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FWIW, one of our scouts was permanently suspended after being verbally and physically assaulted by an abusive team-mate during summer practice. I was dumbfounded ... Simply because this scout hardly needed anything besides his size to handle such individuals, But he drew a pen knife in an attempt to avoid the fight. But he brought it on school property ... In court, the aggressor was brought up on charges, and the scout was exonerated. The boy's grown up to be a fine young man ... Trump supporter. Dare I say unintended consequences?

For weekend activities, we assign the slower group the shorter route.

I have a pair of sandals as per your second link. (My crew president nick-named them "Man-dles",) They are basically my camp-relaxing/stream-crossing gear which my rated carabiner holds to my pack -- along with my tin cup -- when it's not holding a hammock. I do like them for fishing/swimming/kayaking in rocky areas. They don't leave smudges on boat hulls. They are passable walking shoes at our camp (which bans open toed shoes except in the showers) if you are going to the aquatics area and the slag/gravel hasn't worn off the path. Otherwise, they will snap your ankle in a second, allow creepers to snag your feet, and grind to shreds against central PA's highland granite. So if your son is doing the weight conditioning of a ballet dancer, flagellating his hide to build up callous, and you are happy to chuck those buggers after 30 miles of rocks and bogs, go right ahead.

One time for a college Sunday School class I attended, our teacher had different parishioners come in speak on various aspects of their careers and their spiritual walk. One county judge held a very interesting discussion about the focus of his career being the balance of justice and equity. I think his exposition of those two terms carried me through a lot of life. Zero-tolerance may provide a form of justice, but for it to be humane, it must provide equitable solutions. When a principle treats a role-model like a thug for the presence of a safely stowed tool, he/she has abdicated a responsibility to act equitably. Now, that abdication (even to a school board) may have come as a condition for the job, but then we must ask: is a job where one is barred from being equitable worth having?

Yep. Still have a collection of bumper stickers with the "Scouting USA" trade name. I trimmed them down to use for geocache swag. If Venturing becomes extremely successful (numerically), attitudes may change. Here's my reasoning: I'd estimate about 10% of venturing youth (especially females) have been snubbed by boy scouts because they can't: Wear an AoL knot. Earn merit badges. Be elected into O/A. Earn an award with the words "Star", "Life", or "Eagle" in its name. For most youth, this means nothing. But for that 10%, they (and some of their Boy Scout allies) either currently Envy Boy Scout awards and advancement in more-or-less closed circles. Belittle Boy Scout awards and advancement by more-or-less boasting about the rarefied air of Ranger, Trust, Quest, and Summit (erstwhile Silver) awards. Quietly go about amassing skills and certifications without giving one rip about awards in either program. This year's 10% of venturers amounts to 19,000 youth by current numbers -- hardly enough to disturb Boy Scout tradition unless they wind up being the folks who come back in 10 years to bring their kids up through the program. Their narrative may be compelling in some future context. That's a dark horse IMHO. However, if Venturing somehow amasses large numbers (say nearing a million), that 10% becomes 100,000 youth across the nation -- one for each current chartered organization -- some of whom may articulate their boots-on-the-ground stories, confront the primacy of male mystique, and ask "why?" to their CORs.

@@tyke, the short answer: one study does not a meta-analysis make. The co-ed programs that offer anything close to this have not soared on this side of the pond. Folks here look at the loss of traction that Scouts Canada had when it went co-ed as a counter-point to the brilliant work of the UK and other countries. That said, I was talking to a scouter this weekend whose troop alternates in attending camporees with scouts across the border, and he was very impressed with how the patrols with Canadian girls performed. (Proviso: I was at a Venturing summit this weekend, so dissenting opinions would be hard to find.) Actually, BSA attempted to brand itself as Scouting USA in the late 70s. (Perhaps it was to give a nod to the female Sea Scouts and Explorers and a feeble attempt to prepare for things to come?) That "experiment" did nothing to halt the annual 2% membership declines. Seems that even the parents of prospective female explorers and sea scouts (as well as parents of boys) trusted "Boy Scouts" as a trade mark better than any brand without sex-specificity.

