DuctTape

That may be true, but just because others may not be responsible with following through on their part part does not absolve me from doing the right thing.

yes, If he is wearing the uniform with the unit number I agree he is acting in that capacity. This goes along with the uniform as a method; it visually designates which group (council, troop, patrol, etc...) which the wearer is representing.

I would still call HQ that you have heard some things which are concerning. Let them investigate. Not our job to seek out or wait for evidence, that is the purpose of investigating. We report concerns.

I see this as conflating two distinct perspectives. Perhaps I am misinterpreting. 1. The dad (and his scout) visited a troop. 2. The den leader visited a troop with his cub(s). The fact that a father also is a den leader conflates the two. Unless he was acting in the capacity of the den leader then I would not expect him to communicate to the cubmaster except perhaps informally in casual conversation just like any other cub father.

My college roommate (and best friend) is color blind. We started a software company back in the late 90s to provide computer games for the blind primarily due to his color blindness and issues with video games.

Do you or anyone else know the $ amount (if any) listed on the BSA's insurance policy? Please forgive my ignorance as my only experience with insurance policies is car, house, life, and medical and all of them have maximum $ amounts as part of the policy.

Site selection at both the macro and micro level are (should be) fundamental aspects of the program.

I was asked to be be a Camping mB counselor for a Merit Badge U. The director said it would be focused on first year scouts with little/no experience. She asked me if I wanted a 2hr or 4hr morning session for them to get the badge. After explaining that I would be happy to do an "intro to camping mB" session but that camping mB for new scouts could not be done in that time frame. She then asked if another session in the afternoon would suffice for them to get the blue card signed off. Grrrr.

I do not accept "we cannot judge the past norms of the day based on current norms" arguments. Just because many people accepted a behavior at a certain point in history did not make that behavior ok. Yes it is acceptable to judge folks for past behavior "under current norms". It was wrong back in the day even if many accepted it as a "norm". Heck, many (most? all?) who accepted it at the time knew it was wrong at the time.

Agreed. The investigation of an alleged crime is in the purview of law enforcement and the juducial system. If the parent believes the actions rise to the level of harassment it behooves her to file charges and let the investigation ensue.

Sexual harassment is likely a criminal act in your State. Encourage the parent to call the authorities. The Council will have a difficult time ignoring a volunteer with a criminal complaint especially right now. Unfortunately it is likely the parent will balk at the notion with one of many reasons.

Intent matters; regardless of conscious or subconscious.

The SOL for criminality should not exist. Obviously we cannot open that to past cases, but the SOL for the criminal behavior of abuse should be eliminated from this day forward.

separate volunteer registration from re-charter. The charter is for the unit. Any names on it are current at the snapshot in time of re-charter. Registration (or de-registration) of scouts or scouters should be ongoing and happening between the snapshots of re-charter.

I heard those Teams play dodgeball against each other. 😜

Having a buddy in one's tent does not make one safer from bears. In general the best bear mitigation strategy is to keep a clean camp, cook and eat far away (and downwind) from the sleeping area, and store food appropriately.

If Woodbadge is just another training as has been stated numerous times, why is there any ceremony for completing it? Completion of IOLS does not necessitate a ceremony. Completing a training is not an award.

I like the idea, especially he part about communicating with the parents. I think many parents need the help and support of scouters to educate them on the reasons for scouting processes. Barry (iirc) often writes about spending time with adults to help them understand the "why" for our processes. I think that is vital. If the parents don't understand, they are unable to support their scout on his journey and without realizing hamper their growth.

One of the other opportunities denied to scouts by the often used mB University, Summer Camp, Troop-based mBC, etc... is the opportunity to make the initial contact with an unknown adult mB counselor. The entire process was well thought out and the process itself provides significant opportunities for scouts well beyond the specific mB reqs. By having the SM give a list of mB counselors to the scout and the scout taking the intiative to make the contact, set-up the appointment and follow-through IMO is possibly the greatest loss in the current (most commonly used) system. I still remember the time I had to call my first mB counselor, I was scared to death. Calling an adult whom I has never met? The conquering of the fear and the development of communication skills necessary was probably one of the greatest learning opportunities I could have experienced. The mB process with registered mBcs provides a safe and positive opportunity for me to develop these skills and overcome the fear. When it was time for me to begin my Eagle project, making contacts to unknown adults who had no part of scouting was much easier. Regardless of what the system changes too, I will continue to advocate for the process to require scouts making contact with the mBcs and reduce (eliminate?) any adult appointment settings. We must remember the process provides (or denies) growth and learning opportunities as much if not more than the badge requirements themselves.

Unfortunately one of the primary purposes for mBs has been long since ignored. Mbs are a medium for the Adult Association method with an expert in a specific field of study (and an adult who is new to them). Too often the processes used deny scouts this opportunity whether it be because the scouts use troop mBs who they already know, camp mBs with older scouts acting as mBCs, mB Universities with large group presentations and almost zero personal interaction between a scout and the mBc, or scouts filling out workbooks and calling a mBc who just signs off aftfer the scout reads from their workbook, etc... All of theseexamples are where the process is designed to "earn the badge", not for scouts to engage with some subject of interest to them and an adult expert in that field. I agree the mBs are too much like schoolwork, and there is far too little choice with so many mBs being required. I just do not want to lose sight of the adult association method of scouting vital to accomplishing the aims through the mB process.

Barry, Would you be willing to share that course with us? -dT

Agreed. It is also a means to implement the Adult Association Method especially with adults who are not part of the scouts immediate circle. Personally these two reasons is why I advocate against using troop specific mB counselors whenever possible.

Current reality: -registered adult leaders already "passed" background and are in system. -some (many?) only will counsel for their own troop. -zero vetting of qualifications for mB counselors. -mB counselor application does not ask for qualifications. IMO the current reality requires nothing from district or council. They have de facto allowed any registered adult to sign off on any mB as long as the adult sent in extra paperwork. And even then does anyone even check to see if the mB counselor on the blue card is approved? If the district/council cannot even look at an application which requires some background of experience to qualify the mBcounselor, they certainly are not looking at sumbitted blue cards and cross referencing them. Anyway, most of the problems which have been discussed could be resolved by having truly qualified mB counselors. Perhaps the district/council folks could spend a little time checking basic qualifications of potential mB counselors instead of arranging mB fairs and universities? The whole system is a mess. Some simple things could improve it.

Well if they put in even half an effort to ensure the mB counselors were in any way qualified in the topic they might have more than zero trust.

A lot of the cooking extravagance is a result of modeling by the adults. Simple one pot meals can be nutritious, delicious, and easy (both in prep and cleanup). Adults should be modeling this instead of trying to outdo each other with extravagance.