Jameson76

Agree on the crossing over, that was not even a thing back in the day. You turned 11 and joined a troop. Remember was in Webelos, then went to Scouts. No big deal. Some guys had earlier birthdays so they wrapped up and left. Still recall my first Scout camping trip, and we did not camp as cubs back in the day, was off to the swamp and canoeing about. Best thing ever.

So...to be clear, I am not supposed to be running the Texas hold-em big blind games at camp? Admittedly the pots get way smaller after the first night and "the house" seems to have been the big winner. Will have to adjust the campsite events

Have you seen the amount of open treks listed? 62 crew openings in June 93 crew openings in July 145 crew openings in August

We all knew it was going to be headed this way. The only brick left in the wall (and it is a very very short wall) is CO's can choose to not have a BS4G troop at their location...for now...until the next FAQ release...or they just feel like it...or there is threat of a suit...of the media sort of wants it

Actually - Chartered organizations should have separate Scoutmasters for their boy troop and girl troop. That means not encouraged but not prohibited. If not allowed the wording would (I assume) be cannot

What's the over under on percentage of "Linked" (wink wink) troops with this configuration?

OK - So what are linked troops? That is a new phrase to the party

Typically no. We have 35 - 40 scouts each outing, so for driving we need 10 or so just to get there. If a parent is new we cover where the leaders camp, let the scouts do there thing, etc. If you go on more than one outing we will register you. We do require all that attend outings to be current with YPT. We have had some aged out scouts that come on occasion. They always think the YPT is sort of creepy. We never have moms attend, must be a vibe we give off. There have been some doting dads and the SM or outdoor person will give friendly chat about let them be. Sometimes we have to send a scout back to patrol areas who is coming looking for dad too much. On the flip side we get some whose kids do not ride to or from the outing with the dad, and actually never seem to speak with the dad. It all seems to work out. The new dads, especially those that have recently crossed over really like the troop camping plan.

We use the JASM, typically this is a former SPL, so they may not be there much. We have had success at Summer camp (we take 50 - 60) with some older scouts attending as they need to get some requirements complete. Works really well. Leader in camp works with the JASM who then backstops the SPL / ASPL's. Gives them responsibility and a good taste of leadership. Had a staff member who had an issue with a scout one time, came to see us, we referred him to the JASM and they worked it out.

The cash part is always a fun thing. We rarely deal with cash, mainly checks and paypal. That being said I have had someone pay for summer camp at the last week in cash before, advise SM and Treasurer, then had the cash at the house. After camp we settled up with a documentation of the cash. Received XXX for camp. Paid YYY out of pocket expenses at summer camp. Here is the remainder (or still need ZZZ) We are all volunteers. Document things clearly, but don't be a czar and bang your shoe on the desk, need to make it easy to do the business of the unit.

Funny part is at Philmont to lessen impact we all camped right together. That was different. Each adult had their own tent, but it was different being 3 yards from scouts as opposed to out of site. They were annoyed by the snoring but that was just a bonus

Don't be hating on the red beret

With the STEM (STEAM???) emphasis it may be some tech company. Apple Scouts Amazon Scouts Oracle Scouts

We have about one of these per year. They were active 5th - 8th, attained Life rank, were active for those 6 months, then High School comes along. They come back in during 11th grade and try to wrap it up. It may be the minimum, but that is all that is required. I really like the Eagles and older scouts that are active for the full time available, but then I like many things I cannot always have

That would be time to punch out

No doubt there is a committee in Irving working on this. Here are some suggestions Them Scouts They Scouts Sith Scouts Genderless Scouts Neutral Scouts Non-specific Scouts Unisexual Scouts Youth Scouts

Also known as the tetrox trots When I was enduring the cubs program and trying to not let my head explode, we were going to cook spaghetti for the den on an outing (family camping!!!) and heat the large pot on the fire. Guy whose pot is was got concerned about soot. Said let's soap the pot...crickets from the group. I told them to hang on, put on liquid dish soap, heated it, did a second coat, then we boiled and ate. It was like I was a wizard as the black soot on the bottom just washed away.

