Aidan_MacAnBhaird

The various observations and opinions related to the state of our nation are obviously pertinent to scouting; however, this country has seen similar demographic and popular culture shifts in previous decades and scouts has remained strong. While nationals can contribute heavily to updating and promoting scouting without changing the core values while honoring the history and culture of scouting, the core responsiblilty of scouting success rests primarily at the unit level. BSA is built on a traditional corporate model and operates as thus. As with any corporation, the ultimate owners are the consumers. Our children are the consumers. If the leadership at the unit level is weak, our "consumer" interset, capability, and willingness to progress will be weak. So while we can all discuss the decline of age-old establishments in this country, it is the current leadership of such establishments which maintain control of the success or failure of such entity.

So what are we all doing as leaders? Does anyone follow the business plan set forth by nationals? Do you understand that plan and how its implementation and consistent use is directly proportional to the success of the unit?

Then we come to the details of this plan. Yes, there is obviously a need to improve the simplicity of each divisions manuals. From pack to crew, these books could be re-written. Anyone want to take a stab? Has anyone drilled down to the appropriate individuals in charge of this and had a discussion with them?

How about those uniforms. The dork level is dependent on the region of the country. They seem to be considered far more "dorkier" in large metropolitain areas, followed by suburban, then lesser so in rural areas. It is also dependent upon how the uniform is presented. Do the adult leaders convey that they consider this uniform dorky? Then the youth will at some point mirror that attitude. Personally, I hate the pants - and in fact our crew has opted for a very technical short/pant combo. Do these youth know I do not like the uniform? Only the pants, and only after they voted to replace them. How have any of you handled the uniform situation on a pack or troop level?

Do all of you have an outdoor activity each month?

Do all of you use the patrol method and meeting agenda?

Do all of you train your youth leadership then allow them to run their troop?

If you are a pack leader, are your Webelos prepared for the higher responsibilities of scouting, and do their parents understand the differences and expectations between the two?

Do all of your units have enough adult support and support from your charter organizations?

Would love to gain greater perspective and insight on the factual details and leave the theoretical state of the country to nationals.

Anyone want to answer?

This thread has been very interesting indeed; however, what is the next step? Many have noticed components which may be causing a decline in our numbers, but how will we address these components, prioritize validated decline-causing components, and simultaneously address cubs, scouts, venturers, their leaders, and committees that need overhauling or re-training?

I would love to know the region and socio-economic stats of each of the people who posted. This became apparent to me after moving cross-country. The problems I saw in Dallas' country clubs had to do with city slickers and the career-driven, highly transient lifestyle of the adults. The highly rural eastern area I live in now has the same number problem, but completely different reasons.

A one size-fits all approach will not work for BSA because this country is too diverse across its regions; yet, like the heritage of Scouts, there are some significant "truths" which can be the foundations of making scouting exceptional across the board.

Gern makes a good point about the adventure aspect of scouting. The troops I see sticking to the scout plan, with youth run meetings accomplishing set goals to enable better adventure are not all doing poorly. However, their numbers suffer when the troop becomes a "fiefdom" to some adults, alienating parents, and having groups of boys treated as either "in crowd" or "out crowd".

Conversely, the troops I see that dismiss the scout plan as bunk or too difficult lose the 11-12 year old group the fastest due to boredom. These often started with or have developed a "fiefdom" component, or the adults would not be sticking together in their disdain for the proven process. These boys are usually in the worst scenario. They receive no leadership training because the adults do not implement the program. They have lacking outdoor skills because often these same adults think that component is too hard.

Contrary to Gern's belief, BSA is ripe with examples of leaders who were made, not born. That is what we are giving to these boys, an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone by absorbing their attention so greatly they do not realize how far outside that zone they have stepped.

The meetings need to be in place in order to gain the experience and organization needed to accomplish adventurous goals. The patrol method works, and works well in keeping the older youth doing something other than teaching the younger youth. And thank you to each and every person who stated adults need to get out of the way, step to the background, or hold their charges to a high degree of expectation. Seriously, if any of you went to a meeting where someone talked to you the whole time without allowing any input, would you go again?

Eagledad has a great deal to offer. But how do we get that wisdom back to the council level? Is there some sort of rift between professional staff and volunteers? Is there a part of the business plan volunteers are not aware or do not understand? The decline in numbers is not society, or parents, or boys. The decline in numbers is because of the adult leadership for a plethora of varied reasons. So, what do we do about it, and where do we go from here?