RememberSchiff

I would like a copy of my CRA report and any other information the BSA uses to determine my membership qualification. From the form, only MN or OK residents are provided this courtesy due to their state laws. I do NOT consent to sharing this information with any unnamed "clients, customers," who have no stated justification regarding a "need to know". https://www.hoac-bsa.org/Data/Sites/1/media/disclosure-forms/additional-disclosures-and-background-check-authorization-not-california-hoac.pdf

"The best way to learn how to not get lost is to let yourself get a little lost once in a while. " Nice story about scouts leading and adults stepping back. https://highlandscurrent.org/2019/10/15/out-there-and-the-teens-shall-lead/

Locally, we have done this with school Veterans Day observance activities. Do my duty...country .

Now that's the ticket... ....Say that's a ticket idea for aspiring WBers. With pride, I was part of a group of scouters that built a latrine. It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far,far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known. A lot of Field of Dream whisper lines during construction.

Yes, back in the day, we looked forward to our annual fall (Indian Summer) outing at scout camp - latrine and water at campsite, tent platforms, a phone up at ranger house. Luxury. IMO, if all camp fees stayed with the camp , say a separate camp cost center, camps would be self-sustaining. I remember as ASPL to book the above outing, I called camp ranger and paid fee when we arrived Friday night. No council web app, server,... Lean summer camp payroll, still CIT's did not pay for the privilege of working at camp. Thrifty. But back to the OP, for us since Cub camping is family camping , not "Council organized family camp", number of nights is a non-issue. My $0.02

Author Dr. Henry Hamrick’s relationship with Bud Schiele was established in the late 1950s and 60s at the Piedmont Boy Scout Camp on Lake Lanier near Tryon. Schiele was the chief scout executive for the Piedmont Council and directed the camp during those years. Hamrick made his first trip to Lake Lanier when he was 9 years old, and after spending a few summers there as a camper, he returned for several more as a counselor. It added up to eight consecutive years of his life that he would never forget, as he helped scouts earn merit badges by teaching skills such as swimming, lifesaving and woodworking. Schiele, a native of Philadelphia, was a self-styled naturalist and botanist who amassed an impressive collection of wildlife, rocks and minerals in the decades after he moved to Gastonia in 1924. He was 67 years old in 1961 when he used that trove to found the Gaston County Museum of Natural History, which was renamed in his honor four years later. Its opening was a culmination of a lifetime devoted to studying, cataloging and preserving nature. “A lot of my book focuses on how he came to Gastonia, how he got started, the odds he faced, and how he recruited a lot of leaders in churches and businesses to support scouting,” said Hamrick. Dr. Henry Hamrick’s book also delves into the important role that Lily Hobbs Schiele had in supporting and enhancing her husband’s endeavors, particularly with respect to honoring Native American cultures. “I think people will find that Mr. Schiele was a true leader, an organizer, and a man of great principal, and that he truly believed the Boy Scout movement was something that would help the youth of the country to become better adults,” said Hamrick. “And Mrs. Schiele was right there and on board with all of that.” “Boy Scouting in the North Carolina Foothills, 1909-1958” spans 140 pages and should be available later this month or in November. It is being distributed by Itasca Books, and interested readers can obtain a copy by calling the company at 1-800-901-3480. More at source: https://www.gastongazette.com/news/20191013/new-book-pays-tribute-to-bud-schiele-legacy-of-scouting

