MacBrave
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Posts posted by MacBrave
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The Crossroads of America Council in central Indiana appears to have finalized on a new fee structure. From a PDF council volunteers received last week:
A couple of things to note. When this plan was first introduced back in February the yearly amount was not $160 but $240, with the preferred payment mechanism being $20 a month automatically charged to a families credit or debit card. There was such an outroar over this the council leadership retreated for several months and have returned with this. Yay. I still hold to my personal opinion that this will decimate membership in the outlying rural counties of the council, which is where I currently serve as a volunteer.
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A link to the PDF that was used to present this new "Adventure Fee" to CAC volunteers at last week's district roundtables is here:https://crossroadsbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PP.pdf?vgo_ee=PEyTUlc0mr504drzrLyWRWVLY1pGRWb2%2B0FTX4hhTec%3D
And as a long time volunteer in the Crossroads of America Council at both the Pack and Troop level I do not approve of this fee.
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Noticed that requirements #6 and #8 require a parent or guardians approval/help. What if a scout can't get that approval or help to complete these requirements?
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Recently received this email from our Scout Executive, Crossroads of America Council:
This email is being sent to the Charter Organization Representative, Unit Committee Chair, and Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and Crew Advisor in units chartered by Methodist churches.
Dear Key-3:
As you may know, the Resident Bishop of the Indiana Conference of Methodist Churches recommended local churches no longer serve as chartering organizations for Scouting Units after December 31, 2021. We received information this week that has changed that situation.
The Church and the BSA issued to the following joint statement regarding the status of units chartered by United Methodist Churches.
The Boy Scouts of America and United Methodist leadership continue to work together to resolve matters related to BSA’s financial restructuring and have agreed, in the best interest of the young people who participate in Scouting, to strongly recommend to United Methodist Church chartering organizations and Boy Scout Councils to extend existing Charter Agreements and Facility Use Agreements in force at this time through March 31, 2022. There will be no additional fee required from those chartering organizations through March 31, 2022. This will pause new chartering, re-chartering and the use of facility use agreements with United Methodist churches. This automatic extension will allow Boy Scouts of America, United Methodist leadership, and other parties in the bankruptcy case time to resolve important issues affecting Chartered Organizations, including a favorable release for Chartered Organizations for any Scout abuse claims.
We are extremely pleased with this announcement as it allows Scouting to continue uninterrupted for the Scouts, leaders, and Scouting families in units chartered by Methodist churches.
<list of call date/times follow>
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22 hours ago, Armymutt said:
Bylaws state that all adults must have a child in the pack. Only exception is the COR. There's a big difference between a troop and a pack.
Wow, I know of several long running packs in our area that would have folded if this bylaw was in effect.
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10 hours ago, mashmaster said:
My son swares by smartwater water bottles.
I reuse smartwater bottles when I go on backpacking trips where weight is a concern. Never have had an issue with them breaking.
For just general troop 'plop' camping and day hikes I usually take my 5+ year old camelback chute bottle.
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Ransburg Scout Reservation, owned by the Crossroads of America Council and located south of Bloomington, IN recently published a series of Covid guidelines for the 2021 summer camp season, covering items from a pre-camp Covid screening to the dining hall.: http://www.ransburgbsa.org/covid19
Most if not all of them have this regarding mask wearing:
Masks:
⚜ If the participant is unvaccinated, a mask must be worn at all times while indoors except while engaging in certain activities like eating, drinking, sleeping, or showering. Masks must be worn outdoors when unable to social distance at least six feet.
⚜ If the participant is fully vaccinated, a mask is not required to be worn, but may be worn for comfort, peace of mind, or out of an abundance of caution.
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On 5/7/2021 at 1:36 PM, CynicalScouter said:
Is there ANY recording, ANY documents, ANYTHING to show the role of a SM in a PLC? Thanks.
QuoteIn addition to making sure the rules of the BSA are followed and being a good mentor and positive role model, a key role of the Scoutmaster is to make sure the Patrol Leaders’ Council is equipped with the necessary tools and skills so they can run the troop. A strong, well-functioning troop is run by its youth members.
At our monthly PLC meeting I usually just inform/remind the SPL of any upcoming events on the troop calendar then get out of the way and let him do his thing. I'm at a nearby table listening to the meeting while doing other things, and am of course available should the PLC have any questions or want my input.