One of my crew is a competitive racer (first go-carts, lately stock cars). I can understand the complexities of any club underwriting such an activity. The training required far exceeds the time most scouts and scouters would ever invest in their respective programs. I have yet to make it to one of his races. (There aren't that many because he struggles to afford the vehicle and maintenance.) Thought visiting a race day would make a great crew activity, but he's been shy about blowing his own horn and letting us know when he'd be on the track.

For what it's worth, most guys and girls who give me plans for camping independently have already accumulated any requisite camping nights for their programs.

Specifically when geocaching, I've needed map/compass in narrow valleys (which block/reflect satellite signals) and for letterbox hybrids (which often have the coordinates to a starting point from which you follow headings to the cache). But I've loved using just map and compass in searching for many caches. So, it's not just about safety. It adds to the fun of the game.

We have one park that's an hour north of town. The tracks are pretty tame. They had a slick track for a while that adults could race. That was fun. Hard on your back the taller you got. Don't know that helmets would help that. Frankly, I think multipurpose helmets could be part of an active crew's uniform if the activities included sking, climbing, and go-cats. They'd probably pay for themselves after ten events.

Have you read the Geocaching MB pamphlet? Usually there is a description of what the boy should learn to do/show for each requirement. I think the First Class land navigation requirement is a good way to do this. Not necessarily for a five mile hike, but around the 'block enough to know that the boy has a base to build on.

Blatant disregard for the scout law, or unwillingness to live up to the oath are our general triggers. In terms of going off into the woods (or any daytime -- even most night time -- activities) without SMs permission, well that pretty much goes against western PA culture. The best I'd say to a kid: "Glad you took some initiative, hope you taught your friends some of the stuff we taught you. Next time you're doing more of the same, run it by me. I might be able to help with your plan." Representing the troop, the CO, or the BSA has never been a consideration for me.

Have that adult tell you the name of the person who told them this and the source he/she referenced. Until otherwise informed via updated documentation, your quote trumps heresay. Our training used to make clear that Venturing was distinctive in a number of ways including three of interest to youth: girls, guns, and go karts. Our crew did this on several occasions. Not sure if they'll want to do it again as the helmet requirement adds complexity and cost. I swore on the guidelines sheet www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416_insert_web.pdf there a row for go-karts. If I find it on an old copy, I'll let you know.

I'm pretty sure that none of our guys asked to put their post-prom outdoor slumber party on their camping night tally! Even venturing-related activities were on them to record. I made it clear to (already overwhelmed) troop advancement chairs that they were under no obligation to follow the crews calendar ... it's on the boys to give them those records. (Same should have been for troop overnights, but that was someone else's tree to bark up.) And you're right, that the troop's key adults would likely snub a plan for a night like this (worries about girls, alcohol, driving, ... not being on the calendar established last year in his absence). That's not the point. Soaring is the point. Mr. SM: "I've never been asked to approve anything like this before." Mr. Life: "I know sir, but is it a good plan?" Mr. SM: "Look, the committee won't let me sign off on it!" Mr. Life: "Sir, that's okay. Is there something wrong with my plan? Am I putting my buddies at risk?" Mr. SM: "Well, no. It's as solid as anything our camping director comes up with. But ..." Mr. Life: "Thank you. Sir! Your feedback is invaluable to me. Now, I've got to go let my friends and some caring adults know we're good to scout on ... albeit without the BSA. Would you like an invite in case you have the night off?"

At least you weren't throwing chairs! Everyone's eyes closed? Sounds like a good ol' revival tent meeting. I suspect National faces a steady lobby of proposals and counter-proposals. They don't currently face a ground-swell of COs looking for this sort of program. Maybe they will within the decade. Maybe not.

If they can't do it in scouts, our schools will be invaded: http://www.wpxi.com/news/hempfield-area-hs-warns-of-dangerous-behavior-connected-to-squirt-gun-assassin-game/217221857# In related news, Son #2 bragged to me that he is the first Freshman in the history of his college youth fellowship to be in the final four of assassins. (Grades aren't too shabby either. I guess always looking over one's shoulder makes one pretty attentive.)

