InquisitiveScouter

The call just came out from our council... -------------------------------------------------------- Thank you! for your willingness to serve youth in the XXX Council as a Merit Badge Counselor. There is more to merit badges than simply providing opportunities to learn skills. There is more to them than an introduction to lifetime hobbies, or the inspiration to pursue a career—though these invaluable results occur regularly. It all begins with a Scout’s initial interest and effort in a merit badge subject, followed by a discussion with a unit leader, continues through meetings with a counselor, and culminates in advancement and recognition. It is an uncomplicated process that gives a Scout the confidence achieved through overcoming obstacles. Social skills improve. Self-reliance develops. Examples are set and followed. And fields of study and interest are explored beyond the limits of the school classroom. All this occurs because of the desire by a Scout to earn a merit badge through their association with you. New this year (from the National Office) – effective August 1st: There will be a $25 annual registration fee for any Merit Badge Counselors that do not have a current Unit, District or Council registration. Fees can be sent to the Council Service Center payable to XXX Council --------------------------------------------------------- The straws on the camel's back are getting heavy! Have any of you had discussions with those who are registered solely as MBC's, and what impact this will have on them?

LOL. This is a rare occurrence. They keep observing the trends, but usually take no action to correct. They talk a good game about how to fix something, often coming up with good ideas, but hardly ever implement their fix. This is very annoying, but, in our Troop culture, the adults know not to step in and do it for them. I have seen this malady in many organizations, including the military. In exercise, after exercise, after exercise, you'd see the same "deficiencies". They are supposed to be "Lessons Learned"... we often joked (on the inspection teams) that they were simply "Lessons Repeated" We even implemented this in a Department of Defense-wide system: the Joint Universal Lessons Learned System (JULLS). It's a database of "Start-Stop-Continue" if you will. Or, sort of a wiki on what went right, what went wrong, and how to correct. But few military organizations (at least in my 26 years) seemed to have the bandwidth available to study them or learn from the successes and failures of others. Often, it was just "Lessons Repeated." Those that did study JULLS were often wildly successful. Considering the age groups and stages of mental development we deal with in Scouting, I expect exactly what we are getting... a lot of "Lessons Repeated." The mantra among our leaders is "Remember who you are dealing with." I fervently hope you all reach a "mature program." Agreed. Adult Association at work!!

Thanks, but I do not buy into all that other stuff you cited... as I am not a conspiracy theorist... Which is why I also looked into the veracity of Open Society Foundation's (using Soros's money) injection into the support of "progressive" (really poor word to describe) candidates into the justice system, before posting. Everything in that article bears out to be factual. (BTW, it is their constitutional right to do exactly what they are doing. But that does not change the disastrous consequences of what we see happening in the justice system in the US.) @SiouxRanger ask for examples of socio-political organizations (and how) which are undermining institutions. I gave three instances of views that are out there. I, too, and still awaiting @Tired_Eagle_Feathers response. Your internal reactions are just that... as John Adams said "Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." Please put aside your inclinations and the dictates of your passion, and let me know which of the three instances I pointed out are untrue? Also, as I pointed out... the intent does not have to be nefarious... an organization can be undermined as an unintended consequence of the policy or change some seek to put in place. I never said anyone came out with the express intent to destroy BSA (except Kosnoff?). But the actions many take are doing just that. I have also posted here, many times, that I am ambivalent to the existence of BSA. BSA does not equal Scouting. One is a corporation, the other a movement. I support the movement. Thanks for taking the time to post your views rather than just slapping a down vote on something.

Agreed. I'm more of the "How can Johnny be a First Class?? He never learned to tie a taut line hitch!" kind of person.

Although the guidelines are very loose for SM conferences, I see what you propose as out of place. So what happens when you find out Johnny does not know a skill, but says he did it once and got it signed off? If you aren't observing the instruction and evaluations, how do you know the instructors and evaluators are teaching correctly? "The conference is not a retest of the requirements upon which a Scout has been signed off. It is a forum for discussing topics such as ambitions, life purpose, and goals for future achievement, for counseling, and also for obtaining feedback on the unit’s program. In some cases, work left to be completed—and perhaps why it has not been completed—may be discussed just as easily as that which is finished." G2A

I see I touched a nerve there @mrjohns2 Care to elaborate?