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1 hour ago, RobertCalifornia said:
I’ve scoured the Internet for information. This forum is it.
Where else would/should one discuss it?
Not exactly a typical internet forum but there is this: http://scouts-l.net/
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On 11/25/2020 at 9:20 AM, Eagle94-A1 said:
I hope they still plan on having a wilderness area for Scouts.
They don't really have one now, unless you call a large open field area with a couple shelters and archery/bb ranges a wilderness area. The trouble with Camp Belzer is that the city of Indianapolis grew up around it and it is now more of a "urban camp" than anything else. Our troop has camped there a couple times, once for a district camporee and the other for a troop campout. We really didn't really enjoy the experience. Raccoons were rampant and you had the constant drone from nearby interstate 465 to keep you awake all night.
The camp is home to a pretty good Voyaguer Canoe Training program though. But IMHO other CAC owned camps like Ransburg, Krietenstein and Kikthawenund are much better facilities for scouting. And don't get me started on what other grand ideas Mr. Wiltrout has proposed/implemented for the council.
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Here is a link to a recent Indianapolis Star article stating over 300 Hoosiers have filed abuse claims: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2020/11/16/boy-scouts-assault-claims-indiana/6220598002/
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We held our own summer camp in mid-June, right after our state's covid restrictions moved to the appropriate level.
Been meeting in person since then, although outside at an open-air shelter behind our CO. They haven't given us a date yet on when we can start meeting indoors, hopefully not long after Labor Day.
Had an outing the first weekend of August to a state recreation area.
September outing will be at a state park, and hopefully canoeing if we can find a livery that can accommodate us. The livery we have used in the past has drastically reduced the number of trips they are offering, may have to go with another outfit.
October we may be attending a fall district/section camporee, depends on the PLC's decision. We weren't going to be able to attend this because the organizers scheduled it the same weekend as a local festival where we traditionally run a food booth (our primary unit fund raiser), but the festival was canceled about a month ago so that weekend is now open.
November is open right now, but I hear the district/section spring camporee that was originally planned for April has been moved to the first weekend in November (?), so the PLC may want to do that or maybe have our own campout at a local camp.
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Ransburg Scout Reservation in Indiana is allowing units who had reservations for the cancelled 2020 summer camp season to register for the same week, same campsite for 2021 beginning 7/1/2020 and running through 7/22/2020. After that any open weeks and site are fair game for other units.
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Before the pandemic started our unit had a reservation at Camp Daniel Boone in North Carolina. It was for early August to camp for two nights as part of a whitewater rafting trip. Three weeks ago they confirmed to us that our stay was still a go, they just needed a firm head count to know how many of their standing wall tents to reserve for our stay. Then two days ago we get an email from the camp stating that they have changed their mind, no out-of-council troops units will be allowed to stay to ensure they have the space for their in-council units.
*sigh*
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We are currently discussing running our own sort of mini-camp the same week we were going to attend summer camp. Depends on a number things, one of course parent buy-in as to the safety of such an activity. Will also depends if our state (Indiana) is in the appropriate "stage" as laid out by our Governor and his team.
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Crossroads of America Council has just cancelled all their summer camps for 2020, although they are offering an "Adventure Box" option for Cub Scouts and a virtual "Summer Experience" for Scouts BSA units: https://www.crossroadsbsa.org/resources/camp-2020/
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Crossroads of America Council released this Summer Camp update yesterday:
QuoteWith COVID-19 presenting an unprecedented impact to each of our daily lives, the health and safety of all our campers, leaders, and summer staff will always be our primary concern. Volunteer and professional leadership of the Crossroads of America Council recognize that Scouts and leaders have been planning for months to enjoy a life-changing summer camp experience.
We are hopeful for a great Camp 2020 Summer Season. We continue to assess our ability to operate within the guidelines of state and local authorities, the CDC, and the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
As the Stay-At-Home order in Indiana currently expires on May 1st, we anticipate receiving further guidance around that time. On Monday, May 4th, we will provide an update on the 2020 Summer Camp season specific to each camp property.
We remain committed to providing high-caliber program opportunities for our Scouting family. For now, please stay healthy, continue Scouting at Home, and encourage all your Scouts to look out for each other and our communities.So it looks like May 4th is now the "decision date".
