DuctTape

I would put the 1st edition Fieldbook (1948) alongside any current Handbook. And the 1959 Handbook for Patrol Leaders.

My wandering mind... One of the difficulties over the last decades has been the increase in other options; whether it be youth sports, theater, clubs, etc... Scouts has pretty much said "we understand your other things, so show up when you can". I wonder if this has had a cascading effect over time. Regardless, what if... and I am just spitballing an idea here... what if the structure of scouting was changed from " once/week meeting and 1 weekend/month campout for the whole year" to "a single season; meetings 3x/week, 1 day every weekend for "day activity" and 1 long weekend campout/month". Initially thinking is that a scout signs up and commits to the season just like they do for soccer or the school play. Scouts becomes an equal choice to commit to like their sports, etc... and doesn't take the entire year. Imagine a kid doing scouts in the fall, the school play in winter, baseball in the spring. Over the summer he goes to baseball camp and summer camp. Imagine the intense experience he could have focusing on scouts for the season. Add to this, the scout can still "show up when he can" during his off-season. An older scout can help as an instructor, or just go on a campout. Some scouts would choose multiple seasons (like they do for soccer). I am not suggesting this structure replace all of scouting just pondering if this type of structure could benefit some scouts if they choose. I can see serious difficulties in organizing, volunteers, etc... but if this structure as an option has enough appeal the difficulties can be solved with even more creative thinking beyond just the initial thought.

I think one of the major issues for BSA today and in recent past is/was primarily the focus on quantity. Growth and membership numbers do not equate with quality program and often the strategies implemented for the former are at odds with the latter. This is true for bsa and other businesses. One needs to choose whether they will be making Rolex or Casio.

"and that quality is limited to only "how much" and no more" -Duct Tape 😉

Quantity is often used as a measure of success ignoring and at the expense of quality. Quantity is cheap and easy to measure, however as a surrogate for quality it fails miserably.

The adventure of the trip IS the program.

The intelligence community monitored and assessed intentions, capabilities and actions of foreign actors. While it did find significant intent and actions by Moscow to use cyber tools and media campaigns to influence public opinion, it did not analyze U.S. processes or public opinion. The report made no assessment on the impact the activities had on the outcome. Either in agreement or disagreement. https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3719492/Read-the-declassified-report-on-Russian.pdf

I am with John on this. Our role as scouters should not be to "give the scouts a break from planning..." Not sure what role the PLC would have since the planning, etc... IS their role. After that, it is the Patrol itself executing. Comparison to summer camp only highlights the issues with many summer camps. As a recent transition from scout to scouter I would recommend reflection of your experience in the troop from top to bottom with the guiding question of "What were adults doing that could have been done by scouts?" I say this not to be critical, but as a means for constant improvement. I recommend this reflection to scouters often. Oh, welcome to the forum!

I apologize for my miscommunication, the recent vandalism has not been repaired yet AFAIK. Apparently it was targeted back in 2018 as well.

If you have evidence of the perpetrators I am certain law enforcement would like that information. But as of now the identity and the motive are unknown. Just as some have speculated it is as you describe, others have speculated it is a retaliation to the taking down of confederate statues. It is also possible that it is motive non-specific just plain vandalism. Point is we don't know. And as additional information this statue was replaced in 2018 as it was damaged by vandals two years ago.

I disagree with your characterization of liberals. Almost all of them I know do defend the right for others to have contrary opinions. The idea that they all want these banned or criminalized , no. Regardless of ones right to express their opinion, however does not insulate them from others expressing their disagreement including protesting that opinion, or boycotting a place of business for example. Also to claim that they seek socialism, as defined in your terms is disingenuous. Most advocate for specific policies which their opponents then label as "socialism" as it invokes a fear response. Our current system is not socialism vs capitalism but a complex system of policies, etc... which have components of free enterprise, governmental services and regulations. We can disagree on policy and even specifics components within a policy, but the labeling of a policy as "socialism" for the sole purpose of then equating it with [your] definition does not promote dialogue to find solutions to complex problems faced by our society. Regarding AOC, I believe you have mis-characterized her response. At no point did she suggest hunger was the cause of folks killing each other. In fact she was explicit in stating the of crime of shoplifting. I may not agree with her, but IMO it is not right to state something she suggested when in fact she did not. Lastly, I have spent the last few weeks listening to my Black friends about their experiences. I have always known racism still exists, but thought it was relegated to the few extreme nut jobs. I am learning that there still exist residual effects of the overt racism which still are an obstacle to my Black friends; obstacles and other situations to which I am immune due to my pigmentation. At its core, BLM first asks that we just listen and not get so defensive. I ask everyone, is listening too much to ask?

The best SM I had as a scout was older. His son had aged out many many years before. When he eventually stepped down, my dad became SM. He was good, but not like Mr. Smith. My point is just because your kids aren't in the troop doesn't mean anything. You can always take some time off and enjoy the empty nest for a spell and then return.

