AltadenaCraig

I found a link (via MSN) to this article that doesn't require registration: https://www.msn.com/en-nz/entertainment/music/how-the-scouts-became-this-year-s-most-in-demand-children-s-club/ar-BB1qmlGM?ocid=BingNewsVerp . @RememberSchiff is right. It is a good read.

IMHO the answer is LOCAL and CIVIC ACTIVITY. As important as the "outing" is in Scouting, by definition our hiking/camping conceals us from our wider potential market. The physical (including the 'outing') is the thrill that will retain a scout who's already in the door. But what's needed is visibility to the wider market. While that 12 year old is the "end user", never forget the Customer is the one who pays the bills (i,e, Mom). If we want more 12 year old scouts, we need more Local visibility to Moms. That means setting out flags at Memorial/Independence days, marching in Veteran's Day parades, planting trees at Arbor Day, Thanksgiving food drives, singing carols at old folk's homes, etc. AND POST THE PICTURES & CONTACT INFO on Facebook, Twitter(X), & Instagram! Yes, by all means get LOCAL, but we need to get visible through CIVIC ACTIVITY.

... and this outstanding piece published last Friday in The Dispatch "Scouting Hasn't Lost Itself" (subtitled "Girls now have more opportunities for Scouting’s formative experiences."): https://thedispatch.com/article/scouting-hasnt-lost-itself/

@Eagledad Would you agree that given the right messaging, this too presents an opportunity? The messaging would somehow convey to parents it's not only safe & welcome to drop-off your scout, but expected. This inasmuch as it's the scouts' program. As I recall in my Scoutmaster days it took half of my effort to corral parents and separate them from the scouts to give them space. Of course, such a program relies totally on the capabilities and goodwill of SMs, ASMs, & CMs. But I'm thinking for the average parent Scouting should offer a relief from adult burnout.

To me, the light is found on p. 20 of the report, near the bottom. That's where they list "Even non-Scouts agree! Scouting has a positive impact on its members". Specifically these two bullets: 91% of non-alumni adults and 83% of non-Scout youth agree that Scouting helps character development .... and... 81% of non-alumni adults and 82% of non-Scout youth agree that Scouting had a positive impact on its members’ leadership abilities. Just think, in spite of all we've been through, over 9 out of 10 non-alumni adults still agree our movement helps character development. Shoot, try to get 9 out of 10 adults to even agree Elvis is dead. Additionally, over 8 out of 10 non-alumni agree we have a positive impact on leadership abilities. This is our growth opportunity. Spread the beam.

I've run across a couple of Scouting podcasts that remain freshly updated: Scouting on Purpose: Mark Cherry's presentation could use some pep & sound production, but his heart is in the right place Scouter Stan: Stan Richards provides over 180 short subject episodes (5-10 min. apiece) as an "Online Scouting Commissioner Podcast", but are a great resource for all Scouters. Alas, two of my old favorites appear destined for the worldwide web graveyard: Bobwhite Blather hasn't been updated in nearly a year ScoutmasterCG at least used to partially resolve, but now returns nothing at all ... too bad as Clarke Green's wisdom, tips, and infographics were invaluable. Do you have any favorites that remain fresh?

If BSA is supplanted, does that suggest "Scouts BSA" will be rebranded (again)?

More often than not it's worthwhile to seek the guidance of the man, himself, Robert Baden-Powell (it's surprising how much of his insight remains relevant - it's timeless). Here are a few of his thoughts regarding "Drill" in "Aids to Scoutmastership": Note the term "in excess". Baden-Powell suggests "a few minutes silent drill at the beginning of a meeting or an occasional game of "O'Grady [Simon] says." "Silent drill" being as simple as falling-in for opening ceremony, attendance, or uniform inspection. To be sure, while he felt "Occasional drills are necessary", he was quick to add "but these should not be indulged in at the expense of the more valuable Scout training." Moreover, he always preferred scouts teaching themselves as "drill is all a matter of instruction, of hammering it into the boys, and is in no way an education where they learn it for themselves" and preferred scout skills being emphasized over drill. Here's his full explanation: Hope this is helpful.

Excellent points made by @yknot & @fred8033. YIS - -Craig

I won't disagree that 5.5 has been too long of an expansion; however, the alternative allows youngsters to be captured by alternative programs (Y-guides, AYSO soccer, etc.), which all have programs for small-fry. Without a BSA small-fry program, a youngster's life would already be full with alternatives before a BSA program ever gets a chance at him/her.

If I'm welcome, I'd like to add my $.02. I find myself of two minds on this topic. On the one hand, between the Unitarians, Scientologists, Buddhists, and Humanistic Jews (among other sects) - all of which are welcome in Scouting (and have their own BSA-Approved Religious Emblems) though none observes a deity resembling the God of Abraham - if one can't find a spiritual home in that landscape then I expect it's not the BSA that's being exclusionary. On the other hand, the "Duty to God" program has somewhat puzzled me since it's introduction about the same time the BSA allowed for gay scouters. It appeared more a concession to anxious adults than a celebration of something bigger than oneself. To be sure, the phrase is "to do my duty to God and my country ..." Did "duty to country" fall out of favor? If they'd initiated a "Duty to God & Country" program it would've at least resembled the Oath. Limiting it to "Duty to God", however, resembled someone's agenda.

So for my first crack at "Bard" (Google's Artificial Intelligence experiment) I asked "Please write a three-paragraph essay on the importance of The Patrol Method in Scouting." It delivered this answer in less than five seconds: A few more than three paragraphs, but clearly three sections (background, bulleted benefits, conclusion). All in all, not bad.

The GSS wording states "All adults staying overnight in connection with a Scouting activity must be currently registered in an adult fee required position as listed or as an adult program participant". I'd expect both Chapter & Lodge Adviser would be covered as "an adult program participant."

Random reactions (in no particular order): Changes to Cub Program: so this explains it. I've had a devil of a time relating to the current program since the demise of "Program Helps". That was a huge help to me when I was Cubmaster. Hopefully they can resurrect something like that when they finalize a new program. TOTALLY agree with those troops which funnel volunteering adults through the Committee their first year. Gotta unlearn the DL mode. "Proficiency"? When has it ever been about "proficiency"? Even B-P himself emphasized relative merit between capable and less capable scouts. And when asked about "standards" Green-Bar-Bill replied "to a Scout's standard, of course!" I've seen too many SM's & ASM's get in the way of scouts having fun in the name of "proficiency". I'm kinda ambivalent about Lions & Tigers, but I get that so many organizations (YMCA "Guides") capture kids earlier and earlier that BSA feels the need to compete. my $.02

When promoting OA in my unit I've likened it to the "Scout version of All Stars". I expect there will always be a role for OA to fill the All-Star needs of our committed scouts. What it looks like going forward is unclear, but I hope it always retains its "All Star" cache.