Jameson76

I would posit that National would rather we have no camps and would be happy if Scouts do not go outside at all. That is where bad things may happen. My view is that National and the Councils want to focus on the Cubs that are easier to manage and have parents there to oversee. This whole Troops out and about without generating revenue to National and Councils is not the desired process Scouts is about raising money. Youth out doing things is secondary. Legacy things such as camps are not needed in the new world order.

We think there could be more success if: - It was clear councils appreciated and recognized these district level vounteers. Had recognition for district level volunteers raising more money $$ - councils invested in training and development of these district level volunteers. Had training for district level volunteers to raise more money $$ - council professionals placed a priority on recruiting district level volunteers. Placed a priority on district level volunteers raising more money $$ There - fixed that for you 😀

And there in lies the problem. Get out and do. Way to much focus on classroom merit badges, class instruction, checking boxes, adult leaders preventing experiential learning. How many times have we seen discussions on how to game the system so a Scout can get 20 nights camping? The goal should be to go out and do things, not just meet a metric. 20 nights should be simple to attain, and the Scout will learn volumes along the way. We were looking at what an AOL needs to do in order to earn arrow of light now, apparently camp with a BSA troop is no longer a thing, visit yes, but they can camp with their patrol. But, looking at the "Adventures" the first multiple pages is about safety considerations; food allergies anaphylaxis and epi-pens, behavior around campfires, etc etc etc. No doubt all good things, but this "safety moment" (and it's more than a moment) is front and center for every Adventure. Safety is important, but that cannot be our reason for being. To a parent new to the program, is this the right "Go to Market" thinking? Then they move into a BSA Troop, and "GASP!!!", the youth do stuff on their own!!. Scouts is OUTSIDE and doing stuff. The leadership training should be a less formal item and more something they experience and grow from. They will screw up, we as adult leaders can assist in making the course correction. The simplicity of the Troop program is that a 12 year old whom ignores advice and input and gets wet when their tent leaks or sleeps cold when they did not bring the recommended gear LEARNS A LESSON from THEIR actions. They hopefully realize they need to do better. Later, maybe as they go off to college or first job, they can recall that all advice is not bad. They can help themselves be better.

Make it a donation for goods, if BSA can do it with the grossly overpriced popcorn, then get some item of nominal value and then "sell" it for the donation. A dinner is always good, sell "stock" in the group that supports the Scouting program and have a stockholders dinner.

Taught Wilderness Survival back in the 70's at various summer camps. For those that recall those days we would make survival kits, the scouts would provide one of the metal band aid boxes. We would put in a few water proof matches, some fishing line and hooks, band aids, little mirror, etc. One item would in fact be a couple of dimes so if one was lost and made there way out to the real world, you could make a call. In the early 80's we changed that to putting quarters in to reflect Ma Bell's pricing updates. Good memories. Actually found one of those a few years back in a box of old camping stuff that had been moved countless times over the years. The quarter still seems to be legal tender.

Are they different timeframes? I noticed that the April 2024 membership highlights shows about 775K in Cubs and Scouts. For the same noted population the graph seems to show 1,014K for 2024 (which could be a goal??) and 966K for 2023 which is 25% under the highlight figure. I wonder if anyone questioned the figures or maybe they gave context in the meeting. Point is, if an organization is not clearly able to state where they are at a point in time, they do not have a realistic hope of moving forward in any cohesive manner.

Well, that is optimistic at best. An organization is projecting 43% growth in 5 years, while they have experienced a 46% LOSS in the last 5 years. Most businesses would not project that type of growth unless they are rolling out new technology, acquiring a competitor, or expanding into new territories previously untapped. BSA (sorry SA) does not seem to be planning any of those efforts.

Calling what BSA publishes on membership being a "shell game" is very polite. The BSA (sorry SA) has not published the "Report to the Nation" in several years, at least in the format as in year's past. That whole pesky Trustworthy thing not being observed. Typically when a company does not send out actual figures, the reason is it's bad news. With the revamped membership registration process, the move to coed (it's not a pilot folks), and the emphasis to push out any current leaders not embracing the move to coed (to make room for all the leaders waiting in the wings); while a very worthwhile and needed program, the future is not bright.

Our district wanted our unit to name someone to be the "commissioner" for our unit. We pointed out that this seemed to be just a pencil whip of the position. What value would someone currently active with the unit bring to the unit? Shouldn't a commissioner be a neutral party to help and advise the unit as needed? District did not get back with us.

In theory this is good, but the challenge will be what happens in practice with the information. If the anonymous report is not handled confidentially there could be issues. If this report were to move forward with the authorities, not sure how this would square with the 4th and 6th amendments. The anonymous accuser will hopefully need to be interviewed and vetted before anything should be done. BSA (sorry SA) National acting on what could be unfounded and non-verified accusations is the other side of the pendulum that swung all the way to not reporting to authorities and trying to handle internally. Cue up more lawsuits down the road.

Curious what the actual membership numbers are. BSA (Sorry SA) has not been overly transparent of late with that data

Scouter - we will tell you what you need to know and when you need to know it....and be happy we are engaging with the peasant leaders at all Signed BSA National Leadership

The best method we have found is rally points along the way. We all depart at the same time and maybe meet at some designated break spot, then meet at the next logical point. For our winter trip this past January departed the CO, met about an hour down the road (got outside the major city we live near), then another hour to our first trip stop. We departed there a few hours later and the meetup was an hour down the road for the camping spot. On heading home day met an hour down the road for a tour stop at a historic place, then an hour or so up the road and after we hit the main highway, stopped at a large center with a beaver as a mascot. Then the 1.5 hours home to the CO. At the designated stops keep up with everyone, also we have a text group for trips and have our co-pilots handle the exchanges If our camping spot is more remote, off the path, we meet as close to there as possible on the way in, then convoy the last few miles.

If money for the project is raised / solicited from the candidate, his parents or relatives, his unit or its chartered organization, parents or members in his unit, or the beneficiary then NO FORM is needed. Do not overthink.

While some of the article is questionable, there are some truths. Trail Life does clearly define who they are, what they do, and what the benefit may be. One has the right to disagree with their messaging, but it is clear. BSA (SA??) has an extremely broad message about what they are. The current focus seems to be all things to all people. Not sure you can excite and entice people with that. There may be confusion in that all are welcome seems to mean BSA (SA??) will do / provide whatever you want in it's program. IMHO there is a Balkanization of what BSA (SA??) provides in that there are many constituencies that rather than benefiting from the larger group they are laser focused on their specific benefit they can get. While good for them, that may not build a cohesive organization. Also as BSA (SA??) units can be almost a franchise what one gets from unit to unit can vary. The organization needs to welcome all BUT needs to clearly define what the organization does and how it does this.