InquisitiveScouter

Dare you to post this as as a comment on that forum: Excerpt from a recent review of studies on video gaming: Frontiers Neural Basis of Video Gaming: A Systematic Review Background: Video gaming is an increasingly popular activity in contemporary society, especially among young people, and video games are increasing in popularity not only as a research tool but also as a field of study. Many studies have focused on... Video game use has been linked with reduced recruitment in the anterior cingulate cortex, associated with proactive cognitive control and possibly related to reduced attentional skills (Bailey et al., 2010). Likewise, exposure to violent content in video games is associated with lower activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, interfering with inhibitory control. The same team (Bailey and West, 2013) observed how video game play had beneficial effects on visuospatial cognition, but in turn had negative effects on social information processing. Lastly, video game exposition has been linked to delayed microstructure development in extensive brain regions and lower verbal IQ (Takeuchi et al., 2016). Another article: Playing shooter video games damages the brain, study suggests The Telegraph Playing shooter video games damages the brain, study suggests Playing “shooter” video games weakens the brains of young people and puts them at greater risk of dementia in later life, new research suggests. “Playing “shooter” video games weakens the brains of young people and puts them at greater risk of dementia in later life, new research suggests.” And another: This is Your Child’s Brain on Video Games Psychology Today This Is Your Child's Brain on Video Games Video games leave kids revved up, stressed out, and primed for a meltdown. “It’s not realistic to expect the brain to adapt to intense and artificial stimulation it was never meant to handle. It’s also not realistic to expect a child with still-developing frontal lobe to control their screen-time, whether that means managing how long they play a game, how they use or misuse social media, or how they behave afterward.” Another article on electronics and effects on our kids: Psychology Today The Mental Health Crisis is upon the Internet Generation Three ways that modern internet technologies are tearing our young people apart And one on limiting the use of social media: Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression |... Introduction: Given the breadth of correlational research linking social media use to worse well-being, we undertook an experimental study to investigate the potential causal role that social media plays in this relationship. Method: After a week of...

And is that all programs? My crystal ball says yes. With many double counts. So... I was on the phone with the Scout office the other day inquiring about an account balance in the store... A professional gets on the phone and asks me "How many new Scouts do you plan on recruiting this fall?" "None!" I say. Because, paraphrasing... 'We took on 18 crossovers this year because, for most of them, their traditional Troops have folded. We gained three Scouts as transfers because their Troops folded (and are awaiting the decision from three more Scouts). We have four youth newly recruited to Scouts, many driving a good distance because the Troops in their area folded. We planned and budgeted for 8 crossovers and two new Scouts. We've exceed our target by 150%!!! How many units do you plan on starting up this fall?' "Thanks for the info! See you around!" LOL

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 200% 😛

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 100%

Going there this weekend, as our Scouts love TI! Glad you had a great experience. Cradle of Liberty Council sold the Treasure Island portion (in NJ) of the property to a local businessman for $500K in 2018. The local businessman allows the Friends of Treasure Island to coordinate FREE Scout camping on weekends outside of Memorial Day - Labor Day. https://www.friendsoftreasureisland.org/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_Island_Scout_Reservation If you live within a reasonable drive, sign up for their email blast to get notifications of open campsites. The reservations go fast, and often a year in advance... If you are agile, there are often short notice cancellations you could take advantage of. Enjoy! For those interested in the history... the Marshall Island portion (in PA) was sold for $1M to the Port of Philadelphia as an environmental credit offset to their pollution. https://www.philaport.com/marshall-island/

An unenforceable edict??

The gold standard 😛

Welcome! No, it is not. But check with your local Scout Executive regarding a "waiver" to policy. YMMV.

Yeah, we just were camping in a PA State park two weekends ago. Some organization had a father-daughter thing going on about two campsites down. (Another Troop in between us.) Friday night, they were hooting and hollering after quiet hours, so I politely asked them to quiet down. They did for about 5 minutes, and then continued. (Dads had alcohol, btw...) I called the camp office and left a voicemail. They had no contact number for Ranger. I put in my ear plugs, but that wasn't enough. They finally went to bed about 2 AM. Next morning, I went to camp office to inquire about a Ranger contact number. The office said I should call 911 and ask dispatch to send a ranger out. I questioned this, and they confirmed that is what they wanted done. I smiled. When we went back by their campsite, noticed the ground was littered with trash, and coolers and totes overturned. Apparently, they did not know to secure all foodstuffs. Bears had ripped into everything. Schadenfreude. After we finished our day's activities, we had a discussion with PLC about the situation with neighbors, and now bears who were most likely to come back that evening. After a wonderful dinner, Dutch Oven dessert contest, and clean up, we packed up and went home. If they brought alcohol into a State Park (against the law), there's no telling what else might happen. Best to walk away from that kind of situation.

NOOOOOO!!!! This is why a quality UNIT staff including TRAINED and KNOWLEDGABLE volunteers is critical along with solid so that, ultimately, you have no need of district/council staff support. This should be the gold standard! Growing up unit volunteers so they do not need commissioners, district, council, national!!!!!

Hey, do den activity to make your own slide!!! A few pieces of cut PVC, glue, paint, and googly eyes... whammy!!! den creative activity and cost savings. Find some belt loop that counts for!! Ditch the BSA sliide!!!

Yes, we need a little more rigor in outdoor skills...

With a one-and-done scheme of advancement, this is, in fact, what you see now. Scout skills are dying out. Heck, most adults I meet don't know how to do requirements up to First Class. Most don't even bother reading or learning from the Scout Handbook. Anymore, few, and very few, are adept at Navigation, First Aid, Swimming and Water Rescue, Plant and Animal ID, basic Citizenship stuff, Wood Tools usage, Ropework & Pioneering, etc. etc. etc... it is disheartening...

