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desertrat77

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Posts posted by desertrat77

    Are your Resident Camps/Summer Camps opening?

    in Open Discussion - Program

    Posted · Edited by desertrat77

    It's going to be interesting.  It can be done; as @Jameson76 mentioned, councils will have to cut the BS to make it happen. 

    To summarize thoughts that have been expressed by others here and in other threads:

    - Delete a bunch of non-outdoor MBs such as the Citizenship Trio, robotics, etc.  Less staff needed, less time campers are sitting around other people.

    - Focus on traditional outdoor activities--boating, orienteering, hiking, shooting.  More fresh air!   Encourage patrol hikes to camp property that is never explored, or was abandoned years earlier.

    - Patrol style cooking in the campsite.  Troops bring their own supplies or have food issued through a camp commissary for preparation in the campsite.  Less public health risk than a centralized dining hall.  (And in most cases, better quality meals.  Camps have been trending to the "heat/serve" processed food/pre-school menus.)

    - Reduce camp fees to the lowest level possible.  True, this will impact the council's bottom line (already in the red), but it will garner much goodwill and loyalty from families and units that are hurting financially.

    - Push back the boundaries of the campsites--more distance between patrols and tents. 

    There will be issues to work through.  Big gatherings like flag ceremonies and opening/closing campfires--might have to adjust these a bit. 

    The silver lining:  this may be the right time to bring back the more traditional elements of summer camp.  And a more memorable camping experience for all.

     

    • Upvote 3

    Events being cancelled? Or modified?

    in Open Discussion - Program

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, RememberSchiff said:

    BSA National Annual Meeting (NAM) May 20-22, in Washington, D.C. ?   :unsure:

    My prediction:  "doubtful."  Especially DC.

    They should move the event to Philmont.  Sleep in tents.  Eat the same dining hall food served to trekkers.  Spend one of those days in the back country, stacking logs and making slash piles. 

    • Haha 1

    What If - All High Adventure Camps Cancel

    in Camping & High Adventure

    Posted

    If treks are cancelled, it will be doubly sad for some Philmont crews.  Many crews that couldn't go because of the Ute Park fire of 2018 opted for a 2020 trek.  

    Then I recall what happened to my dad in the mid 1950s.  Just as he was getting ready to board a bus in Iowa to go to Philmont, his scoutmaster received a telegram stating that Philmont was closed because of a disease (polio or measles, I can't recall).  Life being what it is, he didn't get a second opportunity.     

    • Upvote 2

    Who Failed: the Troop, National, or Both

    in Advancement Resources

    Posted · Edited by desertrat77

    19 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

    Last night I sat on an Eagle Board of Review. I admit I was surprised when found out who it was because I had not seen them in 5 years.  I admit life threw him and his family some curve-balls and could understand why he wasn't around.

    But the shock  involved weekend and long term. Found out that his troop goes to the same 4 places all the time, and they are in conjunction with merit badge universities. That is definitely the troop's fault. BUT here is the kicker in the 6 years he has been registered as a Scout, he has never been to a week long summer camp. That's right... 

    NEVER BEEN TO A WEEK LONG SUMMER CAMP! (emphasis).

    I wondered how he could ever earn Camping MB, and looked it up. A week long camp out MAY (emphasis) be used to meet the 20 days and nights of camping.

    So who failed the Scout: Troop, National, or both?

    I'd say both.

    National teed up this path of Eagle years ago. 

    But the troop deserves the lion's share of the blame.  If the troop culture is to just fill squares, the scouts will go along with the flow.

    Then the candidate is standing in front of the Eagle board of review...and hasn't fully experienced scouting at all.

    Events being cancelled? Or modified?

    in Open Discussion - Program

    Posted · Edited by desertrat77

    Also from https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/coronavirus/

    Status of Upcoming Winter/Spring Programs

    The following Winter/Spring programs have been canceled at this time:

    • March 20-22 – Cub Scout National Camp School
    • March 21-28 – PhilBreak Session 4
    • March 30-April 4 – Resident National Camp School
    • April 24-26 – NM Search and Rescue Council ESCAPE Conference

    We will continue to evaluate future programs/events and will communicate any changes if they arise. 

    ......

    Status of Summer Programs (Treks, Training Center, and Staff)

    No summer programs have been canceled or affected at this time. We will continue to monitor and consult with experts and provide updates as they become available. It is important to continue everyday prevention measures. As you prepare for your Philmont adventure, decisions about unit meetings and trek preparation activities should be made by unit leadership and chartering organizations based on the unit’s individual circumstances and current CDC and local health department guidelines.

    • Like 1

    Events being cancelled? Or modified?

    in Open Discussion - Program

    Posted

    Cut/paste from  https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/coronavirus/

    Philmont Closed to the Public Until April 1st

    Update: 3/17/20 – 10:45 AM

    Following CDC guidelines and recommendations from the state of New Mexico, Philmont has made the decision to close to the public until April 1st. This decision affects the National Scouting Museum, Tooth of Time Traders (toothoftimetraders.com remains open), and all offices. Conferences and Winter Adventure activities of more than 10 have also been canceled. Staff will remain on-site and continue to work, with efforts to increase social distancing. If you need assistance please call us at 575-376-2281 and we will be happy to help.

    This decision does not affect summer programs. We are hopeful that the widespread social distancing and containment efforts will help stop the spread of this virus.

    We will continue to monitor developments regarding COVID-19 and provide updates as they are available. Additional updates and information will be shared on this page.

    PhilBreak Session 4 Cancelled

    Update: 3/17/20 – 9:30 AM

    Following CDC guidelines and New Mexico state recommendations, Philmont has made the decision to cancel PhilBreak Session 4. Depending on how you registered, you can expect to receive a refund in the next 7 to 21 days. As always, your safety and the safety of all our participants, guests, volunteers, and employees is our top priority.

    This decision does not affect summer treks. We are hopeful that the widespread social distancing and containment efforts will help stop the spread of this virus.

    We will continue to monitor developments regarding COVID-19 and provide updates as they are available.

     
    • Thanks 1

    Making District Committee meetings useful

    in Council Relations

    Posted

    Sounds much like the districts I've been a part of in years past. 

    My current district is rural.  Some folks drive 30 - 60s minutes to get to the monthly district meeting.  Several folks wear 2 hats, district and unit.  So here's our MO:  we have no round tables, no RT commissioner or staff.  Everyone--district and unit level alike--gathers for one meeting a month and it's a hybrid RT/classic district meeting.  One hour long.  The socializing afterwards is just as valuable as the meeting itself.  I realize this probably won't work for big districts, but it works for us.

    • Thanks 1
    • Upvote 1

    Summer Camps and the Coronavirus

    in Summer Camp

    Posted

    1 hour ago, jcousino said:

    My question is even if an event is canceled there are already non recoverable costs that the council/Area  has to cover. If that event was to be a major money maker how does the council in todays market survive?. We have a major council wide camporee planned in about 4 weeks. do not see it happening with OA and venturing weekends every weekend to follow?

    That is an excellent question, with ties to previous discussions about the future of councils (and National) as it relates to the BSA post-bankruptcy.  Of the many solid opinions given, the one I most agree with is that councils/National will have to significantly scale back their operations and expenditures.   Scouting will return to a more unit-focused organization.

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