Better4itall

Surprise demands on volunteers. So I went to our District Roundtable tonight and the subject was school recruiting, sign up nights. And our district executive told us that he had been instructed by his boss to tell attendees that if a unit information form was not completed and turned in this evening that they would not be able to recruit at any schools with a deadline of tomorrow morning. Less than 1/4 of the district was present at the roundtable, and everyone there scurried to complete the damn form, but what was it all about? The poor DE could only say "this is how we know that you are ready to accept new members." and when pressed, he couldn't say anything more than "you need to have a program in place". What was this all about? Does this council not realize that that the volunteers they are threatening are the foundation of their organization? Let's see how quickly we can crush a once thriving movement for the advancement of character and values by subverting it to job preservation. Please pardon if this sounds  like a rant, but it is. 

Any chance for a citation for that quote - it's a winner.

2 hours ago, DuctTape said:

If it were me, I would defer the decision to the PLC to make the determination as to who should be the SPL at camp. IMO when it comes to hierarchy, the PL is the highest and the SPL and all other troop positions exist to serve the patrols thus the PLC should make the decision.

This - Scouting is boy-led, or youth-led, so put the decision to them. Remember, as the SPL's advisor you have a lot of influence. Some of the most surprising SPL's I've seen in our troop have been the ones that I thought "oh no!" when they were elected.  And remember, it's a week.

On 3/6/2023 at 5:56 AM, scoutldr said:

Well, if you follow that pattern...Motorboating.

Thank heavens my son finished before he saw this thread. Ouch!

Friends of Scouting was instituted because "Because funds provided through the United
Way and other sources are insufficient to carry out the program determined by the council executive board". Here's the reference https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/mission/pdf/33071.pdf.  Your unit does not owe the council a dime beyond dues. The FOS program was instituted as a direct community outreach to solicit donations from benefactors. But it has become one of the many fundraising channels back to units. So dues, popcorn, camp cards and FOS all now fall to the units. Advice to councils: go look elsewhere, scouting families are tapped out.

Congratulations on your son's achievement! Irregardless of position of national. And yes, there are gems like your friend still left in scouting. I wonder why there isn't a knot for this one . . .

I'm partial to Eagle Scout Mentor pins. I've been awarded 15 at ECOH's, and I only wear them all at formal events, along with my son's Eagle Dad pin. On my regular uniform I only wear one and my son's pin, along with a rotation of event patches that I've participated in. I've been at this scouting thing for a while 😉

Just read through this subtopic. Sad but in a way re-assuring as well since it sounds like most councils have become increasingly insular and funding focused. I've been spending more time looking at WOSM Scouting movements and it's heartening to see growth, involvement, and positive directions. I am hopeful that even if BSA continues in its inwardly focused path that Scouting as a world movement will continue.

Ummm - really low country. Like 35 feet above sea level. Some good advice, but don't let it deter you, sounds like a great trek. Good hydration and conditioning training before you leave are the best preparations. Treat it like you would a Philmont trek - it looks comparable. I'd leave the O2 and Gamow bag at home, but get ahold of the local SAR team, and definitely stair-step your way up over a couple of days.

We haven't done it but it looks like a fantastic trek! As a fellow scouter from the low country, we usually add 1-2 days to acclimatize at altitude to avoid altitude sickness for mountain high-adventure trips.  With a trip like this you could fly into Denver, spend a day or two there or somewhere in between and then head out.  Mind if we borrow your idea? 

On 8/26/2021 at 2:21 PM, UKScouterInCA said:

. Tooth of Time at sunrise was the absolute highlight. If you can select an itinerary that ends on the tooth of time, do so. If you finish there, absolutely get up early to make it for sunrise. We were up at 2am, out of camp at 2:45 and to the peak by 4:45. Enjoyed the sunrise and were in basecamp by 9:30am.

I hear that if you are quick you can make breakfast in basecamp.  Great way to have a big finish!

It's a canoeing spring - March was a day trip to clean up a local creek with canoes - 17 bags of garbage.  April was a short paddle from a major spring 5 miles down river.  May will be swimming and water sports at a local lake, and June will be a 2 night river paddle.  Nothing but a sliding rock for Summer Camp in July, along with backpacking, climbing, mountain biking and random acts of Scouting.