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17 minutes ago, ItsBrian said:
I’m actually shocked the camp is planning to start at the end of May. That’s very close if you think about it. I have a feeling it will not be starting until later in June.
I don't know how they can start it later in June without either a) cancelling those troops who had early to mid-June reservations or b) move the end of the camp season back to mid-August.
Both have their issues with a) will most likely cause a lot of ill-will for those canceled troops and b) being you will lose the majority of your camp staff if the camp season runs much past August 1st. Most public schools here in Indiana start up in early August, not to mention the college aged kids.
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This is part of the email that was sent out on 4/3 to unit leaders in Crossroads Of America Council, regarding summer camp at Ransburg Scout Reservation which is located south of Bloomington, IN.
QuoteFirst and foremost, I hope you, your families and Scouts are all well and staying healthy. We understand there is a lot of concern and questions about how COVID-19 could affect summer camp. Please know that we are monitoring developments regarding this health crisis with our Council Health Supervisor from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
We continue to prepare for summer camp and look forward to welcoming all our Scouting families this summer!
We have recently sent contracts to our camp staff, we continue to secure supplies, and we just finalized a dining hall menu with our new food service provider.
At this time, our goal is to operate camp on the published calendar as originally planned. In order to do that, to the best of our ability, we need to maintain the schedule in place (reservations, merit badge selection, payment structure, etc.)
**We are keeping the early bird deadline set to April 15.**
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After 4/15 the fee goes up by $20, and $20 more after 5/15. This year the summer camp season is scheduled for 5/31/20 to 8/1/20.
Since our troop is also not meeting in person, I've told our families to contact me and we can work out a time when they can either drop the payment off at my home or I will come to them if need be. We'll see how it goes.....
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Crossroads of America Council's current policies: https://www.crossroadsbsa.org/announcements/
QuoteCouncil Events
All Council and District events have been postponed until April 13, 2020. All offices and Scout Shops will be closed to foot traffic, but will respond via email or phone calls as needed. We will reevaluate the situation on April 13.
Should you have any questions or concerns about a specific upcoming event or activity, please reach out to the event organizer or district executive. We will do everything we can to answer your question using the information available to us.
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Unit Meetings
Effective immediately, all face-to-face unit meetings are to be delayed until Monday, April 13, 2020. We will reevaluate the situation on April 13.
Please feel free to use technology to host virtual meetings and encourage parents to use this opportunity to teach their kids the lessons that they would be learning during their Scout meetings.
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I have a scout who turns 18 in mid May. He only has once merit badge left, and is on target to complete that with no issues. The problem may be his Eagle project. It was supposed to be improvements to a structure at a city park but a recent change in the city park director along with the coronavirus may throw a wrench in his getting it completed.
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Our troop has cancelled meetings until at least April 6th, the date our county schools are tentatively scheduled to be back in session. Council says no face-to-face unit meetings until at least April 13th.
Our feeder pack B&G/Crossover was supposed to be tonight, now rescheduled for April 28th.
We had to cancel this weekend's planned outing to the Louisville MegaCave because the nearby scout camp where we were going to stay has closed until at least the end of March.
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3 minutes ago, ParkMan said:
Sadly I agree. This will get a lot messier before it's done.
I am not a lawyer, but understanding the issues well enough here I expect the lawyers for the victims will turn their attention to local councils. Either lawyers will:
- go after councils for specific cases
- argue that council assets should be included alongside national assets in the bankruptcy.
On this fund - I can't imagine how our council today will afford to pay into such a fund. Year after year the council goes around hat in hand and asks for donations just to pay the bills. How will they take 30, 40, 50% of that and divert it to a fund. I can't imagine more fundraising will be available to pay for it.
I hope this isn't the case. I don't believe a council, say in Indiana, should be forced to sell some of it's assets to pay the victim of an abuse case that occurred in California.
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Interesting. I may have a reason to use that 20-30% REI members coupon they always seem to send me around March, about the same time as they release the dividend info. 😃
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2023-2024 fees? Any rumors?
in Open Discussion - Program
Posted
Yes, the air show is one of the yearly "free special events" that this adventure fee is supposed to provide to units. For this event units will camp at Camp Belzer then bussed to the Air Show site, about 8 miles away. Meals are provided. Units are also expected to volunteer for some kind of service at the air show, although I yet to see exactly what this service entails.