InquisitiveScouter

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 to work issues because they have permissions.  God bless the SUAC folks, but this is just wrong that we have come to this.

I have been getting really tired of being "a useful idiot" for BSA lately.  I work diligently to put on a good program for our Troop, and our local council and national (over the years) have repeatedly <expletive deleted> on adult volunteers.  They are being paid to support membership, but I am seeing little value-added support.

Perhaps liquidation will provide the "creative destruction" needed to reset the Scouting program (sans BSA) in the US.

53 minutes ago, MattR said:

As a teenager I certainly had those tendencies as well. I don't think this is a generational thing so much as a growing up thing.

Yes, we all want that.  But that is the point.  Fewer are growing up.  We are a nation of children.

5 minutes ago, yknot said:

Yes that really is one of the best things that Qwazse has ever said. It is so profoundly true. 

Why, though, is scouting having such a hard time seeing this? 

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.

3 minutes ago, mrjohns2 said:

I can’t tell if you are being facetious or not. Our unit commissioner attends all Pack, Boy Troop, and girl troop meetings. He lets us know when he can’t. He also attends a normal unit meeting of each, each month or so. He does this for three COs. Each have 2 or 3 units. So, I’m the 3 years I have been on the troop committee, the commissioner is always there to help. He does a great great job of not “getting in the way”, but is there when needed. 

You are the exception, I think.

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

10 minutes ago, yknot said:

I don't know why they changed but outside of scouting BP has a problematic history that has nothing to do with cancel culture. Most scouters just know the official biographies about him. There has been a lot more published, some outright scurrilous, some serious research, that has to be taken as a part of the whole when considering him. For my part, I think he had some great insights into the minds of kids and how to engage them in constructive fun - an approach that I think works for girls as well as boys by the way - but he was by no means the paragon that the scouting world has set him up to be. I don't fault people for being a product of their time but he had some weird interests including a morbid fascination with executions. He was not a normal guy. 

. 

 

 

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"

Ahhh...more cancel culture...B-P is bad now 🤪

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/

3 minutes ago, JoeBob said:

Fire me, PLEASE!!!

OK, you are fired!

Now, fire me, too, please!!🤪🤪

1 hour ago, SSScout said:

What think ye on this?   A "Promise to Parents", not a "promise to kids"?  

https://www.crossroadsbsa.org/wp-content/uploads/Scouts-BSA-2021-Promise-to-Parents-Troop-Brand-Standards61.pdf

I address your attention especially to the last paragraph.  

 

Metrics?  Control?   Pro's vs volunteers?   National vs local?    

Will the Scout remember the ribbon on the flag or the rain on the canvas? 

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."

1 hour ago, CynicalScouter said:

Nothing was announced, no. The phrase was used several times in terms of BSA's goals to expand "diversity, equity, and inclusion" in terms of board representation, outreach to scouts, etc. But not the merit badge.

I imagine they have significant scar tissue from the backlash it caused...best to let sleeping dogs lie for the moment.

12 hours ago, Armymutt said:

I just found out that our pack doesn't meet in the summer.  I'm not sure why.  Seems like a great way to lose members.  I seem to remember Scouting being a year-round activity.  We've overcome so much sluggishness to start building the pack, and then we're going to waste it?

11 hours ago, Armymutt said:

That's the thing.  There's so much light, it's perfect for meeting.  We meet in the dead of winter when it's dark before we arrive.  Why not enjoy the sunshine?

All your observations are spot on!  (and no school!) Run your program during the summer.  Have a blast!

That's not a knife...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSnosk4tWrg&ab_channel=TomasTree

I think many have been putting out resumes and doing interviews just to hedge their bets.

8 minutes ago, MattR said:

skirt with summer weight gators

and go Commando, of course  

Which is why I use it in cold weather

I have never seen Scouts (youth) wear ponchos during outdoor activities and stay dry.  They (the Scouts and the ponchos) require a good deal of management to stay unsoaked.

And you still need something for lower legs and boots...

Ponchos do work great when sitting still, waiting for the rain to pass.  But, " a boy is not a sitting-down animal."

Your mileage may vary.

Here's the entry for rain gear in our Troop blog that we encourage new Scouts and parents to read and heed:

----------------------

Rain gear: Don’t get a poncho, please. Ponchos are nearly useless. The best rain gear for Scouting is a two piece rain suit. Buy a set a size too large, as your Scout may need to put on extra layers underneath to stay warm. Frogg Toggs makes a good entry level set for about $25. Please choose a subdued color. Bright colors aren’t really suitable for our adventures in the woods.

-----------------------

As mentioned above, Frogg Toggs are somewhat fragile.  That's why we call them "entry level."  If a Scout really loves the program and wants to go for more challenging adventures, then we tell them to invest more in better gear.  REI, Columbia, HH, and any number of other purveyors of quality outdoor gear have suitable suits that will suit your needs

In warmer weather, and for backpacking, I use a lightweight REI shell.  ~$60, https://www.rei.com/product/177196/rei-co-op-groundbreaker-rain-jacket-20-mens

In cold weather, I use my military issued Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) (Gen III) wind jacket.  https://ciehub.info/References/peosoldier.army.mil/factsheets/SEQ_CIE_ECWCS.pdf  Don't really prefer this in warmer weather just due to the weight and warmth...