27 Current and former Boy Scouts from Troop 1 Southborough along with 13 adult volunteers took a “Big Trip” to Iceland in late July of 2019. Following a long-standing tradition, the scouts of Troop 1 voted for this destination in several rounds in the Winter and Spring of 2018 to take this once-every-four-years trip. The Big Trip team of five senior scouts, Anthony Zalev, Alexander Forrest, Joseph Greene, Zane Walter, and Garrett Goodney and Scoutmaster Jim Greene spent the next 14 months planning the adventure that saw the Troop camp in five different campsites and visit over 20 destinations during their 8-day adventure. Forty people made the 8-day journey that consisted of almost 5,000 miles traveled by air, 1,000 miles traveled by bus, and 70 miles travelled by foot around the beautiful country of Iceland. Our 40 adventurers camped using 25 tents in 5 separate campsites. We had 3 restaurant meals and prepared 23 meals for ourselves. We brought 6 stoves and sets of cooking equipment, we purchased two canopies in Iceland along with most of our food and consumed 24 liters of propane, 2 liters of white gas, and 2 pounds of isobutane. Our itinerary consisted of 24 activities (8 of which required a fee) and we were able to do it all for the thrifty cost of roughly $1,600 per person. Being in a foreign land with its unique topology, foods, sparse population centers, unique language, currency, and on the metric system presented a number of challenges, but it made the adventure one truly worthy of the title “Big Trip”. News story and fantastic photos: http://www.mysouthborough.com/2019/10/11/troop-1-is-eager-to-talk-about-its-iceland-adventure/ Troop 1 trip daily log with photos (pdf) <---Great read. http://www.mysouthborough.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Iceland-Troop-1-2019-Big-Trip.pdf Well done.

This was my concern. Thanks for the explanation.

Ditto PA and Colorado. ...because BSA was headquartered in New Jersey for roughly 30 years, scouts who were abused in that time can sue, regardless of where the abuse occurred. https://www.cpr.org/2019/10/08/survivors-of-abuse-in-the-boy-scouts-tried-for-years-to-get-legal-justice-a-new-law-could-pave-the-way/ https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/new-jersey-law-could-open-up-boy-scouts-to-abuse-law-suits-from-pennsylvania/ I continue to research if plaintiffs can "double dip" child abuse claims.

I found a Aug, 2019 article, so old news. I still wonder if dual suits are possible from CA, NY, PA? scouts, i.e., file in state where alleged crime occurred and another where BSA was headquartered. Child sex abuse victims in Connecticut are expected lawsuits against the Boy Scouts of America. The suits will be filed under a New Jersey law, according to the law firm PCVA and Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, LLP. in December. ... The New Jersey law allows victims nationwide who were abused during a three decade period to file suits against the New Jersey-based BSA. The suits must be filed during a 2 year window that begins on Dec. 1. More details at source: https://www.wfsb.com/news/ct-abuse-victims-use-new-jersey-law-to-sue-boy/article_0341c2e6-cb24-11e9-9b71-23e7513acb54.html

It took a letter to the Chicago Tribune by a Dad DL. (I wonder if it was @Eagle94-A1 ?) By having a female-specific requirement for participation, the BSA has deliberately established systemic gender bias and exclusion of female scouts,” Den Leader Matt Janes wrote to the Tribune. In response, Boy Scouts of America ruled last week that Janes’ daughter, whom Janes asked not be identified by name, may continue in the program without a female leader as long as her father, a trained den leader, is with her. But Scout officials said this was a special accommodation while they try to recruit more members and seek more female leaders. "We are committed to providing a great Scouting experience for every youth and family in our programs,” the Scouts said in a statement. “We have worked closely with Mr. Janes and local Scouting leaders to determine a solution that works for everyone. ... For the time being, Mr. Janes and his daughter will continue to meet for den activities without a female leader given this unique set of circumstances.” More details at source. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-cub-scouts-discrimination-claim-20191009-e6slxcn7yvccbpu2qs647mkkk4-story.html

Under this new law , could a scout who was allegedly abused in NY now bring suit in both NY and NJ?

