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I don't understand. It appears your troop is a lifeboat for this scout and scouts like him. Our troop averaged one scout transfer per month because of our program reputation. Many were friends of scouts in our troop. Council often referred out-of-state transfers to us . These scouts lack of skills can be challenging, but I always found them and their parents enthusiastic and great supporters for our program. I'm so thankful for your service. Barry

An Eagle in my neck of the woods, when asked what he learned from doing his project, responded, "Paperwork will suck the joy out of anything you love." As for PowerPoint Presentations, not for the project approval or for the EBOR, but other things related to the project could require them. One Eagle I had went to a foundation for a grant to do his project. They wanted him to do a PPT to the board in order to get approval for it. He submitted the PPT to the foundation director, and presented his case for his project. He got the funding. THAT IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT!!!!!!! (emphasis, not shouting at you) My tech savy son, who is now a computer science major, told me the program completely whacked when it come to photos. Whenever we talk to Life Scouts about project workbooks, we tell them do not worry about the photos in the workbook, add them to the end of it as individual photos.

Always refer to the G2A ... Guide To Advancement. In my view ... The Eagle Project is about service and leadership in doing that service. The workbook is well laid out and explicitly describes the steps. The project is enough in and of itself. Adding troop unique expectations makes the Eagle Project more about jumping hoops and than giving service. IMHO, we teach bad lessons when we make advancement about jumping hoops. Not required and can't be required ... but troops still do it. Is it harmful? Mostly no. Is this a hill to die on either direction? No. Is it a good idea? No, but I flip flop and can see both sides. Does it help the scout? Maybe a few scouts, but mostly no. The scout MUST fill out the Eagle Project Workbook in detail. That is the scout's commitment. A PowerPoint is extra and just decorative. Committees ... chair or designee(s) ... must review the workbook. That is what is being signed and is effectively a contract. A PowerPoint presentation is NOT what is being signed off. I've had scouts show me their PowerPoint presentation required by their troop. I sat nicely and listened. ... THEN, we went section by section thru the workbook write-up because that is the commitment. Bad ... Could be the unrequired extra hoop to jump thru that causes a scout to give up on Eagle. Good ... Might give some scouts presentation practice that helps scouts later in the process ... IMHO this is a big stretch. Why do troops do it? Biggest reason I've seen is the worst because it does not match Guide To Advancement. Troops justify it as it gives scouts experience presenting to groups and talking in front of groups. IMHO, that's what the Communications MB is about. That's what the rest of the scouting program is about. Eagle project is about service and leading that service. IMHO, it smells more of committee self-importance. If a troop wants to do it, it's not a hill to die on. Smile nicely. Listen. Don't promote the practice and point out the scout requirements are in the Eagle project workbook and the Guide To Advancement. ... Sorry if I am long winded. This was a hot button topic for me as I've been involved in many Eagle project proposal reviews.

So if a scout can take off and work on MBs at a camporee, what does the rest of his or her patrol do without that scout? So much for patrol method. There's sort of a win all you can mindset but my guess is that not understanding the benefits of the patrol method is a bigger problem. I heard an interview with someone that studies youth problems with changing technology. It was like they were begging for something just like the patrol method. The idea of a gang of kids, where the older ones look out for the younger ones and teach them the rules of society started fading with the advent of computers as entertainment. Lack of social skills, depression, etc. Smart phones made it that much worse. Their biggest fear is when parents can buy AI "friends" for their children. They'll never have to talk to real people! To be honest, I think there's another problem. I'm a grandparent with 3 grandkids aged 2 and under. Of all the people I knew that were parents while my kids were living at home, most don't have grandkids. Few of their children want children. Maybe they're too busy earning "MBs"? I admit that it's expensive and difficult to find the time, but, when it comes to a high adventure trip, having kids is really one of the best. Both my kids are in the not enough sleep phase but they love their kids. It's wonderful for me to watch. Both of my kids live in town. It's been an insane winter of colds and my wife and I are always on call. I've been sick more this winter than I can remember. I also love that I can spend this time with my family. I wouldn't call it quality time but some day, after I'm gone, I hope my grandkids have fond memories of playing with me. Bottom line: MBs are easy, life is not. Life is an adventure, MBs are not. MBs are worn on your sleeve, good memories are worn on your soul.

