Jameson76

Some of our Scouts asked the same thing, they really liked our week long Troop summer camp last summer. The leaders all tried to downplay that option, running a troop camp is a lot of work. Not enough time for afternoon naps, etc.

It does take an involved cadre of leaders and involved parent leaders In 2019 out troop sent 3 crews to Seabase (6 leaders), 1 crew to Philmont (3 leaders), Summer camp in June (7 leaders) and Summer camp in July (5 leaders). And as others have noted, 10 monthly campouts / events. Good number of support leaders with reservations, medical form rechecks, finances, transportation, etc. This does take independent planning by the crew and summer camp leaders. With the Greenbard our outdoor chair initiates the items, but then a key leader runs with the actual event. Traditionally we do two summer camps (June and July) and 1 HA trip (Seabase of Philmont) annually.

Not to downplay the outbreak, but if they had 750 - 1,000 Scouts (Youth / Leaders / Staff) in camp the % of the outbreak is 0.3% to 0.4%. If the goal is 0% risk of Covid then no activity will ever take place. Possibly a more directed action could have taken place. Just suggesting that maybe apply the scalpel rather than the sledgehammer when situations like this inevitably arise.

Start with "Let me talk with you about a great Multi Level Marketing opportunity with Amway..." and see what transpires 😀

Agree I had some 17.5 year olds come to camp with us. Just enjoying their last time at camp as a youth

So true. I was our outdoor chair for many years and would work with the Greenbar on where we would camp and what we could do on outings. When the SPL would develop the plan for the weekend I always mentored them that have some things to do, but never to much. Leave time (especially in the afternoon) for downtime, wandering, etc. With summer camp I have to talk some parents down and explain that their Scout does not have to come back with forty leven merit badges to have a successful summer camp. Yes we schedule them in the morning classes (mainly so the leaders can have a nap and quiet time in the site) but leave the afternoon open for free period to go swimming, hiking, or just hanging out at camp. It is a balance to have some direction but also to let the Scout self determine what to do.

Our troop goes and does stuff. That is the goal. On many occasions we get a parent (or leader) that feels we should have "advancement outings", work on this or that specifically. The SM and key leaders always push back on that and continue to just push going and doing stuff. Go have fun. Now just because we do not have specific advancement thrusts on outings, does not mean that advancement does not (or cannot) happen on an outing. I always like working with Scouts on Camping merit badge, first we camp (not including summer camps) over 20 nights a year so most Scouts get that part easily. Then when we get to the other parts of requirement 9 and they realize that through normal weekend outings, they have accomplished all of that. Scouts playing cards, cutting things with knives, burning food, tenting in the rain, building fires, and doing random hikes in the forest to overlooks, waterfalls etc is what we do. Go do stuff

Couple of observations 1) Actually that is pretty good summation that BSA has sort of lost the focus on it's core constituency, the boys or now the youth. If you look over a councils program offerings it's all about families (not that families aren't important) and adult training, etc. etc. For those of us that have been around for a long while we can remember that the focus used to be how do we get more Scouts out and about and camping in the outdoors. Not really sure what the focus is now. 2) Not really sure that TL is a viable alternative at this time. Yes BSA has lost membership, but even now it is 25 - 30 times larger than Trail Life. That certainly may change in the near term, but they have a ways to go to be really relevant.

I don't disagree on "teaching" leadership. My definition would the experiential leadership learning that occurs when a troop functions. As a patrol leaders how do you get things done, what works and what doesn't work. When do you have to involve the SPL, when do have to go through the woods and involve the adult leaders? That is the leadership I was referring to. When Scouting is done correctly in the wild, Scouts (the youth ones), learn how to manage and get things done in their group of peers. They learn if they do not adhere to some type of timetable stuff does not in fact get done. They learn to assign tasks, to divide duties, that working together can be successful. They learn that not everyone can do every task to the same skill. Timmy may can cook, Tommy can tie knots, Davey can figure out where to setup tents, Joey can start a fire, etc etc. Together they can accomplish more than they can do separately. That is the leadership I was referring to. Organizing a police line, fixing a tarp in the rain, determining how to cook a meal when key ingredients are left at home, and working with the new Scout as they learn the ropes. That is the leadership I meant. Maybe Self Confidence / Self Determination / Self Reliance could be a better description. Understanding they can be in charge of their own destiny and are ultimately responsible for the CHOICES THEY make That is what we are selling and the benefits of Scouting (and having fun and not realizing they are getting some learning)

Let's hope that we don't have a group that wants to "re-imagine" the BSA and it's programs. The Cub movement toward heavily family oriented over the last 10 - 15 years was not getting in the droves of new members, adding females (not debating that) also did not result in massive new numbers. BSA needs to play to the strengths. Leadership, skills development, outdoor adventure. Get some ACTUAL marketing going on a LOCAL and NATIONAL level. Sell the program to the Youth with some selling to the parents. Show Youth doing things, going out and having FUN. Troops (can't speak for Cubs) that go and do STUFF and have the youth LEAD the stuff are successful. Not anything against all the STEM items but that may not be our core competency. Also get away from the merit badge mills and lockstep advancement expectations for the Scouts BSA program. Get the Youth out and about, interacting with their peers while leading and having adventures. That is what is needed and that is what we (BSA) needs to sell

