RememberSchiff

FYI, Dog Scouts of America (DSA) already exists. DSA Mission & Vision To improve the lives of dogs, their owners, and society through humane education, positive training, and community involvement. We envision a future where dogs remain in happy, lifelong homes with responsible owners. In this vision, all dogs are seen as a useful and welcome part of the community, because people take responsibility for socializing, training, containing, and caring for them. http://dogscouts.org/base/

"...greatness... comes through humility." http://www.ldsbsa.org/blog/history-highlights-varsity-scouting-1975-2017/ Your Church faces great challenges ahead in successfully replacing the old with the new. IMHO, that starts with finding your Chief Scout. He should enthusiastically create such a program that your scouts will want to transfer over before 12/31/2019 whether they have earned Eagle or not. I hope I said that in a respectful way. My $0.02,

@blackft welcome to scouter.com

"The museum will open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. beginning June 8."

Please open another topic to post ideas about simple water storage devices for scouts to place in a survival kit. Thanks.

When I was a DL,, I recall problems with family tree requirements in Cub Scouts. Some branches had bad apples which others readily exposed. Why embarrass the scout and his family? Back in the day, one never talked about family finances outside the family and rarely within. We had an expectation of privacy and that expectation would be respected. I only knew about MY finances as that was my business. MYOB BSA. My $0.02

WMATA is gearing up to test how first responders would handle a major Metro emergency in Arlington, and officials are looking for some help. Metro is planning a “full-scale exercise” at the Crystal City Metro station (1750 S. Bell Street) on Sunday, June 3, and is looking for volunteers to make the event feel more real for participants. Check in for the event begins at 6:30 a.m., and it’s set to wrap up by 1 p.m, according to an event listing. Volunteers will get the chance to “act out the role of a Metro rider who is on the train at the time of the emergency and will be able to see first-hand how regional emergency responders handle the situation.” ... WMATA can sign for or provide documentation for volunteers who require it for certifications or program participation, including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and other service organizations – just bring your form! (Emergency Prep. Req 7 ?) More details at link https://www.arlnow.com/2018/05/30/volunteers-wanted-as-metro-plans-june-3-safety-drill-in-crystal-city/

Shaka, when the walls fell.

@Kryten welcome to scouter.com

I have no problem with using the word "parent", it certainly is not "trash". Why such an unkind comment? Maybe this thread has run its course?

Unkind words. What if the scout comes from a single parent family? But for me, Family Life should be a family matter not a merit badge so that problem would not exist. Another $0.02

I wondered if "families will be the charter organization" but I did not expand on that thought. I think CO's will be replaced by hands-off sponsors who provide a meeting space and possibly storage. Our current CO actually does none of that, so what's the point? The days of a CO using scouting to provide their youth program are closing. My son's never-ending Confirmation process resembles scouting. In the last 20 years with 4 different CO's only one took interest and provided a meeting and storage space. That church is now considering forming their own youth group, as none of their youth are members of the troop. My $0.02 for more rambling,

