Navybone

If units do not adapt and remain connected to their scouts, then yes, this will happen. Sure, scouting is about being outside. But it does not stop because cannot get outside. This to shall pass and the scouts will be able to go back to camping and backpacking. When - who knows. But we will. And I am willing to bet that the units that are able to adapt and remain connected with their scouts at this time will see the scouts return. At a minimum, virtual meetings provide an opportunity for some scouts (and their parents) to do and learn something. A great way to weather this storm is to help provide structure for the scouts - and advancement and merit badges are great ways to help parents who need help. Its not perfect, but if BSA does not learn to work through and thrive in this current crisis, then it will die. And it is not national or the councils that will make this happen. It will be the local pack or troop leadership who take their one hours a week (ha) and think creative. It will be the "front line" leaderships who share resources, tips, and best practices, that make this occur. What National needs to be doing is removing barriers and pushing capability down to the local level. Not charging $5 for whatever fees for council led virtual merit badge sessions, but virtual sessions where they SEE their friends in the troop/pack.

We have been using Zoom - with the a fore mentioned limitations. MS teams also works, but not everyone has it. Our schools provide middle and high students with Chrome Books and come with google hangout/meet. So may use use. We are just starting and prefer Zoom in that you can share your screen as well as have an ongoing chat at the same time. 40 minutes also makes us be efficient.

Totally concur - it is OK to have partials. Because when the social distancing ends, and it will, the scouts will be able to get out and complete the requirements they need to accomplish physically or in person. Get the mundane or "talking"portions of advancement or merit badges done now. We all have the time. Lets absolutely not do that when we can all meet physically and get out and hike/camp/climb/swim/etc. Well, maybe a short safety refresher..... Perfect time to work on parts of CitNation, CitWorld. Not to develop ways around them, but work on the parts of MB, like family life, that can be accomplished now, and the rest will be done in due time.

looking to do the same in my area - finish up some Merit Badges that can be accomplished over a virtual environment, and then look at those that can be partially accomplished virtually. I a thinking small groups (3-5) to keep them engaged, not just listening. I am looking at platforms like Zoom (others are MS Teams, Chrome Meeting maker, and others) where you can host multiple people at once, share your desktop to show illustrations, slides, etc. Probably in the evening, as in our district, the kids still have school work they are working on at home.

thanks for sharing.

With schools closing and moving to on-line teaching, and groups gathering sizes being limited, how do we sustain interest in and maintain advancement, where we can, in scouting? Virtual troop or patrol meetings on platforms like Zoom, trail to first class discussion in a chat room? Emphasize some merit badges (reading) over others? Interested in thoughts from the community.

At the council for San Jose area, some leadership training and a University of Scouting event were cancelled.

Article does not indicate anything about Girl Scouts - you have some insight on why they were not included?

I am not sure you are reading it right or maybe in totality. It does not specifically say parents are not required for wolf and bear. It also says “ Den leaders, pack leaders, and parents are expected to accompany the youth on approved trips. https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss03/

Any response and continuation of this line of thinking would probably be more applicable in a different thread.

Interesting argument - you are essentially saying that it is OK for a CO or a MBC to openly and actively work counter to the efforts, the goals, and the mission of Scout BSA. Wonder why there may be issues is Scouts BSA. I cannot help but look at this and think about the message that the scouts in troops like this are receiving and learning. And then to look at the purpose behind scouting and what it hopes to instill in youth.

Good comment, thank you. I would strongly urge any MBC working with youth to err on the side of caution. Be it a male or female scout.

I cannot fathom a reason that a MBC would not want to council a female scout. At least so long as the MBC is meeting all the Youth Protection requirements.

Interesting article, thanks for posting it. Made me wonder when there was a push to bring African Americans into scouting - seems about this time. Interesting times indeed - maybe part of the motivation? https://aaregistry.org/story/the-african-american-boy-scout-movement-a-story/