I taught at 1 MBU, and was never asked back. I told the folks running it, it would be a partial UNLESS the Scout did work before hand to do the stuff I was unable to do at the event. out of about 50- 60 people in 2 sessions, 1 person did the work before coming to the MBU. Another Scout contacted me after the event with the work. No one else contacted me about the badge. And the folks running it never asked me again. Same event, but a friend's encounter. Crime Prevention MB had a disruptive Scout. Was sent out after a few problems. At the end of the day, complains he never got Crime Prevention MB that he "Paid for." Thankfully my district knows not to convert a camporee into a MBU. They did that 1 year. Attendance was poor, and only 2 units liked it.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. —Martin Niemöller

Saw this earlier this morning! All Merit Badges A-Z | Boy Scouts of America

IMO the workbook is awful in so many ways. Filling it out almost becomes the project itself. Adding another layer to it makes it even worse.

This seems to be part of the overall trend where Scouting is less experiential learning, less growing through group dynamics, less boy led and more, well almost school work focus. Along with MBU and not really becoming "Scouts", this is wanted by parents, who do not want to actually be involved, they just have expectations. They are expecting the new scouts to stay within their peer groups, stay in their comfort zones, get socially promoted through the ranks and be led by the leaders through monitored and "safe" activities. That whole outdoor and weekend camping interferes with sports, is scary and challenging, and boys may get dirty and be uncomfortable. Also how will the parents keep an eye on them, I mean they aren't heading out to the woods as an ASM or leader. In many cases the new crossover families want a warm and embracing Webelos III experience. The challenge is many boys, after 5th grade, find this somewhat boring. The retention rates is very low for many units due to these expectations and families assuming the Scouts program (11 - 17 years olds) will be like Cubs. One of the reasons there is not overall growth in the program. On a macro scale the promise of fun and adventure in many (though not all) cases is not being delivered. Units are getting way smaller. Average size for units at our camp 8 years ago was +/- 24 youth in camp. Last year the average was less than 17 youth. The Scouts that are in units that camp, that challenge them, that get them out of their normal comfort zone, and let the youth run the program keep those Scouts. Those units lose most to aging out, not just having kids not showing up any more. Sadly there are less and less units that are run in this manner.

Part of the outdoor programming has a higher cost, requires more skill from the adults, and requires more output from scouts and parents. Most troops act more like family groups going camping. Group cooking etc Somewhere, we have lost the, at least when I was a scout, it was the process that made you an Eagle Scout, not pinning on a badge. I remember meeting people who were active in their fields as merit badge counselors. Summer camp was for the rarer outdoor merit badges, i.e., swimming, lifesaving, riflery, and other shooting scouts. See the OA perform back when there was an awe factor. Se focus on the badge numbers not the process. john

As a former Camp Director, I can tell you that MB's nowadays is more about "going through the motions" than having any actually....merit. I couldn't stand to see it and also one of the reasons why I left. It isn't uncommon for scouts to leave with 8+ mb's...but like they say...just because you can doesn't mean you should. I miss the days of quality and luckily some MB's can't just be given (shooting sports, swimming, climbing, etc.), at least I hope not.

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.

Can never remind too often. Aaron on Scouting on YP https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2025/04/14/when-it-comes-to-child-protection-we-are-all-mandatory-reporters/

My wife and I were talking. Cancel culture is alive and well. Previous years it canceled conservatives. Now, the opposition is in power and progressives are being canceled. Soon everyone will be canceled. Failure To Stay Neutral ... IMHO, much of this is BSA's fault. BSA has repeatedly burnt goodwill by picking sides social debates. Orientation. Membership. DEI. Worse, BSA has been on both sides. In late 1990s and early 2000s, BSA alienated progressives with Dale v BSA. Then in 2010s to now, it has been with membership and DEI changes. BSA should have been staying neutral. "We leave that to our charter partners ... as an organization, BSA teaches universal values such as Trustworthy, Loyal, ... and encourages outdoor adventures.". Perhaps I'm naive. It feels like there is a dance to be done where BSA could have endorsed universal values without taking stances on the storm of social change.

