Jameson76

Wow - that is some Educational Ivory Tower wide ranging ramblings. Interesting the writer makes a number of broad statements, but little or no actual foundation. Some interesting revisionist history, they fall into the trap of viewing historical events in the lens of current thinking.

We are about 90% Scouts in hammocks and 50% leaders

When we go on hikes, even short ones, we stress the rule of 3's for being out and dictating what your priorities may be. Note these are generalities, this makes it simple to remember: You can survive 3 weeks without food You can survive 3 days without water Your may survive 3 hours without shelter in the rain Key being shelter is vital. Our SPL on a Webelos visitation campout was explaining the importance of a jacket and the emergency blanket as the troop went on a hike. The Scouts repeated (in unison) " You can survive 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water, 3

As others noted, bear tacos is one reason (though pretty unlikely). Main reasons are tree damage, spreading sites out to the trees, also there are wandering deer etc that could get hung up on the hammocks. Potentially a better shelter in a tent. Last thing may be it would be a might chilly. You would still need pads, potentially heavier sleep gear, rainfly, etc. Not sure you would save a great amount of weight

That too is my concern. The inevitable slide. So you are camped out in a back country site. Your crew of 16 - 17 year olds, say day 7 or 8. There is a crew of Mustangs in the next camp. Maybe it's their only night out, so they are more boisterous. Also it can lessen the feeling of being out and away. At the surface, seems benign, it would not take much to have a less than favorable impact. Maybe there are ways to promote outdoors and not be out in the crown jewel of Boy Scouts backcountry. Hey...there's always Summit and they desperately need folks to go there. Make it Famil

Not 100% sure about that. There were many pics posted by PTC with the kids and families out and about in the back county. (see one example below). Not much a stretch to see this could impact the remoteness and "adventure" experienced by the 12 days crews when they come across a group of kids or families on the trail. Sort of like when families come up mid-week to summer camp, can changes the dynamics of the experience. I wonder what the long-term impact of more families, family scouting, the family glamping, will be to the Philmont experience for the 20,000 Scouts and Leaders that co

Once you write stuff down, you have to start abiding by it. Use the documents from BSA on structure, etc. Everything else should be situational. Don't reinvent the wheel. We have a 100 +/- Scout troop. No troop rules, by laws, etc. We do give out information on how we do stuff. Maybe 1 page?? Only written rule not covered by BSA is no cell phones on the outings, summer camp.

Not sure if this would work in all councils / districts / towns / CO's; but I know we could raise more money than we knew what to do with selling something like this...

That pretty much sums up a great issue...SIX YEARS OF CUB SCOUTS. The Cubs used to be sort of the waiting room for Scouts, as that was the really good stuff. Now it can be a 6 year slog to Scouts, parents may determine to do something new. Also after SIX YEARS OF CUB SCOUTS many parents (can you say family scouting) expect Troops to be the same, or in many cases worry that it will be more of the same

Good reading https://www.nuvo.net/voices/guestvoices/your-kid-and-my-kid-are-not-playing-in-the/article_768c0500-0f5b-5b63-961d-b2be73b3d7f3.html

Cautious reminder that many of the advertisements on the benefits (and not discounting there are positive aspects) of youth sports are driven in many cases by groups that will benefit financially from youth sports Sporting goods stores and manufacturers that sell equipment Coaches who are paid and need customers Associations that run the "exclusive" tournaments and need the revenue Private coaching and instructional academies that need customers Groups running sports camps that need attendees Parks and rec groups that have fields that see leagues as rental c

We provide the insurance detail for our out of council summer camp. It's on the council website I did have to provide a certificate of insurance from the council when we camped at a county park (not sure why), the service center assisted.

