an_old_DC

Not really. Look at the girls in Cub Scouts soft launch: there is an intentionally vague framework that encourages pack leadership to do “what they think is best”

And the need for money/membership

I am talking about BSA and troop culture not whatever you think I meant.

This just makes me sad and also illustrates why it is so difficult for some troops to run effectively--parents don't know the culture and wont learn it because they are too busy trying to change it to what they want.

We are being told by Council folks, using materials from National, that it is up to the pack's leaders to decide if girl dens and boy dens can meet at the same time and place to work on the same activity—and share the same DL. Isn’t that essentially a co-ed Den? Oh no, that’s just two dens who happen to share a meeting place. I have a hunch a girl troop and a boy troop will eventually be able to meet at the same time and place, and share the same adult leaders as well.

Sounds like you were at my pack and den meetings, but your forgot drop off the son and go to a coffee bar or wine bar.

I'm not too sure about Venturing. On the one hand, I am afraid BSA4G is going to kill Venturing because what few girls are interested will move over to troops to work on advancement. Then again, the few girls I have seen in our crew over the years were not interested in Venturing advancement at all. I am happy at least the age for Venturing was not lowered. The whole point has been for older boys and girls to do things without younger kids around. No 16-20 year old is going to want to be on the trail with an 11 or 12 year old. And besides, the crew couldn't go to Philmont, shoot pistols,

$600 is crazy. How about a $50 gift card to a local restaurant for him and his wife to go to dinner, and then get a Scouting book of some kind and have everybody sign it at a pack meeting or the B&G.

@Hawkwin, you forgot to add that she is a habitual rule breaker who deliberately and consistently flaunts that she is breaking the rules. Oh, and that she has been enabled since she was 5 or whatever by adult leaders who deliberately and consistently ignored BSA bylaws, and then had the sheer audacity to submit membership and advancement paperwork for her to their council, which they knew would be rejected.

I found it interesting there can be all-girl packs with all female leaders. Isn't that called Girl Scouts?

That's nuts. My Venture Crew of 12 would probably fold if our Council pulled that.

LOL. But I thought OP's council is charging the insurance fee, in which case National wont get any of that extra $12.

She is learning from her father (Gary) as evidenced by the continuous interview photo op cycle. In the end, she's just a kid. The SM, ASMs and committee members in her "unofficial" troop in NY are the folks who deserve blame for continuing this nonsense of "unofficially" earning MB and ranks. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Congratulations from one Legacy Family to another (my dad, me and both of my sons are Eagle Scouts).

What is the “$12 insurance fee”? Insurance is already in the fees National charges (and is why annual dues went up yet again). Is this a Council insurance policy, and if so, what does it cover?

Single gender programs are definitely the way to go....unless it’s inconvenient or National can’t figure out which way the wind is blowing on this today, or National realizes volunteers and a few councils will just do whatever they want anyway.

When I was SM I would not count cabin camping nights for Camping MB or OA eligibility, and I made sure the Scouts all understood well in advance.

Cowboy is a step up from Coyote camping. Although I am too old for either anymore, and need a foam pad.

In my experience, those folks will argue the point all day and say "the Insignia Guide doesn't say we "can't" wear it."

I am guessing the same as "coyote camping." That's where you are on the trail all day or building trail all day, drop your pack, lie down and sleep. No tent, no tarp, no sleeping bag: just sleep on the ground. That's how OA Ordeals were back in the day as well--lie down in your clothes and go to sleep. Maybe use your boots for a pillow.

Speaking of wise-guys, I hate it when some adults are wearing the "Old Goat" or "Rocking chair" patrol patch. Adult patrols? Please, that's called being an ASM or Committee Member.

You are spot on. Yes, I remember what it was like to be a boy in OA, and I am old enough to remember wearing tasteful warpaint and also old enough to remember when it was a true honor to be inducted because only one Scout could be nominated from each troop (as opposed to every Scout who is eligible). And yes, being on the ceremonies team was a real honor and we had tons of fun. We try to make it fun for the Arrowmen in my chapter, and ceremonies in full regalia is part of that. Fellowship weekends in my Lodge and conclaves are very well attended. Straight up work weekends or service

I have not heard any of this news and there is no way I would ever ask about it. My chapter will keep performing ceremonies with full regalia until we are told otherwise.

Is there any possibility that the SM can be replaced? That can be troublesome enough, and the new SM instituting a culture change would have a constant uphill battle, so recruiting a new SM would be challenging too.

I am hearing lots of concern from CMs that parents will think BSA stands for “baby sitters anonymous” and Mom and dad will drop off all the kids and go on date night. It already happens to some extent but the concern is it will get much worse and all the kids will get dumped. Then pack and den meetings will be disasters, nobody enjoys it, and boys, girls and adult leaders will quit.