InquisitiveScouter

Also, to be clear... we do not set up actual individual accounts for Scouts. It is simply money in the Troop account that is earmarked for use by the Scout. Money does not go from Troop account #12345 to Scout account #67890. All money stays in and is paid from Troop account #12345.

https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2014/12/03/individual-scout-accounts/

@Nate_m, you are missing the fundamental premise. ALL, repeat ALL, monies fundraised belong to the Chartering Organization. Period. Those monies NEVER belong to the Scout, nor to the Unit!! Now, that said, a CO is allowed to use SOME, repeat SOME, of the monies fundraised for the benefit of individual Scouts, and SOLELY for Scouting purposes. The IRS sets the rules for this. In a nutshell, a Scout may not receive a substantial benefit, although the IRS has never defined exactly what a "substantial benefit" is. It is a gray area. We can go deep down that rabbit hole if you like... The Unit Committee is acting on behalf of the CO when developing financial policies for sharing fundraised monies. The CO (if they care to) has final say over the disposition of all fundraised monies. 99.99% of them let the unit figure that out. Rarely will you hear of a CO interjecting into a Unit's business, but it has happened. Our unit uses a 70-30 split. So, if a Scout raises $100, $70 goes to the unit general fund, and $30 is kept for use on behalf of the Scout. If a Cub Scout never uses the $30, then that money may transfer over to the Troop, but only into the Scout's individual account, and not the Troop general fund. If the Scout never uses these funds, and ceases to be a member of the unit, then, and only then, do we transfer it back to the general fund. Fundraised monies may never be given to the individual or used to pay for items not furthering the purposes of Scouting. In the IRS's eyes, this becomes taxable income. If your Pack Committee has a policy in place to transfer these monies to the Troop, then you should adhere to that. It would be best if that was in writing in some kind of by-laws or policies book the Pack keeps. Good luck finding one 😜 Final note... it is illegal for you to transfer monies from a Pack under one CO to a Troop under another CO, without the knowledge of both CO's. This is tantamount to theft, so please tread carefully. This would be a donation from CO#1 to CO#2, and the financial powers that be may want some paper trail for accounting/tax purposes.

I absolutely guarantee your local council camp is in desperate need of help this summer. Do you have a free week during the camp season? Volunteer to work at the camp. They will likely give you a tent and meals gratis, for your effort. Even if you volunteer to be the lookout in the tower at the waterfront all week, it will be a great help. Or, if you are handy, ride with the Camp Ranger for the week (or work in the shop). There is always something that needs fixing at camp! Summer Camp is a great place to get "visibility" with many of your local troop leaders, district, and council folks. If you are looking to forge relationships, this is the most "bang for your buck." If you work for a major corporation, most have a "Dollars for Doers" program, where you volunteer X amount of hours, and they donate Y amount of dollars to the charity you work for. If you have this, volunteer at camp (knocks out the hours quickly), and have corporate send the donation to the council. There are a million ways to do this. Also, I totally get the reaction of others, but also totally disagree with it. We have built a system of Youth Protection that, if followed, should help remove some of that groundless mistrust. But, you must follow the YPT rules and Scouter Code of Conduct strictly. Do not give anyone reason to suspect, and gradually, that wall will come down. You will need to fill out an application for Camp Staff, and depending on your state, do background checks and some training, but that is all do-able. Again, what state are you in?

LOL, that's just downright dishonest... What state are you in, please?? We need some help 😜

The real answer is "No."

Because sexual mores are very different here in the US. I remember my time in Sweden, when I had discussions with many Swedes about views on sex. Very different. Still....

We def need some common sense tort reform

Because of the exorbitant cost (IMO) of most providers, I took a trip to Philmont and became a Wilderness First Aid Instructor for Emergency Care and Safety Institute, through the course at the Philmont Training Center. Took the family with (four of us, total), and it was a great "vacation." (Highly recommend that to everyone. PTC has some great courses.) Now, I am certified to teach WFA, FA, and CPR/AED. I did have to lay out an investment in course materials and training aids... several thousand, in fact. I charge less than half of what any provider charges, and, over the years, the course fees have more than paid for the CPR manikins, AED trainer and supplies, and approved course materials. I teach about one class every two months. (Have to teach two classes per year to remain current.) For each class, I say the training (my time) is free, but the digital certificate you have to pay for 😜 Lots of Scouts just opt for the training, to fulfill requirements for badges. As they get older and land jobs, many pay the nominal fee to get the certificate. Adults all get the certificates...

