InquisitiveScouter

C'mon, man! How else are we going to mass produce Eagle Scouts? We have to remove all barriers, obstacles, challenges, etc. In fact, we are working on a 40-hour video, to be viewed in segments. When all are completed, poof! You're an Eagle Scout 😜 Access to the video will be about $2500. Pricing model still being worked out!

@curious_scouter, the Application for Merit Badge (aka blue card) is the Scouts responsibility. Hold them accountable for their responsibilities.

Hear that? The winds of change... Thanks to @RememberSchiff https://experiencebasecamp.org/pages/boy-scouts-of-america "Scouting is a community parenting program that develops character, citizenship, leadership, and fitness."

Which ship? The ship of Scouting, or the ship of BSA?

Or our own Congressional Award for Youth: https://www.congressionalaward.org/ I could see the option of Lone Scouting continuing... will probably need a name, change though. How about "Family Scouting"! (Doesn't that seem to be the way they are pushing things anyway?

I haven't specifically tracked all costs, but I tell parents that, to participate in every outing in our program for the year, including Summer Camp, you'll spend about $1000. And, in our fundraiser, it is entirely possible for an enterprising Scout to earn that much money.

You learn something new every day, whether you want to, or not 😜 Had to look that one up. Not really an element of the culture I grew up in... https://www.fredsegal.com/collections/red-ball-jets The first thing I ever bought on layaway was a pair of denim overalls. It was 1976. I was earning money picking up tobacco leaves dropped by the harvesters as they went up and down the rows in the field. I remember how big I felt when one week, I got paid $10!! Didn't know until later that that was far below minimum wage. But, as a 10 year old, I'm sure I wasn't a very productive worker Thanks for the stream-of-consciousness stroll down memory lane!

We will continue Scouting at the unit level... My biggest concern, after the insurance, is awarding Eagle Scout rank to a Scout. Since this is only granted by the National Council, and they keep these records, would it be legitimate for a local unit to recognize/award someone as an Eagle Scout? (On a separate note, it's time to start hoarding some Eagle rank patches...)

Do we know this? I haven't gotten a quote yet, but I intend to...

We all need to begin thinking about this "What if?" If you desire to continue supporting Scouting, what will you do if BSA goes Chapter 7? (Let's make this a new thread, please?)

Get yourself a Scout Handbook, and MASTER the skills there. This will pay dividends with your Cub Scouts now, and later when/if you transition into the Scouts program.

Find another Troop that has canoes and ask to borrow (or rent) at lower cost. We have a local Troop that, in it's heyday had 100+ Scouts. Once upon that time, they bought 22 canoes and two canoe trailers. Nowadays, they are around 20 Scouts. I asked to use a rack of canoes in exchange for refurbing the canoe trailer. (repacked bearings, bought them a spare tire, fixed trailer wiring, pressure washed the gunk off the trailer, replaced old bungees (a hazard) with painter ropes (which are taken off the rack as tiedowns and used as bow & stern painters on the trip; Scouts learn and use two half hitches, trucker's hitch, and bowline, a lot!)) For about three hours of work for two people (me and one other adult who likes to be a grease monkey with me), and about $10 a head in materials, we now have a perpetual invitation to use their boats. Another idea that our Scouts like: find your local historic hikes, and earn the patch or medal. https://tap.scouting.org/bsa-historic-trails-index/ And a cycling trip is always a hit. Find your local trails, and make an adventure of any size! https://www.traillink.com/

It goes to cover page 19 & 20 😜 https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/221576300_201912_990_2021030217778557.pdf

PTC plans to appeal to the State Supreme Court. Grrrrrr

Into effect, maybe, but not enforcement 😜

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ smh

As an MBC, I have a copy of the book (I learn a good deal from them), and loan it to the Scout if they wish to use it.

Never put your name on a survey with BSA. They are not anonymous, and all responses will be given to your SE and up. Nothing good can come of it unless you wear several pairs of rose colored glasses and offer lots of money.

Oh, and was that supposed to be me delivering outstanding espresso to you, or vice versa?? 🤪

Thanks, we looked at it, but it was not feasible for us. That was our longest day - 63 miles. The youth planner and trekkers decided on the Y. Next time, perhaps.

Have them go to this website and enter their ZIP code (postcode). This site will show them all the Cub Packs within their local area, and give contact info (hope it is up to date 😜 ) https://beascout.scouting.org/ There is a map view on the search, and they can see exactly where the Packs are located in relation to their home. Good luck!

Was that an established BSA Council-run camp? Did the Scouts pick the menus and buy the food? We did our own summer camp in 2020, with the primary focus on Cooking MB for all Scouts who needed it. Each Scout within a patrol who worked on Cooking Merit Badge came up with menus (counselor-approved), made their own shopping lists, and did their own shopping (we took field trips from camp). Yes, it was a logistical challenge, but they owned it. For the last few meals of camp, there were not enough meals to cover the requirements for Cooking MB, so younger Scouts worked on their TF, 2C, and 1C requirements. They learned a tremendous amount. I definitely noticed an increase in cooking skills, teamwork, and speed on subsequent weekend camping trips. Our Scouts remember this as one of their best camps.

We just finished a week-long cycling trek on the Great Allegheny Passage...Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD. Started from Camp Guyasuta ( @qwazse stomping ground). Eleven Scouts (14 and up) and four adults, Including fuel and tolls, and some donated MREs for two of our meals, and we hit $152 per person (Scouts spent a bit more for their lunch on the drive out, and ice cream stops along the trail!!!) Free camping in a few places along the trail. Camping also at Ohiopyle State Park, Corps of Engineers campground in Confluence, PA, and the YMCA in Cumberland, MD, at the end. (although I'd recommend finding an alternative to that one.) We logged 168 miles total, used a SAG Wagon. Great trip, and, with two local shakedown rides to prep, all riding requirements for Cycling MB complete. 50-miler award and NPS Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger opportunities also. Seven days (including travel days on front and back) total, six nights camping, five days cycling. Doing your own adventures is far more Thrifty!

Welcome, lurker!!