Saltface

As recent events have shown, banning knives will only result in people packing narwhal tusks. 

Just match up the name and the FB  picture.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157858906783750&set=pb.699923749.-2207520000.0.&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/zan56

She does appear to be the Vermont scoutmaster in the article. I don't see how she would have any more information than the rest of us.

1 hour ago, MattR said:

I'm also guessing that the outdoors will not be used much in the future LDS program. 

Three to six camp outs per year and one long-term camping trip -- there was a second video released last Sunday with further details: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/?lang=eng&cid=email-OCA_CYD_111719_CTABroadcast

@swilliams You might find some satisfaction at the 34:50 mark.

37 minutes ago, mrkstvns said:

Eliminating the TP entirely sounds like a GREAT idea....if your goal is to build up crusty skid marks in your underwear!

If you only knew the power of the Dark Side a bidet. 

11 hours ago, Liz said:

This is hardly a scientific poll or anything, but the only LDS person I've talked to who had bad things to say about the BSA was spouting off about how much she disagreed with my daughter being in Cub Scouts and "THIS is why the Church has decided to discontinue its relationship with Boy Scouts." She wasn't particularly in favor of allowing gay or trans members either, but that wasn't her big issue. It was just simply not OK to allow girls to do something she felt was reserved for boys. It didn't matter to her that the Church had every possibility of continuing to only offer the program to boys. Man, I got tired of hearing her yammer about how the whole program was ruined because of allowing girls in. Seems like she should have had a clue by the fact that the conversation started with me breathing the words "daughter" and "cub scouts" in the same sentence that she wasn't going to find a sympathetic ear in me. LOL!

Other LDS people I've talked to have generally been in continued favor of girls in Scouting and continue to support BSA Scouting in general as a concept and with a "Let me know if there's anything I can do to support your new unit for girls" kind of an attitude. Opinions on whether the LDS Church should or should not have discontinued its relationship with BSA vary, but it's only been that one person who had an axe to grind with BSA. 

I'm 99% certain that adding girls to Cubs and Boy Scouts BSA had nothing to do with the Church's decision to leave BSA. On the other hand, I see it reasonably likely that the LDS Church leaving BSA was at least part of the reason girls were added to the program. There are currently three LDS Church leaders on the National Executive Board and the vote to admit girls was reportedly unanimous. 

2 hours ago, 69RoadRunner said:

https://andrewskurka.com/tag/how-to-poop-in-the-outdoors-woods-perform-backcountry-bidget/

Usually, I bring wet wipes for this purpose. This link got me wondering if packing a peri-bottle or travel bidet would be able to replace toilet paper entirely. They don't weigh much and you obviously don't need to use filtered water. Has anyone tried it?

It should be the top result in this search.

https://news.google.com/search?q=revisiting-boy-scouts-of-america-v-dale-and-the-right-to-discriminate&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en

This article reminded me of the flap over Susan G. Komen's relationship with Planned Parenthood. In wavering back and forth in an attempt to please everyone, you please no one.

I'm not aware of any transcript of the above video (other than the one generated by YouTube) but I wouldn't recommend starting there to understand the new program. That video was created to be shown to members of the Church during a Sunday meeting. If you're not familiar with the Church, there's going to be a lot of unfamiliar terms and references.

If you want the CliffsNotes on the new program, here it is:

1. There are four program areas: Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical, and Social.

2. Groups (called classes or quorums), families, and individuals create goals and activities in each of the four program areas.

That's it. The details are all up to you. 

For example:

Physical: A quorum of 16-18 year old boys sets a goal to summit the three highest peaks in the state. They schedule warm-up hikes to ensure everyone is up to snuff for that kind of hike. They plan the meals, travel, camping, and schedule of the event with (preferably minimal) assistance from their adult advisers.

Intellectual: A class of 14-16 year old girls want to learn how to do metalworking. They ask a welder in their congregation to teach them about safety precautions, tools, and techniques. They make metal step stools.

Spiritual: A family sets a goal to daily read scriptures together. The children are in charge of choosing a time and gathering the family together. 

Social: The mountain-climbing quorum ask a grey-haired old couple from the congregation to teach them swing dancing. They invite the girls their age to join them.

59 minutes ago, le Voyageur said:

From the time of  it's founding (1830), only males are allowed to hold a  priesthood commission. Women are excluded. This separation is easily seen in this video....   

