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InquisitiveScouter

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Everything posted by InquisitiveScouter

  1. Yeah, I have one that was made with aluminum rivets...those didn't last long The self-tappers did the trick.
  2. The other side of the coin is that unit leaders need to be open to the guidance Commissioners give. Many unit leaders I know think that when a district or council person (vol or pro) shows up at their events, it only means trouble. Leaders must be continually developed. Youth and adult. I do not get the sense that this mindset exists in our council.
  3. Yeah, this one is a head scratcher...GTSS forbids, but I know a recent version of the Fire Safety Merit Badge pamphlet discussed using lighter fluid for charcoal, so that is (or was) a very mixed message. I dunno if that has been updated to reflect GTSS prohibitions....anyone have current copy of Fire Safety MB and can check it out??
  4. Ditto. Here, our district has two major challenges. 1. No Commissioner Corps to speak of... (There is no one to help units know what "right" looks like.) 2. The District schedules too many events, if you can believe it... two camporees per year (in addition to a council-wide event), many (like six or so) Cub events that they ask Troops to support, Klondike, a skills competition, a fishing derby, rocket launch, a merit badge event, etc. And you are castigated if you don't attend/support the events. It is like the district is planning a whole Troop program year so the Troop
  5. This one is a burr under my saddle... one of the stated purposes of the Order is to "Promote camping, responsible outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship as essential components of every Scout’s experience, in the unit, year-round, and in summer camp." In too many cases, this has devolved into putting up tents at an Ordeal weekend prior to summer camp, and not much else... Good to see some lodges still produce the WTGCG
  6. Hand in hand with Association with Adults goes Personal Growth. The Aims are not discrete functions, they are a unified whole. Again, you know that. If we just pushed them out the door without the Adult Association (as many are doing outside of Scouting), they will rarely develop desirable character... Lord of the Flies?
  7. This is one of the things that is killing Scouting.
  8. You have jumped to the opposite end of the spectrum. Fine. The answer in all cases is the Chartering Organization. You know that.
  9. The program doesn't. People build character in themselves and in other people. We adults are supposed to be setting the example (Association with Adults, anyone?) Unfortunately, a great many Scouters I have come across are not "people of good character". Blame the Co's on this one...most often, the adult leaders are just the ones who volunteer to do it, without regard as to whether that person is a "positive role model" "Scouts learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves." "I think yesterdays overburdened Cub program steels the illusion of fun from the adult perspect
  10. It is our primary platform for event scheduling, communication, advancement tracking, and financial transactions (outings, dues, summer camp payments, etc.) Whatever comes next must provide similar or enhanced capabilities, along with a seamless transition.
  11. Had to make one more post, because I was at 666
  12. That's good advice. We already operate with that attitude towards national, council, and district. The danger is in going rogue But then, most other unit leaders around here, that I have observed (and continue to see), don't take the time to read the literature, practice the skills, or put the "true" program into place. Scoutbook actually enabled our "departure" from district and council to a great degree. So much functionality and promise... Alas, it doesn't sound like the future "solution" @CynicalScouter relayed holds much to look forward too... (Lol, just realized I
  13. National has really failed membership on this one. They abandoned direct member support for Scoutbook issues and pushed all interface through local council registrars, with zero training or warning (our council registrar was and remains livid.) Our registrar doesn't have the time or expertise to fix any issues. She just throws work tickets back at national. With no responses from those, she kicked several issues to me. I have been able to help some folks, but with most, I have had to post issues in the Scoutbook forums and get Scoutbook User Advisory Council (SUAC) volunteers
  14. Yes, we all want that. But that is the point. Fewer are growing up. We are a nation of children.
  15. Because the underlying motive (I perceive) in many youth, and their parents, is to aim for freedom from responsibility, rather than freedom to choose your responsibilities, and then living up to them. I hope I am wrong.
  16. Depends on your intended use. With ground radios, line of sight is always an issue, particularly in mountainous terrain. You may consider renting satellite phones for your trip https://www.bluecosmo.com/iridium-satellite-phone-monthly-rentals.html
  17. There are no paragons (save one, but that's a religious discussion). There is no "normal guy." I'm sure, being human, you have as many deep flaws as I do... It is still "cancel culture" From the link @CynicalScouterprovided, "By retaining his name as ours, we associate too closely with his entire legacy, including his racism, imperialism, colonialism, sexism." That's a lot of "...isms", and belies a deeper self-loathing associated with the "woke"
  18. Wow, are they taking this step to distance themselves further from BSA? BPSA marketed themselves as "traditional scouting" They'll probably be changing their pages soon. https://bpsa-us.org/
  19. OK, you are fired! Now, fire me, too, please!!🤪🤪
  20. What is the real mission here? Parents, you keep the revenue stream open (membership and fundraisers), and we'll keep your Scouts advancing. Versus: Parents, we need your support to focus all resources and efforts to "... prepare young people [your Scout] to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law."
  21. I imagine they have significant scar tissue from the backlash it caused...best to let sleeping dogs lie for the moment.
  22. All your observations are spot on! (and no school!) Run your program during the summer. Have a blast!
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