DuctTape

Grandma Gatewood is legendary!

Whatever system (digital or otherwise), counsel the scouts to reply to comms. If someone does not reply, then the PL (or whomever sent the comm) must then seek that person out. Lack of communication is based on the premise, "I sent it out via..." as the only step. Instruct them how to communicate effectively. Eg. From: Patrol Leader "At our next Patrol meeting we will be doing a gear inspection for the upcoming campout. Even if you are not going, please bring your pack with gear. If you are in need of anything please let me or the APL know. Reply to this message, 'YES' to let me know you understand. If I do not hear back from you by (insert time/date) I will be calling you directly."

Sadly you are correct. SilNylon and SilPoly are not that expensive now, and would be better options than the polyblue, etc...

Add School Board members to the list.

Those LitePac diy gear instructions were/are awesome.

One benefit you have, is that you can "start at zero" to rebuild. I have found this useful in the past: http://inquiry.net/patrol/green_bar/index.htm

The Chartering Organization can conduct a fundraiser and designate the proceeds to the unit. In fact any proceeds from a council fundraiser are owned by the CO anyway.

IH = Institutional Head. Basically the head honcho. If you have the support, have a sit down with the girls troop SM and do a full split. Then have an individual session with each ASM to get them on your page. Do not try to do this as a group. If the ASM is not on board, thank them for their service and let them know they are no longer needed as an ASM. Harsh? Yep. But their job is to support you. If they are not on board, they will undermine you every step of the way.

Yikes! You have your hands full. In order to enact change you will need (at least) one other adult on your side else change will be futile. You will also need the authority to make the hard (but correct) decisions. This requires the unequivocal support from the IH. With these two pieces, you have a chance. You then need to get all your ASMs trained in the Patrol Method.

Welcome. Pull up a stump to the virtual campfire and grab a cup of coffee.

There are sometimes religious reasons for a person to not recite oaths or pledges.

The only merit badge I received that I can say I probably did not truly earn was Basketry. The was done at summer camp. At the time I recall 2 requirements: 1. Make a basket. 2. Cane a chair seat. For #1, we used a kit with a wooden base. For #2, we weaved criss-cross strings over a square platform. Afterwards, as an older scout I learned how to make an actual basket without a kit... Significantly more complex. I also learned to cane a seat from my father as he would restore antique chairs as a hobby. Wow was that a complex process. I never completed an entire chair seat myself, only did a few of the diagonal weaves with the cane. I did make multiple baskets of different designs over the years.

I do not disagree, at least not much. A good commissioner can only do so much. If the unit wants to do a non-bsa program denying the scouts a real scouting opportunity they can and do. You hinted at this by admitting the leaders (sic) only do the basic required trainings. One might argue that if more is necessary, then more should be required. The major issue is even WITH the training, they ignore what they are supposed to do. Often with phrases, "this is how our troop operates", even when it contradicts the training and literature.

I am not sure they can do much more for the local units. IMO the entire BSA structure predicated on the authority of the IH of the CO is the major obstacle for any real reform. Problematic units do not utilize district/council trainings, trainers, etc... They do not see themselves as having a problem even though they are not delivering the BSA program. The district and council have no authority to step in and make real changes when a unit is operating in a way contradictory to the BSA program (eg. adult led & run eagle mills). Perhaps one place where the council & district CAN exercise some authority is true vetting and training of mB counselors. Also in ensuring district & council camps are run in a way to maximize the BSA program with fidelity and not enable the problematic units.

With these numbers, I am not surprised of the difficulties. 2 scouts is not a den, 4 barely. Not to sound harsh, but these numbers do not make viable dens, let alone a pack. The pack needs to either fold or merge IMO.

A BA tent is an ultra-light backpacking tent, so weight will be always on the mind. Even still, it can be set-up rain fly first w/o a footprint, and a cheaper and even lighter than the footprint plastic groundcloth can be found using polycryo plastic (sold as window insulation). Get the giant size and cut it. The stuff is way stronger than it appears. I am veering off from the needs of scouts and into the ultralight backpacking territory.

Footprints are a waste of $ IMO. Easier and cheaper to cut a piece of heavy duty plastic sheeting to size.

Johnson Outdoors, the makers of Eureka Tents is exiting the tent manufacturing. Their Eureka Timberline tents have been mainstays for Scouts for decades. There might br some good deals to be found as they sell off their remaining inventory.

I disagree that the way we experienced it is not useful for todays youth. Den-centric can be just as active as the leaders desire, just as pack-centric can be boring inside stuff. A den is much easier to organize a hike, or outdoor activity too. Family attending a campout is much easier as a den too. I also disagree with the current parent sign-off.

It might have been 3 years for me, not sure. It was the late 70s, so before Tigers too.

My cub experience was vastly different from what I have been hearing the last few decades. Cubs. for me was NOT a family affair, nor a Pack-centric unit. We had a den which met weekly after school at the den leaders house for an hour or so, then walked home or our parents picked us up. There were a couple pack meetings throughout the year, maybe 2 or 3. Pinewood derby and B&G are the only ones I remember. There were also a couple pack campouts, but we mostly stayed with our den. I do not recall ever really interacting with another den. Each den meeting we would do an activity, sometimes a continuation from the previous week. No "requirements" were ever signed off by parents. AOL was an extra award one could earn as a Webelos, and there was only one year of it. There were only 4 years of cubs, iirc, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos.

If possible, I would move towards a Den-centered approach instead of a Pack-centered. Imagine the den meeting with 3 adults and 8 kids. Much easier to manage. For example, at the Elem school, each den gets a room. Keep the dens separated except for necessary functions (which are few and far between).

The rear-view mirror has been for a while now the only place where National and Council fees provided any real value to a member or unit. IFF BSA is going to continue into the future, tbe entire business plan needs to be reformulated. IMO, HQ and Councils need to almost eliminated. The entire structure needs to be reversed (as does most units). Patrol/Den is at the Top. All other bureaucratic groups sole purpose is to support the patrol/den. All revisions of handbooks and mB pamphlets can be handled by volunteers. Many of us have been willing to do thus for decades, but have been shut out. HQ needs to be the Volunteer Board and have near-zero staff. There should be no national fee. HQ should exist to leverage decreased costs to members and units for insurance, etc... These costs get paid directly to insurer. (Snark comment... If HQ needs funding, they can sell popcorn). Councils should exist solely as a "gathering" of units. No need for Professionals. End of rambling thoughts.

Wish I could help, but after reading the actual words of the the requirement I am even more confused now. Is this participation in a project or an emergency drill? What does "a real one" mean. A real drill or a real project? A real drill or practice drill? Like I said I am even more confused. (a) Take part in an emergency service project, either a real one or a practice drill, with a Scouting unit or a community agency.

Welcome to the campfire. Grab a cuppa and have a seat.