Jameson76

1 hour ago, qwazse said:

Wendy Shaw, National's Membership Growth Group Director gave the keynote speech and taught a seminar at our UoS this weekend. The keynote was the usual "rah-rah" stuff: Positive media attention (which means little in region where for forty years, press releases usually came in advance of pink slips), Girls dens were growing, some additional boys joined because their sisters were having fun in a den, some dads participated more since the kids shared the activity, ... the usual rose-colored anecdotes.

 

Interesting

• The advancement challenges and some troops stumbling over themselves to have the first Girl Eagle will be an interesting situation
• The scrutiny by girls is an interesting topic, specifically what happens when there is no local BSA4G troop linked or otherwise for them to move into.  Especially if there is a robust Boys troop at the CO..those outside of BSA will ask "heck can't they just join that current troop??"
• Seriously....shared Troop numbers?  That will end well
• The depth portion may be a challenge (needing a female), especially to have meetings and do activities and as some units move to coed  sorry Linked troops, that may present an obstacle

Maybe she is a Disney / Stephen King fan

4 minutes ago, NJCubScouter said:

To be fair, this is one of a number of programs at Philmont.  The "core" program (treks) is still about the Scouts themselves. And hopefully always will be.

But this is new in that it goes into the backcountry, no doubt crossing with "core" program treks

As examples:

ROCK CLIMBING

This is a day-long session beginning with a mild hike from Cimarroncito Turnaround to Cimarroncito Backcountry Staff Camp. Once there, you will receive a safety briefing and climbing demonstration followed by a chance to climb several different routes on natural rock.

Inspiration Point Hike

Guided by a Program Counselor team from the Philmont Training Center, you will have the opportunity to hike as a family to a spectacular view on the side of Urraca Mesa. A trail lunch will be provided in lieu of lunch at the dining hall.

In case you missed it...Scouting is ALL about FAMILIES!!

GREAT - It's FAMILY EXPERIENCE in the BACK COUNTRY

Philmont has jumped the shark

Philmont Family Adventure

53 minutes ago, Tampa Turtle said:

I keep hearing on the grapevine they have lots and lots of empty slots this year. The Philmont operation seems to depend on a bigger flow of participants than years pass to make the numbers work perhaps? 

You can look on their site and there are many many slots throughout 2018, waaaay more than I have seen in years past

Many literally any day this summer

Saw this and wondered what could be the big announcement

Hopefully they are not watering down treks or adding family back country camping foolishness to the ranches offering.  That would be really disappointing.

12 minutes ago, DuctTape said:

The major point here for me (setting aside the criminal record for a moment) is that this is your boyfriend. He is not a parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or registered adult leader. For this reason alone he should not attend a cub function unless invited by the cubmaster and only within his /her parameters. 

I think you might be focusing too much on the criminal record piece and missing this important facet.

Correct and good point.  For the Webelos visitation we have had Dads, Moms, Granddads, older brothers, aunts, etc and what we have termed Adult partners.  The expectation is they are there for that one Webelos (on in case of a Cub campout) that one Cub.  They are not leaders, they are not planning or directing. 

Now if the the conviction / probation may preclude being around youth, if the Unit leaders are made aware of that they would be within bounds to have them leave or not attend

On 3/21/2018 at 9:50 PM, David CO said:

Why stop there? How about Citizen of the Galaxy? 

 

9 minutes ago, LVAllen said:

So... if the CO wants to permit girls to join a scout unit associated with their CO, they need to charter a new unit. What's the fee for that again?

Suddenly the push to create paper units with paper leaders when everyone is meeting together at the same time and place makes more sense.

You need to have 5 youth and I think 5 adults, though if they are in multiple units not 100% sure how the money works.  There is an $40 insurance unit fee and maybe a $6 council insurance unit fee

If you have insomnia below is the link to the 33 page Recharter handbook

http://www.ncacbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017-2018-Charter-Renewal-Handbook-170908v9.pdf

On MBC as parents, we tend to have Scouts go to other MBC for singular type MB's.  If we have a troop class for a MB (Cit in the Community, Personal MGT) then if the parent is the counselor, that is fine.  Though if there is a discussion part another leader will take that portion.

Not that we do not trust the parent as an MBC, just better for the scout to interact with other adults

Also interesting would be to see how many generations in the same unit.   My dad is an Eagle in one troop, I am an Eagle in another troop, my son is an Eagle in another unit.  Some of these 50 + year old units could have that depending on the town and demographics

1 minute ago, Eagle1993 said:

New Cub Scout books will be available in June. They are integrating the new requirements (that were previously in an addendum), rewording for gender and using the new Cub Scout color scheme.   Old books still work if you have the addendum.  See pic of the Wolf book attached.

Lots of THEY and THEM no doubt.  Assuming pics and drawing are androgynous individuals.  Happy gender neutral cubbies in skorts out enjoying the program

The planning for meetings and what they do at the meeting should be driven by the Scouts.  Typically a Greenbar meeting, plan the next month of meetings

For outings and events same drill but longer window of planning.  They determine what to do, what activities.  Obviously there are parameters such as cost, distance, special training.  Then you set the calendar and go.  Also be flexible and be ready to update and change things as the year progresses

45 minutes ago, Tampa Turtle said:

When did the Eagle at 18 cut off begin?