I hear this, too, and it baffles me. Realistically, 21 MB's is not difficult over a seven year span, if starting from cross-over. When BSA allowed young ladies to join and pursue Eagle, my daughter took the challenge. She asked me for advice on how to map out the program. We sat down and did that, looking at a timeline to complete it in the 19 months minimum required. She earned exactly 21 MB's, and completed the program in about 21 months, and still felt "rushed" in her words. (Of course, she had to wait for the Inaugural Class to be recognized at the 24 month mark after joining Scouts, BSA.) She never attended Summer Camp in BSA as a camper. She did work one summer as staff. Went to four years of Summer Camp as a Girl Scout. Overall, though, she enjoyed the process (especially doing Automotive Maintenance MB with dear old Dad!) Dear Eagle Scout son will turn 18 this month. Has 45 MB's, and has done seven years of Summer Camp. He only did three "Eagle-requireds" at Summer Camp: First Aid (which I had to go over with him again because he didn't really do the requirements at camp), Swimming, and Environmental Science. These last three years of camp were his favorite. Going to camp, hanging out with friends, having free time to chill in Hammock Hollow (that's what they called their Patrol's hammock encampment 😜), taking only one or two badges each summer. (of things that he really wanted to do... SCUBA, Shotgun Shooting, Wilderness Survival, Small-boat Sailing, etc.) He said these last few years have been the best. Too many people focus on the destination, rather than the journey to get there. https://mindfulambition.net/journey-over-destination/

But, @DuctTape , it is just so much easier if we all just do the same things together!!! Same meals, same activities, same campsite, same trail, same badges, same skills, etc... LOL Can't tell you how many times I have heard that... When was the last time you saw a summer camp that was patrol oriented? I mean, really patrol oriented?

There is a discussion of the role in G2A and the ESSP Workbook, but G2A specifically cites the Coach as optional for the Eagle Candidate.

It teaches them that there are jerks in the world who desire power for power's sake. They will have to deal with the same "in real life," but I have made a hobby out of smashing these "rice bowls" and finding ways to streamline processes. Best wishes to you guys.

Call the District Advancement Chair (DAC) to discuss this. Requiring and Eagle Project Coach is adding requirements to the process, which is strictly forbidden. When you talk with the DAC, ask if the District has someone who will review his paperwork as Eagle Project Coach. Tactfully, if necessary, explain why your son does not wish to use the existing unit coach. The District or Council may have someone who is acceptable to work with. A phone call may clear this up. If the DAC is adamant your Scout use the coach he does not wish to, then have your Scout submit the proposal, as is. You follow up with a note saying you counseled your Scout on the importance of a coach, but he has declined to use one (with excerpted verbiage from the GTA). If it comes back from District denied, then immediately start an appeal process. There is no Eagle Project Coach signature block on the Proposal Approval page! How old is your Scout?

National Scouting Organization? Context?

LOL, even that question is trolling 😜 For the benefit of those you have successfully trolled: Trolling The art of deliberately, cleverly, and secretly p&&&ing people off, usually via the internet, using dialogue. Trolling does not mean just making rude remarks: Shouting swear words at someone doesn't count as trolling; it's just flaming, and isn't funny. Spam isn't trolling either; it p&&&es people off, but it's lame. The most essential part of trolling is convincing your victim that either a) truly believe in what you are saying, no matter how outrageous, or b) give your victim malicious instructions, under the guise of help. Trolling requires decieving; any trolling that doesn't involve decieving someone isn't trolling at all; it's just stupid. As such, your victim must not know that you are trolling; if he does, you are an unsuccessful troll.

Understood. Ever hear of the phrase "shooting the messenger"??

I eagerly await this 😜

Now @Calion is just trolling. No further responses needed for this one. "Don't feed the trolls."

By doing it.

A 2015 council-sanctioned event: https://patch.com/new-jersey/baskingridge/cub-scout-pack-451-camps-out-rides-hovercrafts "Then the boys put on their helmets and rode hovercrafts across the gym floor—Back to the Future style."

This is what ours looks like! https://m.facebook.com/Troop276ByramNJ/videos/hovercraft-building/1015360082344677/ And another! But this guy is whipping it around in a "target rich environment" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTQjchn1KHE&ab_channel=videopapa

Not off topic at all! We have a home-made hovercraft we ride during our Webelos Open House recruiting event. It is an electric leaf blower mounted on a large plywood disc with a plastic sheet for a skirt. We have it on a tether for safety. The kids love it! Wish I had a video. Oh, Lord!! Is that a "vehicle"???... I guess it is... so now that's prohibited, too! Here's the concept... (ours works much better) https://www.facebook.com/Pack109ValleyStream/videos/-bullyhovercraft-project/1031681453610163/

@RichardB, what is the best way for us to give constructive feedback regarding the G2SS (and related policies)? Should that feedback be funneled to you, or somehow to another office of the BSA staff, or through our local council as a starting point? I sincerely hope the answer is not the last, as, over the years, I have had many valid concerns and observations disappear into that black hole. Most councils are very much afraid of seeming to have dirty laundry, and avoid (or ignore) these exchanges like the plague. (Why is that?) Thanks in advance for taking to time to share your thoughts & observations.

We used the bed of the pickup truck 😛