It sounds like you're in the right frame of mind to enjoy this course. Just some words of warning: Keep in mind that a given demonstration will be of what's in the book + what that person thinks is the best way to do it. So for example, a cub leader came back and busted on my tying the taught-line hitch wrongly. (Last hitch was counter-clockwise to the others going clockwise. Lays flatter and you can make pretty braids with the tag end.) I said, "But, it's holding the line taught. And that's what it looked like in my book. (Minus the macrame.)" She said, "That's not the BSA way. We can't sign-off on any boy who does it that way." I'll spare you the remainder of the discussion. I later looked in Son #1's book and saw that his picture was different from the one in my handbook. When I took IOLS, the instructor pointed out that different guides (and different editions of the same guide) pictured it differently. There was no difference in knot strength and function either way. So, expect to learn enough to begin to enjoy yourself a mile or more away from your car. But really use the time to get to know the instructors. You'll likely see them again at roundtables and camporees.

Yep. I'm a "by the book" kind of guy ... to the annoyance of crusaders and jihadists alike. But, in terms of how to handle oppression? Well, I'm sorry, I didn't write those rules. Sure, there's the paperwork. Push it. Odds are in the boy's favor. But, being proven right is not nearly as satisfying as living right, P.S. - Son #1's posse had an overnight campfire/campout after prom. Well worth the price of admission, I'm told.

@@Phrogger, rule #1: don't ask for rules ... they'll make them for you, and you'll regret it. Seriously, the routine in most troops (even mixed age patrols) is to bunk the youngest scouts together. Now, in my crew, it's a rare day when we put up a tent ....

Like @@Beavah, I believe the best solution continues to be the fun one. Since this topic started, the boy could have called his patrol mates, picked a weekend (this one's looking real nice on the East coast, btw) and location and have the menu planned. The plan could include a hike to the beneficiary for his signature in the workbook and inviting the MBC to evening campfire for the blue card (and maybe generate some interest amoung younger scouts in starting the badge). Someone mentioned holy writ, well, "if compelled to walk a mile, go two." Bling vs. the Lord's favor ... You choose.

That's because the half of us that do walk on water, know we won't the minute we start thinking about it .... blub ... blub ... gurgle...

There are two ways to look at this: Numerically, Nationally, it's shrinking. Like @@BadenP says, you ain't getting help from council. Most DE's have figured out that venturing is a tough sell. Mainly because folks in many American communities believe in a segregated program. But also because high-school kids are diverse. Venturers can be nearly invisible to some councils. So, you need your community to rally around the cause and support it. When that happens, it's magical. The kids see that they can brainstorm a crazy idea, and very likely find an adult nearby with the connections to make it happen. A few of these develop loyalty to BSA, and really put their heart and soul back into council. The kids in the green shirts become "the few, the proud." So, if you're all about the numbers, there's nothing in going co-ed for you. Venturing is the test case. Unless BPSA or Campfire start publishing exponentially growing numbers, you've got no favorable statistics. If you're about the seeing widest pool of kids possible getting a vision for hiking and camping independently with their mates ... depending on your community, a co-ed option might be an easy sell.

In the recent "adult-lead troop" and other topics there's a discussion about ASMs who can't take step back from the youth management of activities. And their was a little debate about if this behavior is more likely among former scouts since their entire career had been fully engaged with the youth and now a switch needs to be flipped. Well, maybe that's why we need to move some boys into a JASM position. Maybe if they spend that last year "stepping back" and helping to do some adult tasks: possibly advising a few Eagle projects, helping the treasurer balance the books, maybe even a little promoting scouting at the district level. Maybe they'll be better prepared to serve as ASM.

Oh, how cute. You actually think that is the takeaway from the Venturing YPT course. Suppose it's there, albeit implicitly, then, why isn't it in the Boy Scout YPT? If BSA really cares, why aren't mandatory certifications for Venturing's videos about date rape and sexual harassment required before accepting a youth application? You might be on to something. Maybe the YPT course should include a photo capture feature so the student can embed an instagram-ish picture of them taking the course on the certificate!

From time to time we've had very young cross-overs. They've done well, with the usual ups and downs. Sometimes it's nice to have friends who are in middle and high school. If he's friends with any of the Bear scouts, point out that he has the chance to race one more PWD with them. If he's closer to the older scouts, as he moves into the troop, help the troop find activities that suit his tastes. Not sure if anyone in your council is starting STEM scouts, but you may want to give them a call to ee if there's a lab near you.