People who were allegedly molested by scoutmasters or other volunteers when they were Boy Scouts in Massachusetts may have an opportunity to sue the Boy Scouts of America, under a recent law enacted in New Jersey, where the organization was based between 1954 and 1978. The new law, similar to one recently passed in New York, allows for time-restricted windows of opportunity to seek justice regardless of current statutes of limitation restrictions. Similar legislation has been passed or is pending in California and Pennsylvania. The New Jersey law provides victims nationwide who were sexually abused during the 25 years the BSA was headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, an opportunity to sue under a two-year window that begins Dec. 1. Michael T. Pfau, a Boston College graduate and a Seattle-based sexual abuse attorney who represents 200 Boy Scouts cases nationally, is working with New Jersey attorney Jay Mascolo, to bring cases under New Jersey’s new statute-of-limitations window. “We intend to hold the Boy Scouts accountable under this New Jersey law because the organization knew for decades while its headquarters was based in New Jersey that thousands of Scout leaders had used the position to groom and sexually abuse children. The Boy Scouts not only failed to implement adequate policies and procedures to protect young children, but it actively swept egregious sexual abuse under the rug,” Pfau said in a statement last week. More at source https://www.telegram.com/news/20191008/new-jersey-law-may-offer-worcester-area-boy-scout-abuse-victims-hope @NJCubScouter

Indifference uses ignorance as an excuse. Buy local produce. I like the apple drops idea, you can also get some "ugly" potatoes and other veggies for cheap or free or field labor exchange. Use ziplock bags to "Mix your own (individual or patrol)" gorp, oatmeal , pancake mix,... informs scouts what is in their food while addressing allergies and saving money. Frugal food safety. Bulk buying. Seemed like a good idea but we ran into storage and spoilage issues. One bad apple ... My $0.02,

Brice Fundell has discovered he loves to construct and create, so the high school junior decided to take on two projects instead of one in his quest for an Eagle Scout badge. (Yes two. Twofer 1 Eagle! ~ RS) This year, while seeking his Eagle Scout project, the La Salle-Peru Township High School student asked people at his former grade school, Tonica, what they’d like to see built. They requested a border for containment of pea gravel around the grade school playground equipment, and he quickly offered to create that border by using railroad ties. But he also decided to lead a project to provide some shade and shelter from the elements outside of the school. Family members, friends and fellow Boy Scouts last week attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new shelter over two picnic tables. In keeping with requirements for Eagle Scout projects, Fundell sought permission, planned and gained financial support and donations for the venture. Fundell then led a crew of helpers to get the jobs done. More background at source link ... something about a Tardis time machine? https://www.newstrib.com/2019/10/07/one-eagle-scout-project-just-wasnt-enough-for-this-l-p-boy/an2itae/

I saw a follow-up report on CBS news this morning about this young engineer and his company DroneAId. IBM backed him and now employs him. Perhaps the BSA can work with IBM and sell the iconic rescue signal mats that the optical recognition software uses. Be Prepared, Helping Other People, STEM... https://www.cbsnews.com/video/how-drones-could-improve-disaster-relief/ https://developer.ibm.com/blogs/droneaid-visual-recognition-helps-hurricane-victims/

Was he the last Eagle remaining in Trump administration? So historically, this administration had the most Eagles at the start but none served a whole term? As OP, my interest here was not the politics but an opportunity to generate scout interest in future elected government service. Hasn't happened...yet.

4-H cabins? http://oregon4hcenter.org/facilities/cabins/

Oct 4 EEE Update from Southern New England Narragansett Council. All overnight camping at Council properties is canceled until the first hard frost. This includes tents, cabins and shelters. Activities during daytime hours (after dawn and before dusk) are allowed. More details at source: http://www.narragansettbsa.org/EEE

You're right. Any "fee" would be passed along to the scouts taking the classes. Have any former BSA corporate sponsors who pushed and left over our membership returned? Have they moved to other charities, cutback in overall donations, or turned away by the abuse lawsuits? Our scouts are those corporations future customers and employees, a win-win partnership should be possible.

Old Guy? The BSA is becoming No Scouting for Old Men, particularly for those learned in scouting from back in the day. Next stop working with Habitat for Humanity or joining a Men's Shed or maybe enjoy what are they called, oh yes, a hobby.

I see tech stores, outdoor stores, stables , whitewater companies, etc. running their own merit badge classes. Does the BSA charge a fee to those businesses?