A lot to unwrap here, but this pretty much sums it up As Dirty Harry said in Magnum Force "a man's got to know his limitations" Your limitations may be turning this Titanic around Not sure of the timing but 4 Scoutmasters in a few short years is a sign of trouble The one who slapped a Scout (Was his name Patton??) The one there when you joined You The next Scoutmaster victim As a comparison my home troop had 4 Scoutmasters in 16 years 70's and 80's. Current troop has had 2 in last 19 years, retired one and current. Overall in 35 years current troop h

Our crew found it interesting that they sort of encourage the crews to build fires not (in approved rings etc etc). Seems line a good idea to have the 20,000 Scouts going through each night to scour the ground for loose burnable debris. When I first went in the 70's we had to cook on fires, so as you came to a camp you started picking up wood about 1/2 mile out. Went in the 80's and backpacking stoves were a thing so we built no fires, same for other treks. On the Baldy climb, I have told all the crews I've been that the climb up the tailings / loose rocks seems close, but will be

Not an untrue observation Many Scouters take on District or Council positions at the request of a friend and then enjoy the camaraderie that may bring. As friendships change or people move on, you may turn around and then you may not really have a lot in common with the team you are working with. Lack of friendships and common experience can impact the "fun" you may have had in the past doing whatever for the District or Council. Becomes more of job. With the troop you go in knowing the main focus of your efforts (the Scouts) will in fact grow-up and age out, that is sort of the o

Interesting that a lot of comments seem to center on Scouters who are burned out on district or possibly council positions. Personally I have been involved with unit work for many years. No district or council (well except 7 years of camp staff and 2 years as DE). No Woodbadge or anything like that. Worked with my home troop out of college #2, worked with others as I moved, worked with a local one here that my son joined. He has aged out, but I Scout on with 11 years with this one. Multiple trips to Philmont, long local High Adventure, coaching Life to Eagles now and logging 35 nights ca

Not downplaying the severity of the charges or impact on the BSA and Eagle Scouts; wonder if he earned Entrepreneurship, American Business, or Truck Transportation Merit Badges? Also assume he got to see the essential elements of Fingerprinting Merit Badge up close and personal.

Not a good read, very sad. Mainly issues that occurred years ago. The quantity of claimants will be the main story. No recent issues, but this will no doubt accelerate possible bankruptcy.

You must be thinking about the wholesale price...retail would be much higher

To be clear, Summit is not actually owned by the BSA, it is technically owned by the various bondholders and lenders. It will be years and years and years before BSA will in fact "own" Summit Bechtel Reserve. There are bond balloon payments well north of $100 million (though these will no doubt be refinanced) that come due in or about 2022. Sure it may be a nice facility, but the challenge is that the Summit is sucking up a lot of money from BSA operations. Question needs to be asked, is it worth it?

Don't forget ignore. There is ALWAYS the option to ignore.

We have sent 12 crews over the last 10 years to Seabase and the Out Island Adventure. Had 3 full crews there late May and early June. Great experience, very good intro High Adventure. Most of ours were rising 9th and 10th grade, so agree that the 14 - 15 is better age group. Not only the physical stamina but the maturity level. The variety of activities is good; fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, etc etc.

Been 3 times, recently in 2014. Went in 85 during the Jamboree year, place was empty. More open than many trails I hike and camp in the southeast. 2014 there were crews at campsites, but the sites are heeewge. Actually did not see another crew camping...well maybe across a field. Passed a crew now and then, but you can go for hours and only see your crew. Last day we hiked out from Zastrow to Rayado...5 miles or so over basically good western terrain (down at the SE corner of the ranch), saw cows. Stopped when we got to the road.

That is a good general list, but also we as leaders need to make sure we understand the context. Yes the reporting scout may feel bullying took place, it is the catch all phrase. But in some of those instances, especially the verbal, social, and group issues there can (and I stress can) be times where the one feeling bullyed may have played a part, poked for a reaction, and then got a reaction. Critical to fully speak with and understand what caused this to transpire. Not excusing a reaction, but we as leaders need to understand the background Had a scout who complained he felt bu

We do ZERO fundraisers. Scouts pay annual dues for registration. We charge a nominal fee for monthly outings, basically break even to cover campsite expenses, etc. For summer camp and high adventure that is funded by the Scouts attending. Works for us. In my limited experience the time and commitment to a sales effort is not well spent for the return