desertrat77

Our ranger disliked our crew from the start. Granted, the ranger had good reason for his attitude. Long running SM/ASM conflict/power plays, and on-going battles between certain scouts. I was used to the dysfunction and learned to keep my distance. Outsiders were always dismayed and our ranger was no exception. The ranger may have approached the SM in private about the dynamics of our crew. Either way, he would not have gotten very far due to the SM's dictatorial style. (Exhibit A: in the SM's office in our scout building, he had a framed picture of Hitler and Mussolini right behind his desk.)

I can identify with NJCubScouter's comments...my sole trek was 40 years ago this summer. Visited base camp last summer. It used to be a sleepy hollow. Not any more! People, buildings and wall tents everywhere. As best as I can recall of that long-ago trek, everything was pretty flexible. Arrived late in the day, largely due to my SM's jeep overheating every 100 miles or so. Casually moved through a day of processing at base camp. Throughout the trek, we were usually on the trail by 0800. Or so. No pressure from any one. Rarely saw anyone else on the trail.

Tahawk, now I'm curious! What Big Knot costs $100K? Concur, watching people stumble can have educational (and entertainment) value. But I'm at that point in life where I have more years behind me than ahead of me. Six days at the picnic table is too much for me. The course content was covered quite well in college courses and several levels of professional military education. Most of it is old ground. As a frequent mover during my military career, I did go somewhere else and and quite often. Same WB vibe, different degrees.

Well said, Colonel Flagg. Beginning in the mid '80s, I've turned down opportunities to attend WB, in several locations, due to the factors succinctly listed above. Generally, the WB community does not have the same enthusiasm for unit level scouting as they do for WB itself. I've seen scouters go to WB and become interested in three things: WB culture, district matters and council politics. Sometimes at the expense of their unit responsibilities.

The patch is superfluous. Faithful old scouters are always recognized and respected, even in street clothes.

+1 Matt is right on target. So is Colonel Flagg and Stosh and the other scouters: the unit that does outdoor stuff, and does it regularly, won't be forced to resort to a tiresome sales campaign. The recruits beat a path to your door. That's factor number one. The second important factor: a scout is friendly. Recruiting events/open houses fail because of this. Recently, I saw a unit hold an open house that was well attended by interested youth and parents. Net result: zero sign ups. The scouts already in the unit sat there, like lumps on a log, playing with their phones or in an adolescent "I don't want to be here" stupor. If they did speak, it was only to someone they already knew. Having seen this dynamic before, I encouraged the youth leadership ahead of time to be friendly, welcoming, etc., and the impact it would have. They shrugged it off, so they'll have to learn the hard way. Flyers to schools? Limited impact. If they get passed out at all, paper products are not interesting to many youth today. A real program, run by real scouts, is the best recruiting plan.

As far as scouters grousing here at scouter.com, I'm all for it. Often our challenges are not unique to our locale.

Lack of volunteers and/or knowledge are just two challenges districts may face. As a career military guy, I've been in several districts. Stick around long enough and you'll see plenty of malice and negligence (criminal or otherwise).

Looks like folks are responding well to the recommendation, @blw2 I ordered a used one from Amazon yesterday and paid about 9 bucks, shipping included. There weren't many cheap used copies available then. Naturally, buying a used copy from a thrift store located in another state means that delivery will be slow, pack-mule slow. But I'm looking forward to reading it.

+1 Some of the camps that are on the auction block could be saved if the BSA wasn't so hung up on AC, flush toilets, paved sidewalks, conference halls/rooms, and a host of other man-made stuff. And I'm throwing this particular rock at pro staffers as well as units who feel they have to all the comforts of town whilst in the great outdoors. I like @krikkitbot 's idea. When did nature become so boring to many scouts and scouters? Signs of the times.

Richard, even a modern-day synonym for "pedantic" could be a compliment (exact, precise, etc.). But, oftentimes, your input is not exact. If you have insights from your perch in scouting that would benefit those of us in the field, please share them. And we'll thank you for them. Otherwise, the hinting with no revelation, the clouding of the issue, and the defense of the status quo generally results in threads ending like this.