Back in the day, I remember the old merit badge pamphlets were always red.

Now, all we need is the Scouts to read them!

No more and no less, use the tools and requirements Sadly there are units that feel the need to put "their" spin on projects. Must have CAD drawings, Must build something, Must put in XX hours, Must have XX Scouts work on the project, Must, Must, Must. While the intentions may be good, as has been noted, these local add-ons do not adhere to G2A. How to politely navigate that deviation can be a challenge

I almost included 'reverent' from the US Scout Law, but since it seems like there is a large contingent of people here (including in scouts) who don't feel that nature is sacred it may well not resonate generally for Americans. But I agree completely with what Kate is saying here, and at least in Sweden I am typical. We seek and find spirituality and sacredness in nature. That's also why we have no problem with atheist scouts - feeling the spiritual connection to nature and all things doesn't require belief in deities. That's part of why that works for us. (Presumably some scouts' and scouters' difficulty in imagining spirituality not centered around deities is why the WOSM constitution needed to be clarified a while back also.) This is also why I want to be out there and why I want to get more kids out there. They should get to know and protect nature, this generates right view and right action grounded in reverence. 🌍Happy Earth Month! Remember, this is the month to launch your Scouting for Clean Waterways project! Let's trash own trash and be water protectors! https://www.forskning.se/2020/05/28/naturen-har-blivit-svenskarnas-kyrka/

"On Monday, April 14, 2025, Joseph Csatari passed away peacefully in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His career as an illustrator and fine artist spanned more than 60 years. He worked in oil, watercolor, pastel, and charcoal, and his artwork has been recreated on collectible plates, figurines, and medallions and displayed in museums throughout the country. Csatari spent more than 10 years as art director to his friend and mentor Norman Rockwell on the beloved illustrator’s Scout calendar paintings. In 1976, Csatari embarked on a freelance career and was asked to continue the annual calendar commission in the Rockwell tradition. In a letter sent from Chief Scout Executive Roger Krone, he writes, “Joe joined Scouting in 1953 as an artist in the layout division in the Supply Division's advertising department. He held numerous positions during his 24 years with the organization, including taking on the role of Art Director of Boys' Life magazine, like his mentor Norman Rockwell, in 1973. Joe’s son Jeff was also an editor for Boys’ Life for more than 5 years. In 2005, Joe was awarded the Silver Buffalo Award for his dedication to Scouting. Joe was a remarkable artist and a cherished part of the Scouting family. His artwork captured the spirit of Scouting for generations, and his legacy will continue to inspire us.” Joseph Csatari didn’t just paint life—he painted what is best in life. He gave us moments frozen in time, full of laughter, learning, and love. In doing so, he ensured that his vision of America—honest, hopeful, and full of heart—will never fade. Thank you, Joe. May your memory be a blessing, and may your art continue to inspire generations to come." Source National Scouting Museum: Thank you. Scout Salute and Farewell,

There are some who do not even do these on a campout. They are done in indoor classrooms with 30 scouts and a mB "counselor" doing a 2-3 hour presentation including a few hands-on activities. These mB universities cheapen the mB and deny scouts real opportunities. It is both saddening and maddening.

