InquisitiveScouter

I do not believe it has "run its course." Rather, flip the script...Is there a need that Scouting fills? Or better yet, in the big picture, What is the problem we are trying to solve with Scouting? BP saw a problem in the structures (or lack thereof) that society used to bring youth into full adulthood, with the physical, spiritual, emotional, social, fiscal, (and more?) accoutrements (aka character) necessary for a well functioning society. He thought Scouting could address those problems. https://infed.org/mobi/robert-baden-powell-as-an-educational-innovator/ Do those selfs

HICO, you are fighting physiology there...the point is, that part of the brain isn't done growing in yet...they do not have the physical structures needed for that kind of "adult" thinking. But, what we can do, is train them in the processes and form the habits of planning, forecasting, and leading. Eagle94, please do look for that! I'd like to read that one (as a lifelong learner ) Qwazse, right on! Even BP said " First-class Scout A BOY does not really get the value of the Scout training until he is a First-class Scout. The Second-class is only a st

Concur, Barry. OA has definitely lost its luster.

I understand the desire, but the science isn't there (pardon the phrase.) I would advocate that we need to extend their youth. We know that the brain is not fully formed, with the seat of executive function not being developed until about 25. Historically, young men had to rise to the challenge earlier because of life expectancy. That, and the needed skill set for a 15 year old to succeed was not as great or complex as it is today, imho. As a commander in the military, guess which age cohort I dealt with incurred most judicial punishments, substances problems, domestic violence or

David, Are you really comparing finger-painting to the skills, service, and leadership you must learn and demonstrate on your way to Eagle? Facetious. Bigger and better things? Isn't that what Scouting promises? We come up with bigger and better things for our Scouts all along their path. And the adults who accompany on the outings and activities we do with our older Scouts often find great challenge in what they are doing, and are satisfied with their accomplishments. Many of them have never done them before. Why not recognize their efforts and progress as well? Part of

Not just you...my circumstances for staying in fit your description to a tee...and most of my friends in Scouting as a youth simply left the program when they "aged out." It is sad that we even have this phrase... Scouting should have no age restrictions. How many men out there are full of regret at not earning their Eagle? I know at least a dozen who would come back in a heartbeat to finish their goal. As an Eagle Scout, I would welcome the accomplishment from any person, regardless of age. What would your unit look like if there were patrols of different ages...or lifelong pat

Can't imagine how much Camp Pouch on Staten Island is worth....

You aren't overthinking it, brother ...that is the purpose of open, non-attribution discussion. Discussion gives us the chance to work out our own thinking, articulate our ideas, get input from others, and modify the framework of our thinking to strengthen it, or get rid of it for new thinking. Enjoy!

Thanks! I learned something new today! Didn't know this had "changed." I find this a bit disturbing...all assets should belong to the CO, period. It is their program, and they get to decide what to do with the stuff. This also has tax implications...for example...Scout unit does a fundraiser (..."in the name of Scouting?") to buy, say, a trailer to haul gear...if someone donates to that cause, it is the CO's EIN that records the donation. That is, if the donor asks for a receipt for tax purposes, it is the CO's EIN (federal IRS Employer Identification Number) that is listed as

Hmmm...not quite. What I have seen is SM's doing jobs outside their lane (including me!!) because of lack of support from the Committee. The huge job of putting on a good program for the Troop is not the Scoutmaster's job. It is the job of the Troop Committee and the Scoutmaster corps, in toto. Too often I run up against the mentality that I, as the Scoutmaster, am THE leader of the Troop. People want to look to one person on whom to "stop the buck." It is not the Scoutmaster. It is the triumvirate, the Key 3. As a Scoutmaster, I identify critical needs and timelines to the Committee C

Concur, but that is why they call it the "Introduction to..." Is there a BSA course for adults to learn these skills in any depth? Not in my experience...even went to National Camp School twice for Scoutcraft (back in the day). It was better, but still didn't hit the mark. It wasn't until I started reading my Scout Handbook and the merit badge pamphlets, putting together the materials and skills so I could teach them at Scout camp...(served on 15 camp staffs in various disciplines.) I have taught many IOLS classes...and too many people are looking for the "easy" answer or some

Did you actually read the article you cited?

Not years...perhaps a few hours, maybe even days... But your thinking, and behavior, is wrong, friend. The facts (stubborn things) and statistics don't support you. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding Plan ahead, far right lane, cruise control on the speed limit...let the real hazardous drivers pass you on the left.

or a painter?

7. Don't hike alone in cougar / bear country. 8. After the encounter, wipe.

There are a great deal of rules in flying. It is an extremely complex activity. That is also one of the complaints you hear from volunteers as they peel the curtain back on Scouting...the rule set is complex. But that is as it should be...it, also, is a complex activity (or should we say a collection of complex activities) with OPK (other people's kids) Unfortunately, in both flying and Scouting, breaking the rules, intentionally or not, can have catastrophic consequences. https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/ The best pilots, and Scouters, first know the

That's another one that brings out the legalists...and you wouldn't believe the discussions I have heard on this (actually, you probably would)... Scouter 1: "12 years, 364 days old cannot tent with 15 years, zero days old. 15 minus 12 is 3! But on his birthday tomorrow, he can! (15 minus 13 is 2)" Scouter 2: "Oh no, tomorrow, he is 15 plus one day, minus 13 plus zero days is 2 years and a day...no tenting together!" Me: "What about Leap Years?" and run away smh...

That'll be $590, plus tax, please http://www.durabletoys.com/speedway-express-series-860-six-wheel-tandem-wagon/

It is also important to note the confusing verbiage in many of BSA's publications... For example, the Age Guidelines for Tool Use... https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/healthsafety/pdf/680-028.pdf National goes through all kinds of contortions here...it names these as "guidelines", and then says they are "recommendations", but, rightly defers to manufacturer literature... "Manufacturers’ literature and age and skill restrictions shall supersede the recommendations on the chart below." But then does a detour and uses the word "shall", which is prescriptive, rather

I choose door #3...

Our last COR is a Law Professor at a nearby university. He enlightened me on this...it is by design

I addressed concerns to our council...FOS heavy-handed tactics, FOS presenters not being able to answer questions about where the money goes, lack of council transparency about where the money goes, poor camp facilities, etc. After our Key 3 meeting with council reps concerning why we, each of the Key 3, did not wish to have an FOS presentation in our unit, I was removed from District and Council Committees by the SE. Without a phone call or any coherent explanation to date...had to find that out from other volunteers who run those committees... Not authentic P.S. Our council now

Sorry, not the case...if you have a legitimate question, and you know your SE/local staff isn't giving a coherent answer, and you email National, it will bite you right in the keister. National views you as being solely under the authority of your local SE. So, when you conduct events in surrounding councils, you still fall under the interpretation of rules/policies as issued by your local SE, not the hosting council...unless that council is MORE restrictive. If you point out the disconnect, you get skewered. They shoot the messenger... I have experienced this personally. And

This is my perception of how this works in many Troops. Most of the time, a new parent (probably one who was a DL) takes on ASM, and continues the Cub Scout model...this is not good... For us, we assign an ASM (who knows how to back off), and let the TG show them the ropes from Crossover (Feb/March) through their first few camping trips, PLCs, and a Summer Camp. Once the NSP "gets the program," usually around August/September, we have the TG back off and let the NSP operate independently. In October, they have their first Patrol-only camping trip (scheduled in two weeks, hooray!!)