InquisitiveScouter

Agree with all of your observations. I have been volunteering now for the past 5 weeks, and general feedback from unit leaders is also along the lines you lay out. Program has suffered also, due to lack of staffing to offer some events and merit badges. HAB crews and Jamboree are taking away some of our more seasoned Scouts, as well, which is an additional hit to staffing.

And the most valuable resource you are asking any adult for is their time! Cub Scouts is family oriented, and requires a good deal of time from each family to make the program successful. They'd rather put their kids in an organized program that doesn't then require them to run it.

@fred8033, thanks for spending time with us around the virtual campfire! I hope your other pursuits will allow a visit from time to time. It was good to do some Scouting with you, even if only through electrons! Yours in Scouting, Inquisitive Scouter

The only issue we had recently was that automatic reminders were not working, so emails had to be sent each and every time you wanted a notice to go out.

Curious as to how 25 Scouts completed all the requirements as stated in one Saturday session? I worked on this with a Patrol of 10 Scouts in our Troop and it took 5 sessions of 1.5 hours each. Every Scout had to complete the requirements, as stated. So, for example, we had 10 different presentations for requirement 7. That takes a good deal of time. I think 10 Scouts was way too many for one class for this MB. BSA recommends a "small group", but does not say how small is "small". "Due to the maturity and skill needed to serve as the counselor of this badge, it is recommended that this merit badge not be offered in a summer-camp setting. It is not intended to be added onto the existing duties of summer-camp staff members or included in a class setting like a merit badge college. The intent is for the true learning to be experienced through the Scout’s own research. It will work most effectively in the Scout’s discussions with their merit badge counselor or in a small group setting. The goal is to have openness and depth of conversation. (This can be offered in a small group setting or with the merit badge counselor following Youth Protection two-deep leadership requirements of two adults and one youth.)." https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/merit_badge_reqandres/CitizenshipSociety_Counselors.pdf

We use it exclusively... works great. We have 53 Scouts. Many do not have email addresses, by parent choice. Parents get a copy of all emails...

Get a long thin dinner candle. Explain the behavior you want... "During the Scout meeting openings, there will be no talking after the SPL or the Scout opening the meeting has held up the Scout sign, and until we finish the Outdoor Code (or you are dismissed to Patrol meetings, or whatever it is that you do to end the opening." This period should only last for less than say 10 minutes. Explain that you will light the candle just before each meeting starts, and that you will extinguish it if the rules are broken. Tell them when the candle burns down (to a pre-marked level), they will get a treat or some other reward. Incentivize the behavior you want! Recommend you try one at home, and time the burn for say, one hour (or however long you think that should last). Then mark a new candle at that level. When they burn it down to the mark, reward them. Then try it for another behavior, or a little longer...

Our local camp is operating at approx 70% capacity for entire summer. Normally 8 weeks of camp, they even cut one due to low demand. Historically, 6 out of 8 weeks were full. Fourth of July week and final weeks of camp consistently had some space remaining. Most of Staff is young and inexperienced. Enthusiasm helps, but is not a substitute. Most of our 18+ college students did not return. I am volunteering here for the summer to help fill the void. We would not have been able to open some program areas had I not been here. Have seen and talked with "the usual suspects" in our council over the past 3 1/2 weeks. Generally upbeat all around, but there is a sense of decline among senior staff and unit leaders. Council leadership reached out to me for this support. Guess I am finally out of the doghouse 😉 A friend in need is a friend indeed. From my vantage point, we have a way to go before we are out of the woods.

We have a robust uniform bank, including gently used socks and belts. "We cannot afford a uniform" is, therefore, not sufficient reason for a Scout to be out of uniform. If you are going to set a requirement, then help provide the means or opportunity to attain that requirement. Want all new uniform bits, but cannot afford it? I have loads of yard work for the Scout to do... A Scout is Thrifty: "A Scout works to pay her own way and to help others. She saves for the future. She protects and conserves natural resources. She carefully uses time and property." Correctly wearing a uniform is an extenuation of "A Scout is Thrifty."

Correct wear of the uniform is a demonstration of leadership and setting the example. Be, know, do! Also, you can point out to each Scout who has a Position of Responsibility (PoR) that it is in his basic job description. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/510-046_PocketCards17.pdf That is, if the Scout with a PoR is not "wearing the Scout uniform correctly", then he is not doing his job correctly. Does a Scout have or want a PoR, and is not wearing the uniform correctly? Help them set a SMART goal to achieve that standard, and then get them to agree that, in order to receive credit for the position for rank, they must achieve that goal. (Unless there are extenuating circumstances, that is: "the dog ate my uniform" 😜 )

You can try, but it may not be in the system, and so may not be recognized...

INCONCEIVABLE!!!

