Eagle94-A1

I admit I and other adults ran the show. Goal was for the Scouts to compete and have fun. All the ideas for events came the previous camporee's SPL crackerbarrel. I did use the BSA's COMPLETE WILDERNESS TRAINING book by Hugh McManners for source material. As for the book, I admit it was 20 to 30 pages, plus 4 addendum answering questions various adult unit Scouters had. Edited. book had ideas, sources for additional info, and a section on sheath knives. As for knives, I got a Becker 21 kukri for Christmas and carried it that weekend.

HEHEHEHEHE. Last camporee I ran, sheath knives were REQUIRED for several events. It was a wilderness survival camporee. Talk about freaking people out. I had to put out an addendum stating sheath knives are allowed by BSA and state law. I even had to post links to BSA literature and Scoutstuff.org to prove it.

Have your SPL assign one of her Scouts to do research. there are a ton of scripts out there. Also there were some ideas int eh Troop Resources Book if memory serves.

True, but according to National, 2 registered adults over 21 must be present as it is now considered a troop activity.

@mds3d, Eagle Projects being considered a troop activity is a relatively new thing, within the past 10 years if memory serves. As for requiring 2 adults over 21 to be present, that came about October 1, 2018, when patrols could no longer do day activities and meetings without 2 adults over 21 present. Had that discussion with my oldest as we had some challenges getting a 2nd registered adult for his first workday. Worked it out with a neighboring council's council commissioner who worked at the place it was being done at. Between his periodic visits, and other Scouters working at the hospital to see what was up, we had it covered. But we both longed for the days where I and my buddies worked on my project with my mom only providing transportation, and snacks

Do you really trust National? I have been told a lot of things that National would not do over the years, only to see them change policy and do it. And National does not have a history of being Trustworthy. Look at the "Prohibited Activities FAQ" found here: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/prohibited-activities-faqs/ . One Questions is "Q. Why can we no longer play dodgeball? A. Dodgeball has never been an authorized activity in Scouting....." Even after pointing out this error to National by showing them a Scouting.org link it saying it is an approved game and asking them to change the the answer, they didn't. Instead they pulled a 1984 and took down the scouting.org link that showed it was indeed an approved activity, and kept the lie. And Dodgeball had been an approved game since 1911. Pages 312 to 213 of the 1911 Handbook for Boys has it listed as an indoor game for Scouts. So I don't trust national anymore.

The challenge as I see it in my area is that the professionals want it their way, and don't try to change it or you will be removed from your POR at the district/council level. Worse case I saw was being removed from BSA altogether. There are pros who care about the program, and want the volunteers involved. EDITED: There are pros who care about the program, and want the volunteers involved. But there are more who do not, and they tend to be the SEs and DFSs of the councils. They put pressure on the lower DEs. And since DEs have their jobs on the line, it is a lot of pressure. I quit.

Vintage uniforms are allowed. My youngest was in Blue after the June 1, 2015 date. Only reason he switch over to tan and green prior to Cross Over was his older brother outgrew his uniform and sold it to him. As for slides, one thing we did as a pack was give them paracord Turks' Head woggles. For the price of 1 metal BSA slide, I could make 25-30 slides.

Add in Cub Family camping, and it could potentially be longer. My youngest has been camping in the Scouting program since he was 20 months.

That's because the GSUSA does not track their advancement like the BSA does. They even admit that.

Last cost increase was approx 50% I am hearing everything from $50 to $125 now, which is 51% to 378% increase, with one council anticipating a 300% increase. That is not chump change for some families with 1 person involved, let alone those families with multiple registered. There are families in my area, long time Scouting families I might add, that are looking at alternatives.

That's why some families do not do swimming and other sports, they cannot afford it. EDITED: And some families have stated that depending upon the new fee, they may be unable to afford Scouting as well.

or clothes for work/school, doctor's visits....

In my neck of the woods, median income is approx $37-42K, depending upon which set of stats you use. There are a lot of families that can only afford Scouting. one council's SE sent out a letter to expect up to a 300% increase. And I heard from another person the fee could go up to $125. Grant you it is all speculation at this point.

I am pushing oldest to finish Eagle before Dec 31st. Hopefully after this weekend, 1 MB left and BOR. Depending on the fee, an if I can get aid or not, I may stay. I may give middle son 1 year to get Eagle. I hate that. As for youngest, may move to Trails Life. Overall I see a lot of units folding, and membership plummeting in my area.

We are now sending stuff certified mail.

Was talking about this topic last night at the meeting. SM is having a hard time sitting back and letting the Scouts screw up. But he knows that mistakes are the best learning opportunities. I told him that it was because the adults did not follow the Scouts at camporee and coach or tell the Scouts how to do stuff that most impressed my wife. Watching the troop in action removed reservations she had about them.

I am told that my council will no longer allow Scouts to photograph turning in Eagle project books and applications because people have taken photos , and then the counci loses them.

When I was on the council Cub Scout committee, I noted that the #1 council camp for Cubs did not meet standards since it did not have showers. Was told the camp was grandfathered and had a waiver by the pro advisor for program. He stated if someone really wanted a shower, he would rig up a portable camp shower for them to use. Since the OA is an approved council document, many packs assume the camps listed are approved.

I bet they won't send you anymore surveys now.

At least your council has an approved list. Mine does not have an official list. So many packs use the OA's WHERE TO GO Camping book to pick places to camp. That book includes a lot of state parks.

INTERESTING. I love how councils can have 3 day 2 night events per this But packs, cannot.

Actually it was official from August 1, 1984 to circa 2008 (if memory serves) with the full Cub Scout Diamond (Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos patches) and after that with the full diamond or alone until June 1 2015. June 1, 2015 was when the Cub Scout Program was updated, and Webelos are only suppose to wear the tan and green uniform. But as mentioned Vintage uniforms are allowed.

They may read them, but they will do what they want. And if the polls do show the majority approve, you can bet you will hear about it. After the circa 2014/15 poll on changes to Eagle Palm requirements, national did indeed post the results. 18% were against removing time requirements and 76% were strongly against removing the time requirements. But in 2016 the went against 94% of those polled and created "instapalms" anyway. Notice how a lot of polls since that first one are not released now?

In my experience there are several factors as to why young adults do not stick around. College is indeed a big one. One issue I faced when I was under 25 was that other adults refused to view me as a fellow adult with the same knowledge, abilities, and skills that they had. As a 21 year old OA chapter advisor, that was a big issue with others on the district committee I sat with. I was either told I don't know what i'm talking about, or ignored all together. I had to use my allies on the committees to get my ideas across fro the benefit of the Scouts. Worse case was the SM who wanted me to alter the troop's OA election results. He actually followed me into the parking lot, cursing me out and saying I had no idea what I was doing in the OA. But the #1 factor I see now affects the 18-20 year olds, and we need to keep them active. The problem is thatr National no longer counts them as adults in regards to YP guidelines. I remember the stink that happened when National tried to implement the policy immediately, and troops started complaining to the councils and HA bases because they would have to cancel trips because they were relying on the 18-20 y.o. ASMs as the 2nd adult. If the young adults do not believe National trusts them as adults, why should they stick around?