malraux

Just now, OaklandAndy said:

They talked about doing a campout yesterday, but there wasn't much interest from the troop. Before that, I'm not sure when the last time they went camping is and don't want to speculate and make it seem like they are inactive out of ignorance. 

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.

2 minutes ago, scoutldr said:

The OA should provide opportunities for Leadership, Fellowship and Service.  That's the purpose, done right.

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.

Quote

The den leader signs each Scout’s handbook (Den Leader’s OK) and records progress in the den’s advancement records. The Webelos Scouts also keep track of their own advancement using the Adventure Tracking section in the back of their handbooks, and under the guidance of the den leader, they can also keep a record of their individual progress on a den advancement chart and den doodle. For requirements completed at home, the parent or other caring adult who worked with the Cub Scout on the requirements will notify the den leader, and the den leader will sign off on the requirements.

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

11 hours ago, PACAN said:

Whoopie do!   A 10 year old can join on 1 March instead of in three months when they finish 5th grade.  Is this change a retention issue?

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

2 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

I have not seen it yet, but did see the list of folks who are in it and contributed, and know our former national Youth Protection Director, Michael Johnson, is involved. I have two questions regarding him and his info.

 

1. What raw data is he using when he state, “The truth is clear: no child is safe in Scouts BSA programs.” I want to see stats, trends,  reports, etc to prove this is the case. And I want the raw data because as Mark Twain once said, " There are three types of lies: lies, damn lies, and then there is statistics."

2. If his statement is true, then what the heck was he doing for 10 years?

I ask this not to be a smart aleck, but to get some understanding. He was the one responsible for Youth Protection, and if he failed in his job, I want to know why.

 

 

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.

1 hour ago, fred8033 said:

I've heard good things, but I cringe when my fellow adult leader used his bripe.  It's like a coffee hookah.  I know it has nothing to do with it, but it teases a drug culture.  It's just something I want to avoid on a scout trip.  I want scouts to think I'm as basic as possible.  

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. 

12 minutes ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

I am a Nova and Supernova Counselor, and have been for years.  I have offered program support to our PLC, District, and Council.  In my six years in this council, only our Webelos Den worked on the Supernova, and one other Lone Cub Scout completed same.

It is one smaller, unrequired layer of an extremely complex tapestry of Ranks, Merit Badges, and Awards.  There just isn't that much interest... 

Guiding them on a somewhat narrower path to Eagle is about as much as most want to pursue...

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

52 minutes ago, PACAN said:

@FireStone   Haven't heard that rumor.  Was it the Program was going away in that no more NOVA or Super NOVA awards?   It could be the STEM Scouts program is what they are talking about.  IMO, The STEM scout program was another attempt to grow membership by appealing to the non-outdoors types.  These youth did not do a traditional program...basically live in the labs doing experiments.  Not sure they were even allowed to earn the NOVA awards.  I saw that their registration fee was around $200/yr.

 

Of course the flip side to this is that there will be another Eagle required MB called STEM Citizen!  😂

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

1 hour ago, Eagle1993 said:

struggle to see how the statement below would cause anyone to resign.  

Moreover how that statement is “welfare”. 

2 minutes ago, jcousino said:

thanks that fast so no internal merit badge councilors

 

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

15 minutes ago, jcousino said:

Needs some outside answers (do not trust my councils one's)

 

1 is  a merit badge councilor required to be on the district committee even if the have a troop spot

2, are then required to with all scouts or can they limit as what units they will work with.

 

thanks john

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. 

12 minutes ago, Wyobkr said:

Well, here we go again with DEI.  I know that there are folks who like it, but many think that people should acheive and stand on their own two feet, not be given welfare in one form or another.

oh come on. 

2 hours ago, DuctTape said:

If I was to design a BSA program for 18-21 y/o. I would...

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.