We have said the same thing

Typically at summer camps 30% - 40% and I would assume the same for Philmont. Our council camp was the same as most staff typically work +/- 3 summers. This year about 2/3 new as opposed to 1/3

On the salaries - From the 2019 - form 990 (CEO/Secretary) Base, Bonus, other compensation $459,042 - Total compensation (retirement / nontaxable) - $622,731 (Deputy Scout Executive) Base, Bonus, other compensation $189,411 - Total compensation (retirement / nontaxable) - $261,6901 (Director of Development/) Base, Bonus, other compensation $155,602 - Total compensation (retirement / nontaxable) - $177,294 (Director of Field Service) Base, Bonus, other compensation $151,268 - Total compensation (retirement / nontaxable) - $194,938 (Director of Support Service) Base, Bonus, other compensation $146,684 - Total compensation (retirement / nontaxable) - $185,891 (Accounting Manager) Base, Bonus, other compensation $101,634 - Total compensation (retirement / nontaxable) - $165,897 For 2019 revenue of $14.3 MM and salaries and other compensation $6.5 MM

On the experience of staff, feedback is that at Philmont, which has about 1,500 - 1,800 seasonal staff, they were indicating that 2/3 of the staff are first year. Lots of staff did not return and the "institutional knowledge" has not been passed on due to the pandemic gap.

We had discussion with the camp director in the later winter at the council camp concerning Block Schedule or Cohorts, that was NOT in their plan. They wanted to have a NORMAL camp or maybe not at all. They are in week 4 of 8 now. We went week 2. Maybe 1,000 scouts a week. Basically ran like normal. Maybe more emphasis on hand washing before meals, but no real changes. Scouts had a great time. Very very few masks, but we are in the Southeast. If they had programmed with block schedules or required cohorts we would have run our own summer camp like we did in 2020

Interesting questions and one we have asked many times in our council. It is a rather LARGE list of characters. Honestly do not know what they all do. With the advances in technology most of the mundane items should be automatic. For our Council 56 professional / hired staff Several Development and Marketing. Only about 25% are actual unit facing staff (Sr DE, DE or the apparent title District Director). I keep hearing recruitment but honestly, the local DE does not even know who the unit leaders are as we try to coordinate with the packs. Guy has two districts, maybe 30 units TOTAL and we've never really seen him. Amazing all the overhead. The old question holds true in our council - Do you raise money to have Scouting OR do you have Scouting to be able to raise money. We are definitely in the latter part of that with the council holding actual leaders that do actual Scouting in low regard. We are polite and reciprocate that feeling, basically ignoring them. COUNCIL STAFF - Seems to be 56. Professional staff and hourly non-professional. There are 5 rangers but the councils does have 3 large properties. Scout Executive/CEO 1 Deputy Scout Executive 1 Director of Safe Scouting & Support 1 Safe Scouting & Operations Director 1 Director of Camping and Customer Service 1 Director of Development & Marketing 1 Senior Development Director 1 Development Director 3 Development Team Coordinator 1 Marketing and Communications Director 1 Director of Field Service 1 Senior Field Director 1 Assistant Director of Field Service and Scoutreach Director 1 Program Director 1 Field Director 2 Senior District Executive 1 District Director 3 District Executive 11 Field Service Administration Support 1 Program Specialist 4 Program Specialist and Brand Ambassador 1 Program Center Manager/ Registrar 1 Accounting Manager 1 Accounts Receivable & Fundraising Specialist 1 Assistant Accounting Manager 1 Camping and Program Assistant 1 Customer Service Specialist 2 Building & Print Shop Manager 1 Camp Ranger 5 Executive Assistant 1 Executive Assistant Field Service 1 Executive Assistant to Scout Executive/CEO 1 Maintenance 1

I agree about "don't know exactly what I expected from council but it would have been nice to see them make an effort". It seems the council felt virtual was the best thing ever and the less they had to do. Could still raise money, still pay salaries, close the camps so money saved there but no real PROGRAM input. Candidly we don't really need them, so over the years we don't look to district or council for anything but filing paperwork. And they wonder why we don't sell popcorn or really care about FOS

