mrjohns2

? What sort of burner? Like a propane stove burner?

I did one for wood badge for my troop. For our inexperienced PLC a list with places, distances, and key activities that would be exhaustive of places to camp within 2 hours would make them more self sufficient and less at the whim of adult leader ideas of where is neat (even me). My ulterior motive was to turn around and give it to the lodge. The lodge was more or less “that’s nice, maybe we will get to it, do you want to be an advisor for it”.

Well, except the BSA doing alway with 2 levels of the structure and redefining what national means to councils and the focus of volunteers supporting that role. Maybe a better word is no changes to governance. The structure did change.

Funny you mention this. Each year, about 10 or so, 22’ish young adults from my work go on a ad box backpacking trip in northern Wisconsin. Different people, more or less, each year, but it is totally like a high adventure trip.

If this is true, it blows my mind. Our current commissioner does everything you see in the training / literature that a Unit commissioner is supposed to do. In addition to meeting with us, he HELPED (not hindered) with the charter, we have had an issue with popcorn money from council that he is working out, he helped us when we needed advice on an issue between a Scout and an ASM, and other things. We aren't very needy, but he is really part of our team of resources.

I can’t tell if you are being facetious or not. Our unit commissioner attends all Pack, Boy Troop, and girl troop meetings. He lets us know when he can’t. He also attends a normal unit meeting of each, each month or so. He does this for three COs. Each have 2 or 3 units. So, I’m the 3 years I have been on the troop committee, the commissioner is always there to help. He does a great great job of not “getting in the way”, but is there when needed.

I saw a run down of the NAM. I guess he was finally commissioned and is now, also, the CSE.

I agree. The merit badge focus is crazy. When I worked on Merit badges, 30 years ago, the concept of “merit badge worksheets/workbooks” didn’t exist, at least in my council. Kids have enough workbooks at school. Don’t make this school.

Only in the last 2 years did I even know that NAM existed. I was excited when it was streamed last year, that is, until I listened. Even then it was very plasticine and fake. This year, I could only take about 20 minutes of the membership growth meeting. It just doesn't seem real or sincere.

This argument has started to change my mind. I may be coming around to agree with you.

How was Scouting University used? They produced the online trainings there? I have also heard they did professional training there. What were the other uses? How long did it exist? Can someone explain what is being lost?

My theory on the theory of the $25. Since they prorate, and so many Cubs join in September and so many don’t re-up, they see that as a nearly full year registration foe only 4/12th’s of a year. It hurts everyone and makes the program more expensive, and sucks if you join in January, but that is my theory.

With the national annual meeting for the BSA happening now, I actually didn't know it was for Ireland until the last link. Wow.

I know that one saw that during the pandemic. Got to a very good spot, all things considered.

The scary thing is, maybe they don’t need to. Are their camps in surrounding councils that can? Then that may be the path forward.

Why did you respond like I didn't give 2 different scenarios? Let me say it again.... 1) If the unit isn't dissolving, the money stays with the unit. 2) If the unit is dissolving, then the money isn't the CO's cut and dry. What part of the rules and regulations of Scouting am I not understanding? If the unit is dissolving, it is NOT THE CO's UNLESS IT WAS FROM THEM OR THE PARENTS. If it was raised for Scouting, it goes to Scouting, not the CO. Rules_Regulations_Sept20 (scouting.org)

It is a bit more complicated than that. If the unit isn't folding, than it still belongs to the unit. If the unit is folding, then it sounds like the funds need to be redeployed for Scouting use in the local area. It hasn't always been worded this way. "In the event of the dissolution of a unit or the revocation or lapse of its charter, unit funds and assets must be used to first satisfy any outstanding unit obligations. Any remaining assets obtained with funds raised in the name of Scouting must be redeployed for Scouting use in the local area. Any assets obtained with funds from the chartered organization or parents of registered members may be redeployed as agreed upon by the chartered organization and local council."

OA weekends - yes. This includes LLD. Conclave? I just read through the standards. National Training weekends, yes. Council sponsored activities, including the National Council? Yes. I think the Conclave's host council/lodge would be the ones to head this up. It is a council event that invites other lodges/councils.

What is the "Traditional Rover uniform". Can you post a link?

Why would a lawyer be as qualified as say, CSA researchers, CSA focused socialists sociologists *edited by moderator for what I assume to be a mis-chosen word*, and I don't know, anyone who is an expert in the area vs. someone who is a lawyer in the field? I am not saying this as anti-lawyer, but as someone who knows that lawyers who specialize are good at what they do, but CSA programs isn't an area that lawyers specialize in. Can lawyers confirm that the prescribed advice is being carried out? Sure. Know the current best practices in the area? Not likely. They are the monitor. They are not the one who comes up with the program.

I keep calling it YPT, but the question at hand isn’t YPT, but the results (output measures) of YP. So, YPT could be poor, but is YP getting the results we want/need? Due to the lack of transparency, we don’t know. The poor implementation of YPT makes one question the quality of the system even though it is just an “in process” type of thing vs. “result” type of thing.

Was this before or after covid? All units on our council have been doing 1/tent for the last 14 months for covid, not YPT.

I agree. You don’t need to be thrown out depending on the violation, but a trend would be useful. It is done in industrial safety systems all of the time. At my work you could have 1 minor safety infraction and it would just go on your record. A trend of minor infractions, is a problem. For a medium infraction, you may get sent home for a day without pay. You can get fired for a major infraction. We are not talking an injury here, just not following the rules. I know there is another thread on how to improve YPT. This would be one. I might have said this before, but no “corrections” or “near misses” would say you are not looking hard enough and your system isn’t healthy.

YPT has changed every couple of years. Examples include not allowing Scouts more than 2 years apart from sharing tents. A couple of years before that, you need 2 21 year old adults, not just 1. Also all registered users need YPT, vs direct contact. Even recently, troops can’t have any adults in Scoutbook that aren’t registered (and YPT). These are just off the top of my head. It is an ongoing thing. It is far from NOTHING. You must not be a current leader, as we have to stay up to date on the rules and constantly correct those who forget about the new rules vs the old.

I agree, but to continue to throw garbage doesn’t help anyone. Who in this forum has said that is ok? I believe some of the frustration that some are seeing with the BSA national leadership are being taken out on those that are committed to the program. I still insist the loss of the program is not minor. I have never compared it to being abused, because it can’t be. To say the loss of the program, or a camp, is minor is not not understand the time and blood that has gone into it over the years.