Where are we headed? Down a different path in a different way to a different destination? Will this mean the Aims of Scouting will change or just the Methods or neither? Will the Scout Oath and Law change? Here are my guesses, random thoughts. Initially this appeared to be a change in membership restrictions to recapture membership losses?, increase revenue?, to to help family?. to reflect American values?, tto be fair? I don't know, but I am all for taking ALL kids who want to be Scouts. As stated there are no plans to change the program and I suppose in the short term that is true. Seemingly there are other problems being addressed with new objectives: Increase Revenue - increase fees across the board. More pressure on Councils to merge and sell/rent properties. STEM was about coed scouting to get into public schools and obtain GRANTS. Public Schools is where the families, facilities, and money are. Will Corporate funding return? If so, it will be quid pro quo, i.e., product donations and corporate partnerships. Reduce Liabilities - Despite YP, new lawsuits of recent abuses continue. Despite training and GTSS, scout injuries and deaths continue. So spread the responsibility by bringing in parents (Family Scouting) and outsourcing outdoor leadership (hire professional guides, attend National camps) and create safe havens - low adventure, low risk activities. Regarding Scouting Methods: Ideals - will it shift from Scout to Family? Patrol Method - National has marginalized this method to the point of ignoring it. A Troop will be a group of Families, not Patrols. Kids will not join to get away from Mom And Dad; families will join to come together so kids can see Mom and Dad and Mom and Dad can see their kids. Patrols will be temporary groups for activities, maybe patrols will be a group of families? Family Method - replaces Patrol Method, reduces unit/CO/BSA liability as parents are present. Is it me or does the BSA appears to be teaching parenting? With this comes significant infrastructure improvements to accommodate families. FOS becomes Families of Scouting, just like the Boys' Life changed its name. Will families be the charter organization? I predict more religious groups will drop Scouts and form their own youth groups. Outdoor Programs - shorter outings to fit schedules, unless it is trek by licensed guides or at a National facility. Advancement - There is so much that needs fixing here and maybe more involved adults will be a positive force. Are standardized advancement tests coming? Adult Association - yes, but let's call it what it is - Adult Domination. Will Troop Committee become Conference of Families? Will there be any scout-run troops? Maybe this will force out volunteers with no children ? Personal Growth - will be more about Family time, respect, needs, and togetherness than Good Turn. I have had numerous over-scheduled families tell me they are tired of community service. I pay taxes which should cover that! I need my son to rake and mow our lawn, in fact bring the whole troop over to clear our yard paint our trim. Helping others includes family! To them, helping the community starts at helping families. Leadership Method - continues to be a huge selling point and revenue source. All talk though, like those Future ( whatever) of America conferences marketed to high school kids. Will a scout lead even a short walk to mess hall? Wait for two adults Terry. Uniform Method - this method was added in the mid 80's. I never saw the need as the uniform remains optional. Someone at National will figure out more money can be made by selling expensive tee-shirts/tops, caps, and neckers to families than Class A's and patches to scouts. I think the Scout program will focus on families coming together, dealing with teen issues (bullying, internet, drugs, now sex too??) and other family needs, and having fun. Whatever comes will be different, but how will the success be determined and in what time frame? Surely there must be a 5 year strategic plan complete with "pillars", "tiers", "stakeholders", "rubrics", ... Not all the changes I predict (and I could be totally wrong) are bad in my opinion. As I typed my thoughts, I was reminded in the HUGE change to Wood Badge some years back yet the name remained the same. At least that mistake was not repeated. My $0.01,

Where is the Scoutmaster (SM) in this? What troop leaders have spoken to you and your son? As already mentioned, calling the Troop Committee Chairman should also to on your action list.

welcome to scouter.com

FYI, the Trumbull County, OH coroner, Dr. Thomas James from Ohio is in attendance at National Annual Meeting. As I understand, he was previously Council President of the Greater Western Reserve Council which died in 2017. Unknown is his current Council and position. So far, his services have not been needed, the BSA still lives. http://www.tribtoday.com/news/local-news/2018/05/dems-keep-dr-james-as-coroner/ http://www.tribtoday.com/news/local-news/2017/01/boy-scout-councils-merge/

IMHO, the donkey gets replaced with a pony.

Funny how back in the day I learned that from family and school. I thought this was about giving Scouting to girls? ...or families?

I wonder if the Olympics analogy extends to being a money loser for the host(s)? Boston was the USOC preferred site for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The International Olympic Committee requirements for facilities, infrastructure (We can't get the MBTA to run), security, etc. would have required Massachusetts taxpayers to fork over millions. Recall Romney got federal money for Utah Winter Olympics, going back to that well was not happening after the Big Dig cost overruns.In the end, the taxpayers said No Thanks. How much revenue will go to hosts, BSA, and Summit and will that revenue cover our costs? My $0.02,

Update May 24, 2018: Final arguments in the multiyear dispute over ownership of the Camp Richard Scout camp wrapped up in Barnstable Superior court Tuesday, with a decision on who owns the island property expected to be handed down by the end of June, when the presiding judge is set to retire. The debate stems from the Cape & Islands Council of the Boy Scouts of America’s agreement four years ago to sell a portion of the property to Hingham-based Atlantic Development for $5 million, and efforts by local scouting groups – backed by the Nantucket Civic League (former owner of the property) and the Nantucket Land Council – to bar thesale. Last year, Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson ruled that Camp Richard should forever remain a “campsite for the scouts of Nantucket,” and must be transferred back to the Civic League if used for any other purpose. He also determined – without any evidentiary hearings – that ownership of the property was to remain in a trust controlled by the off-island council, in part because it was affiliated with the national Boy Scouts of America and the Camp Richard Campers Association, the local organization, was not. http://www.ack.net/news/20180524/ownership-decision-of-camp-richard-due-end-of-june

Where is National's PR department? Hardly any press releases.

I prefer to call it my Jack Bauer bag.

As odd as it might sound, anyone can buy condoms in West Virginia. "Condoms are not a drug, just a physical health product just like Band-Aids and cotton balls so they are not regulated like the pill or other birth control that changes your body chemistry. " http://www.tobuycondoms.com/west-virginia/

Locked by request of OP. @NJCubScouter , @John-in-KC

Ok then. The juvenil behavior has gotten tiresome. @NJCubScouter @John-in-KC