Troop was at summer camp last week. We had 20 + Scouts and 5 leaders. Total of about 1,000 Scouts, 150 leaders, 125 staff (+/-) in camp. Nice to be back after running our own camp last year Program ran like normal, which was good No cohorts or group requirements Some changes to food service, but not onerous The camp was somewhat short staffed Main challenge was college aged Scouts as colleges had reduced tuitions for the summer Also pay challenges with other businesses paying more and jobs plentiful Talked with leaders and most (like our unit) felt the virtual meetings were not a good replacement to move Scouting along All seemed to have found a way to meet during the pandemic and with CO's shut down NOTE - none mentioned (including our unit) of any district or council proactive leadership on this All units seemed to have lost some newer Scouts during the crossover and shutdown of Mar 2020 - June 2020, most have reached out to those Scouts but not much traction Many units are concerned for the health of the Cub Packs they work with Some not meeting Some are down 50% Will be an issue on progression of youth in the program next several years Camp has a leader dinner on Thursday, would have been good to have SE there acknowledging the struggle is real with COVID and bankruptcy Maybe acknowledging the future is charted but not 100% Maybe thank the leaders not only for being at camp but also for in fact still being in Scouting and still working to bring the promise of Scouting to youth A missed opportunity though not unexpected as the Senior Professionals on the Council seem to have a disdain for the lowly unit leaders The property was in decent shape despite not much use for the last year Scouts had a great time

I was at our council camp last week. Wandered around picking out my potential new home site. Mountain and lake view preferred. Just kidding but sad that the properties are clearly in the discussion.

Good questions. If your whole troop is attending maybe let the patrols be the patrols. We typically build on the existing patrols and get an even number in each patrol. Then there is a duty roster for the day / week and each patrol has assigned responsibilities that vary by day. Flags, waiter duty at the dining hall, site trash haul out, latrine cleanup, filling the water and gatorade. PL's lead that. On the tent mates we let the Scouts select who they will tent with. Honestly about 95% or our Scouts sleep in hammocks, so the tent is more of a warehouse. Look over the forms from the camp. Work with your SPL or Camp SPL on activities the troop can do together as part of the program. DO NOT OVER SCHEDULE. Sometimes Scouts hanging out playing card games is the best thing. Most camps have free or open activity time, let them select. Also we have them days for the troop so out Scouts have similar things they wear. Favorite sports teams day, Superhero day, Camouflage day, College Booster Day, Merica Monday etc etc Above all, HAVE FUN

The challenge we had with cell phones was that it limited actual social interaction. A few years back it was did not want to see them out, use them for music in the tent, etc. As leaders we did not want to be the cell phone police. It was a decision that worked for us. With no phones there were more group games, short hikes, cornhole games, and group interaction than a bunch of Scouts hunched around phones. Basically we do not allow them at meetings or actually at the outing. To and from yes. If we are someplace that may be of photo value absolutely. Scouts leave them in glove compartments of cars or in a box we have. Had one Scout working on a PE class for school last week at summer camp, he came and got it, did his work and exercise thing, dropped it back off. We even lent him some battery power to charge.

Never really seen commissioners, concept is great, just never really seen on in many many (oh so many) years as a leader Who really cares. Do what is BEST for YOUR unit. The most poorly attended events for our unit were the camporees and council events. They did not resonate with our guys, so, the Greenbar leadership dropped them. They did ask if they could and we advised they decided on the program, so that's what we did. Who actually cares what the district or council thinks about how YOUR Scouts run THEIR program. If you get grief at roundtables, don't attend those events. Who needs that in their life. Our focus is on the Scouts in our unit.

$72 for youth. Yeah yeah, great value etc, but it is getting pricey Over the last year, we have seen the Scouting community come together, even while being physically apart, to bring solutions, relief and comfort to those in need. Scouting continues to be a vital partner for communities across the country. The value of Scouting is undeniable for those within the program and the greater public, and the Boy Scouts of America is committed to continuing to offer this unmatched opportunity to young people and families nationwide. It is important that we all reach out to Scouting families who might have left the program due to pandemic reasons and invite them back. We should also be thinking about how to invite new families to join. The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has worked to keep the membership fee as low as possible. Unfortunately, operating costs have continued to rise, and COVID-19 has compounded the need to increase the fee to maintain the program. To ensure we have the resources to fulfill the promise of Scouting, the updated national membership fee is $72 for Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts participants $45 for Exploring participants $30 for council-paid memberships $45 for all adult volunteers (includes cost of background check) $75 for a unit charter fee The membership fees will take effect August 1, 2021, for the 2021-2022 program year. The one-time $25 joining fee for new program participants in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts is still required; however, there is no joining fee for Exploring participants, participants previously registered in any BSA program, those transferring from one program to another, council-paid memberships, or adult volunteers.

Been called many things, yes facetious is one them. In this case I am bring very factual from my own experience The CONCEPT of the commissioner is right on target. The execution in most cases is lacking

You guys seriously meet with commissioners? Unless there are pics, gonna call that "unproven" We are in a large council and they seem to have professional staff all over the place (at least 5 in marketing and untold number in "development") On paper there seem to be Commissioners; Council, assist Council. asst to the regional manager commissioner, Commissioner colleges, commissioner meetings, etc etc. They seem to have commissioner gathering at times. In our District on the calendar there is a monthly commissioner meeting. In 40 years as a leader in 4 different councils, 5 different troops I have met a commissioner once. With my current troop over the last 14 years never seen one. Concept is great, reality is much different.