Went with our Troop to a Merit Badge College our council organized some years ago. Two Scouts wanted to do Drafting Merit Badge for one of their activities. For Drafting Merit Badge, the pre-req was the formatting of the two sheets, and doing a drawing and lettering project. Having some minor experience in drafting, I guided them both on the research and completion of the pre-reqs. We went to the MB College... there were about 25 Scouts in this class. Counselor was an experienced Scouter and draftsman in the prestigious university we were at (Ivy League school) Only the two from our Troop had done the pre-reqs. The MBC at the end of the class handed out signed blue cards for completion to all Scouts and told them they were "On Their Honor" to complete the pre-reqs before they gave the blue card to their unit leader. I was floored, but I was not going to confront the MBC in front of the Scouts. After he dismissed them, I spoke to him, and tried, tactfully, to tell him those should have been partials, and that it would have been better if he had recognized the work done by the Scouts who made the effort to complete the badge. He said flatly that he knew this was not in accordance with the Guide to Advancement, but this was they way he had always done it, and there were never any complaints. I remember he said something to the effect of "...most of them would never get the badge otherwise." I told him I would file a complaint with the council, because this violated the Guide to Advancement, his own Scout Oath and Law, and put those Scouts in a really bad position. The blue card states, "The applicant has personally appeared before me and demonstrated to my satisfaction that all requirements have been met for ..." and he was willfully lying on the form. When I filed the form with council, guess what happened??? Nothing. (Counselor was also a regular donor...) How does that meet our mission " ... to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law." ??? I did have a chat with our two Scouts later. Both were upset they had done the work when others hadn't, and they felt cheated. I told them they were not cheated... it was the other Scouts who were cheated. These two had gotten their just reward because they had earned it. The others were give the burden of a lie they will carry with them always.

Sadly, some of the stuff is not being taught in schools, or well enough for them to remember. When I took a group of Scouts to DC, we did one of the historic trails that had a lot of Citizenship in the Nation info along the trail. Plus all the Scouts, except the visiting Webelos, had Civics in HS. NONE OF THE SCOUTS COULD TELL ME WHAT THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT WERE, THE BILL OF RIGHTS, ETC!!!!!!!!! (bold and caps for major emphasis). Only the homeschooled Weblos could give me the correct info for the MB. When I asked the Scouts if they had civics yet in HS, all said yes, but all they did was watch videos on their laptops. But that is a different topic for another day. Agree 100% My troop has no feeder pack. Every time it seems as if we are going to fold, we get enough transfers to keep it alive another year. We are a hiking, camping, and biking troop. That is how we attract Scouts: focusing on Outdoors. As for growth, we focus on personal growth. We do not push MBs or advancement. If it takes 4 years for First Class, so be it. We let the Scouts grow at their own pace. Which is probably why our Eagles stick around until they turn 18, or go to college. We are hanging on by a thread, but we are hanging on.

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.

Update 4/10/2025: South Korean government Audit Board releases 542 page report Their report found a "complete lapse in all aspects of management including lack of competency and awareness of the organizers exacerbated by poor execution of work led to the failure of the Saemangeum Jamboree. The organizing committee was headed by a retired public servant at the Ministry of Gender who lacked expertise and staffed mostly by personnel without experience working on large international events. The Ministry of Gender, which was supervising the organizers, failed in its role to oversee preparations and made a false report to the cabinet ahead of the opening that the event was ready. Facilities including toilets and showers, power and communication equipment and trash disposal were insufficient and inadequate, and the organisers failed to follow up on questions about preparations The Audit Board referred four individuals for criminal investigation and 12 officials for disciplinary action." I have not yet found a link to the 542 page report or a mention of WSM or other Scouting organizations. Sources: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-probe-blames-sweeping-lapses-world-scout-jamboree-debacle-2025-04-10/ https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-policy/2025/04/10/DZC2ZSUAYVB63NXL6CKEB7A5JQ/

Perhaps he should become a scout and take Signs, Signals and Codes Merit Badge.

Or perhaps merit badge pamphlets are printed outside the US?

That, my friend, is WONDERFUL news... thanks for the notice.

I did not want to start a new thread so I figured I would tack this onto here. It would appear that Voyageurs Council no longer exists and was carved up to the other councils adjacent in Northern MN.

