Laxplr21

This is an all too common story no matter what council you belong too.  I would just politiy remind the new parents, if you don't have  adult volunteers, you don't have a unit.  How you found the one new volunteer, great keep it going.  Do what you think you have to to get the help you need to keep a unit functioning.  In regards to the MB, I would not even listen to the parents in this case.  MB's are supposed to be initiated by the scout themselves.  It is there responsibility, not the parents.  It is designed to help them build courage to talk to new people and build social skills.  If they don't want to progress and find a replacement than that is on them.  Sometimes the parents need to butt out.  NOT EVER SCOUT MAKES EAGLE!  If the scout doesn't want to make the effort they don't get it.  Simple as that.  PLC is the one that decides what the scouts want to do.  If these parents take over, they will leave the troop in the long run.  The scouts plan their own activities.  Adults really are there just to corral possible ciaos.  Let the scouts mature themselves and stop interfering in the program they are taught to lead and run. 

Sorry if it appears I started going into a rant there myself.

I came from small town rural America in Nebraska.  For us it was just something to get. Go to ordeals, get to brotherhood and basically just wear your sash at special events.  Part of the problem for us is the chapter meetings where you can go and interact with other arrow men, was 15 miles away.  Also, most didn't have a car by the time they got in.  My parents and I'm sure most others would not want to drive out of the way just for an hour or two meeting for their kid and sit in the car (so to speak).  If I was in a larger metro city I may have been a little more active, but when growing up in a rural district that would take an hour just to drive to the other side of the district, there wasn't much practicable to invest that much time into it.

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I am currently in the Greater Omaha area and was suprised to hear Canfields was closing.  Granted there were not many outdoor stores in the area when I was younger and one of the general camping stores to visit.  I can't say I am too suprised they went out of business, larger stores like Cabela's/Bass pro shop, REI, LLBean etc are becoming more prominate all around the country.  These unique shops that don't have a brand name are getting fewer and fewer.  I first got my scout gear at a smaller sports store growing up.  It was nice not having to go to a scout shop an hour away when 30 mins worked.  It suprised me then, but not now since I've grown up and understand economics and business better now.  I get why this is happening, and with online shopping more available now then ever, it is not too suprising.  With all the issues that have become big news to the media with scouting (good and bad), it is not too suprising outside companies might not be too in favor for them in their stores.

BTW, the Canfield closure was big.  People lined around the building to get in.  The company was selling everything on the walls, including art they purchased for themselves.