InquisitiveScouter

Welcome! And thanks for taking on Advancement Chair! Does your unit use Scoutbook?

Usedta kinda be that way here. But we have lost our way...

LOL, no... I have had the same request in our unit...

Pfffttt... It does look like this item is discontinued... https://www.bsacac.org/shop/cub-scout-hairbow-tents/ And the item number (647705) cannot be found on scoutshop.org

Down with humans!!

Bows? Really? Have a link? I gotta see that... LOL

And some of the biggest impacts (no pun intended) on birds? Outdoor cats and windmills... And don't forget the bats!! https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-are-bats-affected-wind-turbines

Someone took a good idea, and figured out how to monetize it, then used our own tax laws to create an organization to feed from the trough of money they could get from people. Capitalism at its best worst!

Sell more popcorn! (or just give us your money directly... that'd be better!) Did you know there is a knot you can wear on your uniform for giving $1000 over and above your Friends of Scouting donation? https://www.scoutshop.org/james-e-west-knot-606783.html https://www.bsafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2016-James-E.-West-Application.pdf

C'mon @AwakeEnergyScouter! How else are we going to generate the revenue to pay those quarter to half million dollar salaries? https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/221576300_202012_990_2022102520553328.pdf See page 18 & 19 of BSA National's last filed IRS Form 990 (none since 2020 due to Chapter 11 Bankruptcy??)

No. But, if he has motor/balance problems, I see no issue with him riding a three-wheeler during the trip. We also have a Scout with cerebral palsy. We got him an adaptive three-wheeler, like this, but with a higher back, as he has some significant scoliosis as well: With severe ataxia, he will, most likely, never ride a two-wheeler. So, we use this cycle to meet his requirements. The "bike" (poor wording IMO) requirement also gives them experience planning, working with their buddies, packing the right gear (Scout essentials, and maybe a lunch?), learning trail etiquette, map reading, dealing with weather and elements, being in the outdoors, etc., etc, etc. Riding a stationary cycle does not help with these experiences. Now, if you believe his disability is severe enough, you can appeal for a modification of requirements. There is a process outlined in the Guide to Advancement. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf Section 10.2.2.1: "A degree of modification in advancement requirements may be necessary to mainstream as many members with disabilities as possible. Thus a Scout with a permanent physical or cognitive disability, or a disability expected to last more than two years, or beyond age 18, who is unable to complete all the requirements for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, or First Class rank may, with his or her parent or guardian, and also the unit leader or a member of the troop committee, submit a request to the council advancement committee to complete alternative requirements." and "Simple modifications very close to existing requirements need not be approved. A Scout in a wheelchair, for example, may meet the Second Class requirement for hiking by “wheeling” to a place of interest. Allowing more time and permitting special aids are also ways leaders can help Scouts with disabilities make progress. Modifications, however, must provide a very similar challenge and learning experience." So, using this last guideline, we simply, our the unit level (but with concurrence from district and council advancement folks), decided that the three-wheeler would be fine for "bike", as the experience is "very similar." BTW, our Scout loves his trike, and completed 148 miles on the Great Allegheny Passage in the summer of 2022!! Also, @Double Eagle, be advised, motorized bikes (E-bikes) are now prohibited in Scouting: See #6. https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss07/#b Hope this helps!

Rovers in many countries.

This looks like a district or council-level weekend day camp set up for you to bring your Scouts to have them work on requirements instead of you having to construct your own program. Sort of a "we provide the program, you bring your Scouts" offering. Which is just another dilution of Scouting, IMO...

