FireStone

I haven't read to scouts at a meeting or anything, but I've suggested books to scouts and parents that are scouting-related. Some favorites of my scout are The Last Badge by George McClements, and the entire Bear Grylls Adventure series, in which each book puts a fictional character in a survival situation with Bear and applies what they learned while getting through that situation with something that the character is struggling with in their personal life. They're really fantastic.

We're kind of in a weird place in this organization when it comes to obedience. In some ways we're sort of military-adjacent when it comes to rules and procedures. If a leader tells you to do something, you do it. In the military, the logic is that orders are followed without question so that the unit runs smoothly and without hesitation in potentially life and death situations. And in the BSA we include "obedient" right in the law. But we're not the military, and we pride ourselves on being a youth organization that develops leadership abilities, making kids into solid leaders and critical decision-makers. Using the broken leg example, if a soldier is ordered by his superior to move another soldier with a broken leg, they do so without question, regardless of whether they are in a dangerous situation or not, because they are taught to obey orders and assume that their superior is giving them orders based on their knowledge of the situation, their understanding of what is happening and the information that a superior would have. In scouts, we teach them to proceed as they feel is correct and safe, and to potentially question an "order" from an adult if they believe it is not the best course of action. A scout can and should defy an adult if they feel the injured party should not be moved. I've often wondered if the "A Scout is Obedient" part of the law still fits with modern norms, even in the context of scouting itself and teaching kids to be leaders (and potentially people who can and should question if what they are told is right). I wouldn't suggest removing it, but I wonder if maybe there's just a better word that says "smartly obedient" or something to that effect.

I don't think I'll trust any numbers for 6 or 7 years. Between all of the variables, the new girls programs, LDS, etc., it's just too volatile a situation to really read anything in to any numbers.

Where are the effective responses then? As already mentioned in this thread, BSA social media and blogs are basically silent, for weeks or months at a time. Even through the official channels that the BSA controls, they're not saying anything. And I get the whole "can't comment on pending litigation" thing, but that doesn't mean they can't comment on the absolutely falsehoods being portrayed in the media. Like the idea that they don't vet volunteers, which was mentioned in the original article I posted. Why not do a blog post about the YPT program and outline exactly what volunteers go through when they sign up? They don't need to even mention the lawsuits, just put some info out there about what the BSA is doing right now, what YPT is, the background checks that leaders go through, etc.

Excellent ideas. You're right, the BSA needs to define itself, not just offer comments when asked (and apparently delay responses, too, based on the article I mentioned in the original post). Not only are they reactive, they're slow about it, too. They need to get ahead of it. There is so much good going on in the organization when it comes to YPT, and that story is just not getting told. I'd venture a guess that we're actually among the best youth organizations when it comes to youth protection policies. I can't think of another organization that requires adults to do so much so often when it comes to learning about abuse prevention and adhering to policies and best-practices to police ourselves from within (2-deep, etc). And they need to correct the current narrative. I know that locally, we have some parents that think we just fill out a form and buy a tan shirt and that's how we become leaders. Nationally that idea is probably just as common, and National isn't fixing it. Now more than ever we should be telling parents exactly what the process is for becoming a leader, everyone should know that we're background-checked, trained, and follow youth protection practices at every single meeting, outing, and activity.

Pinewood Derby is kind of the premiere event for our Pack each year. We try to really do it up, with the decorations, snack bar (with hot and cold food for sale), 2 tracks set up (one for official races, one for fun races), race-themed banners on the walls, winners' circle podium and backdrop for photo opps. We have the local press come out and take pictures, interview scouts and parents, invite local dignitaries, etc. As the event approaches, we are always looking for ways to improve on what we do or add something new. Does your Pack do anything interesting or unique for the derby? Any suggestions or new ideas?

I'm generally the last person to criticize this kind of thing. I've sewn stuff on my son's uniform that I know wasn't regulation, but I like that the kids embrace some of these elements of the uniform, the badges, beads, etc. If it makes them want to wear it more, I'm all for it. But within reason. The uniform isn't the place to show every little thing you've done. You don't put every camp patch on the pocket, you pick one and wear just that one. Adults now are supposed to limit square knots to 9 (3 rows of 3). So I think a general rule of "keep it subtle" is key here, don't over-do it. So this, to me, is overdoing it. Those segments look like they were designed to work best in one or two rows at most, so that's probably where this should have stopped. If a scout really wants to display them all, put them on a pack, a camp blanket, back of a sash, etc.

