I Think It Is Time to Shut Down the Troop

[Eagle94-A1]

I have been fighting this battle for some time. The troop is now down to 4 active Scouts. Council will not help with recruiting, I have asked them for help, and was told no. Then they  wonder why we have not participated in council sales or do FOS.. Trying to plan next year, and 2 prime camping months are taken up by an activity 3 of the members are in. Plus there will be last minute stuff popping up causing us to postpone, or even cancel trips. This year we were lucky, but last year we had to cancel multiple trips. And finally we have are starting to have a challenge with having enough adults. All of the adults have some health issues, and also limits what we can do. And I was just informed today that my second adult for summer camp may not be able to make it. We leave Sunday. I will be having a more detailed conversation tonite.

I'm tired and burnt out with the troop.

And I am also very frustrated with the council. I used to be active on the district and council level. When they needed something, and I was able to help, I did. Heck they told me I was in charge of an event with 60 days get it up and running. And now they cannot help us with recruiting. And before you say we are responsible, we have done everything we could. In fact I have recruited more girls for the only girls troop. But worse is that they are upping the council fees. In addition to the national charter and registration fees, council is now charging each Scout an additional $50 council fee, and each unit $112.50 PER SCOUT council "fair share" fee. We have families that need help, and they keep adding fees. 

I think once the charter is finished, so is the troop.

 

 

[InquisitiveScouter]

30 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

I have been fighting this battle for some time. The troop is now down to 4 active Scouts. Council will not help with recruiting, I have asked them for help, and was told no. Then they  wonder why we have not participated in council sales or do FOS.. Trying to plan next year, and 2 prime camping months are taken up by an activity 3 of the members are in. Plus there will be last minute stuff popping up causing us to postpone, or even cancel trips. This year we were lucky, but last year we had to cancel multiple trips. And finally we have are starting to have a challenge with having enough adults. All of the adults have some health issues, and also limits what we can do. And I was just informed today that my second adult for summer camp may not be able to make it. We leave Sunday. I will be having a more detailed conversation tonite.

I'm tired and burnt out with the troop.

And I am also very frustrated with the council. I used to be active on the district and council level. When they needed something, and I was able to help, I did. Heck they told me I was in charge of an event with 60 days get it up and running. And now they cannot help us with recruiting. And before you say we are responsible, we have done everything we could. In fact I have recruited more girls for the only girls troop. But worse is that they are upping the council fees. In addition to the national charter and registration fees, council is now charging each Scout an additional $50 council fee, and each unit $112.50 PER SCOUT council "fair share" fee. We have families that need help, and they keep adding fees. 

I think once the charter is finished, so is the troop.

 

 

Thanks for your volunteer service.

At some point, the uphill battle becomes too steep to continue.  

If you have no other options, discreetly find a good home you can recommend to your Scouts, and get them transitioned there ASAP.

Recommend you not wait until the Troop does not recharter, then do the transfers... that could cause a break in continuity that may cause some to drop all together.

Do you already have a solid unit they could go to?

Edited 23 hours ago by InquisitiveScouter

[Eagle94-A1]

52 minutes ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

If you have no other options, discreetly find a good home you can recommend to your Scouts, and get them transitioned there ASAP.

I believe I have found a good home for them. The troop has a similar philosophy regarding advancement, and they have an active Cub Scout pack.. So they have  future. And their program is strong. Talking to the UC, that unit and ours were not the ones he was worried about, until I told him the situation. The reason for waiting until the end of the charter year is that we do have some money to spend in the unit account, and I do not want that money going to council. Under the new Charter Agreement, they are supposed to get that money, and they put us into this position. I really want the money to stay with the church in the hope they can restart the troop in the future.

52 minutes ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

Recommend you not wait until the Troop does not recharter, then do the transfers... that could cause a break in continuity that may cause some to drop all together.

I didn't think of that, and that is a good point. We will probably end a month before recharter, as we have an activity planned that no one will want to miss. 

[Eagle94-A1]

One of the things that set this sentiment off yesterday, is I got a call from our 2nd summer camp adult asking if it was possible to either get a replacement, and when I told him that might not be possible, or only come for half a week. Guy has known for several months that it was just going to be me and him, and was reminded a few weeks ago. While his physical states he has no limitations, he didn't tell his MD he was going to summer camp. And with the issues he is having, he should not be going to camp at all IMHO.

I may have a replacement, pending getting registered.  But to do that, the troop is paying his registration fee, normally adults and scouts are responsible with fundraising paying for supplies and camp outs. And I am paying for his physical at an immediate care since he cannot see his PCP before we leave Sunday. This made me realize that without adequate adult support, we cannot have the program the Scouts want. They want to go whitewater rafting. They want to go backpacking. They want the adventure. But If we cannot get 2 adults over 21 to do them,  is it worth keeping the troop alive to say we are alive? I do not think so.

After summer camp, I want to meet with our COR. past SM, and if he is willing the CC (CC is ticked off at a decision I made. Stated he will no longer go camping with the troop, and has not been to any meetings, including one where 2 BORs were being held). Topic will be to fold the troop. I know the immediate SM's response ( whatever you decide I am fine with) and the CC's response ( Hell no we are not folding).  But I want the COR involved in this, and to come up with a plan either way. The point may be moot anyway if we do not get a 5th Scout before December.