The LDS faith isn't unique in believing men and women have different gender roles. But even still, that doesn't make this program unequal. If anything it has done the opposite, the local budgets for boys have been decreased to parity with that of the girls.

27 minutes ago, le Voyageur said:

My take (and yes, I endured this production to the end) is this...that their program is an exclusive for members only  in house program that is purposely crafted to insulates and protects  their youth from the real word, as well as to divide the genders into two separate and unequal classes.  The direct opposite of the Scouting USA program for inclusiveness. 

At least now, I thank I can sit around the campfire in quite discussions and ponder this with my fellow cohorts (but overall,  still somewhat baffled as to this wrong headed direction that I feel the LDS community is tacking into due to the political winds they feel are slewing their sails).

What causes the gendered classes to be unequal in this new program?

2 hours ago, scotteg83 said:

our local camp only allows scouts taking cycling merit badge to bring bikes.  They also had 1 staff this year with a bike.  Besides that, its not allowed

My council camps are the same. It just occurred to me that we can bring bikes to our own summer camp...

6 hours ago, mrkstvns said:

Scouting matters.

Scout lives matter. 

14 hours ago, HashTagScouts said:

indoor camping

What does that even mean? Cabins?

BSA did have a martial arts merit badge at one time: https://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Master-at-Arms. Unfortunately, it was removed almost immediately.

3 minutes ago, MacBrave said:

Our council's method of "fee assistance"?   A one-time special popcorn sale with a 75% commission.  Of course units have to order the popcorn in advance and hope they can sell it.........

 

Similar here.

Another vote for Bugling, especially if the counselor requires the calls to be played precisely.

18 minutes ago, T2Eagle said:

I doubt they can know the 2021 numbers yet.  The big unknown is how many LDS scouts and scouters will stick around.  It probably won't be a lot, but it doesn't have to be a really high percentage to make a significant difference.

Does anyone know if councils are making any concerted effort to get those folks to rejoin?  Of all the recruiting that could be done they would seem to be the most fruitful group to target.

My council sent out a survey. As per policy, they didn't share the results. I don't think it will be very high. Of the 120 or so LDS troops in my district, two new troops have been formed. One of those new troops is specifically for those wanting to finish up their Eagle, I'm not sure about the other one.

I'm LDS. I work with an orthodox jew and a vegan. Of those three, I would find living the vegan's lifestyle the most difficult. Know of any good vegan shellac alternatives?

Ah, the humble tarp.

3 hours ago, prof said:

Several here have mentioned Trail Life. Maybe Baden Powell Service Association.

I haven't done any homework on the subject yet. Might need to do so soon.

Can anyone with experience with those groups (or others) chime in?

My local Trail Life troop doesn't seem that much different than BSA in function. (To be honest, it was previously a BSA troop and pack. I can see that affecting their program.) The troop charges $50/yr. in dues plus camping expenses. Officially, you have to be trinitarian christian to join as an adult but all youth are welcome. Unofficially, I don't think this troop is too much of a stickler on the triune detail.

I've tried to visit my local BPSA group a few times, but no luck. I think this particular unit might be foundering. 

3 minutes ago, Jameson76 said:

Just curious how this was marketed?  I literally get every e-mail possible it seems from the District, Council, etc.  Nothing from Council on this and nothing it seems on the Council Website or Social Media

Is Anti-Bullying one the 8 sorry...now apparently myriad aims of Scouting?

Scouting Wire email with a link to here: https://scoutingwire.org/call-to-action-for-scouts-to-help-take-on-bullying-during-national-bullying-prevention-month/

Speaking from my own experience, wearing a scout uniform to school is much more effective at attracting bullies than it is at preventing bullying. When I read this email announcement, the cynic in me whispered that this is just a marketing ploy wrapped up in virtue signalling.

Interesting COPE hexagon thing. What is the round red and black object?

1 hour ago, malraux said:

HAHAHAHAHA. I mean, yeah I'll probably end up donating a hefty amount by the end, but if that were expected, they can take this job and shove it. But given that the line of people showing up to do stuff is me and two or three other cub scouters I don't think they'll happen.

I wouldn’t do it either, but there were enough suckers/knot seekers in my last district to maintain a $500 per year pay-to-play culture.