Leaderboard

Tomorrow I head off on my first Scout week trip since the summer I turned 19. Back then, the troop consisted of my Scoutmaster who had been in the troop since 1933, the ASM who had been in since around 1960, my friend and fellow 18 y/o ASM, me, and three kids we recruited out of the 5th grade class of our old school at the beginning of the school year. We had a great time at our old camp - water skiing, motorboating, pioneering, a float trip, an overnight canoe trip, and various evening activities. I haven't been to a council camp/merit badge factory since the summer before I quit Scouting in 6th grade. We'll see how this goes. It's my son's first one. I intend to keep my distance from him as much as possible. He'll need to be his own person at the end of July when he attends another camp.

I'm curious how other councils number girl troops, and the reason. Ours takes the same number as the associated boy troop, which is confusing. To unofficially (not on beascout) separate the two, a G is added to the girl troop. To me, they are separate entities and should have different numbers. It's becoming more of an issue as the troops develop different styles of leadership. We had a summer camp adult leader huddle tonight to go over the rules of summer camp. Apparently, our CC (for both units) has had to deal with council investigations one every summer trip for the past couple of years. While the CC was talking, the boy troop adult leadership stood quietly, dressed in uniforms. The girl troop leadership had the SM in uniform and the other two adult leaders dressed in random assortment of clothing, cracking jokes. The girl's troop is the one that seems to be the driver of the investigations. I don't want to be associated with that sort of organization.

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.

In your council. Our council the packs, boy troop, girl troops, and crews all have different numbers.

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. 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.

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?

Philmont and Summit won't have (or provide) NYLT materials. The NYLT course director needs to attend a Course Director Conference. That is where they should receive info about accessing the Scouting-U / National provided materials. When I was director (4 years ago), we got access to the Scouting-U NYLT Google drive with all the materials.

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.

It should all be available through your council training committee. NYLT is standardized by national, course directors and program directors are not allowed to deviate from the program or make their own materials. If the new leader is not getting anywhere dealing with the council, have them reach out to Philmont and Summit for materials.