Eagle_Chris

The other recommendation is to work with your PLC on what they want to do (including what type of summer camp, what activities, etc).  You can have your PLC spend time with the Scouts to understand their feedback on what they want to do over the summer - coaching and mentoring the PLC as the SM on options on camps and activities.  Many camps will provide the Scouts overviews.

Once you have what the Scouts would like to do, where they would like to go, then it’s time to go to the Committee for help on coordinating (registration, tracking payments, etc, are areas recommended to delegate to a Committee member or parent).  The Committee is there to support the Troop program.

Agree, you also should factor in :

• Philmont is strict with the height/weight guidelines and reviews upon arrival during medical re-check.
• Even though you are an adult, you are still considered a crew member - in addition to your personal gear, you will be expected to carry your share of up to 3 days of food, water, and crew gear.
• At Philmont you can be 20+ miles from base camp and the back roads are difficult to traverse in case of medical emergency.  They shut down the roads last time I was there due to the rain and mud.  You don't want to put your Crew at risk, if help can't get to you.
• I brought a solar panel to recharge my camera and smartphone, during our 2 year prep, it worked great every time.  Unfortunately when we got to Philmont, it rained for the 10 days on the trail and I didn't factor in arriving to camps late in the afternoon.

@swilliams - your son can move forward now with planning and preparing for the project, but the fundraising requires additional sign-offs at certain levels as stated above. 

I would recommend he reviews the scope of the project to ensure it is achievable in the time-frame he has.  Raising $3K then implementing the project seems like a large scope and you shared he only has 3 months?  Scouts are able to revisit the project's scope and make adjustments. 

For the material and services that he needs, can some of it be donated?  I've had several Scouts that go to Lowe's or the local lumber yard and get materials donated for their service projects.  The Scout should meet with the store manager and explain the details of their project and inquire if any materials could be donated to support the project.

Good luck to him!

@swilliams -

I've worked with many Eagle Scouts over the years.  Your Scout is in an important window of time with only 3 months before their 18th Birthday.

The Eagle Service project in itself typically takes several months including all of the documentation and final submission paperwork.  It would be a good idea for your Scout to hand deliver items and get receipts for paperwork turned-in (our Council provides receipts for paperwork items turned in).

But in parallel they should start reviewing their Eagle Scout Application (not filling out the final copy), but reviewing all rank and merit badges' completion dates and ensuring ScoutBook / Internet advancement is 100% accurate.  Does your Scout have all of the required MBs?  Are all dates in SB accurate?  Is their Scout Handbook filled in completely for sign-offs (if you use for requirements?)

They should also identify their people for recommendations (our Council had a special form that was required for the recommendations) and can write their ambitions and life purpose essay, as these will be needed for the final Eagle Scout application.

Good luck!

@George - in the BSA Guidebook to advancement (Section 4.2.1.2) it states that :

4.2.1.2 The Scout Is Tested
The unit leader authorizes those who may test and pass the Scout on rank requirements. They might include the patrol leader, the senior patrol leader, the unit leader, an assistant unit leader, or another Scout. Merit badge counselors teach and test Scouts on requirements for merit badges.

As a SM, I authorized the Patrol Leaders, Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader to sign-off on Scout through 1st Class Requirements.  Star through Eagle were signed off by the SM or ASM(s).  The biggest transition from the Cub Scout program to the BSA program are the parent sign-offs on requirements.

I found this method worked best for our Troop, and helped to support the Patrol Method.

On the Scout Spirit requirement, I coupled this with the Scoutmaster's Conference, but with the other responses above, it may work for your Troop including this with the PLC.  Here's the section from the BSA Guidebook on Scout Spirit:

4.2.3.2 Demonstrate Scout Spirit

The ideals of the Boy Scouts of America are spelled out in the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. Members incorporating these ideals into their daily lives at home, at school, in religious life, and in their neighborhoods, for example, are said to have In evaluating whether this requirement has been fulfilled, it may be best to begin by asking the Scout to explain what Scout spirit, living the Scout Oath and Scout Law to God means to them. Young people know when they are being kind or helpful, or a good friend to others. They know when they are cheerful, or trustworthy.  All of us, young and old, know how we act when no one else is around.

@Armymutt - You can join a new unit, if there are too many challenges with your existing one.

Go to Be A Scout website, enter your zip code and see all of the units in your area.  Visit some to see how other units operate.

From your posts, you are going above and beyond trying to address the shortcomings in your pack versus being able to enjoy the Scouting experience with your child.