Although I would love to hear some other perspectives on this, if yours is an accurate depiction of the reality, my advice is to exit the situation gracefully. If this is your Scout's Eagle Ceremony, and you are not tied to the venue, consider having it in your home. You will need one other registered leader, of course. And then, only invite the people your Scout wants to be there. Friends and family, etc. If someone uninvited shows, they are trespassing 😜 (even though all Scout events should be open) There is absolutely no requirement for an Eagle COH. Once your Scout's credentials come back from National (post-EBoR), then that Scout IS an Eagle Scout (and only then... EBoR completion is only a step along the way...National must approve all, and issue credentials, or the rank is not to be awarded.) BTW, are you certain the Eagle Application was signed by EBOR Chair, and submitted to Council Registrar after the EBoR??? If yes, then you may call the registrar and ask explicitly to have only the Scout or a family member pick up those credentials when they come back. You do not want this person getting their mitts on them. The credentials can be replaced with Registrar help, but it takes a while... Once you have Eagle credentials in hand, you can purchase all the Eagle bling you want. And if Council Scout Shop will only sell you one kit, then go to scoutstuff.org, https://www.scoutshop.org/eagle-scout-mom-pin-antique-finish-14121.html (there is a sterling silver version also...) or EBay and get what you want. Eagle Mom Pins, for example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/194591393053 And your Scout can name as many mentors as desired. Get all the Mentor Pins you need at Scout Shop or EBay: https://www.scoutshop.org/eagle-mentor-14123.html https://www.ebay.com/itm/175888591335 These are not restricted items, so you should be able to order all you want. When you exit, if asked, simply cite "unreconciled differences." Then move to our area and come join our unit 😛 Or enjoy your break from Scouting!

??? https://www.scoutspirit.org/enhancingscouting/ Can anyone parse out what this Newspeak means??

@Armymutt, I understand your logic. Those two leaders, in spirit, are to be there to supervise their Scouts, and not to be dedicated to some other purpose. That said, many do not interpret the rule this way. It is considered "acceptable" for leaders to do other activities while remaining "on the property" where their unit is conducting an event, and not be "ever-present" with their Scouts. (granted, Cub Scouts need a little more supervision than Scouts...) As in your case, with Cub Scouts, you may not want to flex the rule in that way. That is totally your prerogative, and I support you 100%.

Yes. See attendance numbers in the chart. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Scout_jamboree_(Boy_Scouts_of_America) And how many of those were Scouts from other countries??

Agreed, so four wrongs still do not make a right.

Passing on part of the cost to current members.

Two wrongs do not make a right.

Not quite... The Scout is expected to go back and serve his unit. Whether he chooses to serve the lodge and join in all those other lodge activities is just that... his choice. Election to Order of the Arrow, and completion of the Ordeal carries with it absolutely no obligations to the lodge itself. You are an Arrowman for life. You are only a lodge member year to year as you pay your dues. Unfortunately many do not agree with this philosophy. But that is another thread 😜

https://www.scouter.com/topic/33307-elections-for-dummies/

@derksmit, welcome!! 1. They "start over." A Scout gets a Scout-level patch (No. 618757) for first Scout-level Nova. Then the same Nova Pi pins for subsequent awards. The Cub Scout patch (No. 613042) is not awarded to Scouts. 2. No. The only awards earned as a Cub Scout that carry over onto Scout uniform are Arrow of Light and Religious Award. 3. No. Cub Scout Nova's only count for Cub Scout Supernova. Scout Nova's only count for Scout Supernova. Same rule for Venturing. Enjoy! P.S. There are now Supernova pins for uniform, when a Scout earns a Supernova Award Medal. see page 72. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33066/33066_Universal_and_Nonunit_Insignia_WEB.pdf

@Jenni, technically, yes. Also, Council will not allow you to charter a female Troop unless you have five Scouts. Check with your registrar, please.