Just for future reference, check out 5.11 Taclite pants in TDU Green, almost the same as BSA green but made way better, more comfortable, more durable, etc. These are the only "scout" pants I'll wear.

What is being said already is about as bad as it gets. We're being branded as a haven for pedophiles, an organization that "attracts large numbers of pedophiles" with almost no vetting process. I fail to see how responding to that kind of stuff could do any more harm than not responding to it.

I don't have that option, all of the parents in my den are set to "Full Control" and I can't click on the toggles to change those. Maybe it's something I just don't have permission to change, though, it's a Pack admin feature or something.

This right here is the answer. It's not wrong to question such an ambitious run on advancement. And the parents should be understanding of why you'd question it if you provide this kind of explanation, that it's highly unusual and definitely raises some questions. You're just doing your job by asking about it, and you'd be remiss to not bring it up. That's all. If that kind of a very fair explanation still ruffles feathers, move on and let it go. I don't think we get much of a choice in this anymore, do we? I was under the impression that Scoutbook settings now allow parents to mark off advancement and we're locked out of changing that. At least that's what I saw in the system for my Pack.

Agreed, and I don't think a marketing campaign is the way to go, at least not right now. Just better responses to these articles would be a great start. The CNN article does include a canned statement from the BSA, but only after one of those "The Boy Scouts of America did not immediately respond to direct questions about the particulars of the case..." note in the article. Just another missed opportunity to offer some sincere comments on the cases and expand upon what the BSA does now to protect youth. When lawsuits (and national news media articles) use language like, "overwhelming evidence that Scouting attracts large numbers of pedophiles," as in presently, today, the BSA attracts large numbers of pedophiles, the BSA needs to immediately respond to those comments and articles to clearly and confidently state what they are doing about that. I don't see that happening with these delayed responses and statements, and that is the source of my frustration.

Their social media accounts aren't much better. They're on Twitter maybe 2 times per month lately. It's definitely too quiet. Almost seems like they're not responding to all of this bad PR because they don't have anyone to respond to it. The overall picture of BSA marketing and social media seems to be that no one is at the controls.

I don't think anyone expects them to win these lawsuits. Getting the message out that things are better now allows the BSA the opportunity to see future recovery/growth after the lawsuits. We need membership, and if the public perception is that the BSA is enabling continued abuse, no one will put their kids into the program.

When it comes to marketing for recruitment, I'm not all that opposed to leaving a lot of it in the hands of local councils and units. It would be nice to see the occasional regional or national TV spot, but I think a big part of recruitment is local appeal and local messaging. But in terms of the abuse cases, the lawsuits, and that we're front-page national news on a somewhat regular basis now, and abuse victims are making these suggestions that today's BSA is the same as yesterday's, ignoring all of the YPT training we go through, that's PR nightmare that the BSA absolutely should be fighting back on. It's massively damaging, and their lack of a loud and clear response to it is going to doom the organization. With all of that in mind, maybe they should be investing in the development of a national marketing message around YPT and how much safer the BSA is now. They can't just ignore this, obviously it's getting out of hand based on what the public is reading in these articles.

They identify that it's not a recent case, but coupled with the quote I referenced in the original post from an abuse victim implying that kids today aren't safe in the BSA, the take-away for the uninformed public is going to be that today's BSA is the same as yesterday's, where abuse runs rampant. If the BSA can't get ahead of this and drive the message that what we're doing today is miles ahead of what we were doing decades ago and that instances abuse have been drastically reduced, that we're a safer organization focused extensively on youth protection, then the lawsuits almost don't even matter. The future of the BSA is bleak (and short) if today's parents are only getting the message that the BSA is dangerous and chock-full of pedophiles.

Paper Airplane Derby is an easy one that we do around this time of year. Grab a stack of paper, come up with some basic rules and awards, and have fun! Categories for awards: Longest distance flight, highest flight, best trick, most creative airplane design.

We're on the front page of CNN right now, with a photo and everything. https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/06/us/boy-scouts-of-america-lawsuit-could-open-door-to-more/index.html It's nothing all that new as far as I can tell, except for another vivid tale of abuse. I can't fault any of the victims for pursuing this, they deserve their day in court. But what I do take issue with is this part of it: First, I don't raise anyone else's kids. But that's a whole other discussion. More to the point, I'm again absolutely frustrated with the notion that the BSA is still operating in the same way it was years ago. We've come so far and done so much when it comes to YPT. Our YPT program is far ahead of what many other youth organizations, sports programs, etc., have in place. And yet the public perception is that we're a haven for pedophiles. The BSA may have to face these lawsuits and possibly settle them or pay out when they lose. But the thing that baffles me is why they are also losing the PR battle in this when it comes to the modern day BSA and current YP. Why is it not even mentioned in these articles? Where are the BSA representatives to respond to comments when asked for these articles, the people who can and should point to this extensive training program and vetting process that is exactly what victims like the gentleman quoted above are asking for? If the BSA goes under, it's not because the BSA loses a lawsuit, it's because they lost the PR battle of public perception and failed to inform the public about what we're doing now to protect scouts.