On 11/28/2023 at 3:53 PM, HashTagScouts said:

Something is going to have to give on the Venturing/Sea Scout programs. The amount of money BSA is spending in stock of items specific to those programs alone has to be a drain. In corporate world, even having to hold items in inventory translates to ongoing expense (warehousing storage). Like the programs, would hate to think of a time we don't have them, but the amount of money BSA has to have poured into merchandise expense at a time when they are raising fees overall every year makes me sick to my stomach.

Sea Scouts does not use BSA national and Scout stores for their uniforms.

The shirt and pants are Dickies® work shirts (or equivalent) and work pants available from many retailers (including Walmart).

https://seascout.org/uniforming/

  Where can we obtain a uniform?

  The garments are commercially available work clothing similar to Dickies® work shirts and work pants. The garments can be purchased at local retailers or   online at SG Trading Post or Dickies.com.

History of the Sea Scout Uniform (including the changes in 2010 to move to more readily available uniforms:

https://seascout.org/download/the-history-of-the-official-sea-scout-uniform/?wpdmdl=22315

I’d also recommend going to an REI store if you have one in your area.  They have knowledgeable staff that can give you advice.  I’ve found that they are a great resource for camping and hiking equipment.

They also have an online store.

Scouting provides many great adventures but I agree to understand total costs you need to factor in all of the costs :

- BSA National fees

- Council fees

- Troop fees including events 

- Uniforms and patches

- Summer camp

- High Adventure - including separate transportation fees

- Equipment (backpacks, boots, clothes, sleeping bags)

I can see the concern on rising costs.  A Scout that actively participates can be funding thousands of dollars a year.  Multiple family members can double or triple this expense.

Yes, to just attend meetings would be minimal expense - but I don’t think that would keep the Scout interested very long when their friends are going to summer camp, Philmont, etc.

With the exception of travel sports, most school activities and sport teams are funded through tax payer dollars.

Has the BSA focused on obtaining more Corp sponsors and private donors?  This could offset expenses for those in need.

Have you considered just using ScoutBook?  This would keep his advancement and requirement completions right in the BSA system.

TroopMaster is not owned by the BSA.

Good luck on his Scouting journey!

This may definitely decrease the # of merit badge counselors and push more of the responsibility to existing volunteers within the Council and units.  So instead of a unit volunteer just being a SM/ASM/Committee member - we may begin to see the volunteers registering to become MB counselors at the Council level.

One of the positives of this change may be the virtual merit badge sessions may start to decrease.

@5thGenTexan - it sounds like your CO hasn't read the annual rechartering agreement they signed up for and doesn't understand their responsibilities.

https://www.scouting.org/resources/internet-rechartering/

II. The Charter Organization agrees to:

A. Generally
1. Conduct the Scouting program consistent with BSA rules, regulations, and policies located on the My.Scouting website and
online at: www.scouting.org/about/membership-standards/.
2. Coordinate with the Local Council to provide annual recruitment opportunities to grow the BSA movement as well as
publicize BSA through in-house publications.
3. Refrain from using the Scouting brand as a means to imply BSA’s endorsement of the objectives of the Charter
Organization, except with respect to youth development, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Scouting
program. Refrain from soliciting financial support except as authorized for the benefit of the Unit or the Local Council.
4. Select a Charter Organization Representative (COR) to serve as a voting member of the council.

B. Management and Leadership
1. Reasonably support the Scouting Unit Committee, comprised of at least three members for each Unit.
2. Review and select all adult leaders, subject to the approval of the Local Council, and ensure they are willing to accept
Scouting’s values and meet all other requirements of membership.
3. Administer the assets of the Unit, including all funds, real property, and personal property (e.g., trailers) that are acquired
by the Unit either for the benefit of Scouting or in the name of Scouting and administer the assets for the benefit of the
Unit.
4. Authorize the unit to open a separate bank account for the Unit using the Charter Organization EIN and provide the Unit
with policies and procedures for financial reporting and asset management.
5. Follow all Guide to Safe Scouting requirements to ensure the adequate review and inspection of trailers, and other assets.

C. Use of Facilities
1. Work with the Unit to secure safe facilities for regular meetings.

@5thGenTexan - Your posts are very thoughtful and you care about the Scouting program a lot, but it seems like you have a Troop that has many challenges, my advice follows others and look for a different unit, even if it means a drive.

Also, it seems like based posts and how involved you want to be, you are also in the wrong volunteer role - as a Committee Chairman/Chairwoman your role is not to setup camp outs/events, structure meetings, help the PLC during meetings, etc   The Committee is there to support the program that the PLC plans (logistics, fundraising, equipment, etc).  You may want to consider becoming an Assistant Scoutmaster based on how involved you'd like to be.  This would give you more opportunities to help guide the Scouts in the unit to the BSA methods.