Here're some that have worked for me... Go the extra mile: Send out a notice that you will sew on one patch for any Scout or leader who brings their uniform to the meeting. Bring a sewing machine and your box of sewing notions to a meeting and set up shop. Hand or machine sew... it doesn't matter. Offer to teach a Scout how to use the machine or hand sew. Keep track of who you sew on a patch for. They get one and only one, and you might help or guide on the rest. Bring sewing notions on a camping trip! Same idea... Incentivize the behavior you want! We hold a quarterly uniform competition. The Scout in each Patrol with the best uniform for that Patrol wins a prize (like an ice cream sandwich!!) Best in Troop wins an overall prize. Same for Leaders... best wins a prize. You are automatically not in the running 😜 Keep track of who wins. At the end of the year, have a special competition for the Scouts who won during the year. Get a good prize like a new Suunto compass or a 1-liter wide mouth Nalgene water bottle, or some bandages or a good pair of scissors for a First Aid Kit. Or $50 off Scout camp tuition.... (Never announce what the prize is before you have the competition.) Have a pizza and movie meeting night. Price of admission? A complete Scout uniform. (Don't worry about insignia for this!) When you announce this event, a month or so in advance, have a bin of old uniform items handy. If someone doesn't have something, they can take it from there... Yes, the uniform is one of the methods. And if your unit is not wearing uniforms, then you are not fully Scouting.

Check out your local KOA. Sometimes $40 per night for the whole family, accepts pets, and they usually have a swimming pool, and a lot less hassle. Call them... you might even get a discount if you tell them you are a Scouting family on your own https://koa.com/states-provinces/wisconsin/ Some have group sites, and you can camp as a Den or Pack there. KOA's should be on the council approved Cub camping list. ("Cub Scout camping is limited to their council’s designated locations with appropriate facilities.) $180 is outrageous for a family of four at a local Scout camp event, especially when not including meals.

I have counseled this for a few Scouts. One was a trombone player. As he already had experience playing, he was easily able to adopt his embouchure to the different mouthpiece. Bugle (field trumpet), trumpet, or cornet, as the MB pamphlet says... but not trombone or guitar 😜 From the requirements: "*NOTE: A bugle, trumpet, or cornet may be used to meet these requirements."

With 12 newbies, you may wind up with bats in your "bellwether-fry"

You have to order the awards directly from NRA. https://materials.nrahq.org/QualificationAwards/ Packet has certificate, medal, and rocker patch. Reasonable prices, but I do not know if that pricing is for NRA members. Please let us know. --------------------------- As to wear on the uniform? Two pieces of guidance apply from the Guide to Awards and Insignia: One rule that applies would say "No" you do not wear it on the uniform... "Badges of Other Organizations: The general rule is that badges awarded by organizations other than the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) may not be worn on an official uniform. This includes military medals and service ribbons." (page 9) However, another rule could override that one... Special Local Badges and Insignia: Local councils are authorized to adopt special badges and insignia as awards for particular purposes in harmony with national policies and to permit their use upon the official uniform in accordance with the Rules and Regulations, policies, and guidelines of the Boy Scouts of America. (page 7) I would say that the NRA awards are "...in harmony with national policies..." because the BSA relies on NRA programs and qualifications to conduct Shooting Sports using firearms. Check with your local council. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33066/33066_Section_1_WEB.pdf

So, another poster here asked to procure a medal. I called my contact in supply. She found none in a system query. After a few phone calls, she discovered that any that were in stock were recalled by National Supply Division a few months ago. (Thanks for the announcement, National!) She had not heard whether there was a new medal in the works, so could not confirm that report. So, if you have a previously-issued National Medal for Outdoor Achievement, then you have a collectors item.

I'll reserve judgment until I read their plan for implementation. There is a chance (albeit a very slight one, IMHO) that national may have an elegant solution. I know, I know... I'm laughing at what I just wrote, too. A Scouter can dream, can't he?

ASPL fulfills SPL duties when SPL is not present. Troop Guide does not...

@scoutldr is correct. "Cub Scout activities afloat are limited to council, district, pack, or den events that do not include moving water or float trips (expeditions)." See in depth Safety Afloat in Guide to Safe Scouting. https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss02/#j

You are welcome! Here is an article that may further clarify: https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2014/03/13/interpreting-under-the-auspices-in-national-outdoor-awards-requirements/ P.S. So any boating, swimming, cycling, camping, hiking, etc., done as a Cub Scout counts!

You can enter their miles in Scoutbook, to keep track for later awards in Scouts, BSA. Those miles count towards National Outdoor Achievement Award! Best Wishes!

Many existing CO's are watching these developments intently. I had conversations with two different COR's yesterday regarding this very issue. Both have said their CO's are on the verge of walking away, due to what they perceive as a lack of integrity and trustworthiness from local council and national BSA. After the sexual abuse scandal/bankruptcy, this is the next shoe to fully drop... Might the individual registration requirements be a move toward dropping the CO structure?

I love your post. Here are a few observations and words of wisdom for all... - The Scouts in your unit need you. Being a unit leader is the most important adult position in Scouting. Be, know, do. - When you wear the uniform, or identify yourself as a Scouter, you become an ambassador of the ideals and the movement. Unfortunately, people judge the movement from your words and actions. - Although you wear the uniform, and you are an ambassador, you are not responsible for the actions of others, nor are you accountable to explain them. Do not try. - You will always find those who do not demonstrate our core values: The Scout Oath and Scout Law. Distance yourself from them. Find a group of adults who agree to hold each other mutually accountable, and you and your unit will flourish. - The Boy Scouts of America is a corporation; Scouting is a movement. The two are separable, in spite of the attempts of the former to monopolize the latter in our country. (If the BSA goes Chapter 7, what will you do?) - The more integrity, service, and excellence you are able to achieve, and the closer you align your life with the ideals of Scouting, the more those who do not have those traits or ideals will hold you in disdain. When they hold power, they will attempt to marginalize you. This is true in any endeavor. (See Proverbs 29:27) When that happens to you, go back to the first point.