skeptic

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.

This is directly connected to the letter I received earlier today in my email. " Scouting America and the Department of War Scouting Family, Today, Scouting America and the Department of War finalized a commitment to strengthen our longstanding partnership with the U.S. military. Over several months, we engaged in dialogue with Department leadership to align on how we could deepen our service to military families, while making programmatic updates to comply with Executive Order 14173. Throughout our discussions, we remained true to the core commitments that define our organization—our name, our mission, and our promise to serve all youth in our programs. Those commitments are unchanged. We will continue to deliver stability, mentorship, and opportunity to the children of those who serve our nation. What This Agreement Delivers Continued support for Scouting on military installations worldwide Ongoing Department support for National Jamborees and other events New benefits for military families, including waiving registration fees for children of active-duty, Guard, and Reserve families Launching a new Military Service merit badge, developed in cooperation with the Department Memorializing our existing practices for membership registration and safeguarding youth As part of Scouting America’s commitment to comply with Executive Order 14173, we will be discontinuing the Citizenship in Society merit badge. While this change complies with the Executive Order, the lessons found in this merit badge are found throughout the Scouting program. Scouting has always taught respect for others, leadership, and consideration of diverse perspectives through the ideals enshrined in the Scout Oath and Law. Scouting America’s mission remains unchanged and is reinforced across our advancement, leadership development, and outdoor experiences. Our emphasis on duty to God, duty to country, and service to others is strengthened by this partnership. Scouting’s values have not changed, and they will not change. Why This Partnership Matters Since 1910, Scouting America has played a strategic role in strengthening our nation’s military readiness. More than 130 million Americans have been Scouts. Millions have gone on to serve as military leaders, first responders, educators, and civic leaders. For military families navigating deployments and frequent moves, Scouting has long provided a steady anchor during times of uncertainty. Service to Military Families In our discussions, we affirmed Scouting’s deep commitment to military families. To that end, we will waive the national registration fees of all active duty, Reserve and Guard troops. Your support in this effort is critical – and we encourage you to make a donation to support Scouting families. Click here to give today. How to Communicate Locally When speaking with families and volunteers, lead with confidence and clarity: This agreement provides continuity for military families It supports Scouting on military bases and support for events such as National Jamborees Fee waivers will be available for active-duty, Guard, and Reserve families Program updates were made to comply with Executive Order 14173 Our mission, and commitment to serving all youth remains unchanged Membership registration and our practices to safeguard youth remain unchanged Scouting America works constructively with every administration—always focused on serving youth. Our Resolve For more than a century, Scouting America has endured because we are resilient, principled and unwavering in our mission. We remain committed to developing leaders of character. We remain committed to service and our nation. We remain committed to the principles enshrined in our Scout Oath and Scout Law. Thank you for your leadership and dedication to Scouting America. Respectfully, Roger A. Krone Chief Scout Executive President & CEO Scouting America Copyright © 2026 Boy Scouts of America. All rights reserved. Scouting America 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane Irving, TX 75038 I am pleased that those within our leadership in Washington have stepped up and worked out the wrinkles a little. For me, the MB was never needed, and it was always just, as some of my naysayers locally have noted, a woke response to things. The elements covered in the MB always were there if one paid attention to the concept of Scout Spirit, so we have untied one unneeded knot, or so I hope.

This seems to me to reflect the misdirection of intent. IF the ORDER is an honor group dedicated to service, and once focused on enhancing the outdoor programs within the units and Councils, becoming Vigil or even Brotherhood should be secondary to simply following the spirit of the ORDER. Similar to putting becoming Eagle as the primary reason to be a Scout. Just the old curmudgeon's personal point of view.

But didn't the lawsuit raid the OA endowment? What is to stop that from happening still?

Maybe the answer is to make it significant again and not just a notch on the belt for someone. When it was an Honor Camping Society that encouraged camping on the unit and council levels, and had real standards to be elected, including limits, and councils did not sell off camps to survive, it was viable. Now it is pretty much a memory for we old people and that notch I noted. No, that would make some people unhappy to have real entry standards. An Honor Scoity for Scouts and Scouters should actually present an aura of honor one might think. A few still do, but it is no longer a mystery or has it any real reason to exist. Just an observation.

I was not aware of the Adult adjustment, though totally agree. Years ago I had one of our parents and really involved parents turned down by our lodge for nomination due to his not having ever done a long term. Now this is a man that had done every available training of the time, as he could fit it in. And he had been on a dozen or more weekend backpacks, some up to four nights, and he had done what was then called Trail Boss training with the FS. But, he had tow younger daughters and a wife, and his annual longer term vacation was for family. Thus he did not go to summer camps. When his son was elected, was when we also nominated him as an adult. Fortunately he rethought his emotional response when turned down, and he did not drop out. He finally managed to work out a week at summer camp, but that was three years later. It was, from my perspective, ignorant and short sighted. He had more nights than a number of adults that did get accepted due to summer camps, plus he also was an accomplished welder and building skilled person willing to share his skills. The worst part of that was when I suggested to the Scout Exec that he might wave the summer camp requirement of the time, he refused. Later I went to Jambo and spoke to a couple of OA big shots, and they told me in no uncertain terms that my perspective was nonsense and they would never even consider that. Oh well; he is long in the background, the son is in his thirties and married, and OA is a mess.

How is this really different than the James E. West program? It is much like the concept that at one time was discouraged of local lodges issuing new patches regularly as "trade bait", especially just prior to Jamboree and OA National events. In our almost extinct Lodge, we had a period with so many patches that nobody had a clue, other than it was another variation for some obscure reason.

You likely do not want to have some responses of we old people that were elected long ago. It pretty much lost any real credibility, in my view, when it stopped putting limits on how many could be elected in a unit, and ceremonies were done with youth reading from a piece of paper and often with little or no obvious prep. Today, since I am still the on paper SM, though not active directly, I get the notices which I forward to my younger adults. I have counseled them with "my opinion" that if they choose to be in the election then they also have to commit to the Ordeal and at least some initial participation. Otherwise, I will not approve their being elected. The SM still has veto power, and I choose to use it in this. Our local lodge now is challenged to even find a place to do stuff, as they sold all our camps. The SE told me they do a good job helping around the office; hmmmmm.

In regard to the Youth, my only counsel is to keep them in focus and do not let adult things interfere. Every unit is different and has myriad issues and personalities. None of us can "fix" things all the time. IF the adult leadership is an issue, and you cannot work within it to the benefit of the youth, then perhaps that decision to find another option for yourself is viable. As often noted; all units would be great if we could keep the adults in the background. Scouting is still one of the most shining options for the malaise of America, or the U.S. We do what we can and pray a lot.

fliver to cambodia Am sure that some on here may have read this, or at least know about it, but I found this AI generated description that seems interesting. Wonder what others may think about the idea of this being put into afilm or video. A " Flivver to Cambodia: Two Boy Scouts Across Asia " is a travel memoir by French adventurer and Boy Scout Guy de Larigaudie. The book chronicles the journey of Larigaudie and his companion, Roger Drapier, as they became the first people to drive from Paris to Saigon in a motor vehicle. They used a second-hand Ford Model T (commonly nicknamed a "flivver") to complete the trek between 1937 and 1938. Key Details of the Journey: The Vehicle: A 19-horsepower Ford Model T. The Route: Spanned approximately 30,000 kilometers across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Legacy: The book remains a celebrated classic in scouting literature, particularly in France, for its themes of adventure and friendship.

Yep.