You can only do what you can do; by that I mean offer the options and tools and then let them use them. Eagle is, and should NOT be the goal, but rather self sufficiency and good citizenship. Having pride in themselves, whether or not the Rank is achieved. We can never win them all, but if we give up, we will lose them all. My frustrations are greater now due to my age. I can no longer just do some things and get others to join. Other than simple drive in camping, and preferably a good cot, my body rebels. And while the troop refuses to take me off officially, I am mostly a symbol or something; and I Am Able to do conferences and teach many skills still, though much more slowly. My greater frustration comes from the poor support from our council and the seeming impediments they put in place under the guise of avoiding "issues". Just CYA. And I have been labeled silently as someone to put off and ignore or keep from others, as I might infect them somehow with expectations of doing scouting in its truer sense. Yet, I will not drop out completely and hope to find a way to encourage other younger leaders to keep the good fight up and stay the course. And when obvious wins show up, it moves us forward, and it plants that seed in the youth, if we are lucky.

Well, I had another disheartening moment yesterday. We had a life Scout transfer into the troop because "you do stuff." Yes their troop camped, but it was very infrequent. The Life Scout didn't know how to write a menu, food purchasing list, or duty roster. I am beginning to wonder if I am fighting an uphill battle staying in Scouting.

@jcousinoand @mrjohns2, it would have been nice to have a Wildlife Manager's perspective in the article to provide some balance and background on this. (We would hope that the area is under good wildlife management, as it is a National Elk Refuge.) You are both correct, that, under the principles of Leave No Trace, we should "Leave What You Find". However, for all principles, there should be an overriding understanding that the owners and/or managers of the land have the prerogative to allow activities which might seem to be in conflict with the principles. Hunting in the National Elk Refuge is an example. The land managers know the herd is too large for the land to sustain, so they permit the hunting of elk to cull the herd to reduce the numbers to restore a balance. As I understand it, the elk antler hunt is a strictly managed, limited time, restricted entry event, so as to keep some of the antler resource in place. https://www.jacksonwy.gov/668/Antler-Shed-Hunt it is also quite funny to see the other side of this... now, some businesses are upset that the land managers and game commission are limiting the number of elk hunting licenses because the herd is getting smaller. https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/news/environmental/local/jackson-elk-herd-hunt-season-sees-deeper-cuts-following-public-comment/article_5e6a7d56-4155-4832-8403-0b4af37f3594.html 'The outfitters blamed the herd’s downturn on wolves. “The pressure from predation up there is horrific,” Taylor said.' LOL... that's the mentality we really need to change... good luck 😜

very impressive project. i would unfortunately have to say that scout involvement violates the scouting LNT principles as this sheds provide a mineral source for a lot of small animals so removing something that is part of natural process violates leave what you find and respect wildlife. but it does sound interesting money or principles. my 2 cents

April 21, 2025: Scouting America announce its partnership with #MyFriendToo US, "a groundbreaking initiative and resource – MyFriendTooUS.org – launched during Child Abuse Prevention Month to help children support their friends in disclosing sexual abuse to safe adults. Originally created by Protect Children in Finland and adapted for the U.S. in collaboration with ChildFund, #MyFriendToo US is the first program of its kind in the country, directly addressing the fact that children often disclose abuse to a friend rather than to an adult. The initiative equips children and youth with the knowledge, tools, and language to guide their friends toward safety and healing." https://www.myfriendtoous.org/ More at Source: https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/scouting-america-joins-myfriendtoo-us-initiative-to-empower-youth-in-the-fight-against-sexual-violence/

Depends on the project. In general, scouts at this age are better served by being asked to exercise verbal presentation skills. I would encourage troops to avoid mandating boiler-plate formats.

As a Scout, I would have loved the opportunity to pursue some of the more "academic" merit badges in a MBU setting. I don't see the problem as long as 1) the programs are well run and 2) they don't replace the outdoor program.

