RememberSchiff

Where there is uncertainty, maybe some BSA units should consider moving their assets?

Ok, I'm impressed. Our coins should look so good.

Good point. Maybe the CO should form its youth group and co-charter (right word?) with the BSA, like Civil Air Patrol does with Venture crews. If the sky falls or the CO decides to withdraw from BSA, its youth group remains.

Same has been true for other non-BSA groups that attend Philmont or our local camps, no matter what strenuous non-Scout activities they do. Pay less too. So if old Schiff wants to go to the Summit it more likely would be with a Girl Scout group or maybe a rock band.

Path to Save the BSA? Backtrack to where we made a wrong turn. Skeptic has mentioned this before - go back to those thrilling days of yesteryear. There was no DRP or concerns/discussions about orientation, it was nobody's business. IMO, the BSA should leave sex, religion, politics, family matters to others outside of scouting and concentrate on our business - scouts. Want to be a Scout and will follow the Scout Oath and Law, welcome. A unit or CO turns you away, find another. A unit doesn't like you being at a scout activity, they get to stay away from the activity. KISS (Keep It Simple Scout) My $0.02

An ancillary question - who decides? I was under the impression either the camp director ( for the good of the scout and camp) or the scoutmaster (for the good of the scout and troop) could decide. One or the other, no override. At one camp this was not the case, as the camp director maintained he had sole authority to decide. His camp, scout's parents paid for a week, he would decide. Eventually the camp director came around. I don't know if it was the call to the SE or the passing of the no-refund mark. Parents wanted a whole week vacation for their son. Scout should have been sent home Monday night but departed Wed night, so troop at least had a two-day week at camp. By Monday night, if a scout does not want to be there, will not do his part ("And you can't make me"), will not follow Scout Oath and Law, na na na, hey hey, goodbye My $0.02

http://www.kltv.com/story/29682905/boy-scouts-learn-emergency-preparedness Approximately 50 Boy Scouts from southeast Missouri and as far away as Kansas City put up camp at the Charleston Baptist Association Campground east of Benton this week for a unique experience. The Scouts participated in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. During the boot camp the group learned first aid, fire safety, emergency preparedness, search and rescue and fire safety. The 30 hour course will earn the Scouts five merit badges and the CERT certification. The event kicked off Thursday, July 30 and will conclude Sunday, Aug. 2. That seems a greater merit badge haul and in less time than your average summer camp or merit badge university. Hope they had some serious prerequisites to do before this boot camp.

I am seeing more "school vacation" staffed activities at council camps in New England. Ironically these 'school vacation" activities are mostly STEM oriented though there is OKPIK in winter. However, Council staffed weekend activities (archery, rifle, waterfront, BMX, ATV) are elusive around here. The reasons as you can guess - camp staff away at (local) college, OA put all the gear away, conflicts with Camporee/OA/Training,.. Does your Council staff off-summer camp activities?

I found this an interesting and enlightening video on STEM scouting. http://wate.com/2015/07/28/east-tennessee-stem-scouts-learn-about-science-in-the-w-va-outdoors/ ...In the mountains of West Virginia, a group of co-ed Scouts is learning about electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering while in the outdoors. Bryan Heller, retired Navy officer and civil engineer, was teaching interested young people what he loves, science and technology. High school kids from across the country, fascinated by science, technology, engineering and math, spent a week at the Summit Bechtel reserve exploring such diverse subjects as electrical and mechanical engineering, learning about how things work and how they’re designed... As can be seen in video and photos, STEM scouts were "experimenting" outdoors - BMX, rock-climbing, zip-lining.

Well too bad you are not the BSA membership chair. Given LDS calls to protect "religious freedom" and some LGBT rights, I think your offer is on track. What if they insist that LDS adults can only volunteer in Scouting if called by a LDS unit (sorry if I got the nomenclature wrong)?

Could be. If so, what would you offer them if anything? Maybe another separate scouting program like STEM scouts or Learning for Life? Would you play legal hardball about using BSA uniforms and materials in a non-BSA program? Would you give them a deal on some scout camps? If I can refrain from drinking coffee while attending LDS hosted Roundtables , I think a workable solution can be found as both parties and scouts stand to loose more with a separation. ANother $0.02

From the OP link, I can understand LDS being upset with this vote scheduled in July. Wasn't this originally planned for October? I can understand LDS concern about the limited global reach of Scouting in terms of common means to serve all LDS youth but that has nothing to do with this decision. I cannot understand why they think this decision changes their use of the BSA program, unless they are concerned that gay LDS adults will volunteer as scout leaders in other non-LDS units? There was a storm last night. The sun came up today, trail conditions are fair with slippery footing. We are heading out. My $0.02

I dunno. I guess it depends on the source of the flame.

