Eagle94-A1

"Reserve Scouter" is still a registered Position of Responsibility (POR). So yes, Reserve Scouters do count as a 2nd adult, if they are over 21. Also Merit Badge Counselors are registered PORs as well. So they too count as a 2nd registered Scouter, unless they are 18-20. But a parent, who has not registered in any capacity with the BSA, does not count as a second adult.

Late 1980s/early 1990s did away with the cargo pockets, but added elastic. People wanted the cargo pockets back. Instead of placing them where they were in the 1980s, the decided to put them on the front sometime circa 1998/99. I remember getting a pair of pants without cargo pockets in 1996-1997 when I worked for supply part time. When I went back to work for them full time in 2000, I had to get the new pants with cargo pockets on the front.

One nice thing about that style pants, because of the elastic, you can go up a size, and with the larger sizes go up 2, in the waist. Those were the ones I sold when I worked National Supply, and I always told parents to try a size larger, and hem the pants high so they can be let down as they grow.

I have seen this first hand in the troop I left. When adults socially distanced themselves from the Scouts by 30 to 100 yards, They are active, involved, and doing what they are supposed to be doing. But as soon as some adults appear, they became lifeless automotons because they know that the adults will be telling them what to do and how to do it. And with some other adult, they will just walk away because the adult will take over completely and do stuff for the Scouts. Trust me, I know how important YP is, I have had too many incidents over the years. But I do believe the current YP rules are excessive. No more patrol day activities, no more 18-20 year old ASMs counting as a second adult, no more parents as a second adult. I'm glad I am not a 18-20 year old ASM now. My troop growing up would not have been able to go to summer camp, and I would need 2 adults over 21 watching when I taught Lifesaving and other MBs.

Well I got s copy of the Scouting U email to various training chairs which stated: · We have been asked specifically about Wood Badge, NYLT, IOLS and BALOO. As stated above these courses should not be revised by a local council to be run in an online environment. Each of these have experiential learning in the outdoors that cannot be duplicated online. In my email, it was highlighted in yellow.

Well it's not posted on the summer camp page yet, but my council is cancelling 2020 summer camp and moving to virtual summer camp. Even if summer camp does open up and the updated research does show that COVID-19 was here earlier than January (first US COVID-19 death is now determined to be February 6 after a post mortem was conducted) and not as lethal as initially believed, we have at least 2 families that will not be sending Scouts to camp due to immuno-compromised family members. That's 1/3 of the troop not going right there. Don't know what the plan B for the troop will be. I know my family is considering a backpacking trek. You know you got a keeper when the wife likes to camp. Now we got to determine who uses what pack since youngest son stole hers.

First and Foremost. THANK YOU! Sadly I have found councils and national listen a little better when they are publicly exposed. Not always, but some times. Secondly Does he have any experience on the unit level, whether as a Scout or volunteer? BALOO and ItOLS are just that "Orientation" and "Introduction" courses. Mastery of skills is not the goal like it use to be, but getting adults comfortable in the outdoors is the goal. I have ran into adults who have taken these courses, and i would not trust my sons with them because even with taking these courses, they are not truly competent in the outdoors. I would hate to see what would happen if a negligence lawsuit was ever brought up against someone who took this course I thought "Feedback is a gift." Welcome to the Dark Side. No matter how frustrating it WILL get at times, remember why you are here: FOR THE SCOUTS.

Glad someone is intervening. Sad thing is, it looked as if a bunch of folks were happy to see it online and wanted to do it like that.. That scares me because BALOO and ItOLS are just that: introduction/orientation courses. I've seen Scouters who have taken those courses still have challenges on various skills. I want my Scouts to take care of themselves, not us old fogeys.

I guess they can do it in their backyard.

As I stated, it was in the original Late March/early April COVID-19 FAQ. When this training was first posted on the Boy Scout Volunteers Facebook Group, many people provided links and screen captures of the prohibition. Further your council was addressed in some of those posts that National did not allow. But as you noted, the Updated 4-13-2020 COVID-19 FAQ no longer lists that prohibition. Further the original post on the Boy Scout Volunteers Facebook Group, as well as all the commentary, links and screen captures of the prohibition have been removed. In fact in the quick online search I have done, no prohibition can now be found. So I guess the National Training Committee now approves of online outdoor training. An aside, why do I feel National BSA is turning into 1984's Ministry of Truth. First ignoring the Eagle Palm survey they did. Then stating dodgeball has never been an approved activity, when it was a recommended game in Scoutmaster and troop planning resources from as early as 1929 up until the prohibition was enacted, (and yes National was asked repeatedly to remove the incorrect FAQ response, even after showing the it was indeed an approved game USING A SCREEN CAPTURE FROM SCOUTING.ORG WEBSITE, [emphasis). Now the online outdoor training.

INTERESTING. The updated COVID-19 FAQ removed the prohibition on online BALOO and IOLS, but kept the prohibition on online WFA. I wonder why they kept the physical WFA class, bunt allow online outdoor training classes? I also found it interesting that the post on Boy Scout Volunteers Facebok page also is not longer able to be found. EDITED: looks like I am going to have to print out BSA publications again.

