Jameson76

Philmont extended the "sign-up" lottery a couple of times. Are they not filling up as in past years? Also had several communications on 2018 availability

Well...if we go by current National Policy change methodology...just sort of do what you want with the shoulder loops, if it may in their opinion increase revenue or add members, no doubt it will be quickly codified.

And a very timely Brady Bunch episode...literally ripped from today's headlines http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0531140/

Agree and that was my take when I read the (now famous) 10/11 announcement. Follow up clarifications, talks, question sessions continually mention families and not just when talking about Cubs. There are many many family oriented activities and groups out there. An organization that hopes to be all things to all people, ends up being little or nothing to anyone. On our outings if we can teeter on the edge of Lord of the Flies (not to include the fire scene, rolling large rocks on kids, or burning up an island) then so much the better, There is mayhem there are disagreements, there are

I would respectfully say no. The BSA is for participants in patrols doing the program. It is (currently) many many things. A social family organization it is not nor was it ever intended to be. Remember, Scouting is program that using the patrol method and boys leading is designed and hoped to have failure as part of the outcome. If they burn a meal, forget some equipment, sleep cold, get wet, etc etc; that will reinforce that their decisions, or lack of decisions have consequences. Yes we as leaders provide a basic safety net. Before cold weather camping you may make sure

That boat has left the dock already. Local councils can attempt to distance themselves, but they cannot embrace the idea (Local SE meetings last spring) while trying to minimize the fundamental change to the organization when it comes time to ask for financial support. Many of the changes seem to be motivated solely by finances. Thus it would seem that finances may be the only thing that local and perhaps national BSA professional leadership will listen to that may drive policy changes. The dilemma is does one continue to provide financial support at an increasing level each year? If so t

On the FOS, one of our leaders was asked to give at a high level, their response (I will paraphrase) It appears that many of the BSA's decisions have been made for financial reasons, if I continue or expand my support I would be implicitly supporting those decisions I may not agree with. My support will be to the local troop and if a specific Scout or program oriented need is identified Most of us in the troop have that same opinion, and we are the highest FOS troop in the district. (well, up until the 2018 program I guess)

He talked for 30 minutes, not sure about answering anything. The CSE is really a politician, we've got questions and he's got anecdotes and stories.

Cub scout campouts...tents the size of houses, enough gear to lay siege to a castle, cars literally parked everywhere, people arriving constantly, people departing constantly...do not miss those Agree that the constant mention of "family" is concerning. What does it really mean, what next will change.

It will be up to local Cub Scout Packs, parents and chartered partners to choose whether to include boys and girls in family packs or only serve boys or girls; we anticipate a similar structure at the Boy Scouts level. Using logic, if there is a family pack and there will be a similar structure at the Boy Scouts level (CSE words) then there will / could be family troops If there is a family pack and there will be a similar structure at the Boy Scouts level (CSE words) then there will / could be family troops It will be up to local Cub Scout Packs, parents and charte

This is the statement. Not out of context, the whole sentence: It will be up to local Cub Scout Packs, parents and chartered partners to choose whether to include boys and girls in family packs or only serve boys or girls; we anticipate a similar structure at the Boy Scouts level. Clearly the intention (similar) is to have "family" and / or co-ed troops This was the statement on 10/20 (a clarifying statement from the Big 3 junta) While our curriculum is relevant both to boys and girls, our commitment to single-gender offerings remains the same. Our decision does not make our

Good Lord - time to move on Siblings / Kids staying with parents / Kid with the soccer ball needs to be dealt with Yes Yes Yes - Same feedback we have had. There was a really great parent we approached to be active in outings, he advised son had asked him to not be as they wanted their space. We did have a place for him behind the scenes. He went to camp with us for the week (we take 55 - 60 each time to two different camps each summer) I honestly did not see him speak to his son at all except on Saturday when we loaded up and headed home

We looked at Summit and while it was interesting, for what is offered there, I can do it for 1/2 the cost locally (we live in a state with mountains, etc). As has been noted, more experience and less actual high adventure You do have a good catch on the legacy portion. Part of the beauty of Philmont (other than the actual beauty) is that it looks very similar and the trek is very similar to what was done 40 - 50 years ago or longer. I went as a youth, then went 10 years later as an Explorer post advisor (all of this in the 70' and 80'). Then I went 3 years ago with my son and current t