NOOO... Little Johnny needs our help to survive!!!

Try not to judge Boy Led (Y / N) just by outing planning. If the SM is deciding what to do when, then that could be a challenge. If the TLC is deciding what to do when, but the actual logistics are being done by an adult, sort of grey area. In our unit leaders sit with the TLC at annual planning, we provide the school calendar for reference, then a listing of past outings and events, how many attended, also they write down some new ones. There are some general parameters based on distance, G2SS (paintball comes up every year), and cost (yes you could maybe do that, let's hear about pay options). Then we wander off. Some are straight forward to plan and some we need more detail on. They wanted a lock-in several years ago. We discussed what would they do, times, what would be needed. CO was good with it and over the years this is a huge event. Sometimes we want to go to a State Park to do a specific activity. We have had to switch months due to conflicts at the park. Typically we sit back down with the TLC and advise. A leader will make the reservations, TLC will plan the activities Some units may have the TLC make the reservations and figure out how to maybe put in a deposit. Now meals, packing, loading, campfires, duty rosters, clean-up, etc. TLC works all that out. Same with instructional times, flag ceremonies and other meeting items

Some take COPE, some have taken some MB classes they have not had an opportunity to take prior (Welding / Metalwork / One took Orienteering), some have participated in the whitewater challenge (5 days / 5 rivers) some have taken the offsite options; backpacking / whitewater / other things. One Eagle took BSA Lifeguard one year. They assist as JASM's for the week and guide the new scouts. Our guideline is scheduled things during the morning before lunch. Afternoons enjoy the camp, some sleep all afternoon.

Never have I seen or been aware of ANY council or district professional or volunteer actually going out and meeting with successful units. Success being either sustained growth or maintained membership. Also they can check within the council on regular advancements for a unit. Do some benchmarking. What is this or that unit doing. Not all situations are repeatable, but likely with enough data points there will be some commonalities that can be used Some of these may be: Strong outdoor program Regular high adventure Outings where scouts have fun Youth led unit Regular meetings where scouts lead Regular TLC meetings where scouts plan Youth decide where to have outings and events Engaged leaders that mentor Adult leaders that realize scouting is part of the scouts activities and may not be their only activity

In the annual report (at least 2016) they also noted the 492,159 "Scouts" in Career based programs and Learning for Life. Also interesting drops since 1998 Cubs - 43% Boy Scouts - 19% (honestly less than I may have been led to believe) Venturing - 54% Total - 36% Pretty good drop for Cubs. Thought that was the growth area.

You can tell that the firm of Dewey, Cheathum, and Howe has been hard at work in Irving, TX What a joke, you have to be at least 14 to use these??? Pickaxe Mattock Posthole digger Wheel cart (1-, 2-, or 4-wheeled) Paint roller with extension pole Screwdriver (electric) Handheld sander (small) Cutting tools (e.g., Dremel, small) Paint sprayer (small, less than 50 psi) 16 or older to use these??? Residential lawn mower (self-propelled, riding) Commercial lawn mower (push, self-propelled, riding) Line trimmer (electric, gas-powered) Edger (electric, gas-powered) Leaf/grass blower (electric, gas-powered) Hedge trimmer (electric, gas-powered) Belt sander (electric, cordless) Pressure washer (50 to 100 PSI) But Everyone can use these tools Leaf/grass rake Hoe Shovel Hand clipper (small) Screwdrivers Nail hammer Handsaw Trowel Hose spray washer Wood sanding block (handheld) Wood chisel (Scouts with Totin’ Chip) Pocketknife (Scouts with Whittling Chip or Totin’ Chip) And over 18 for these Circular, reciprocating, jig, or radial saw Band and scroll saws Router/planer Chain saws Log splitters Wood chippers