As far as your SM, it's the role of the Chartered Organization to select and approve adult leaders, not the CC, members of the committee, or ASMs.  If you are having challenges with your SM, you should setup time with your Chartered Organization (Executive Officer, COR) to discuss your concerns.  They have a lot of responsibility as a Chartered Organization - one of them is selecting and approving adult volunteers.  Your Chartered Organization may want the program ran the way your unit is operating, or they may not even be aware.

The OA seems to operate on a lot of nostalgia and adults who cite the way things used to be.  My sons, who both completed their Ordeal, both said it seemed like a clique, and both opted not to do brotherhood - preferring to focus their time with their friends in the Troop.

With the limited funding and volunteers the BSA has, it needs to simplify itself and focus on its core priority - the Scouts in the Troops.

As the survey questions listed there are many areas in the OA that need to be reviewed to ensure respect and honor.

A significant revamp is needed, or starting new.

I’d recommend you have your Leaders  (SM/ASM) attend Wilderness First Aid and CPR/AED training.  This training helps prepare you when situations happen during BSA events.  The high adventure camps require it as a prerequisite, but the skills are important for many activities.

Mncaa,

We found that renting two vehicles (1 minivan, 1 car) was less expensive than a 12 passenger van.  You wouldn’t need to worry about the supplemental insurance then.  You may want to compare your options.

We have an adult volunteer at our Council that hosts a “Life to Eagle” session with all new Life Scouts.  He reviews the Eagle service project objective and the Eagle Service project workbook section by section with the Scouts.

I always thought it was a great way to orient the Life Scouts to the service project purpose, process and how to correctly fill out the workbook.  It then becomes their responsibility to fill it out properly.  As they go for Committee and SM signatures these are opportunities for coaching and mentoring of the Eagle candidate.

The workbook’s purpose is to help the Scout navigate how to deliver a service project.  Most Scouts aren’t trained in project management so this becomes a great guide for them.

We had an Eagle application sent back from National because the Scout had a merit badge earned before their BSA join date (when he was a AOL/Cub Scout).

His parents explained a SM/ASM told them it was OK (it was not).  We had to invalidate the merit badge and resubmit his application.

Luckily he had more than the minimum #, as he was 18.

I would recommend waiting to ensure everything is 100%.

Fall/Winter months ideas:

- snowshoeing (check with local parks, most only charge $5 or so)

- sledding 

- hikes

- fishing including fly fishing

- astronomy - check for local locations, many are free.  I was at an event last summer and the astronomy place had a telescope that were giving away to a Troop that would use it 

- biking

- community service / clean-ups

- we have one camp that provides us free camping if the Scouts help them with Fall/winter readiness (stacking wood, clearing trails, etc)

- bird identification during a hike

I’d recommend purchasing the MB pamphlets for the Eagle required merit badges for your library at a minimum.  They have a lot of good material and our MB Counselors use them during the sessions - especially the Citizenship in the Community/Nation/World, Personal Management, Personal Fitness, Family Life, Cooking and Camping.

With Swimming/First Aid/Life Saving typically being summer camp MBs the Scouts pursue, I haven’t seen many Scouts purchasing these.

One of our MB Counselors (Personal Fitness) purchased 10 MB books during the last time he offered the badge for the Scouts taking the badge and then added them to our library.

I agree with the posts about digitizing.  I also think the digital worksheets PDFs most Scouts download could be packaged with the content.

We went to the Florida Sea Base and did the Coral Reef Adventure.  It was a great adventure, everyone had a lot of fun snorkeling in the coral reefs, exploring islands and living on the sailboat.  

Krishof - they are only ~$20, if you need more feedback from others they can weigh in.  We just returned from Sea Base and I gave you my experience.  They were worth the $20.

The islands we visited and toured did not have Coral Reefs near their shores, they were just rock and sand.

For all of the adventures, your Captain will be able to identify the coral reefs and protected areas, most are marked with buoys.  No one should walk on coral reefs with fins or dive socks - that is definitely not allowed.  
 

Also, reach out to the US National Marine Sanctuary before your adventure, I had them teach our Crew about the coral reefs.  It was a great overview for them.

Coral Reef Adventure.  It was a lot of fun!  The Scouts did a great job, and enjoyed snorkeling, fishing and exploring historical sites.

I’d definitely recommend attending Sea Base if your Troop hasn’t been there!

Our Troop just returned from Sea Base and everyone used the neoprene dive socks.  The flippers they provide are made of rubber and if you are snorkeling/scuba a lot can cause blisters.  The dive socks are not too expensive.

We also made swims out to islands and when you take the flippers off, it was an added benefit not to be on the rocks barefoot.