Krampus

Epilogue We spent the two and a half weeks since this tragedy helping the families to heal, to help the troop and friends find a way to grieve and remember our lost Scout, and to find a way to move forward. It has not been easy. We have a support network in place to help the families over the summer as they attempt to get back to a sense of normalcy. We've raised over 30k for a scholarship fund in the Scout's name to help others. The unit is coming up with a way to remember him on our uniform, and they have created a few other things in his honor which will become part of our unit's lore. We have also met with district and council to review the insurance and other programs in place which can benefit the families. Lastly, our council has asked our unit leadership to develop an action plan other unit's can use should they be faced with a similar situation. I hope you all can enjoy your time in Scouting without ever having to deal with such a monumental loss. However, if you ever find yourself in need of some advice I am more than willing to share how our unit handled and dealt with this tragedy. It may help you determine how you will respond. Yours in Scouting, Krampus

Parent? Depends. Council? You betcha! If the SM and CC are so far off the reservation that they are doing the things noted here, I just might...but only after my kid makes Eagle. If the CC and SM are this wrong, then BSA owes it to the other kids in the program to talk to the CO, show them what's being done wrong, give them a chance to make the CC/SM "get right" with the program or find replacements. This simply cannot be allowed to continue. What they (CC/SM) are doing is not Scouting.

Exactly! Leadership development, citizenship, self-reliance, personal growth. Put these in context with all the things Boy Scouts must do to operate and that might help sell the brand. Of course, this might also push away those who join looking for that instant gratification which seems so prevalent in today's culture. Would that loss equal a greater gain?

I have to laugh...I live in Mosquito Country but I just don't get that worked up about them. I put the picaridin on in the evening and that does the trick. Doing up my clothes and such just is way too much effort for the slight bother of these guys. Now in MN I can see the fuss. You other guys must have clouds of these things. We have tons here but if you do the normal spraying you are fine. Must be those eastern, atomic waster, genetically engineered mosquitoes you guys have.

Just for the sake of argument, wasn't the original de facto Pack leader back in the 50s and 60s, moms? Was there a higher crossover rate then? If so, you think it was due to shear numbers going through the system? Less organized stuff for kids to do? In our area moms are just as likely to camp as dads. Heck, I've got some guys who won't step foot in "the woods", even if it is a posh state park.

It's the Ding Dongs, my Leige.

Unofficially, we go hunting. Just not in uniform or as a troop, but we go. Just so happens that all of the folks going are scouters or scouts.

In my area is you want outdoors adventures your direct competition is family and friends. Next would be church groups or companies that put together or specialize in outdoor stuff. Parks and Rec departments have some things and in Texas I have to admit they are pretty good. Clubs or groups like the Y are really not that popular here and really don't compete with Scouting. It is really sports, school, church/faith and clubs that compete for time in our area. There's just so much to do out there that if you wanted an "outdoor" lifestyle, with plenty of parks, outfitters and companies out there catering to the recreationalist in all of us, you could do every Scouting adventure without Scouts.

We built these pvc frames for the nomal netting. Cost about $10 to build and they worked perfectly. Based on the old fashioned frames the Army used to use for netting. Just make sure you put a ground cloth down on your floor. Those suckers like to fly up under those crate floor boards. http://www.bsa50.com/drupal/sites/default/files/articles/image00.jpg

But if they are not implementing the BSA program as designed and making stuff up council can remove them and compel the CO to find new ones.

We went to summer camp at a VERY popular camp in the eastern US. It was VERY Christian. From the campfire to the all camp gatherings to eating meals, we prayed and thanked Jesus for everything. My non-Christian Scouts simply rolled with it. As my Jewish Scouts told me, "Mr. Krampus, we just substitute 'Abraham' for 'Jesus' and move on."

The original discussion was lead by Bad Wolf a while back. I searched and got the links used but don't have time to find it right now. It is in this forum somewhere. He did a pretty good analysis back then.

Well, considering the SM's second signature on the blue card is not needed to be considered complete, I would simply go to council.

I hope that helps. You sound like you all (pack leadership) are talking to the right people. I would engage the DE early just in case, same with the COR (assuming they are active). Maybe even a nice pre-appreciation gift for those who volunteer. One of the packs that folded had been around for nearly 20 years. It just got to the point where the parents could not be bothered. Hopefully your parents sense the urgency, realize you guys will train them and give them support. Good luck!

I hear ya. It is never easy when there is not a clear succession plan. I can tell you that two of the packs that folded in my area did the following: 1 Year Out: Met with the Pack parents to let them know who was leaving in a year. Asked for volunteers to under study roles. Monthly: Continued to ask parents to help out, train them. Noted that if no one stepped up the pack would fold. 8 Months Out: Brought in the DE to help get parents motivated. Showed parents how easy it was to take over. 6 Months Out: Continued to encourage parents to volunteer. 3 Months Out: Told parents the pack was folding and gave them the list of packs near their house. The leaders had to just walk away. You can't drag people to volunteer and you can't worry about how good a job they will do. No one will ever do it as good as you did.