I have always looked at this alternative as a way to accomplish two things: 1. Provide the Scout with an opportunity to show leadership in a different position of responsibility than listed. 2. Help the adults step out of the way to have a scout do what the adults have been doing for them. Two examples come to mind: a. High Adventure trips (like Philmont) often are completely planned and coordinated by an adult with input from the scouts. A scout could take on that responsibility. As a senior scout he should already have planned multiple campouts, and dealt with the logistics so this is a natural step in the progression. b. Unit fundraiser. Many troops do popcorn sales, the "kernel" is almost always an adult. Have a scout be the "popcorn kernel", of course the troop treasurer should be involved very closely. Even if the troop does a different fundraiser like "christmas tree sales", have a scout in charge. Both of these are limited in scope which define the "project". Both involve significant responsibility in leadership, coordination, decision making which put them on par with other named PORs. It may not mean the scout does everything the adults usually do, as per the GTA, the SM and committee should develop the standards the scout must assume. I do not see service type projects as fitting within this alternative.

The main problems with the "local option" argument are: 1.That is exactly what allowed segregation to exist in BSA troops until the 1970s. 2. Hypocritically, it was some outside COs, troops, councils,... who pushed the "no gay scouts & leaders" doctrine to disallow gay scouts and scouters in troops which were not theirs. The Dale case was the result. We know the rest. I understand some have significant personal objections regarding those who are gay. There were those who had significant objections to mixed race troops too. It took 50 years and we are mostly past the latter. Hopefully it won't take 50 more years to be mostly past the former too.

I would not refer to Frogg Toggs as "semi-durable". They are slightly better than disposable, but not by much. Tje material will catch on any twig or branch and shred rather easily. Poncho vs Rain jacket + pants? My personal preference is the latter. I have found that doing almost everything with a poncho is miserable. The only thing it may be better at is squatting over a cat hole and even that is questionable. A poncho does make for a good emergency shelter. But a small tarp is better. With jacket + pants, one can use one or both as needed. Being more snug to the body, you can do things while wearing them without them getting in the way. They also work great at keeping you warm. Almost too well. Backpacking with them will get you wet from sweat, but you will be warm. Breathable is generally a myth. As far as cost, like all things there is a continuum. Cheap, light, quality... pick two.

While BSA has had Black scouts since its founding; as an organization it also allowed COs to continue racist membership policies such as segregation as recently as the 1970s. Residual racism still exists even if it is not overt.

You keep stating this in many threads. I fail to see how the Oath and Law have been set aside in regards to the membership changes. I understand some disagree with the changes, but that alone doesn't mean the Scout Oath and Law have been set aside.

ultralight backpacking isn't something new or far-out. The old-timers preached it. Any of the authors I posted earlier were extremely weight conscious. And not because all their gear was heavy stuff, or they didn't take anything and were miserable. It was all about skills, knowledge, experience, and not taking extra stuff. In general folks carry heavier packs now than they did and that is with modern equipment.

Perhaps there could be stages of experiences and adventures in which one could demonstrate advanced competency while also providing stewardship based service. They could take different tracks as well. hmmm....

or maybe something like traditional woodcraft type outdoorsmen ala Sears, Kreps, Hastings, Kephart. Since Kephart is likely the most well known, call it "The Kephart Society." Keeping the OA as its roots, the acronym could be O.A.K.S. If OA is rebranded, perhaps return membership to a place of honor; reserved only for the "all -stars".

It is interesting that so many of the solutions to obstacles are really just using the Patrol Method!

Agreed. Also, high adventure opportunities would still exist. A patrol could still plan a canoe trip to the Boundary Waters, or a backpacking along the AT, PCT CDT, etc. One might argue it would be better as the decisions and planning necessary for a patrol to embark on a HA trip would help scouts grow. If they wanted to just "pay money for the services" like current BSA HA, there already exist many outfitters and guide services to fill that void. Though I would encourage all adults to steer scouts towards planning and executing their own adventures, even the high adventure ones.

Might I suggest holding off on adults putting forth ideas and wait for the scouts to ask? A simple reminder from the SM to the SPL that "if they are stuck, he is willing to help with a suggestion or two". Even during these times, maintaining the Patrol Method, scout-led, and other structural devices is important. Knowing the different adult roles, and how to not over-step is key. Scouts and adults have different roles, and adults should be careful to not blur the lines.

Have you asked the PLC what they are planning? It is their Court after all.

I have never heard that distinction before. I thought Lone Scouts was developed for those scouts who were unable to find a local troop due to geographical isolation. My grandfather grew up dirt poor in Maine (his father was peddler too) he was involved in a Boy Scout troop in his town. I wonder if your dad's experience was a local phenomenon. I have never heard that distinction before. I thought Lone Scouts was developed for those scouts who were unable to find a local troop due to geographical isolation. My grandfather grew up dirt poor in Maine (his father was peddler too) he was involved in a Boy Scout troop in his town. I wonder if your dad's experience was a local phenomenon. I have never heard that distinction before. I thought Lone Scouts was developed for those scouts who were unable to find a local troop due to geographical isolation. My grandfather grew up dirt poor in Maine (his father was peddler too) he was involved in a Boy Scout troop in his town. I wonder if your dad's experience was a local phenomenon.