skeptic

While this seems true, I am not convinced it is. On the other hand, I do perceive that many have turned inward, so to speak, and are tring to find the path that will allow the real Scouting to again bloom. But, I also am seeing far too many "giving up", or simply retreating to do what they feel will work, regardless of pressures from the outside. Scouting is best in my worn views when shared with a broader group of youth and adults. BP called it aa brotherhood, and it still is if we allow it. How to allow it with the issues we face is the greater struggle. I hope my great grand nephew, who has an Eagle father, and a Scouting believer as a GF will still experience the better possibilities. Would I live to see him also become an Eagle, or simply like his GF, a firm believer in the Spirit of Scouting. We have a gathering of Leaders locally at a breakfast on Saturdy coming, and the interhanges from the first two of these recently institued sharings has proven worthwhile. The Merit Badge events, for example have been over hauled and are getting better and more focused on the actual requirements. Also, they are nown being broken up to fewer badges, instead focusing on just a dozen or fewer. Still a long way to go, and I am still fighting with them to recognize the need to put our history forward, as well as sevice beyond the "big" events. Community is still silently behind the ideas of Scouting, but they too seem to be holding their brath to see if we can fight our way back. Time will tell, and hopefully I may hold on long enough to see the larger steps.

This old guy feels as if it does matter and we should stop accepting these types of things and putting some honesty back into our units and setting a better example. Probably, and sadly, you are likely to be more correct than I am, and we seem to have lost sight of much of the best Character examples we have tried to exemplify over time. But, maybe not??

One of the things that has I have often felt as a leader is that the concept of breadth in merit badge options should be reinstated. IN the fifties and sixties we had the required badges of the time, but also a "selection" from a number of categories which broadened the picture. It was similar to the once required college breadth for graduation that included classes from the less common areas, including art and music. That, in my opinion, leads to a bit more depth of knowledge and the world in general. What might be the thoughts on this being reinstated in a more modern manner?

Absolute safety is a mirage. Sometimes things just happen, even with every precaution. And every effort to find perfection will fail, no matter what. And in this country, the legal vultures constantly circle because we let them.

With my long beard (not reaally, it will not grow long), I have the imagined perspective of a seasoned adult. And that is the point. How many of the issues we see posted here would simply solve themselves if we, you know, "act" like adults? Hmmmm!

In our society, that is the United States of America, the legal systme is so twisted that it does not protect most of us and can be rigged or leveraged to generally put the onus on those with the least ability to fight it. And personal responsibility too often is brushed aside by the "corporate", especially the insurance industry. Meanwhile, ridiculous payments continue to be made when someone can leverage the system effectively. And, when the insurance is forced to pay, it is likely the insured will be priced out of future insurance of dropped all together. Even small claims can lead to increased cost to the insured, whether or not they have had others. If somebody has no claim for ten years, yet pays on time and fulfills that obligation, why is it legal or seen as acceptable for the company to then drop them or raise their rates drastically? It is a Catch 22.

https://www.fox10tv.com/2026/03/04/family-claims-5-year-old-was-beaten-cub-scout-meeting-while-pack-leader-was-outside-vaping/ After reviewing this and a number of other related pieces from the ether, I cannot say anynthing else but: FOLLOW THE RULES AND BE ADULTS. I am sure the whole story will never be shared, but the basics indicate a lack of paying attention, both by the leaders and the parent. Does it equate to a huge settlement? In our society, it likely will. Should it? In my view, no; but that is not the legal world in which we here exist. Balance and fairness, not "wind all you can". (hmmmm).

This theme has appeared often over my time here on the forum, and it almost alway comes back to reality of lives and responsibilities outside of the program. Early in my long tenure, now fiftyish, I was visiting my parents and mentioned my frustrations to my father, the man that in my youngest years worked three jobs, one full time with a long drive to and from. Anyway, he looked at me and laughed. He said something to the effect of, "nothing new". Then he asked if I thought that all my scout brothers' parents were involved as he was. He was on the committee in a number of jobs, as actually was my mother for the time. She had been a denmother for my brother. He told me a couple of stories that matched mine like a Polaroid almost. Then he told me that if it was important to someone, they somehow would work at it and often find the time. But also he told me that life could wear you down, and that Scouting involvement also could, and likely would.

I might add to your comment the concept of true service and community involvement, often integrated with that outdoor element. It often seems some of the most laudable services revolve around outdoor protection and rejuvenation, along with access improvement.

My wasting tech skills are showing. Oh well. I continue to find it odd that the discussions on the MB going away basically are rehashing the gripes when it was put in place. I said at the time that I thought it was simply unneeded if we were using the simple concept of Scout Spirit as part of their reviews, and also as leaders doing our best as well. IF the rank review, the thing called the SM Conference touches the review of Spirit, then it is a regular review of how well the Scout, and frankly, many adults understand the concepts. But I am old, and still considered Woke by a few, whatever that actually means

One of my local Scouters posed a good point to consider. BSA went to court to avoid militarism in the early days and pushed many early groups out, absorbing them or just letting them dry up, so to speak. But, the cooperation of the Government and military with Scouting has been a mainstay of the program ver the years, and not just at Jamborees. Support for many early Sea Scout groups was directly related to naval bases and the Coast Guard. But it was mostly symbiotic in that the Scouts got contact and excitement, and the military groups got opportunities to work with larger groups in organization and staging, and so on. Indirectly, the selling of War Bonds was part of this as well. Of course, most interactions were peripheral much of the time. Tours and on-base campsites were often available at larger installations. Our troop, for years, camped annually at Edwards and also went to Air Shows there on those camping weekends. All went away with 9-11. A concern has been noted that we need to seriously consider what a merit badge for Military Service might entail, but it is a bit dicey on the surace, and I would not want to see something that could put pressure in some manner to join.

As I noted locally, we now pretty much have the ball in our respective courts, and we are challenged to find the correct direction, on our local levels. This can lead to some truly great outcomes, but it may also find greater challenges for locals, especially those already struggling. Local councils are an enigma it seems, either poorly led, or simply overwhelmed by National directives and erratic direction. Time will tell. I hope the true Spirit wins out and comes out stronger.

The addition was two years ago almost; so what could is/was the problem? Most of us dealt with it within weeks or a couple of months at best. We did two or three group classes since, and yes, we got some interesting views from the youth, some that made the leaders sit up and think a bit harder. Still, no relly needed if we encourage "Spirit".

The scouts never had issue with them, only the parents.