The TPG's (Trading Post Girls) are all part of the marketing plan...a plan to extract as much cash from campers as possible

Assuming $100 profit from each attendee and with the Jamboree in 2021, would need 1,360,000 to attend. That is doable

Just for fun also note that in 2012 National Council issues debt to finance the development of the Summit, $175 MILLION in 10 Year tax exempt bonds. There is a balloon payment of $136 MILLION in 2022. Guess National will start admitting emotional support animals...for the right fee

If you wonder where the cash went or is in fact going, look at page 35 of the Annual Report (2016). There is Note 5 which details Land, Building, and Equipment. High Adventure bases (Philmont / Sea Base / Northern Tier) less accumulated depreciation of $28 million are on the books for $53 million Summit less accumulated deprecation of $30 million is on the books for...wait for it....$364 million dollars. Yes Summit is on the books for almost 7 TIMES the value of the other 3 High Adventure bases. I find that concerning. If BSA dumped that kind of cash and infrastructure there, just the

Good Lord the amount of cash dumped into the Summit is likely never to be known. You know they are selling day passes and locals passes to the Summit for non Scouts to generate up some cash, right? It is literally trying to do everything for everyone, sort of Disneyesque. And it it hemorrhaging cash daily. As we speak of surveys and market research, what crystal ball told them there was untapped and unfulfilled need for a high adventure base in WV?

For none of these ranks does it say how far away from home, etc the camp should be. If they meet the requirement, then sure For Tenderfoot the requirments Camping and Outdoor Ethics 1a. Present yourself to your leader, prepared for an overnight camping trip. Show the personal and camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it. 1b. Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop[1] campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch. 1c. Tell how you practiced the Outdoor Code on a campout or outing Cooking 2a. On the campout, assist in preparing one of the meals.

This is from the 10/11 announcement Families today are busier and more diverse than ever. Most are dual-earners and there are more single-parent households than ever before [1], making convenient programs that serve the whole family more appealing. Additionally, many groups currently underserved by Scouting, including the Hispanic and Asian communities, prefer to participate in activities as a family. Recent surveys [2] of parents not involved with Scouting showed high interest in getting their daughters signed up for programs like Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, with 90 percent expressing inte

But that is the fun of tubing, the aloft part as you skip them off the wake and watch them fly off skimming over the lake. Good times

Yep I see that now Tow sports seems to indicate YES Tow Sports All participants in towed activity afloat (waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing, etc.) must have successfully completed the BSA swimmer classification test and must wear a life jacket with an impact rating consistent with the activity. Supervision must include both a skilled boat driver currently trained in Safety Afloat and a separate observer. Participants should observe the Water-Skiers Safety Code and the Boat Drivers Safety Code found in Aquatics Supervision, No. 34346. Use only floats specifically desig

Candidly not sure we follow 100% of these, but many are allowed in some form Paintball - Yep have to use targets to be compliant Laser Tag - Yep have to use targets to be compliant Water guns - Not specifically mentioned by name Water Tubing - Tubing is allowed with PFD's Four wheeling - As part of council program to be compliant Personal Water Craft - Yep Towed Para Sailing - Yep Hot Air Balloon rides - Yep unless tethered Dodgeball ( i still argue this it's different that using paint/laser guns) - Well not mentioned by name so...... Introductory Karate Class with qualified instr

My word that is bad. Our troop has 100 +/- in the unit, in the 10 years I have been with this trip only have had this happen once. Mom and younger sibling came as we were camped at a State park. No specific issue until her second trip into the scouts area. We had a word and then she went to another part of the SP. Obviously the Leader is not really a leader but a parent. Most of our scouts would be the first one to not want "parents" and especially younger siblings camping with us. We do have some conversations with some leaders on a little too much help. Try to keep it upbeat and i

You have noted the heart of the matter - so that on Day 1 there are actually troops in place, with charters and leaders and youth members and meeting rooms and camping schedules, maybe some equipment, maybe a bank account, maybe a troop flag, maybe some training already done, maybe the handbooks and leader books and program helps and etc. already in the hands of those who need them, the whole nine yards, all ready to go. That is the real crux of the situation, who is going to do all the training, recruiting, etc. Actually starting new troops (not including outreach council setup troops) i