Jameson76

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

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

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) toBe 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 mannersBe careful (as defined within the local area and in no way to be interpreted as implying other cultures may not be careful) with fireBe considerate (as defined within the local area and in no way to be interpreted as implying other cultures may not be considerate) in the outdoorsBe conservation-minded (as defined within the local area and in no way to be interpreted as implying other cultures may not be conservation minded)

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

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....

We have a sizable group of older (HS Scouts). Due to the troop makeup our SPL is typically a JR / SR in High School. Typically we try to have challenging outings and recognize that the HS group will self segregate from the younger group. Our patrols are multi-year so they do function for meals and gear setup, then tent with their friends. Our success in keeping them engaged is to have them do some of the classes (Scouts choose the subject not specific advancement details) and also we lean on them for outings and leadership there. You have to allow them some leeway, welcome them, and realize they may not be at all meetings

Because certainly that is why every 11 year old eagerly joins Boy Scouts; just hoping and hoping to be able to: Attend a city council meeting Have a family meeting Make a 12 week budget Keep a list of chores Write your representative

Railroading. There was a clinic. We did some prep work, then some class review. Then went to downtown, got on a train, did more MB stuff as the train rolled along. They has some RR enthusiast along

Good points and to add to them one must (for the sake of this discussion) separate CORPORATE BSA from Scouts running around camping Is BSA Corporate sustainable? - Not sure. There has been noted mismanagement of assets and spending. Most notably Summit and fixed retirement benefits exposure. Also has the overhead been structured to match the field reality?. That being said BSA National is one entity and I believe that local councils are a separate entity and then the units are in fact other entities. As members we are not obligated to pay council debts as the council is not obligated for any unit debts. This will no doubt come to a head in a few years. The hail Mary for including girls and the expected membership increases will likely not be in the magnitude needed. If BSA National folds and/or changes relationship the biggest hurdle will be the liability insurance question. In some cases that may be an improvement as local entities may be able to get lower rates if out from under the umbrella of National and long-term issues Is BSA as a concept in current form sustainable - Again, not sure. Certainly the organization is going to change. The addition of girls, linked troops, and likely coed units will heavily impact summer camps, any district or council activities, and in many cases local units as they change or do not change. This change will bring new leaders (hopefully) and sadly the departure of other with their institutional knowledge. Will BSA continue to promote their aims of character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Will they use and emphasize the methods - Scouting Ideals, Patrols, Outdoors, Advancement, Personal Growth, Adult Association, Leadership Development, Uniforms. Real question is will "BSA" (or whatever name) still be the group for youth leadership, youth being allowed to fail, and youth gaining a quality outdoor experience as they journey through scouting over several years OR will "BSA" become another activity that families and youth do for a season as an after school thing and then maybe move on to something else.

Speak for yourself...We have some varying designs stashed in the shed. We only threaten to use them if the District gets uppity. It is sort of a rite of passage for Scouts taking the Nuclear Science MB. Also we have them watch the the 1986 Classic "Manhattan Project"

Should we be worried when our boss informs us he now has a twitter feed and it might be good to check it daily?

Absolutely correct on needing multiple platforms When we started the original website many years ago, that was a huge step. Then we went onto the SOAR site build, linked PayPal and that was great new thing. Then for summer camp we went away from paper registration forms to Google docs, again step forward. Then about 6 years ago added Facebook for photos, again better presence, more visibility. Then we realized we were not communicating with the scouts, talked with them, we launched an Instagram feed. It is evolving as FB has really moved away from youth and more to parents. Instagram may (likely will??) be passe' in a few years and we will be on to something else

The challenge is the everchanging social media preferences The troop website can be used for: Communications Maybe a weekly e-mail to the registered parents Postings Registrations for events Payments if linked to an online payment Rosters Some public detail A troop Facebook page is useful for "what are we doing" now updates: Admittedly may not be the favorite platform Able to post annoucements Able to post photos You can limit tagging and who can post Keeps parents / other family members / unit alumni up to speed on items Then the question is, how to communicate or engage the Scouts. One option is instagram They can choose to follow the troop Announcements can be posted Photos from events can be posted Scouts can send photos to be posted Key is that likely the units will need to be one multiple platforms to get messages to different constituencies

emojis may not always be your friend

Huh Seems like a politico took advantage of a public event to strengthen his candidacy. While that is his right, as the BSA was in charge of the event, likely could have handled it better Apparently Mr Mesuer ran for the 10th district nomination in 08 and lost, the 11th district at some point and is now running for the newly remapped 9th district. The man does not seem to know the word "concede"

We have seen feedback that Cubs then Webelos gets waayyy redundant (how many times to a Fire Station). Also the pack meetings are sometimes challenging, there is a pretty big difference between a 1st grader (now a kindergartner) and the 5th graders. There have been some Cubs that leave and then join the troop when they are 11 For the ones in the troop we have seen this feedback My friends are not involved Do not like camping Sports (though we do realize they may be gone for a season) Needs more structure (guess the whole boy led and may fail not seen as value) Too many outings (once a month...seriously??) Just really not my thing

Not discounting your anecdotal experience But to be clear, there is nothing preventing her Girl Scout troop from doing any of the activities similar to a BSA unit. That is their choice. Not knowing the breakdown, demographics, or flow of participants within GSUSA; one would presume that if there was demand for mirror type activities similar to the BSA, then that would have been incorporated. Perhaps GSUSA is as tone deaf as BSA with regards to actual things that happen at the actual unit with actual scouts. As long as you sell cookies, all is well