In all weather, I carry the ECWCS bottom, but rarely use it. https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Extended_Climate_Warfighter_Clothing_System  Primarily keeps rain and snow out of your boots as @SSScout and others mention.  I've seen lots of folks on the trail use gaiters for this purpose instead...

You can get these (in outdated camo patterns like Woodland) as surplus (or on EBay) at a very reasonable price. 

Enjoy!

P.S.  Color is a matter of Troop and personal preference.  Bright colors are helpful if lost/separated/etc.  Subdued colors are a LNT consideration, to blend in and not be visually obnoxious in the woods.  There are reversible models https://www.ganderoutdoors.com/blocker-outdoors-men’s-shield-series-evolve-reversible-parka-627600.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign={Campaign}&gclid=CjwKCAjwqIiFBhAHEiwANg9szorDbANobQBk_zt3emln-eNSnidymnDcb_ElK45-FhSrWVUAR0rzABoCxpoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds  

But that is way down on my list of gear to procure and test

We do have our Scouts purchase a reversible fleece hat, as we hit the woods during hunting season as well!! https://www.amazon.com/Equipment-Camouflage-Fleece-Reversible-Cuffed/dp/B07WVT6XBF/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=reversible%2Bblaze%2Borange%2Bfleece%2Bhat&qid=1553806549&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-9&th=1

In the not so distant future???

Jimmy, building a fire:  Mr. Scoutmaster, will you sign me off on the requirement for building a fire?

Me:  Jimmy, there aren't any requirements to sign off any more.  The Boy Scouts of America no longer exists.

Jimmy:  Uh, OK, may I still build the fire?

Me:  Sure, have at it  

8 hours ago, 5thGenTexan said:

Well..  I am CC now.   

mazel tov!

35 minutes ago, CynicalScouter said:

I will put money on the table that the 2021 and 2022 increases will take place.

The reasons to depart are reaching critical mass...

18 minutes ago, mrjohns2 said:

Agreed. I also know, just like allergies, if anyone has a "do not let them go home with this person". For us, no Scouts have anyone listed. Which makes it easy. Allergies? A bit harder. 

Our unit practice is that the adult leader in charge (and there is always only ONE designated) must review all AHMRs prior to an event for "Prohibited Adults" and allergies.  At show time, each person with a rescue inhaler or Epi-pen must produce it, or not go.

(But we do not do this for meetings...)

3 minutes ago, Oldscout448 said:

Yah hmmm, it could be quite useful to have a instantly updated list of who is authorized to pick up the scouts.  Case in point, about a dozen years ago one of our scouts was picked up by his dad right after the meeting as he had done many times before.  The scouters never gave it a second thought although the scouts mother had dropped him off. Mom arrived 5-10 minutes later and went absolutely berserk. Seems there had been an  ugly event in the last week involving alcohol, threats, maybe more.  Police had been called, restraining orders issued. Mom called police and her lawyer threatened to  sue us, BSA, the CO.  Anyone and everyone. About 10  minutes (seemed like eternities)  later the scout called from home. Dad had just wanted to explain why he had to go away for a while to get his life straight again.  Scout cried, dad cried. Then dropped him off at home and drove away.
But could have ended much differently.

That's why there is a section on the AHMR which says "Adults NOT Authorized to Take Youth to and From Events"

The burden is on the parents/guardians to inform the unit.  It would have never held up in court

4 minutes ago, Owls_are_cool said:

When I my son joined his current troop, the committee was big on having scouts and adults sign behavior agreements. Anyone breaking the agreement can be expelled from the troop and it was used eventually by certain parents to remove scouts they did not like. Since the troop split, I have been just using the scout oath and law. It covers every situation and it allows scouts to make mistakes and learn from them. 

When we came to the Troop five years ago, the 'behavior agreement' was about three pages long... yuk.

We shortened it to this:

------------------------------------------------------------

I will behave appropriately during all Scout activities, living the Oath and Law, and demonstrating Scout Spirit at all times. I understand that misbehavior and inappropriate activities will not be tolerated.

I understand there will be consequences if my behavior is not acceptable.  I understand consequences can and will include warnings, sitting out during an activity, parent conferences, having a parent take me home from an activity, or exclusion from future activities until I earn trust in my behavior again, and demonstrate to my Scout youth and adult leadership that I can be trusted.

____________________________________________ _____________________

Signature of Scout                                                           Date

I have reviewed the Troop Handbook and discussed behavior expectations and consequences with my Scout.  Furthermore, I understand I must make arrangements to pick up my Scout from an activity if necessary, even if the activity is out of town.

____________________________________________ _____________________

Signature of Parent or Guardian                                     Date

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 We had to put in that last blurb because, on two separate occasions, we had to send a Scout home, but his parents had gone away while we were camping and said they couldn't get him.  That's one clue as to why he acted out  His grandfather came to get him.

13 hours ago, mashmaster said:

It is such a fine line.  We do lots of sailing with masks and when they are on a single person dinghy, they remove the masks.  At meetings we are outdoors with masks.  Only complaints we get are from Adults trying to make a political point. I shut those down.

One of our local schools recently forced all students to come into school to take a standardized test.  The cheerleading team apparently all had covid and spread it to 26 kids.  ugh

We do not do masks in any aquatic activity.  You go in the water with one on, and your breathing is immediately impaired.  Not a good idea, IMHO.