pizzaerick

Reading this is an education. On the subject of "charge higher fees" instead of fundraising. As on that has spent some time unemployed, I can tell you that I'd rather see fundraising, popcorn sales, FOS, and the like. That allows people to contribute as they can when they can. For 5 years my FOS contribution was $0. I am making up for it now so some other young father can have his son in scouting without feeling a pinch. If you feel all your time is spent on fundraisers, then you are doing something wrong. Fundraising teaches valuable skills and lessons, not to mention offers opportunity. At the end of the day, i look at every kid I have known (including my own) where camp was a bit out of range for the family. Having a fundraiser allows those kids to make it to camp on their own efforts. FAR better than having to ask for a campership! Last of all, it costs money to run something like Boy Scouts. A LOT of money. I own a business, I serve on boards for chamber, scouts, church... If you think BSA or your local council is full of people getting rich, look again. Even the highest paid staffers could get more working comparable jobs at a for profit company.

Makes you feel dirty? It shouldn't. It's not just the salary of the VERY FEW professional scouters.. it's the camps, the training, the insurance, the camperships... You get the idea. It's all gotta be paid for somehow. And if you think popcorn is a raw deal, talk to a GS leader about cookies!

I certainly have not put in years of my life into scouting for a couple of fancy bits of cloth on my uniform! On the other hand, I find them valuable. As a new parent, I knew I had a good chance of getting an answer if I asked someone with a couple knots on their shirt. As a new leader, I was opened up to some of the ways I could help in the pack/troop. As a veteran leader, I do have a certain amount of pride saying "been there done that" without having to say it. As a leader recruiting others, it helps for them to see that others have put in time, and to see that (in general) the more knots on someone's uniform, the more FUN they seem to have! I find it funny that some people hate 'em, some love 'em. The most ironic to me is the James E West. Some people think wearing it is showing off (the "buy a knot"). I on the other hand wouldn't even know the endowment existed if I hadn't asked someone about the knot. If I can ever kick in the cash, I will. Not for the knot, but for the cause. And I will wear the knot. Not to show off, but to lead others to contribute as well.

I have seen this (in varying degrees), and feel your pain. I am fortunate to be with a group of experienced scouters that have dealt with this. You really won't change anything unless it comes from the whole troop/ leadership. A group of dads I work with agreed together that during campouts, we would avoid interaction with our own sons. I would help the patrol my son was NOT in, and another dad would help my son's patrol. If my son came to me for help with, say, putting up his tent, I would ONLY direct him to another scout (or adult if appropriate), I would NOT give him other help or advice. Have you tried talking to the dad? uncomfortable, delicate situation... I know. I have done this before. I told the parent the boy was struggling. I related my struggles and temptations wanting my boy to be the best, have the most fun, etc. and how difficult it is to step back. I suggested, and we made a pact. At the first campout, anytime he saw something and wanted to call his son on it, he was to catch MY attention and let me do it... and vice versa. I think it helped him to see that we all notice things from our own son that catches our attention, but others see as normal. We also decided he would go on the next campout (and I would stay home) and I would take the following one with him staying home. In that way, I made it sound like _I_ needed _his_ help, rather than me attacking his behavior. Last tip... look for warning signs. Learn to watch for him seeking his son, or the boy seeking his dad. Intercept them. Find out the problem and solve it before they connect, give them a job to do, whatever. It's a LOT of work. Good Luck. You are on the right track.

We did the "interfaith" thing recently at woodbadge, and it was probably the most contentious and divisive thing I have seen in any training session. I would rather "observe" the worship of another faith than to be participating in a service that seemed to offend everyone by trying to include everyone. As leaders, we find a place for faith in our program, and try to make sure everyone is respected. I could rip apart the service from the "fake" native prayer, to the structure content and even the time... but I think that's been done already. Suffice it to say I agree that there is something wrong with the program.