Eagle94-A1

Well, one troop I know created their own Eagle Scout certificate template that looks like the real certificate. Maybe I can get a copy.

I find it amusing that the stuff that cannot be easily made, i.e. patches and medals, have been done and out for a while, but the item that can be easily laser printed we are waiting on.

What's up with the delay in Eagle Certificates? If they are waiting for the president's signature, why not use the one form the previous term? And if it is a design issue, why were they not updated when the medals and patches were updated. Those have been available for some time now.

I too used to, stress USED TO, do that. But was informed that unless the requirement specifically states you cannot use an activity for more than one requirement, you gotta accept it. I am waiting for the duel enrolled Girl Scout/Scouting America Scout to do one project for both their Gold Award and Eagle.

One reason why my troop is still alive: we DO stuff. Except for 2 members, all of my Scouts transferred from other troops. And one of the 2 had brothers who transferred into the troop. Sad thing is this: it can be very, VERY (emphasis) discouraging for some Scouts who see the 'Paper Eagles" I cannot tell you how many times in the past few years I have seen Scouts discouraged and not want to earn Eagle, because of "paper Eagles." Sadly I have met too many folks that believe summer camp/ merit badge weekends/etc are "purchasing" MBs.

Did whomever who came up with this not look at history and the 1972 "Improved Scouting Program" fiasco, where it was possible to become an Eagle without a single night of camping? HOW ( emphasis) was it mentioned? Do they realize that this contradicts the fully digital comments above? Do they not realize the 'OUTING is three-fourths of ScOUTING?"

Do not know about staff size, but guarantee that fundraising is a factor.

Until recently, multiple units could camp together with no issues. I think National tightened the multiple units policy because some were creating their own events like camporees and summer camp even. As long as the YPT policies OF THE DAY (emphasis, YPT has become significantly tighter, i.e. only 21 year olds count towards YPT, parents are not allowed to camp, etc) you were fine.

@Prime00, 110% correct. But sometimes, just sometimes, the pros are so bad, that new Scouters with kids still in the program back away. As to why it happens? Sometimes the pros move from one areas where stuff they are proposing/mandating/changing is successful, but in the area they move it doesn't work. One example I can give is packs having designated schools they recruit from. Great idea when you are in an area with neighborhood schools. But when you move to an area with forced bussing, not such a good idea.

Yes. There is a document in the lawsuit that proposes a significant reduction in councils, something like 100-150. A small council that provides quality service will meet their finance goals. I know a council that is having membership issues, but they provide quality service to their members, and their financial goals are exceeded. Contrast to another council I know that has membership growth, but poor customer service. I cannot tell you how much they lost donations, but it is significant. One district's goal is 5.3% of what is was 20 years ago when adjusted for inflation.

So you you may have remembered I was depressed because it seemed one of my Scouts had given up. He had about 2 weeks before 18 and still needed a projected and 3 MBs. HE MADE IT! (And yes, I am shouting with joy!) He was able to get his project approved and completed within 10 days. Even had a nice write up about it too. As fro the MBs, he was able to find his paperwork from his old troop on one of them, one was finished at the meeting, and one was finished right before getting everything approved for BOR. He had the paperwork, but could not find it in time for the meeting. Just waiting for the EBOR. And we may be growing We had 2 Scouts visit this past month, and two more are scheduled to visit this week. Life is good.

UPDATE: Since the last post, the Scout has gotten off his duff and busting butt. Project got approved and is completed, he is in the post project paperwork. 1 MB that we both knew he had left is finished. The challenge is two 90 Day MBs. I know he started them prior to transfer, and I think he finished one of them with me back in his old troop. Sadly they do not use blue cards, so know record. The other I knew he started. Going to have a long chat with him at the meeting, but he will be cutting it close.

Even with witnesses, because BSA has the legal right to determine it's membership, they can remove you permanently. BSA pros are more concerned with the public image, and will do anything to protect it.

It has been a very long time since I served on summer camp staff, and a long time since I did BSA Lifeguard but here are my thoughts regarding the 50% rule. 1. At the camps I worked at, not all hired staff were BSA Lifeguards, some were Red Cross and a few, like me, were YMCA. And some were not certified in any program at all prior to staff week. However by the end of staff week, they everyone usually was certified. My camps may have been the exception though. 2. Volunteer staff, i.e. CITs, SMs helping out, Aquatics Supervision candidates, and BSA Lifeguard candidates, do count towards that total staffing number, if memory serves. For BSA Lifeguard we had to do so many hours of lifeguarding duty, and I think the same for Aquatics Supervision as well. I have both Aquatic Supervision certs, and I have volunteered to help out on the waterfront many times. So volunteer staff will affect the percentages 3. Sometimes staff on light duties will be assigned to aquatics. Also some staff will be assigned to help out in peak hours. They usually man the watchtower, the entrances, and putting on life-jackets. That way more lifeguards can be in positions to help people. I vividly remember the long time staffer at one camp who was a non-swimmer, but ALWAYS manned the watchtower, and didn't need a whistle or bullhorn. FYS. And of course these folks also affect percentages.