That is too late. SM & ASMs should be doing "random sampling" of sign-offs to gauge instruction and completion of the requirements as stated. That is, they mentor the instructors and evaluators...

We make it clear that this monkey is on the Scout's back. That is, the Scout is responsible for completing and tracking his own advancement. If he wants to mark something complete in Scoutbook, fine. He must then go to any youth who is approved to sign off, or to the assigned Assistant Scoutmaster for his Patrol, to get things signed in his Scout Handbook. Once the Handbook is signed, he notifies the ASM, who then marks completions in Scoutbook. The Handbook is primary. Scoutbook is a back up (for when the Scout loses his Handbook 😜 ) We even have our Scouts contact our Advancement Chair to request scheduling their Boards of Review. Pro tip: We use a highlighter to mark things in the Handbook when they are approved in Scoutbook. That way, at a glance at the Scout's Handbook, we can tell if he is shepherding his own advancement.

Quite a leap there, partner... Answering the question about US institutions in general, per the post above...

Soros' group and the US Justice System: https://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/george-soros-criminal-justice-reform-227519 Media bias dividing US social cohesion by hyping incidents (particularly those claiming racial causes): https://apnews.com/article/poll-misinformation-polarization-coronavirus-media-d56a25fd8dfd9abe1389b56d7e82b873 Destruction of military readiness through attempts to revise policies about gender, sexual orientation, sex changes, etc., https://www.heritage.org/defense/commentary/military-readiness-takes-back-seat-wokeness-the-pentagon Finding "by whom" is sometimes difficult. But you can see the erosion everywhere. Can you not? In many cases, the attack is not directed at destruction of the system, but rather to change it to fit a group's hobby horse of an agenda... with the unintended consequence that the institution begins to crumble, as in our military.

Just Google 'BSA "rape culture"' and you'll get lots of results.

@AwakeEnergyScouter, you see this confusion everywhere. There is a common misconception that our "core product" is Eagle Scouts. Ask parents what they want for their child out of Scouts, BSA... you'll get this answer most of the time. Our core product is actually parsed out here: "The Scouting program has specific objectives, commonly referred to as the “Aims of Scouting.” They are character development, leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness." https://troopleader.scouting.org/scoutings-aims-and-methods/ [Or, in my words, we are about making youth into "physically, financially, and spiritually fit citizen-leaders who have the character needed make moral and ethical decisions."] The adventure outdoors is just the "laboratory environment" where we meet these objectives. But that laboratory is a crucial part of the overall experiment. Although we advertise "Scouts BSA is the traditional Scouting experience where boys and girls can have their share of adventure in the great outdoors." https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/ So, the real problem you come across is a lack of clarity on exactly what it is we are trying to do, and a lack of communication to the real target audience (parents, not kids) of what it is we are trying to "sell" them. Then we have a problem with delivering on whatever promises we have made, or whatever promises we are perceived to have made, both to parents and to Scouts. Which is why the great majority finish their Eagle rank and disappear. My grade overall, on how we do collectively as an organization is a C-. For a myriad of reasons. All IMO, of course.

Bingo.

I love the dirt-smudged hands and faces in that video, @AwakeEnergyScouter!!! I tell people, IF you want real adventure and Scouting, you need to step outside your (flush-toilet and hot shower) comfort zone 😜 , and accept some risk to get a greater reward. A saying I love, and use in an SM minute from time to time is, "A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for."

We are no longer the Knights who say "Ni!" We are now the Knights who say, "Ecki, ecki ecki, ecki, pakang, zum-boing!!" C'mon people, we put this change out years ago! See time mark 0:18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZvsGdJP3ng&ab_channel=KennyFerry Now, go find a herring!

