InquisitiveScouter

I'd like to think our discussions here had something to do with this. Anyone have a connection to a decision-maker to be able to tell whether this is true or not??

And squandered the respect of much of the nation...

An Eagle Scout from our unit wanted to pursue his Hornaday Silver medal, after his Eagle Scout Service Project was also approved for his Bronze. He worked with our local Fish and Wildlife officials, and constructed artificial fish habitats for our local 350+ acre lake. This was during the contortions of changing from Hornaday to Distinguished Conservation Service Award... He led the construction and deployment of ten of these and sunk them in our local lake: https://www.fishiding.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw8ZKmBhArEiwAspcJ7nWcsfdTTGGCzuMPOc6oDktN1r6ARrCrBlLWtR6XfAbvyt26c05sTxoC3u

I am all about the SKILLS for a MB being taught at a meeting, but then the Scout must take that skill to his MB Counselor and demonstrate it to his counselor's satisfaction... Meetings should not be about requirements. Instead, there should be skills instruction, and perhaps a competition built around that skill...

After four hours of instruction and practice, a Scout (who happens to have cerebral palsy) who simply would not give up, ties a square knot on his own for the first time. He grew 10 feet tall 😜, or at least, that's what it looked like through my tears.

For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil.

2013 Summit Bechtel Reserve, West Virginia "Go Big. Get Wild." July 15, 2013–July 24, 2013 40,795 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Scout_jamboree_(Boy_Scouts_of_America)

Wow... that is... not so good. They were shooting for 15K, as I understood. Makes for shorter lines for the participants, though!!! Enjoy!!

Agree with all of your observations. I have been volunteering now for the past 5 weeks, and general feedback from unit leaders is also along the lines you lay out. Program has suffered also, due to lack of staffing to offer some events and merit badges. HAB crews and Jamboree are taking away some of our more seasoned Scouts, as well, which is an additional hit to staffing.

And the most valuable resource you are asking any adult for is their time! Cub Scouts is family oriented, and requires a good deal of time from each family to make the program successful. They'd rather put their kids in an organized program that doesn't then require them to run it.

@fred8033, thanks for spending time with us around the virtual campfire! I hope your other pursuits will allow a visit from time to time. It was good to do some Scouting with you, even if only through electrons! Yours in Scouting, Inquisitive Scouter

The only issue we had recently was that automatic reminders were not working, so emails had to be sent each and every time you wanted a notice to go out.

Curious as to how 25 Scouts completed all the requirements as stated in one Saturday session? I worked on this with a Patrol of 10 Scouts in our Troop and it took 5 sessions of 1.5 hours each. Every Scout had to complete the requirements, as stated. So, for example, we had 10 different presentations for requirement 7. That takes a good deal of time. I think 10 Scouts was way too many for one class for this MB. BSA recommends a "small group", but does not say how small is "small". "Due to the maturity and skill needed to serve as the counselor of this badge, it is recom

We use it exclusively... works great. We have 53 Scouts. Many do not have email addresses, by parent choice. Parents get a copy of all emails...

Get a long thin dinner candle. Explain the behavior you want... "During the Scout meeting openings, there will be no talking after the SPL or the Scout opening the meeting has held up the Scout sign, and until we finish the Outdoor Code (or you are dismissed to Patrol meetings, or whatever it is that you do to end the opening." This period should only last for less than say 10 minutes. Explain that you will light the candle just before each meeting starts, and that you will extinguish it if the rules are broken. Tell them when the candle burns down (to a pre-marked level), they

Our local camp is operating at approx 70% capacity for entire summer. Normally 8 weeks of camp, they even cut one due to low demand. Historically, 6 out of 8 weeks were full. Fourth of July week and final weeks of camp consistently had some space remaining. Most of Staff is young and inexperienced. Enthusiasm helps, but is not a substitute. Most of our 18+ college students did not return. I am volunteering here for the summer to help fill the void. We would not have been able to open some program areas had I not been here. Have seen and talked with "the usual suspects" in o

We have a robust uniform bank, including gently used socks and belts. "We cannot afford a uniform" is, therefore, not sufficient reason for a Scout to be out of uniform. If you are going to set a requirement, then help provide the means or opportunity to attain that requirement. Want all new uniform bits, but cannot afford it? I have loads of yard work for the Scout to do... A Scout is Thrifty: "A Scout works to pay her own way and to help others. She saves for the future. She protects and conserves natural resources. She carefully uses time and property." Corr

Correct wear of the uniform is a demonstration of leadership and setting the example. Be, know, do! Also, you can point out to each Scout who has a Position of Responsibility (PoR) that it is in his basic job description. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/510-046_PocketCards17.pdf That is, if the Scout with a PoR is not "wearing the Scout uniform correctly", then he is not doing his job correctly. Does a Scout have or want a PoR, and is not wearing the uniform correctly? Help them set a SMART goal to achieve that standard, and then get them to agree th

You can try, but it may not be in the system, and so may not be recognized...

INCONCEIVABLE!!!

Here're some that have worked for me... Go the extra mile: Send out a notice that you will sew on one patch for any Scout or leader who brings their uniform to the meeting. Bring a sewing machine and your box of sewing notions to a meeting and set up shop. Hand or machine sew... it doesn't matter. Offer to teach a Scout how to use the machine or hand sew. Keep track of who you sew on a patch for. They get one and only one, and you might help or guide on the rest. Bring sewing notions on a camping trip! Same idea... Incentivize the behavior you want! We hold a quarterly u

Check out your local KOA. Sometimes $40 per night for the whole family, accepts pets, and they usually have a swimming pool, and a lot less hassle. Call them... you might even get a discount if you tell them you are a Scouting family on your own https://koa.com/states-provinces/wisconsin/ Some have group sites, and you can camp as a Den or Pack there. KOA's should be on the council approved Cub camping list. ("Cub Scout camping is limited to their council’s designated locations with appropriate facilities.) $180 is outrageous for a family of four at a local Scout camp e

I have counseled this for a few Scouts. One was a trombone player. As he already had experience playing, he was easily able to adopt his embouchure to the different mouthpiece. Bugle (field trumpet), trumpet, or cornet, as the MB pamphlet says... but not trombone or guitar 😜 From the requirements: "*NOTE: A bugle, trumpet, or cornet may be used to meet these requirements."

With 12 newbies, you may wind up with bats in your "bellwether-fry"

You have to order the awards directly from NRA. https://materials.nrahq.org/QualificationAwards/ Packet has certificate, medal, and rocker patch. Reasonable prices, but I do not know if that pricing is for NRA members. Please let us know. --------------------------- As to wear on the uniform? Two pieces of guidance apply from the Guide to Awards and Insignia: One rule that applies would say "No" you do not wear it on the uniform... "Badges of Other Organizations: The general rule is that badges awarded by organizations other than the Boy Scouts of America