Tampa Turtle

@codger I agree that the program may change (I do not think females are a foreign species but they are female) but that does not AUTOMATICALLY equate with "morphing into a pale shadow". That seems to be happening, arguably, quite nicely without the introduction of girls.

It is not a question of just the dedication of the Scouters it is two different questions IMHO: (1) Is Boy Scouts of America, a Corporation able as it is currently configured and organized, and with current revenue streams and debts a financially and organization sustainable organization. This question which includes social issues such as a national decline in membership organizations, etc. I think there is a reasonable case to be made for the financially viability of BSA the corporate institution given the evidence of consolation of many Councils due to falling membership and declining finances. This is true in areas such as Florida where the the 10-18 population from 1990 (and projected to 2030) has been constantly growing. Others have commented on this forum about BSA's looming debt load on the Summit. (2) The second is the question is Scouting, as a concept (the boundaries of which are constantly debated) , regardless if single-gendered or mixed is still an attractive people "movement" able to attract, sustain, or grow youth membership in the modern era irregardless of existing conditions and nostalgia. IMHO I think the answer is yes given the proliferation of world scouting. However the next question is 'in what form" and how many would be members? A smaller leaner more traditional structure? A loose confederation of local units with little National structure? How many assets (Camps, High Adventure Bases) should Scouting need or even have? Or a more expanded inclusive school based program? Or a complete reconstruction of ages and program to mirror the UK? Are the social forces, which also impact many youth sports programs and traditional structured religious denominations, represent a more powerful drag that will whittle away scouting altogether? (I call that last one the "we're all doomed" scenario.)

I think this may be the start of a new thread.

The teeny ones are called 'forgotten scout socks from summer camp'. A good month for fermentation in a plastic bag and they are a bona fide WMD.

I agree. We get about 1/4 of our new member 'traffic' from web searches almost never from "Be a Scout". The adventure picks and summer camps snaps need to be there and if the pictures are too dated it makes it look like you are inactive. We get another 1/4 from folks that call council! The rest is a mix of face to face word of mouth, the occasional news article, and the weird word of peer to peer sharing via social media. The scouts still text a lot. We have little luck with Facebook (mostly internal to the Troop) and Twitter (folks just get overwhelmed...our High School alone puts out 30 tweets a day). The most effective use of time is actually have scouts and scouters going to the cub scout packs and having real world relationships! Figure that. Maybe we should have special "scout ambassador" training.

Well who knows where it started. The Australians are very proud of their clothes lines as well.

(Well we did hit every museum that was free back in 2015. When you travel with teens cultural highlights need to be interspersed with snacks and candy) Like to go High Brow and Low Brow. Family was backpacking and hosteling so we had to eat a lot of cheap stuff a lot. A sit down at a pub was the highlight of the day. When my family did the same in Israel/West Bank the holy sites were interspersed with the hunt for the perfect Falafel, Ice Cream bar, and --once again--crisp flavors. The arabs have an endless versions of Lay's with spicy peppers. Never could read arabic so it added to the expense. There was some spicy cheetos that were so hot I couldn't taste anything for 5 hours. Cultural exchange is great. Some Aussie scouts introduced me to the joys of the "Jaffa Iron". Israeli scouts to the weirdest genre free radio I ever heard. And they had girls too.

Aye..I dream of the crisps I am missing..., English Breakfast, Prawn and Curry, Ham and Pickle, Roast Beef and a hundred variations....what kind of flavor mad scientists does your school system produce? The UK may no longer have an empire but still is a Snack Food Superpower!

I think we should stick to BSA policy here, not federal law. I would like to BSA policy more strictly adhered to.

Well you got some excellent crisp flavors and I will concede your Kit-Kat is superior to ours.

I respect all scouts I just want the option for all boy Troops for similar reasons many females want GSUSA to stay female only, I just do not think it will be a real option. I do not think national can pull off what they say. Boys are being neglected in our society. However it seems that is an opinion that is not allowed to be uttered on this board.

Mrs Google asked Mr Wickipedia and WOSM is for Boys only and co-ed and something called WAAG's (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) is for Girls only. GSUSA and Girl guides, UK appears to be part of WAAG's. Much smaller group then WOSM. Does demonstrate that other groups must have fear of opposite-sex cooties.

Too bad if all them have to wear it it is another fund raising opportunity!

Personally, I could live with girls in the Troop. I still think it would be to the detriment of some boys who would benefit from a single sex environment but I agree, as many others do on this site and in my district and council that we will end up with some sort of co-ed system really fast. What wounded me, stupid idealistic person that I still am well into middle age, is how badly National made this decision and how little regarded experienced scouter's opinions are on this and many other issues (outdoor method, merit badges, patrol method). I am getting worn down by the greater institution's incompetence and I too am debating taking my services elsewhere. Because I really enjoy working with the boys it will be a real personal loss. Most sadly, my CC told me since I have less than 20 years in as an ASM (unlike some of you guys) I am not vested in the ASM pension plan. Bummer.

Huh? The business model view does not mix well with the values and members of a movement view. If a guy -who is a volunteer- wants to walk away after many years it is his right. Say thanks and let him go. Why make him drink the flavor-aid? No need to vilify someone.

Never mind DRP=Declaration of Religious Principles. Thanks Mrs Google!

DRP?

That would not work at many sites here. Great competition for the best ones and they will just walk away.

Yeah, I have not been to one in the last 5 years that did not have a few young ladies (venturers, sea scouts, foreign exchange scouts) as counselors.

Nothing wrong with games just as long as every campout doesn't become game club. IMHO.

More like 5 to 20 months.

If an activity causes a lot of disruptive issues it should be within the SM's power to ban. I would talk to the SPL and see if there is a solution.

Scout Queen/King as needed.

Welcome. What is a "Magic Draft"? I would think any fees should pay for any expenses and any excess go back to the Troop. But I do not have any facts (which rarely keeps me from sharing an opinion)

My observation as well. They are like separate solar systems that orbit around some mysterious mid-point. Occasionally a member from one gender may shoot across in an eccentric orbit for a short visit but then go back. Even in High School band (which is 14-17) where sections are coed there is significant 'clumping' of males and females. However there are coed friendships (duh, of course), as well as attempts at flirting.