Well the good news: This was not a scout This was not a Utah scouter. This is not a LNT practice. https://lnt.org/about/faq/burning-trash-or-used-toilet-paper-ok Bilbao explained that some people who go to the bathroom in the woods will set their toilet paper on fire so they aren't littering. "I think he thought he was doing the environmental thing," she said. The cyclist came forward right away. He told investigators burning toilet paper is actually something his grandfather taught him. However, Bilbao said, given the dry conditions of the foothills, it is not advised to light anything on fire. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pooping-cyclist-started-idaho-foothills-fire/

Yeah. You would think it would be more "thrifty" to keep the name of one of the merged councils as there would be less signs, webpages, letterheads, etc to change. BTW, I found a similar named council, Pathway to Adventure Council http://pathwaytoadventure.org/

As far as which adults from the CO can associate (volunteer) with scouts, I think National and Council can dictate as per Charter Agreement http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-182WB.pdf

Yes it is small. They plan to increase membership with after-school STEM programs and they have had some successes. Camp Sayre seems to becoming a family/community retreat now. Overnighters at Museum of Science, MBU at Harvard,...

http://danvers.wickedlocal.com/article/20150724/NEWS/150727767 This merger will create "the largest Scout Council ever created in Massachusetts, boasting about 13,500 youth members". “The merger and creation of the Spirit of Adventure Council is truly something to celebrate, as it shows the future is bright for the Boy Scouts in Massachusetts,†said Spirit of Adventure Council Chief Executive Chuck Eaton. “Our ability to provide the best programs for our kids and families is now stronger than ever, especially in urban areas. Our organization is growing, allowing us to impact more kids and inspire them to prepare for success in life, and in STEM careers of the future.†The article briefly mentions Camp Sayre with a little Boston Olympics tease. "The merger coincides with news that Camp Sayre in Milton is now open to the public, beyond the Scouting community. Camp Sayre is a virtual amusement park for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring everything from rock climbing, high ropes course to an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Families and individuals can utilize Camp Sayre during all four seasons." Large urban/suburban Council with more fundraising and a focus on STEM and family services. Spirit of Adventure?

Well assuming said person is a scout's parent and is now prohibited from being a volunteer. From YP: http://www.scouting.org/BSAYouthProtection/Media_Center/KnowtheFacts.aspx All aspects of the Scouting program are open to observation by parents and leaders. All adult volunteers are required to complete Youth Protection training every two years. Observe and perhaps no YP required. Hmmm. It would be interesting to see if this person could setup a myscouting account and take YP training online. My $0.01

A scout's ECOH is his and his family's business.

Root and Shoots Roots and Shoots, as I understand.

http://woay.com/News.aspx?nid=17425 For the first time 300 girl scouts from the Black Diamond council will converge on the reserve from Wednesday through Sunday. While the Summit has held a Jamboree for Boy Scouts before, this will be the first time the girl scouts will come to town. While 300 girls may seem small, especially when compared to the 40,000 boy scouts their Jamboree brought in, Bechtel Special Events Director Jim Campbell hopes this is the beginning of larger Girl Scout events down the road. “The Girl Scouts internally, they have a big push nationally within their organization to go back to their roots, to add more high adventure and camping to their program,†said Campbell.

As a Dad, Eagle Scout, and Scouter, a scout salute to you for not punching SuperScout in the nose. As you know, one of the Methods of Scouting is Adult Association. Some adults can be difficult, arbitrary, unfair, and well you know. No matter, scouts learn how to work with adults or around them. Working around this MBC and finding a second MBC seems a good life lesson. Second opinions and second chances are part of life. As for SuperScout, you, the Troop Committee, and Council have options which have been mentioned. A scout salute to your son for his hard work, My $0.02

Hmm. As you say, the link states at the top Zip line, rock climb, rappel, mountain bike, kayak…spend three days participating in every adventure sport you could ever want. Then scroll down under The Dates July 22nd-26th, 2015 One day for gathering, 3 days for fun, one day for packing?

http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20150720/derby-scouts-head-to-sister-city-in-england Twenty-nine scouts, leaders and family members of Boy Scout Troop 3 and Venture Crew 33 departed July 19 for their action-packed summer excursion. The group safely landed in England early Monday morning. According to Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter, the scouts and their families will be staying with host scout families of Derby, England’s 107 Derby Scouts and Trent Explorers. Troop 3 families hosted the Derby, England, scouts when those scouts and their families visited Connecticut in 2013. Ritter said the scouts’ adventure will include participation in the Peak International Encampment, which brings together more than 7,000 scouts from throughout Europe. The event, Ritter said, is located on the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. Prior to jetting off, the scouts met with Mayor Anita Dugatto, who provided items, including “I Love Derby†pins, mugs with the Derby city seal, books about Derby and a letter for the group to present to her English counterpart. Ritter said Troop 3 Derby has been in contact with scouts in their sister city since the 1940s. He said the Connecticut troop would send care packages to their fellow scouts struggling from the effects of World War II. Ritter said in the 1970s the scout exchange program was initiated and resumed upon the 2013 Derby, England, group’s visit here. Scouts here worked hard to raise funds to help pay for their trip, with proceeds from their 91st annual Scout Gang Show, held in May, enabling them to participate in the adventure. ... “We live in a global society and having young people understand others culture and how their society works only benefits everyone,†McLiverty said. “These young people are our future and this world has lost relationships and how to deal with others. Facebook emails and electronic communications — while they provide easy access to those far away — are cold and insincere. Having our scouts visiting our sister city over the pond will only create a lifetime bond that serves them, our city and nation well.â€