Jameson76

That will be the next battleground surely. A young lady wants to join a troop but there is no "linked" troop at the CO she wants to join...so what to do. There may be one nearby, but she wants to to join this organization because it meets her meeting needs, better outdoor, etc etc. Cue the news trucks to be sitting in front of a meeting, cue the hand wringing as females are not being given the same opportunities, cue the faux outrage at the intolerant leaders who do not want to start a linked troop thereby denying the young lady equal access It will literally be a 3 ring circus right there is the CO's parking lot

We sort of do a hybrid approach. After crossover they are in a NSP for the spring, working on the basic new scouts stuff. At summer camp they are rolled into the the camp patrols for the week, also in the new scout program at camp First meeting of the new school year they are parsed into the existing patrols.

Scout brought a thermos with his ravioli on a backpacking outing. He had heated it up before we left and that was his backpacking meal (lunch and dinner, he loved himself some Chef Boyardee). This was a large thermos, accounted for 25% of his toted weight maybe. Had him tote it in, but some of the Philmont crew that was along training toted it and many of his other items out

Canoe relay without paddles is always good Canoe waterskiing is good times, but getting the canoe up on a good plane is a challenge, also don't try to slalom, stick with two skis

We try to rotate the members on the BOR, gives the Scouts a new face to speak with. Also good to have the BOR members they may not know. Additionally there are some on the committee that are more forward facing in the troop (outdoor and events) that try to limit their number of BOR's to give scouts a different experience. We have a large troop and at times may have 2 - 3 BOR's rolling along during a meeting. Remind your CC and AC that the BOR is just that, a review. The time should be a review of their time in the troop, maybe some specifics on what they did, what they got from that, but nothing added. If it is a good BOR the CC members should get as much as the scout from the time

Well..then the Russians would have to get involved and nobody has time for that

You have to keep changing the requirements to drive book sales. It's all about monetizing the program, gotta get on the cash flow train. As I have noted, Summit is not gonna pay for itself

Life Is Hard; It’s Even Harder When You’re Stupid

There is a Space Exploration MB. Typically the Scout build and launches a rocket as part of the requirements. Most summer camps launch these at the end of the week, that is always good times, just be limber and ready to move

Sort of like a Unicorn

You wanna make sure you hold out for signing bonus and good incentives. Make sure the incentives are paid out early in the contract. One can never tell what the future may hold. Also make sure the incentives are guaranteed in case he gets traded to another troop or venture post.

It is what's wrong and also what is so right with scouting, the unit level. Your question "How does national fix that?" is that National (and Council and District) recognize that it is the unit level that is what drives the program. And PROGRAM is the key. Too much is the top heavy down from on high and not enough unit level pushing up The units that thrive, do so because they are NOT waiting for anyone to lead them, they are leading. That comes down to the right leader being in place and providing the right leadership to the youth and letting them run the show.

I can only assume the risk management lawyers have been hard at work

Do a run to Texarkana as the boys are thirsty in Atlanta...may be too old school though

Replace the SPL and drive on. As with many things, some SPL's are waaaay better than others. Sort of like trendy craft beers. Some are great and some are terrible, but you keep trying them and hope is eternal

Get to get asked "who are you" when the elusive UC is spotted at an actual unit meeting

SM Minute, Lower the flag, dismissed

I think JTE is a good start, but maybe not the whole story. Also as it is self declaratory, could be some fudging (on my Honor yeah yeah). Though at least to get Gold you will have to camp out and go to longterm camp Since it is self reporting, that is where the benchmarking and hands on can come into play. Go on some outings with the "best" troops, go to meetings, go to Greenbar meetings. See what a thriving troop is doing and how they do it. Real institutional issue is that those that are making decisions on possibly how to improve Scouting are NOT working in the units. Most of them likely have not been on a camp out with an actual troop or dealt with an actual scout in years. Gotta get your hands dirty and sleep in the rain to really grasp the current state of the program.

The real question is why is the BSA not benchmarking these successful troops. Success might be X number of years of growth, or X years of sustaining the number of Scouts. Also should be other real unit metrics like Scouts at camp, nights camping, advancement, etc If BSA looked at the 10 - 15 most successful units (and yes that could be very debatable) in a number of councils, then likely there would be some similarities or common threads. With this information you would have some indicative evidence on what can or should be working. Then you could structure engagement and training to work towards growth. Not saying do surveys, or have focus groups, I am talking down in the mud actually out with the units and seeing what is happening.

We have about 75% of our scouts in hammocks. Recent outing that was maybe 40 of the 50 scouts, they were strung out in the woods everywhere. At summer camp it is closer to 90%, with the tent used for storage Main one used is the Eno. Also some have the Hennessy and other brands. Variety of rain fly options, including the rigged rain fly, then a hammock, then a hammock under the hammock The Scouts do classes maybe once per year on hammocking. What size trees to use How tight to make them Alternatives to the higher priced rainfly Straps Making a hammock village Accessories (lights / storage containers)