InquisitiveScouter

First principle: Please encourage her to attend and participate, dressing according to the dictates of her faith and conscience. Wherever BSA uniforms are inadequate to meet these, she has the liberty to dress as she wishes without regard to any BSA uniform "standards." Ask if the women's long sleeved shirt is acceptable. Here is a link: https://www.scoutshop.org/scouts-bsa-long-sleeve-uniform-shirt-khaki-adult-s-4xl-cotton-polyester-spandex-blend-long-sleeve-uniform-shirt-with-bsa-logo-and-u-s-flag.html I am assuming (based on my limited knowledge of a wide range of dress codes in various countries which are predominantly Muslim) that pants are not acceptable, and I'm certain the BSA Skort is out... So, be the avant garde! Craft a skirt or dress of BSA green material that might be suitable, floor length presumably. I'm happy to advocate with BSA National uniforming to revise uniform guidelines and products to accommodate religious attire. Here is an example of the women's uniform from Indonesia: https://pngtree.com/freepng/illustration-of-indonesian-scout-members_6537910.html Although they received some negative press for the long skirts: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/02/25/long-skirts-for-girl-scouts-criticized-following-river-trekking-tragedy.html If you need, we can get the color codes for BSA garb. Or, just get a commercially made product that is close enough... She can even get custom made (including custom length) on Etsy for a reasonable price: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1468778709/custom-size-cotton-linen-wrap-skirt-wrap Happy Scouting!

And a point of clarification. Council does not use Scoutbook to track your Scout. They use a system called Internet Advancement 2.0 Scoutbook is a User Interface that pulls all of its data from IA. (as I understand it.)

Just got off the phone with Troopmaster. There are no lower limits to the amount of Scouts you can track. So, yes, you can track a Lone Scout in Troopmaster. If you have any additional questions. Please call their number : 434-589-6788 https://www.troopmaster.com/index.html They answered the phone (no automated menus) and the tech was very helpful when I called them. They are awaiting your call with any further questions. They are going to be your very best resource for any questions related to TM. You can purchase and download the software from their website. I recommend you ask them that if it does not work according to your questions, would you get a full refund.

Yes, it would be too easy. But then, everyone would sign up to be a Lone Scout, and units would die. Do not look for them to change this policy any time soon. Although, IMO, it would increase membership.

And we may also see an impact soon, due to this... https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/03/americans-are-saving-less-in-2023-im-concerned-top-economist-says.html

It is a cost, nonetheless. And, unfortunately, parents often do not see value for the cost, depending on the dedication of unit-level volunteers. And make no mistake... it is we volunteers who create the great majority of any value realized. So, I ask myself often, why do I work so hard to create a great program for Scouts and families, when others literally get wealthy off of my efforts, while providing little to no value-added to the equation?? It is a bitter pill to swallow.

OK, then please DM me for my Venmo info and send me the registration fees for our 55 Scouts @ $155 each. That's $8525. Now, that does not include all the adult registrations. So, if it really is nothing, please send along the fees for our 35 adults @ $65 per, for $2275. Approx total for our unit (it will be a bit more...) is $10,800. And, if you choose not to send it to me, I'll give you my council info and you can mail them a check for deposit into our unit account. Since, after all, it is nothing. P.S. https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/living-paycheck-to-paycheck-statistics/

Welcome @ChristineErtz! Sorry, I have no experience with Troopmaster. But, I have lots of experience with Lone Scouting. My son was a Cub Scout while we were overseas. We tracked everything manually, and emailed in scanned, completed advancement reports to our servicing council registrar.

Welcome @VinceABQ! Spent lots of time at Kirtland AFB, and also skied Sandia quite a bit. You do not have to rely on local government to come up with something. For the purposes of the MB (I am a counselor), whether the Scout is homeschooled or not, I would first ask the Scout for some ideas on how to complete this requirement. (It does not say who has to come up with the "emergency service project".) We had a similar situation with a Scout. While completing requirement 6.c. the Scout learned that our disaster prep folks had about 500 emergency preparedness brochures sitting in boxes (for years). They had no one to distribute them. The Scout asked if he could do this as a volunteer community service and for the MB. The disaster prep folks loved the idea. That was taxpayer money sitting there going to waste. So, the Scout organized a hike through several neighborhoods with his Patrol, and canvassed 500 homes handing out brochures (or leaving them on doorsteps, as it is illegal to put stuff in mailboxes.) They had some great conversations with people about emergency preparedness. And our neighborhood folks were quite pleased with seeing Scouts out in uniform, engaging with the public. (YMMV) Can you imagine how long (distance-wise) that took? In hindsight, the Scouts could have logged a 10-mile hike for Hiking MB. 😜

You've got room for one more straw, right?

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??