Advancement Resources

I have never witnessed the inner workings of this "meatgrinder" or "professional proficiency" you speak of.  What do you mean by this, say, with reference to specific skills??  Are you referring to a Troop which tests Scouts multiple times, or where, during an SM conference, the SM tests skills and refuses to sign off that conference unless the Scout demonstrates proficiency? I have heard of units like that, but either they do not last long, or the adults who create that climate move on fairly quickly and the pendulum moves toward the model (or swings past to the "anything can get signed off." ) The requirements themselves demand some level of proficiency... For example, the First Class requirement to demonstrate a square lashing...  it had better start with a clove hitch on one pole, have three full wraps which alternate inside and outside of the previous wraps, two full fraps, and end with a clove hitch on the other pole.  All this is according to the Scout Handbook.  If it doesn't have those elements, it's not a square lashing, and that doesn't get signed off.  I note that the description of "The Four Steps of Advancement" in the Scout Handbook says, in step   "2. You are tested: Once you feel that you have mastered a skill, a leader tests you..."  [emphasis added] That might be where some people go off the deep end... the word mastery is very subjective, and means different things to different people.  But, I find the word "mastery" in no requirements themselves.    

This is pretty normal weather for that area; I lived out there for a long time. It's crazy that there wasn't a contingency plan on standby.

What I am seeing is that there is no goldilocks zone for todays scouts. It's either the troop is a meatgrinder and only scouts with professional proficiency are getting things signed off or the opposite where anything can get signed off.  I think the answer is unit leaders (all of us) and national need to push WAY WAY more outdoors programming. Some of the program needs to shift back towards scout skills emphasis; I would personally yank some of the non scout skill eagle MB and replace them with orienteering, wilderness survival, and backpacking. 

You're running ILST, basically lightyears ahead of most of this organization. 

Agreed.  It’s frustrating that BSA did not have a plan sufficient to secure approval and a signature well in advance of Jan 20, recognizing the Electoral College, or Election Day, or the party conventions.  Seems unlikely every prior 4 years has been perfect.   We just taught the Scouts the leadership skill of planning at ILST.  Wish National had this skill set as it delays cards etc for new Eagles.  Our current challenge.