In 1952, age limits were set so that adults over 18 years of age could no longer earn Eagle Scout

The intent is good but (shockingly) the execution or desired execution is lacking.  As with many initiatives the ones that design the program have not really been to an actual meeting with actual scouts (not a handpicked group)

We use the group method as you indicate and interpret the "present" portion as answering questions and participating

2 hours ago, SouthernTierScouter said:

We actually don't know why you have to be an American to care about this sort of thing. It was just suggested me to this past weekend at a council training event we use "As a Citizen of the World..." to replace, "As an American..."

7 minutes ago, sst3rd said:

I realize this is an old thread, but I wanted to mention a few things. I have been mentoring a new SM and a rebuilding troop, for a few months. Their CC desperately wants these new scouts to go to summer camp this year. This SM is already overburdened. I'm trying to help her recruit more adult leaders to take appropriate pieces of the work she does, and take some pressure off of her.

With many years as a SM myself, this troop is already behind in summer camp payments and merit badge registrations. Catch up all the way around. Also, money is tight, but the CC feels with council scholarships and last second fundraising, things can happen. Our summer camp is always short on staff (they don't pay enough) and the program is thin. If you look at their brochure, they offer every available merit badge. That of course, is impossible to do, but to this council, it's a selling point, and that's all that matters. I will say over the last 5 years or so, the overall program has gotten better (info from friends of mind). My point is, over my over 40 odd years as a SM, we never attended our own camp. Neighboring council camps always had a better program and choices.

 

So off subject a bit; at our parent's summer camp meeting last night where the SM is throwing all of this last minute info at the parents, merit badge choices came up. Earlier in the evening I had suggested to this SM that each scout (there all new and first year summer camp) choose 4 merit badges max. Two required and two non required (fun things). She felt that was a good starting point. All the parents agreed, except one. This dad wanted his son to take 6 merit badges (there are 6 merit badge classes per day scheduled) and all required for Eagle. He said that this is the best opportunity for his son to get merit badges. Notice he said "get" not "earn." I explained to him the benefits of a balanced schedule for his new scout( 10 years old), but he would have none of it. I mentioned the benefits of some "down" time and some fun. Nope, he said. that's not what summer camp was about. My many years in scouting told me to back off, and turn things back over to the new SM and let her deal with him. Oh, and did I mention he was the prior short term SM who was removed by the IH, COR, and CC, for yelling and screaming at his scouts (both Pack and Troop as his son graduated a month ago) at meetings and camping trips. Yes, several scouts quit because of this. This is why I was brought in to mentor this new SM. This dad moved his son to two other packs to get him his AOL, but his son wanted to be with his friends, so they came back. This new SM assures me she can take care of this bully. She shouldn't have to deal with him. Anyway, sorry for going off topic. My mentorship ends next month. I've been reminded why I retired as SM a few years ago. When the bad outweighs the good, it's time to go.

I plan on staying in touch with the new SM, and guide her scouts to a better summer camp experience in 2019. 

sst3rd

Most camps now have a New Scout program that is specifically designed to work on TF / 2nd / 1st requirements and maybe a couple of merit badges.  Also need to be sure downtime and open time is included for random fun

We had a Venture crew at the CO.  They did not really engage with the troop.  Then they got low on numbers so they came to talk to the troop.  Challenge was our guys asked "what are the activities you have planned?"...the answer was "What would you like to do..."

They did not have a critical mass to sustain.  The only selling point was "we may have girls".  Venturing is way more relationship driven.  Tough to add to the established group.

They are there to assist with the crowds of girls that will be flocking to join the BSA

As an Huperson, I will do my best (as defined within the local area and in no way to be interpreted as implying other cultures may not strive to do their best) to
Be clean (as defined within the local area and in no way to be interpreted as implying other cultures may not be clean) in my outdoor manners
Be careful (as defined within the local area and in no way to be interpreted as implying other cultures may not be careful) with fire
Be considerate (as defined within the local area and in no way to be interpreted as implying other cultures may not be considerate) in the outdoors
Be conservation-minded (as defined within the local area and in no way to be interpreted as implying other cultures may not be conservation minded)

15 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

Why do you say that? I believe the traditional scouting program is dying, but I didn't see National separating the middle school age with high school age scouts. So I'm curious why you think they will.

Role modeling from the older scouts is the foundation of the highest performing patrol method programs. To take that away pretty much kills the boy run aspect of the program because the adults become the role models by default. And that is not the same.

Bingo

And we as leaders need to ensure the correct modeling is going on.  Scouts gives the older youth an opportunity to lead and be in charge.  They do not get that normally.  If we peel them off then they lose that learning experience and younger scouts are not able to see older scouts in action.

Well...there's always the old school way to keep up with things signed off

Or even older school way

Or oldest school way

On 3/16/2018 at 5:24 PM, fred johnson said:

This started because I'm arguing starting cubs at K & 1st grade is causing trouble.  It misrepresents what scouts is about.  It burns out families and is a major cause of troops being weaker.  Cubs should start in 2nd grade (or 3rd).  Let them try baseball and the other activities.  When they are ready for fire and knives and camping, try scouting.  

National wanted short term gain with adding 1st grader in Tigers and now K with Lions.  Burned out will become more commonplace.  And maybe burned out is not the right term but definitely institutional fatigue with the program.  Too much of the same thing, too many constituencies, etc.  Basically a youth joining now will have 6 Pinewood derbies, maybe 50+ pack meetings, and God knows how many Go and Sees at the local whatever.

Big challenge is Cubs and Scouts while within the same organization is really different.  Cubs are more social promotion, lockstep advancement, parents at the ready.  Scouts are the youth driving it, they make decisions, and it is less a "season" (Bear / Wolf / Webelos) it is more a long-term program they grow through

More money for National....