malraux

Most covid restrictions have ended, and spring is a good campout period. Its certainly a question to ask of the SM to see if this is atypical.

You talk about the weekly troop meetings, but what about the campouts/weekend events? If he's having fun, and the troop campouts are somewhat scoutish then I wouldn't worry too much initially.

:snip: missed your later edit.

I'm somewhat of the opinion that the Ordeal process is a bad method of conveying that purpose. And having that being the starting event is going to lead to a lot of misunderstandings among the youth.

There's certainly a middle path between going by the book and adapting. Not all change is good, but not all change is bad. The program is local and flexible for a reason. For example, I personally think the taut-line hitch should be replaced with a more modern and effective knot. But learning to tie an adjustable knot that holds under tension is a big part of camping/scout or bushcraft. Similarly, functioning as a patrol is a big part of scouting. What exactly that means can vary, but keeping up with communal gear matters.

It’s just not true that the webelos leader book says parents can sign off.

It won't affect many kids, but patches a hole where before it was actually bad to have a 5th grader try to sign up unless they started at the very beginning of the year. But I can see a goal of trying to recruit 5th graders before they get into middle school

I'm pretty sure he made that claim in the bankruptcy specifically regarding the 72 hour rule being a major loophole. I would like to see data that the 72 hour rule was a significant source of risk though. https://www.andersonadvocates.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Michael-Johnson-Letter-to-Congress.pdf would seem to be a good statement of Mr Johnson's views.

Went to a nearby park for what my unit calls "BSA 101" targeted at the younger scouts. The goal is primarily to replace a lot of the Dan Boone Hill classes that most first year scouts get directed into at summer camp. The three youngest scouts all got through the last of tenderfoot and a good chunk of 2nd class. It also helps keep the unit together on procedures like how we handle the dining fly, the chuck box, etc. And since covid really slowed us down, it was a good chance to refresh everyone.

I would so love a test out/ test to shorten option for IOLS. I'll take the course when I can find one that doesn't interfere with a unit campout, but it's hard to make it a priority to spend a day learning to tie knots I already know. I'd actually appreciate a course that focused more in-depth on strategies to teach skills to youth, but I don't need to practice said skills myself.

Its very much a practical joke taken too far.

Staff vs senior staff would indicated to me mainly worked as a troop guide vs also worked at one of the upper level positions.

Does having a senior patrol leader make a troop cultish?

My impression is that the nova program works better at the cub level. It slots into things that adults can provide at big events (overnights, day camps, etc). Thus far I don’t see the interest as much at the troop level.

I’ll agree that supernova is a bit superfluous. But the nova program, especially in cubs, works pretty well.

The STEM Scouts program is already effectively dead. The rumor is that the whole of the NOVA/Supernova program going away. I'm not sure if I were to simplify the cub program if the nova program is where I'd start. While I see the need to cut some stuff out, I'm not sure how they evaluate the cost benefit of such things.

For someone who wants the most ludicrously over the top weird method of making coffee, I present the Bripe: https://briping.com

As I read it, you can assign functional positions to already registered leaders, but not use that as the primary registration. See page 13

Moreover how that statement is “welfare”.

To be a MBC you apply to the council, not to an individual unit.

MBC is a district/council role, not a troop role. The MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR INFORMATION form (34405WEB) has options wherein you can limit the scope of who you are willing to help. That said, conceivably, the council could limit who they approve as MBC to individuals who want to work with multiple units. Regarding your edit, I dunno if MBC are on the district committee as such. I guess they are under the advancement committee for the district, but like, if they never show up to a district committee meeting and have no responsibilities, that's not very meaningful.

oh come on.

If we are building a program with a lower limit of 18, is there a good reason to cap it at 21?

Keeping the rules we as leaders are supposed to follow secret seems like a bad idea.