As an older Scouter, I've got a mild gripe here.  Not to diminish the work of the fire crews or others doing everything they can to battle this or other fires.  

I trekked Philmont in 1971, and we cooked over wood fires made from deadfall and dead branches still on trees (gold in rainy weather).  We heard a rumor that they were shifting to lightweight stoves in the next year or two while we were there, and it was an accurate rumor.  So that means there is 50 years of fuel now piled up on the forest floors of Philmont.  And we see the results.  Might be time to go back to old school cooking methods, and start clearing some of that accumulation before it's done for us.  Anyone listening?  

Loved Indiana Jones as a Scout.  He was all about adventure and doing the right thing.  The folks that wrote GTSS probably had heart palpitations over it but we need more scouting like that.  Can't wait for this one!

That's great news!  Sounds like you didn't let the other leader get under your skin, which is the best way to handle those kind of things.  Congratulations on a job well done.

Our Troop has access to a private gun range, so we do Rifle and Shotgun shooting.  Start things off with a bang.  Only injury ever sustained in 10 years has been a Totin' Chip violation.  

Hey @Eagle94-A1 How did the Camporee wind up going?  What worked, what didn't?  Any advice from the trenches? 

On 8/9/2021 at 3:33 PM, skeptic said:

Just for info or reminder.  I checked today with the Corporate KOA people, and they sent me this link regarding scouts.  Note, they do mention that not all locations may participate, though they are so encouraged.  Check with your particular location to assure you know the details.  https://koa.com/scout-camps/

As some may remember, KOA was founded by an Eagle and recipient of the DEA.  I met him at the 2010 Jamboree.  Not pushing KOA, just offering the info for those that may not know.

Wow - this is a great piece of information - I had no idea, and have glanced past many KOA locations while working on campout plans.  Thank you @skeptic for this insight!

I'd suggest reaching out to the local council about it - it's possible that it will be acquired by a local/state government or a land trust and continue to operate as a camp, just not BSA. 

These 2 guys turn 18 next November and January, and will be fighting the clock to finish.

We've got 2 Scouts that will need to hurry on this, then we can set up a plan for the rest. Luckily we have a handful born in the first half of the year that dodge the bullet.  It might be cool to set up a means of connecting Scouts to Scouts, but that would need to be done carefully.  Around first class is when Scouts often enter the Ninja phase - they don't want anyone to know they are associated with Scouting, so it can't be public on social media.  It's cool when they are younger, but it doesn't become cool again until they make Eagle.

Hmmmm - you're right @Fred8033, the Scout needs to drive their own advancement cadence (sometimes maddeningly) but some MB's need some placement; Swimming before Lifesaving, and in our Troop we feel that Family Life and Personal Management are much more meaningful at age 16-17 than 12-13, so some steering happens there, too.  At a minimum, the MBC can distribute the reqs and check them off, I expect a lot of that this year.  I'm hoping for insights to make it better than a TPS Report.

Thanks, but these comments really don't help figure out how to make make it happen.  I'm hoping we can get some meaningful discussion going about experience and advice.  A Scout is courteous, I'm purposefully withholding my opinions on all this and seeing how we can help Scouts get to Eagle.  Is it more effective at First Class or after CNW (Cit. Community, Nation, World)? Is it better in a single unit setting or across units, maybe at the district or council level like they are trying in NYC?  Would a setting like a meal or campfire be more conducive than a conference or seminar room? How do we keep it from turning into either Kumbayah or The Hunger Games?  

Oh, wow - those are some good ideas.  As I've been pondering it I had also considered bringing together members of different units.  A dinner setting would be really good - could tone things down some.  Our unit tries to reserve Family Life and Personal Management for Life Scouts - I was thinking this should fit into that space too - but you are pointing to first class?  Could be a foundation for the second half of their Scouting career - hmmmm.  Although there's going to be bunch of older Scouts needing to pick it up to finish in this first round here.  Please update on your progress.  Many thanks!