presence there. I'd also start looking for a new troop. Your SM sounds like a complete pratt.

Don't know if you can have a good day among so much destruction, but I had a personal bright spot. Helped a family today. Young boy was eyeing my Philmont hat. Couldn't help it. Just took it off and gave it to him. He smiled the whole way back to the shelter. His mom said it was the first he's smiled in a week. Makes me wish I could do more. Again I'll say the people are amazing. Sure you see some national guard, some FEMA and Coast Guard and Army choppers, but what you see misty are just every day people, from all walks of life, working together to help. They should round up all Ant

Found this. https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2017/08/29/how-to-help-our-scouting-family-affected-by-hurricane-harvey/?utm_content=buffer11a43&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer Heading out for a night shift. Enjoy!

Sorry guys. Long days and not a lot of time to read or post. I'd reach out to the Sam Houston Council. They can tell you what Scout would need, local units, etc. They likely have a hands on local charities that are coordinating assistance to a wider audience.

I'm not an expert on aid distribution to be honest. My schtick is S&R. They point me in the area they need help and I go in. The aid coordinators are like Philmont logistics types on MASSIVE steroids. There's a lady down here now that makes Atilla the Hun lol like a school boy. She is up at 4am and works until midnight. Nothing comes in without her checking the quality and nothing goes out without it being recorded. Anyone who needs a bed gets one. She's amazing so everyone forgives her lack of grace. She yells, you jump. Reminds me of an old Gunny. Long days, short sleeping breaks. B

Check your state laws because they vary from state to state. It may even be illegal to bring a knife legal in your state to summer camp if you travel through states where the same knife is illegal. Learned that the hard way about a decade ago.

My son was high ADHD. I found *I* was the one apologizing for his behavior. Sounds like the parents are in denial. Stay strong! You're doing the right thing it appears. Being even-handed and teaching a lesson insbt always easy.