Update 9/16/2019 ... a growing service provided by K-Valley District Commissioner Chris Bernier and Goodwill. So far, Bernier (a commissioner for K-Valley District of the Boy Scouts) and Goodwill NNE has outfitted more than 650 children in Maine who needed uniforms. All year, the Waterville (Maine) Goodwill store sets aside donated uniforms for Bernier, who then washes every uniform and rips off every award badge by hand, according to a news release from Goodwill. Bernier started by serving Waterville children, but now he gets calls from all over the state asking to help outfit Scouts in need. “So far we have served over three dozen communities in Maine with some traveling as far as Topsham, Pittsfield, Bath and Bangor,” he said, according to the release. “There are many people who are deserving who can’t work or can’t afford a uniform for their child, and that’s what this is about. It’s about changing the future, changing the next generation, helping kids be better than they can be and building a better citizen.” Bernier has approximately 200 uniforms that Goodwill NNE collected for his cause in storage, ready for Scouts. The only requirement for a child to get a free uniform is that they register for scouting or is already a registered scout. The program also allows for Scouts to trade in their uniforms when they outgrow them or change ranks — when they give back an old uniform, Bernier will give them a new one, according to the release. Anyone who would like to donate a uniform can drop it off at the Waterville store. Parents should bring their Scout’s registration form as proof. Scouts also will be able to register at the store during the drive. “I’m a one-man show,” Bernier said, according to the release. “But we’re just getting it started. We’re working on becoming a nonprofit, we’d like to expand it. We’re trying to make it needs-based. We serve kids who can’t afford to go to the council store and get a brand new uniform.” More at source: https://www.centralmaine.com/2019/09/16/goodwill-bernier-to-host-boy-scout-uniform-drive-giveaway/

Oct 3, 2019: A 16-year-old Eagle Scout has been sentenced to five days in a juvenile jail and 18 months of probation for threatening to shoot up his Catholic school in South Carolina in a group chat where he also sent racist videos...The judge also ordered the teen to attend a wilderness camp to help with behavioral and social skills. The guns in his parents' house must be given to relatives approved by the sheriff's office. http://www.startribune.com/teen-gets-5-days-in-juvenile-jail-for-racist-videos-threats/562071922/ In my experience, we adults cannot agree what constitutes bullying and the measures that should be taken , yet we all seem to agree the potential threat level from bullying is higher than ever. My $0.02,

Update Oct 2, 2019: The family of a 13-year-old boy who was injured in the left eye by a catapulted potato during an overnight troop camping outing in Santa Clarita in 2017 agreed to settle a lawsuit brought on the boy's behalf against the Boy Scouts of America for $90,000. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Laura Seigle is scheduled to decide Friday whether to approve the settlement, which will leave the Valencia boy with about $59,300 after his medical expenses, attorneys' fees and other costs are paid. During a Sept. 20 hearing, the judge asked for some additional documentation from the plaintiff. She also said the money the boy will receive must be placed in a blocked account and that all withdrawals will need court approval. According to the suit filed May 30, Boy Scout Troop 499, operated by the Western Los Angeles County Council and sponsored by the Greater Santa Clarita Optimist Club, had an overnight camping event, dubbed the Troop 499 Zombie Overnighter, at Hart Park in Santa Clarita on Nov. 4. 2017. Several activities were planned for the scouts and for the Cub Scout Webelos who were invited to attend and all of the events were under the guidance of a scoutmaster, who was in charge of the troop's activities and the safety of the scouts, according to the lawsuit. One activity planned for the overnighter was the catapulting of potatoes using a makeshift slingshot, according to the suit. The troop's scoutmaster, who was in charge of coordinating the event and was responsible for making sure it was conducted safely, failed to take reasonable steps to protect the scouts, such as obtaining protective eyewear and the plaintiff was struck by a potato in the left eye as a result, the suit alleged. The suit alleged "the plaintiff suffered, and continues to suffer from physical and emotional injuries, including disfigurement." https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Scout-Hurt-by-Flying-Potato-Agrees-to-90000-Settlement-562026701.html