Agreed. The possibility of a lack of consequences in this case is what concerned me most. Imagine if this guy got a pass and nothing happened. That would validate the notion that this behavior is ok, that the reporter put herself in the "line of fire" as some of Callaway's supporters have suggested. No female reporter could stand with her back to a crowd, since we've now given men the "ok" to slap/grab without consequence. I know this isn't the case, and he's facing serious consequences. As I believe he should. I just don't see the other side of this, how we (collective society) could just say, "We forgive you," and let it go with no penalty for his behavior. The harm that kind of free-pass would cause is worse than any individual incident.

But his interview/statement doesn't seem to indicate that he fully acknowledges any of that. He makes excuses, suggests that he may not have even touched her backside, and then dances around an apology but never really gives one. It's easier to forgive when the person in question at least truly realizes what they did.

Just what the BSA needs right now, a leader slapping a young female reporter on the butt on live TV. Tommy Callaway, a 43-year-old married father of two, is facing charges filed by Savannah, GA WSAV-TV anchor Alex Bozarjian, 23. On the surface, it's a stupid thing to do and unacceptable behavior from anyone, anywhere. The matter is made worse by a few factors, one being his lack of a real apology (he dances around it in interviews but is defensive and says he thinks he just "touched her back"), and as it relates to all of us, he's a Cub Scout leader. I always put myself in the shoes of a Committee Chair. What would I do if this guy was a leader in my Pack and I was the CC? I think I'd have a hard time not asking for him to resign. How could I just let this go? He doesn't seem all that remorseful, and frankly I think he's a YPT risk since he publicly slapped/grabbed the behind of a young woman who could could have been a teenager. She appears very young (she's 23), but for all he knew she could have been a high school intern working for the local news. At the very least his judgement as a leader in a youth organization should be in question, and at worst his membership should maybe be revoked. Surely it will be if he's convicted of a crime here.

First, I'm assuming innocence until proven guilty. That said, I'm struggling with the "at retreats and meetings" part of things. What was happening at meetings that there was ample opportunity for abuse to take place? This implies a massive breakdown in YPT procedures. Obviously we don't know all of the details, but I'm struggling to imagine many situations in which this could go on unnoticed by other adults, and so I'm inclined to agree with @ParkMan that the whole unit should be looked at with great scrutiny, possibly even suspended/shut down.

Our Pack has done "Pack Pride Day" in the spring, wearing Class B t-shirts to school, but mostly as a recruitment tool. I could see this being done in Class Bs, but wearing the full uniform to school can be tough for kids. I know they should be proud to be scouts, and most are, but wearing the uniform in school rarely has the intended effect. Unfortunately it invites more criticism than compliments. I wouldn't even ask my son to do it. But ClassB he's ok with.

Anyone have a good resource for someone who knows zero sign language to learn a few Scout-related phrases? Most importantly, how to sign "Be Prepared", but any others would be a nice bonus for me to know. I've done some googling but I'm not knowledgable enough with ASL to know what the proper sign is, ASL vs. standard sign language, etc., and I don't want to get the wrong signs. I made the classic scout leader move of volunteering to teach this and will now go about figuring out how to do it so I can teach it. 😄

I've been asked to do a demo at a Pack meeting on how to stay comfortable overnight while camping. Tips and tricks for staying warm, being comfortable in the tent, etc. This is one of multiple "stations" at the Pack meeting, round-robin-style and I'll be working with small groups of 5-10 scouts at a time, mixed ranks/ I've done it before and gone through the usual basics, best-practices with a tent to stay dry, how to stay warm, and little tips like bring a pair of slip-on shoes/slippers for those middle-of-the-night bathroom trips so you don't have to lace up boots. My problem is that this is all very "Let me explain this to you" in format, and Scouts get antsy and lose interest. How can I make it more interactive or fun? Another Scouter suggested making it into a game somehow, but I'm at a loss for what kind of game you can make out of learning how to stay warm in your tent. Any ideas?