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  • LATEST POSTS

    • wind chills no zero possible on a webelow this is a Webelos event  I am glad they canceled the overnight.   Look at activity level differences between Webelos and scouts. While temp is not a directly  listed thing, common sense comes in here. I would be questioning taking a new scout out also. One error in clothing , sleeping bag or a list of many things could cause one kid to become hypothermic it's putting kids at risk they are not small marines. 
    • The CYA and concern over activities is (or can be) challenging. Group of us that staff at camp was asked to do something at an upcoming council camporee (think things that go boom).  We do this for weekly campfires, use only items that can be legally purchased in our state, understand distances, how to safely do this, etc.  Have done this at camp for many years and have done this as several council events.  Never any issues and no even close calls.  Early on our main guy that organizes this for the camp declined.  The organizing group looked at options and due to costs came back to us, we said well sure (it's for the kids).  Then we were on a zoom call and they started laying out we needed this, and that, wanted lists of what were using, who was doing it etc, we were texting amongst ourselves (5 or 6 of us) and our main guy sort of stopped the call, said we understood their position, we may not be who they need, have a nice day, and ended the call. They came back to us, we raised our budget and they basically begged us to do it, as we have gotten closer another "staff member" felt the need to exert wishes and input their control and so again we said well then we're out, and have a great day, good luck.  They quickly came back and we advised maybe, don't need the staff member involved, and again we're a maybe. They did send payment, we are on the schedule for this to happen in the next few weeks and supposedly we are a go.  Made it clear any pushback that day and we can just load back up and roll on home. Bottom line combining the CYA culture, the risk aversion culture, and the staff folks (who feel they are the ones that need to be in charge), it can take the fun and spontaneous nature out of stuff.  The rules for cub campouts and what is "required" to be an acceptable camping facility are extensive.  I've stayed at hotels with less amenities. 
    • That's what I was thinking too...besides outright "laziness", which seems to be more common. I took our 4/5 graders out a couple years ago for a overnight winter campout on a weekend where it was snowing and got below freezing and they had a blast. To be honest though, I thought they were all going to tell their parents that they wanted to leave because of the cold, but they didn't and really accomplished a lot that weekend.  I was hoping this event would have a similar effect, however, this council disappoints once again. They may have their hands tied, but why offer it in the first place? The weather conditions could not have been better for this time of year. No wind, cold yes, but no rain either. I often think about scouting in other areas where it stays predominately "too hot" or "too cold" and wonder if units are striking the whole camping experience just because of the weather conditions. I wouldn't think so, but with @skepticcomment about CYA, are we going to see more of it? 
    • The only other consideration would be wind. If it was going to be windy, like 20mph wind, that would make 17degrees feel like 0.  Also if the camping area is exposed, strong winds could make visibility poor with blowing snow. So besides temperature, there may have been other weather conditions to consider.  Btw, I am in NY so 17 degrees is a warm winter day. I recently returned from a trip where the temp was minus 12.
    • Yes.  There is a document in the lawsuit that proposes a significant reduction in councils, something like 100-150.   A small council that provides quality service will meet their finance goals. I know a council that is having membership issues, but they provide quality service to their members, and their financial goals are exceeded. Contrast to another council I know that has membership growth, but poor customer service. I cannot tell you how much they lost donations, but it is significant. One district's goal is 5.3% of what is was 20 years ago when adjusted for inflation.
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