Arkie

5 minutes ago, fred8033 said:

IMHO ... for the love of all that is scouting ... Condense these school MBs into fewer MBs !!!  More bow and arrow.  More camp fire cooking.  More hiking.  More swimming.  etc, etc, etc

This, all day every day.

15 minutes ago, Owls_are_cool said:

Hypothetical...If I am selling Scouts BSA to a prospective scout, would bringing up this merit badge increase or decrease the chances of them joining the program?

Not hypothetically, I'd focus on any number of the outdoor components of Scouting before I'd mention any of the Citizenship badges, Family Life, etc.  But to the extent it's a topic of conversation, I can't imagine telling a prospective Scout, "At some point before you earn the rank of Eagle, you'll need to work on a merit badge where you'll be asked to think about and discuss similarities and differences between you and others."  

YMMV

On 7/2/2023 at 10:13 AM, Delphinus said:

What even is the purpose of this proposed merit badge? If they want to introduce it as an optional MB, fine. However, if they make it a required MB, they may find that many Scouts and their parents will just leave. 

Echoing what others have already said, the Scouts for whom I've served as MBC over the past year or so have seemed to enjoy the discussions on our various similarities/differences with some very poignant and impactful stories about bullying in school, etc. for looking/talking/acting "different".  None of our Scouts or their families have indicated that this something that would cause them to leave, and considering we're in a geographic region where anything "different" is automatically suspect, that's saying something.  

TL;DR version - it's a nothing-burger from the perspective of your theory. 

I don't read it as sequential time, i.e. only after the merit badge(s) is/are earned.  I understand it to be any time on-the-water since joining.  

On 6/23/2021 at 9:05 AM, Jameson76 said:

Troop was at summer camp last week.  We had 20 + Scouts and 5 leaders.  Total of about 1,000 Scouts, 150 leaders, 125 staff (+/-) in camp.  Nice to be back after running our own camp last year

• Program ran like normal, which was good
  • No cohorts or group requirements
• Some changes to food service, but not onerous
• The camp was somewhat short staffed
  • Main challenge was college aged Scouts as colleges had reduced tuitions for the summer
  • Also pay challenges with other businesses paying more and jobs plentiful
• Talked with leaders and most (like our unit) felt the virtual meetings were not a good replacement to move Scouting along
• All seemed to have found a way to meet during the pandemic and with CO's shut down
  • NOTE - none mentioned (including our unit) of any district or council proactive leadership on this 
• All units seemed to have lost some newer Scouts during the crossover and shutdown of Mar 2020 - June 2020, most have reached out to those Scouts but not much traction
• Many units are concerned for the health of the Cub Packs they work with
  • Some not meeting
  • Some are down 50%
  • Will be an issue on progression of youth in the program next several years
• Camp has a leader dinner on Thursday, would have been good to have SE there acknowledging the struggle is real with COVID and bankruptcy
  • Maybe acknowledging the future is charted but not 100%
  • Maybe thank the leaders not only for being at camp but also for in fact still being in Scouting and still working to bring the promise of Scouting to youth
  • A missed opportunity though not unexpected as the Senior Professionals on the Council seem to have a disdain for the lowly unit leaders
• The property was in decent shape despite not much use for the last year
• Scouts had a great time

Long time lurker, first time poster who attended summer camp for the first time last week as an adult leader (son attended for his first time as well).  

20+ Scouts and 5+ leaders from our troop with a total of around 400 Scouts in camp. 

I would echo almost every one of your points based on feedback from the other more experienced leaders and my own observations.  Our main issue was with inexperienced/first year staff, some with what appeared to be extremely limited Scouting experience.  Lots of bickering among staff in front of the Scouts; requirements in the Green Bar area not being completed due to staff deciding not to instruct the rest of the session time; merit badge requirements being signed off without actually being completed and/or requirements being completed but not signed off.  

However, Scouts enjoyed it and felt the week was an overall positive, so all of this is just adult grumbling.  Wouldn't trade the experience and look forward to many more.   - Arkie