Sorry, I cannot answer that, as I have never had occasion to see a 911 bounce back message. So, I do not know if it is the same as other message delivery fails... Might vary by carrier and phone type as well (Android vs I-phone, etc.)

In case you did not know... A text message requires much less signal connectivity (strength and duration) than a call, or to load up some data. Some 911 call centers accept text messages. Your mileage WILL vary 😜 The Federal Communications Commission REQUIRES all carriers to notify you with a "bounce back" message if your text to 911 does not go through. https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/what-you-need-know-about-text-911 If it does not go through to 911, next try sending a text to your designated support person back home. (Yes, you need to recruit someone to fill this role as part of your trek plan. Usually a spouse or loved one who will contact authorities if you need assistance or are overdue.) Finally, in your trek planning, one of the questions you can ask the Search and Rescue agency responsible for your location (yes, you should know who that is, too!) if they accept texts. Happy trekking!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^this

Most people never experience what you are referring to in your post. They will forever remain "In Search of Scouting." I just finished a 6-day river trek, with 10 Scouts and three other adults, in two crews. All Scouts earned their 50-miler award (the 10 hours of service is actually the most difficult part...) The older Scouts also did the Kodiak Leadership Challenge. Each night, we camped on an island in the river. A few had pit toilets. Even then, Scouts preferred to dig and use their own catholes. 😛 We brought a good deal of fresh water, but for meals (since we had to boil it anyway) we boiled water from the river. In two weeks, we will do a 5-day backpacking trek, where the Scouts will go through the Leave No Trace Trainer curriculum. Only one night will we camp in an established campground. The rest will be pristine sites where they must put into practice what they are learning. And both of these trips will cost less than half the Council Summer Camp fee. These are "The pinnacle of Scouting experiences..." https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/Passport_to_HighAdventure_34245(16).pdf Enjoy!

If I may offer a kind suggestion: For your own mental health, please stop posting. P.S. As you also find this forum to be distressing, I have gone back and removed my downvote. Be well.

If you go into the wilderness... (I now define "wilderness" as no cell signal, LOL), consider purchasing one for your crew. At around $400, they are getting more affordable. Recommended reading for your edification: https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/emergency-406-beacons/ One example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PPJGFKK Register your device, if you get one!!

We did our own Summer Camp in 2020 (COVID). 31 Scouts in 6 Patrols; 11 adults. Scouts did shopping in three stages for the week, for cooking requirements thru First Class, or Cooking merit badge, whichever they needed. Each Patrol had an SPL/ASPL or adult guest for each meal. (Rotated for each meal.) We had great fun just doing activities... tubing, fishing, canoeing, swimming, exploring, etc. Scouts said one of the things they enjoyed the most was time to just hang out with the other members of their Patrol. (Each had their own campsite.) We offered Wilderness Survival, Mammal Study, Environmental Science, and Fishing. Older Scouts taught Totin' Chip and Firem'n Chit to our First Year Scouts. I then guided some older Scouts through Paul Bunyan. Also offered CPR/AED training. They had great fun while accomplishing so much during that trip. The adults were amazed at how we could pull this off ourselves, with minimal planning and effort. And we did it for $238.20 a head. Our biggest expense was for renting the entire campground for the week. (We had the place entirely to ourselves.) "A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room." Yet, when offered to do it again, the PLC declined. The majority would rather go to a Summer Camp where all the work is done for you (planning, scheduling, setting up camp, shopping, cooking, and dishes, etc.), and you are given a bunch of badges for sitting around a picnic table listening to someone talk. Our modern council-run Summer Camps are not the ideal unit experience. They are not "A week of camp life..."; they are a rustic "country-club" experience. IMO, of course...

They could really make this easier on themselves. Adults! Come volunteer at the Jamboree! You'll need to bring your own camping gear (size limits on the tent), but we will feed you. Your fee will be to sponsor a Scout from your council to attend the Jamboree as well. Yes, this could be your own Scout! I would have done that... would you?

Yes. Yes, they did.

My intuition says something is just not right here... And the whole exchange is rather... weird. I am choosing not to engage further. Over and out.