Thank you and your husband for doing the work it takes to keep a Troop going!! This sounds like a normal "down" in the life cycle of a Troop. But it does beg a question: "What do you think is the "right" size for a Troop?" In Aids to Scoutmastership, (recommended reading) BP thought the answer was 16. But, he granted that most were twice the man he was, so he said he could see 32. "The number in a Troop should preferably not exceed thirty-two. I suggest this number because in training boys myself I have found that sixteen was about as many as I could deal with-in getting at and bringing out the individual character in each. I allow for other people being twice as capable as myself and hence the total of thirty-two. Men talk of having fine Troops of 60 or even 100-and their leaders tell me that their boys are equally well trained as in smaller Troops. I express admiration (“admiration” literally translated means “surprise”), and I don’t believe them. “Why worry about individual training?” they ask. Because it is the only way by which you can educate. You can instruct any number of boys, a thousand at a time if you have a loud voice and attractive methods of disciplinary means. But that is not training-it is not education. Education is the thing that counts in building character and In making men. The incentive to perfect himself, when properly instilled into the individual, brings about his active effort on the line most suitable to his temperament and powers. It is not the slightest use to preach the Scout Law or to give it out as orders to a crowd of boys: each mind requires its special exposition of them and the ambition to carry them out." page 30 http://www.thedump.scoutscan.com/a2sm.pdf Our Troop is 55, and it is DIFFICULT! to minister adequately to the needs of that many Scouts. Basically, we have 6 Patrols that fairly well function on their own as "mini-Troops", each with an assigned Assistant Scoutmaster, who, frankly, functions as a Scoutmaster. (When they don't do well mentoring as ASM, that patrol suffers!) This is the only way it works, and it is, I believe, what BP was aiming at with his idea. So, IMO, I think you can do just fine with four Scouts. After you get below that point, you do not really have a Patrol. (See optimal working group size.) However, I think your council may have restrictions on how many you need to re-charter (Five, I think?? Ask your registrar!) https://howtosavetheworld.ca/2009/03/18/the-optimal-size-of-groups/ (BTW, group dynamics are key. Any successful large group you have ever been a part of has been divided up into small groups like this. Basic size of first echelon military unit? Four 😜 https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/Military-Units/army/#army There is a reason for this...) Instead of a plan to draw down, How about first a plan to grow/replace? Then have an alternate plan to disband. If all you do is plan to disband, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. ------------------------------------------- As for your hubby... sit down with him over coffee. Tell him you want to help him be successful with the Troop. Ask him to spend a little time to come up with his top three things (priorities) the Troop needs help with. Then, either do them (if you can), OR, work with your committee to find someone to do them!! Both of you will appreciate this approach. ------------------------------------------- OK, who cares about the stuff and money? It is just stuff and money. To help prepare for draw down (or growth), first, make sure the trailer title and registration is in the CO's name (if your state requires a title and plate for a trailer.) Next, start spending the money. With a plan. Send your Scouts to NYLT. Pay their full tuition to Summer Camp next year. Send them to a High Adventure Base! (HAB) Plan your own week-long Summer Scouting Adventure instead of going to an over-priced boutique HAB. etc, etc, etc Just make sure you use the money for Scouting purposes, and that it is equitable among your Scouts. (Use this as a recruiting tool! "First five Scouts to join our Troop get to go to camp at half price!") You are correct... technically, it all belongs to the CO. So, if the Troop is to disband, then they get to have a say in the disposition of equipment and money. There are two basic alternatives for the CO for equipment: 1. Keep it! We still want to sponsor a Troop in the future, so we want to keep the gear for that eventuality. 2. Get rid of it! Offer it to other Troops and Packs, or sell it. Now, for the money: (You may use it liberally for the Scouts in your CO's unit, but tread CAREFULLY with sending money outside your CO's umbrella. They have ultimate say in that!) 1. Keep it! We still want to sponsor a Troop in the future, so we want to keep the money for that eventuality. 2. Get rid of it: Option A: If your Scouts transfer to a unit that keep Scout accounts, transfer a portion with them. This could have tax implications, so be careful. NEVER, EVER give the money to individuals. The IRS would be very interested if you did this 😜 Option B: Get your CO's permission to transfer the money to another CO. Again, this has tax implications, so be careful. Talk with the Treasurers of both CO's A LOT before you do this. Option C 😄 (aka, the "nuclear" option): Give it to council. It disappears down the rat hole 😜 There are other options... NOTE: That is a lot of money. IMO, you ought to have no more than one year's Troop expenses on hand. Recharter fees, awards and advancements, training, etc, etc, etc. (Do you have a budget?? Do you know how much money you spent last year?)