Patrols can do a lot of good around their neighborhood...checking on folks, distributing water/food/blankets/clothes...helping sort through debris.... The reason they aren't called is twofold: 1. Our culture today views teenagers as "children" up to and even after high school graduation. And many teenagers are okay with that label. 2. Some EM leaders/workers I met have a subtle but definite ego thing going about their roles. At least when the sun is shining or the situation is within their control. They don't want to share the EM image or kudos with anyone outside of their chosen circle. But when it really hits the fan, they'll need some extra help.

Even though they have limited opportunities at first, they'll have gain connections and experience. In due time they'll be ready to take on more responsibility. I like the scheme. I've been in several districts and even the good ones tend to be hidebound, staffed with older/elderly folks that have served a long time but may be stuck on "we've always done it this way."

The BSA's relevance fades the further it moves away from the outdoors.

Any scout who camped for 50 nights under a canvas tent with two old blankets pinned for a bedroll knew a thing or two about camping. A laundry list of additional admin requirements probably was not necessary. My BORs on the 70s, T thru FC, were all chaired by scouts and they were comprehensive on-site skills review. Signed off on the square lashing? Orienting a map? Prove it. And it better be right.

If not, then I'd recommend finding another site and explaining the circumstances to the CO ("CO, no offense but...."). As a former bartender, I'd find it interesting and a little surprising if they didn't lock up their alcohol. Even under lock and key, it tends to walk away.

Is the alcohol locked up or otherwise not accessible to the scouts? Yes? I'd meet at the club.

These tend to work: - Persistently refuse to take Woodbadge - Continually steer discussions back to "how does this impact the units?" - As Eagle 94 said, point out discrepancies - Be a bona fide outdoorsman/woman - Decline to donate to FOS due to exceptionally poor council support/respect for units (and tell them exactly that) - Do not support MB fairs - Treat district/council staff with respect, but do so on a peer/peer level, fellow scouter to fellow scouter I'm thankful to say that the district I'm in now is great. We've got our issues, but the scouting spirit is prevalent with all, and everything they do is with a view of helping the units thrive.

A quick post script to "why I stuck around:" Two more factors. 1. Summer camp staff. Three years at a primitive but outstanding camp in Alaska. Even if I typed another 87 paragraphs, I doubt I could adequately describe how wonderful those summers were. 2. Order of the Arrow: mid/late '70s, when it was truly the Dirty Jobs crew. Couldn't get enough of it.

Well said. Just about every Eagle has to "grow into" the rank a bit. Looking back, there were a few scouters that did not hold me in high regard, and they weren't always subtle about it. That's okay. I privately adopted a rather non-scout-like motto: I'll show the SOBs. And for the most part, I did.

Earned Eagle at 14.5 yrs of age. Stayed with scouting till I turned 18 and moved away. I stuck around because my scoutmasters treated me like an adult, and expected adult-level accomplishments (as SPL and then JASM). I was expected to attend and encouraged to contribute in each district roundtable, adult scouter training, monthly troop committee meetings, etc. Though active at school and church, I made scouting my priority. I still benefit from those scouters' tutelage. It wasn't all sunshine, either. When I made mistakes, they let me know. But they also coached me on how to do things right the next time.

What Colonel Flagg said.... Let the DE fail. It's a given that he will. Quickly too, I might add. Re getting blackballed at council: I learned many years ago if a council is going to engage in open warfare, hold grudges, or publicly mock or scorn unit level leaders, it's actually a blessing. You now know to a certainty that the council gurus don't live by the oath or law. Who wants to work with people like that? Exactly. You're better off as the third ASM in a local troop. Or a committee member for a crew or pack. You'll be happier and will contribute far to more to scouting than the nabobs down at the council office.

A couple years ago, I ordered one of their Eagle scout knives. Very professional staffers on the phone, fast shipment, and it's a darn nice knife.

By all means, let's ditch the crummy, small, made-from-fibers-not-found-in nature neckerchief that National pushed for about three decades. Barely useful as a first aid cravat, and usually too small even for that. Get an old, full-square cotton neckerchief. Or make one from scratch. Night and day.

Moved a lot during my military career. If you have an old dues card around, that's all you need.