-Historic scout camp to be preserved in Adirondack Park - Sabattis Scout Reservation closes - Longhouse Council Historic scout camp to be preserved in Adirondack Park | NCPR News

Well then,

My district merit badge "college" director called me to see if I would do Camping merit badge as I was a registered mB counselor, she wanted to know if I needed a full day for it, or whether a half-day session was enough. 😲 I have said this before but it bears repeating, one of the most important parts of the mB process is the built Adult Association method. Far too often this is lost on the adults. Imagine if the adults in charge of coordinating the mBs at camp, or in a troop had this method at the forefront equal to the advancement method. 🤩 Now imagine the lost opportunities for scouts when this is not done. 😢

This is what I view as key. Focus on outdoors and growth. I've always held the view that the MB value is lowered when so many key MBs are light weight compared to public school. Using my own education, the Citizenship, Family, Personal Management and Physical Fitness badges would have been easy except for checking off boxes. When the challenge is about checking the boxes, the message learned is how do I game the system to get it done. That gaming the system then bleeds into the other MBs.

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

History Montgomery is the organization that promotes and seeks to preserve the history of my home area, Montgomery County, Maryland. Here is a recent video presentation about Troop 33 of Takoma Park Maryland, and the founding of their Camp Schmitt..

As long as it seems important to some to "pick sides" there will be issues. A bit of irony with how when BSA stood against the changing societal issues they got clobbered, losing sponsors and being sued. When they knuckled under, it just reversed itself and caused even more problems. Nobody wins with the refusal to simply find the middle ground and work within it.

I was only looking for a couple last week, but I did buy my daughter horsemanship and it was Scouting America branded.

2 (?) counties of the UP were part of it. They were merged with Hiawatha district of Bay-Lakes before Hiawatha was transferred to Michigan Crossroads. It just seemed to make sense sense from a UP of Michigan completeness, but now it makes more sense.

In my youth, most camporees had a theme and scouts could earn 1 MB by participating. You're telling me some districts try to cram multiple MBs into a single weekend campout?

“...Special Arrowhead Patch to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States! The patch will be available to all participants in 2026.”

BSA/SA. In order to achieve Scout rank, a scout has to recite the Outdoor Code, which explicitly delineates appropriate behavior in the outdoors and being conservation minded. WOSM: In addition to what Awake Energy posted, there is an explicit directive from the WOSM website: https://www.scout.org/what-we-do/young-people-and-communities/environment Additionally, WOSM is partners with the World Wildlife Federation and the United Nations Environmental Program. Partnership means that you share the same philosophies. As a parallel example of what codes and partnerships mean, BSA/SA has a youth protection code of conduct and partners with youth protection groups. Youth safety isn't explicitly written into our mission statement, but that doesn't mean BSA/SA would participate in events where youth safety would be at risk because you can find great hammocks and rice plants.

From WOSM's web site https://www.scout.org/who-we-are/world-organization/about-organization : "A Global Educational Youth Movement Scouting's mission is to contribute to the education of young people through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law. Through Scouting, we are building a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society. To be the world’s most inspiring and inclusive youth movement, creating transformative learning experiences for every young person, everywhere." Point six of the Swedish Scout Law is "A scout gets to know and protects nature." The sixth point isn't above points 1-5 or 7, of course. But having made a promise many times to do my best to follow the scout law, I certainly feel obliged towards environmental activism when the need arises. Point six of the first version of the Scout Law was "a scout is kind to animals". That's not necessarily pointing to environmental activism taken literally, but we as a movement have clearly committed ourselves to being Earth protectors. See for example everything at https://www.scout.org/what-we-do/young-people-and-communities/environment, or more locally https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/scouting-clean-waterways/ "Now more than ever, we need young people to stand up and take action around the challenges facing our communities and our planet. To promote human rights and act against injustice, to tackle climate change and promote gender equality, and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals." Ahmad Alhendawi Secretary General, World Scouting (2017-2024)

If that's the rationalization then I would say that in this as in so many things we have come to stand for nothing. We are -- or at least were -- an outdoors related conservation minded organization.

This might actually be a boon for recruitment. “Hate this admin? Have we got a program for you!” Fact remains that my scouts are more comfortable in their skin under open sky than most other recruits.