sst3rd

5th Gen Texan, It's too late. I'd just leave. I did. sst3rd

Albright Scout Reservation Heart of Virginia The new owner is not allowed to develop as of yet. He's a big contractor in this area. He plans to build his dream house and offer parcels to any family member who wants to build there. I know this, as a friend of mine attended a Silver Beaver Dinner over the weekend at our council camp, and he spoke with our CE after the dinner. There are so many negative things I could say. I am not happy. Everything was nontransparent, etc....................................................... Hey, but life goes on. It is what it is.

It happened earlier this week. Our council sold its primitive camp for their contribution to the fund. This was an established camp with many shops, other buildings, trails, and organized campsites. I was a member of the maintenance committee. Over many years, we built all of these facilities. Over 40 strong of mostly retired unit leaders that still wanted to contribute to scouting. Over 500 acres of rolling hills and woods. Six ponds to fish out of, and frontage on a recreational lake. My troop had a favorite waterfront campsite where I could launch my boat right off the shore. All

The Cub Scout program doesn't directly utilize the OA. If you are going to be supporting your pack as a leader, save the OA until your scout joins the older group. In the mean time if you're interested in getting to know your area lodge and chapter, ask any OA member (look for the OA flap on their uniform), or call your council for contact info. I'm sure your local chapter and lodge have web sites as well, for current info. See you on the trail, sst3rd

Everything has become so complicated. Complicated. But through all of the changes that I have witnessed over the 53 years (youth/adult), the following is still possible. 1) You can still have patrols and use them appropriately to the betterment of the scouts. 2) You can still have fun and challenging weekly meetings. 3) You can still plan and go on camping trips, service projects, summer camps, high adventures, backpacking, and lots more. 4) Fund raise to pay for these activities also can happen. All scouting is local. It doesn't have to be that complicated. YIS

To all. I was the chapter ceremony team advisor for years. We haven't done call-outs for months. Our chapter hasn't met for months, obviously. Maybe a small group on zoom. There was no summer camp this year, as chapters would do a call-out at the closing friday night campfire program. All of my understanding currently leads me to the Native American theme is no longer wanted, allowed, needed, or otherwise. Our lodge advisor has said as much. So, I e-mailed our current (I guess) chapter advisor to let him know that I was disposing of all of the ceremonial equipment unless otherwi

Mom2Scout, I just got contacted that the troop I support will start meeting next Monday outside. Only the two troops (boys and girls) will meet. No Pack. I work on the maintenance committee for a secondary reservation in our council ( we have a recreational lake, and our primary reservation does not). We were told to have everything prepared for campers by August 1, 2020. Which merit badge, and does it require a certain type of service? Trash pickup comes to mind, A local trail, a park, a school, or church. It can be done alone or with appropriate distancing and masks. Just

69RoadRunner, I really hope your scouts have a great time. Even though I've never liked "merit badge" themed programs, I've had to learn to get over it. There sounds like lots of opportunity for fun at this camp as well. You mention Camp Powhatan. I have many memories of that camp, as well as Camp Ottari. I'm from elsewhere in Virginia, but as a long time scoutmaster (now former), these programs always excelled way beyond our local camp, and we considered them our home camps.. That, and the fact that my parents are from that area and I got to visit a bit during the camp week.

karunamom3, There is much we simply can't control. I hear a lot of stress in your words. Planning is nearly impossible because of this "event". I think everyone who usually attends summer camp is thinking along these lines. But things you can control even as a new unit: 1) Scratch summer camp. Too much depends on variables you can't control. 2) Planning takes the stress off of your adult leaders as well as the scouts. 3) So, based on the appropriate authorities allowing things to happen. 4) Plan a series of summer weekend camping trips that will cover (as much as

HashTagScouts, Welcome to the new and improved OA. Anyone at anytime. No batteries required. Just get them in, and then guilt them towards their Brotherhood. Our new lodge advisor is someone I've known for a long time. Has been everywhere, and started as a scoutmaster. Great person. Has also been active in the OA. He has always attended the chapter meetings. Since becoming the lodge advisor, his tune has changed drastically. He personally was handing out lodge provided illegibility (for Brotherhood) lists to our chapter scouts just before our last Service Weekend (Ordeal). He wante

I agree with Eagle94-A1. Our lodge is pushing hard for Brotherhood conversions. So, our chapter advisor is pushing hard for Brotherhood conversions. These metrics must be met to meet and qualify for several recognitions and/or certifications. Sorry, I've long forgot their names, but these items are incredibly important to the LEC. The chapter advisor was provided with lists of all eligible Ordeal members for the chapter to get in touch with. We had our most recent Service Weekend (formerly the Ordeal Weekend) right after Labor Day weekend. I don't know if goals were met. If unit lea

Train-em, trust-em,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Just got back from our Mountain Man Camporee. Saturday morning our patrol was at the opening on time. Got their score card and took off for their first challenge station. Meanwhile, the scoutmaster whom I've been mentoring, had to go in to work for a couple of hours. Myself and a parent went around taking photos of the various troop campsites (checking out tents and cooking set ups for ideas). This was their first camporee. We checked out all of the 10 stations, but couldn't find our patrol. Went back to camp and there they were. Six

Eagle94-A1, I dropped out several years ago as our chapter ceremony advisor. We still were expected to perform the national OA's approved call out ceremony at one of the Friday night closing campfires for summer camp. Six weeks of summer camp, six ceremonies. Each performed by a different chapter team. I'll admit that I still have possession of all of the regalia, but I can't seem to give it away. I'm still waiting for a new advisor to take over. Anyway, yes, when the AOLs and Crossovers were removed, it took the last wind out of our sails. So, although we keep promoting the need for a ce

SteveMM, I can tell you as a formally active ceremonial team advisor for the chapter who still attends chapter meetings, our lodge is pushing "HARD", Brotherhood conversions. This appears to have happened shortly after the OA made it simpler to become a brotherhood member, mainly shortening the time required from having become an Ordeal member. An active adult member who has been a SM, Unit Commissioner, District Commissioner, and now our new Lodge Advisor (he's earned and deserves all of these positions), said since this rule change, the intent of the national OA, is to push brotherhood

Off topic a bit, but the scoutmaster I've been mentoring this last year, puts so much emphasis on updating advancement online, she completely forgets to update the scout's handbooks. I guess my "old" is showing, but I thought the idea was for the scouts to read and study their handbooks as they are teaching and/or learning scouting skills pertaining to advancement. EDGE works, but all scouts should be taught to refer to their scout handbooks for ideas and info. I think they should always be able to refer to the back of their handbooks to review their "sign-offs" , and be able to know what