With all due respect, either the person responding has not read the posts on Facebook that link to national's prohibition to online outdoor training, is ignoring the posts with the link, or is not following the first point of the Scout law. Give me a day to find the document.

Those list may not be written down, but they exist. One long time volunteer has been in semi-retirement visiting the grandkids a lot. He's been involved at the district, council, and at point national, level since the early 1960s. But he raised a lot of questions about things over the years, and has been on the unoffical list for years. He finally got the SIlver Beaver this yeart . Funny thing is, everyone thoughty he had it already.

My council is also doing a wait and see regarding a physical camp. however they are also promoting this What additional programming opportunities will be available? We are very excited to announce that we are putting together an all new program! We will be launching a Virtual Summer Camp that will offer some of the traditional summer camp badges from Camp $$$$$$ as well as new and exciting ones that this situation has allowed us to develop. This program is not a replacement for summer camp but rather a new addition. Scouts will have the opportunity to work on multiple badges that will even include materials that will be sent home. More information will be coming out over the next two weeks, but this program will take place in June. Scouts that are currently registered for summer camp or a virtual program will be given first access to register, followed by in-council units, and then nationwide. We are focusing on the quality and scope of the merit badges as we do not wish to cheapen the philosophy behind the merit badge program. Our class sizes will be limited so that students will get the same attention they would at camp. We are currently offering online merit badge courses leading up to a full summer camp program. We will begin offering weekday classes next week through May. We will also be having another Virtual Merit Badge Day on May 16th with morning and afternoon sessions. Our last session filled completely in 96 hours, with over 90% of registration occurring in the first 48. If you would like to become a volunteer merit badge instructor please email the Council’s Virtual MB Class Chair, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. None of my Scouts are real fans of online MB classes, except 1. And in all honesty he is being pushed by Mom to get Eagle, so the online classes are really a way to make her happy.

The reason why it is so large is that they combined 3 different sets of guidelines into 1 document. CSDC use to have a separate set of guidelines. Ditto BS resident camp and HA bases. I do not know about CS Resident camp as I was never involved with them. But National created "one book to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them." I actually staffed a camp that did not meet criteria, but was "conditionally accredited." They did not have a 2nd NCS certified person as PD because the PD had a family emergency at the last minute.

I like how they are using a Thai Scout association hat and necker.

What NCAP needs to do IMHO is the following: 1. Go back to 3 different standards: Day Camps, Resident Camps, and HA Bases. I know trying to implement stuff for resident camps and HA bases in my one week a year day camp was a major P.IT.B. Does a day camp really need an alumni association, trading post? 2. Get rid of the "one size fits all" aka "let's make all Scout camps look alike" aka "Scout Brand" for building and structures. Every camp is different, and every state has different standards. We currently have a campsite that is unusable because the NCAP standards will not allow us to rebuild the destroyed structures to their original dimensions. Also we have had some local contractors complain about NCAP guidelines because they are designed for built up camps and not primitive camps. If a simple structure is needed, they have to build it to national's standards, which add to the cost. Or in one case, completely ban building since what national wants built will not comply with local environmental standards.

I saw what happened when 1 Scout brought a GO bug to camp: Over 200 people infected and it lasted about 2 weeks. We were almost shut down.

Sadly, in my experience that is the exact opposite from what I am seeing. And adults are not helping with the matter either. I had a scout who took a MB class a 2nd time for fun. When another troop's SM found out about it, he said the Scout was wasting his time. I have seen too many Scouts just want the badge and don't care about anything else. I have had SMs upset with me because I would not give their Scouts MBs that they did not earn at summer camp and the 2 MB Colleges I taught at. I am told that is one reason why I have not been asked to teach the MB again, I give out partials.

I have not taught the new BALOO course yet; the one I was suppose to help teach was cancelled due to the pandemic. As stated above, to cut down on time in the field, some of the stuff that use to be done at camp, is now done online. Hopefully it is the planning and paperwork aspect. But the council I cited is doing BOTH ( emphasis) BALOO ( which now includes WeLOT) and ItOLS, which national does not want us combining, into a completely online course, which national has prohibited. Further If I understand the council correctly, you get certified for BALOO and ItOLS in 6 hours?!?!?!?!?

Sadly that is not the case everywhere. I was working with a group on Citizenship in the Nation MB. All of the Scouts had Civics in School. I also had a 5th grade Webelos with me, my son, who had a US History class that went over the Constitution as part of the class. NONE OF THE SCOUTS COULD DO THAT PART OF THE MB! (emphasis). The Webelos knew it well. When I asked the Scouts what they learned in school, they told me the teacher told them to use their laptops, and didn't really do anything.

Here's the deal, National has already stated online outdoor training is not allowed, yet A) they are jumping into it and B) People are ecstatic about it.

Apparently the Great Rivers Council has decided to do online outdoor training that covers BALOO, WeLOT ( which is now combined with BALOO) and ItOLS. This is too far.

Can I wear a black bull on my jacket if I take the tour?

Sadly, many at national, and in councils, view the movement as a job, and have little to no experience with the program. They know the program benefits the youth, but they can not fathom how. They do not realize the damage they are doing with their decisions because they are lacking knowledge.