And from the same newsletter... "Each interaction with a registered adult is an opportunity for personal growth and learning on the part of the Scout. It is through this interaction and association with adults—the conversations, the counseling, the instruction and learning experiences—that mission-oriented Scouting takes place. (GTA 7.0.0.2) Shortcutting this process in the interest of efficiency robs the Scout of the opportunity to grow, which is the heart of the merit badge program." Emphasis added. Spirit of the law, rather than the letter...

Guide to Advancement, Section 7 (emphasis added) "Since blue cards support the merit badge process as it is intended to function, the Guide to Advancement continues to reference and recommend them. It is expected that when blue cards are not used, advancement administrators at all levels will find ways to carry on the processes, interactions, documentation, and other nuances that make the process such a critical element in BSA mission achievement." "The blue card has three parts: the “Application for Merit Badge” portion, the “Applicant’s Record,” and the “Counselor’s Record.” It requires a total of four signatures—two each from the unit leader and a merit badge counselor. The unit leader signs first on the front of the Application for Merit Badge portion and gives the entire blue card to the Scout. Each signature represents interaction with a registered adult. It is through this interaction and association with adults— the conversations, the counseling, the instruction and learning experiences—that mission-oriented Scouting takes place. This association must occur even if blue cards are not used."

Used to be that way. Old blue cards said "approval" as well, iirc. Nowadays, it is simply a discussion betwixt Scout and Unit Leader, with the signature acknowledging that the conversation occurred and an MBC contact was provided. A Unit Leader cannot deny the opportunity to a Scout.

Correction... not a must before starting! A Scout can start working on any merit badge at any time. However, he cannot meet with a counselor until after having the discussion with the unit leader. That is the "must" and the "showstopper." If a Scout comes to me with no blue card, and says everything is being tracked in Scoutbook, I check the unit leader signature block in SB. If it is not checked, then the merit badge session is on hold until I verify with the unit leader. If the until leader gives me a verbal acknowledgement, then we continue, and I ask the unit leader to put the date in Scoutbook.

Educate yourself, please. Scout Handbook, page 418, outlines the merit badge process. This is a BASIC Scout knowledge requirement. Scout rank requirement 2d. Now, for your situation, accepting previously completed requirements (even is the Scout has a blue card) is entirely up to the Merit Badge Counselor. As a Swimming Merit Badge Counselor myself, if I was working with the Scout in your situation, I'd have her show evidence she has completed the BSA Swimmer check (I hate to call it a "test", because it is still a subjective measurement), and briefly show me each swim stroke. If the Scout could do that easily, I might not peel the onion back any further, and grant the Scout any requirements she says she completed. (Maybe with a bit of discussion.)

Yes, it is... a must, and should be a showstopper.

Yes, of course. But do not lose sight of the forest for the trees... the forest is the culture you (plural) need to create at your unit... one of the trees is that form. The standards must always be the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Do not set any other. (Like grades... that should be up to the parents, IMHO) And every Scout is unique (just like you, lol) and in unique circumstances. So treat every situation like it is brand new. Good discipline is not a formula. It's a relationship. And @SSScout is correct regarding hiring/firing. Just look at the adult application. Who signs it to approve? COR or IH Therefore they have to power to remove. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-501.pdf

Welcome!

No, they won't. I have been "one of the poorest" here. And I have travelled to over 60 countries on the planet. Many "developing" We have the richest poor in the world.

LOL, it's not really for the Scouts... it's for the parents. Ultimately, you are not recruiting Scouts; you are recruiting their parents. If you do not establish a safe environment for Scouts, you'll soon have none. Their parents will have taken them away.

Bottom line: If your adult leadership is not in harmony on how to deal with disciplinary issues, you will have problems. Does your Troop have a set of written expectations (Scout Oath and Law are all you need) and consequences? A written policy on how you will deal with disciplinary issues? (Bullying being just one of them.) This is an issue for all adults... Committee, Scoutmaster Corps, and parents. Our standard is the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Whenever a Scout (or adult) violates, we self-police. It starts at the Patrol Leader level and works up. (Under adult supervision, of course.) If the situation is not resolved and it gets elevated to an adult (an Assistant Scoutmaster usually) then the adult addresses the situation WITH ANOTHER ADULT OBSERVING (but not in the Scout's face... our object is not to intimidate.) It takes time to change the culture of a Troop. And a strong leader(s) who is willing to stick around to see change implemented. Upon matriculation to the unit, each family receives a copy of our Troop policies (Our Troop Handbook, if you will.) In it there is this section: ------------------------------------ Troop XX Code of Conduct Scouting activities are fun, memorable experiences. Troop leaders want Scouts to enjoy themselves and grow individually and as a Troop. During all activities, Scouts must behave appropriately, and in accordance with the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Not only does inappropriate and disruptive behavior ruin Scouting for others, it can be dangerous. Troop XX will not tolerate such behavior. The consequences of misbehavior will vary depending upon the severity of the action and the Scout’s circumstances. The PLC may address behavior under the guidance and approval of the Scoutmaster. Consequences may include verbal or written warnings to the Scout, excluding a Scout from an activity, parent conferences, sending a Scout home from an activity with a parent, or exclusion from future activities until leaders regain trust in the Scout’s behavior. The Scoutmaster or adult leader of each activity will be ultimately responsible for managing any breach of acceptable conduct. Scoutmasters may refer conduct to the Troop Committee for advice and action. If a Scout’s behavior or negligence results in damage to Troop equipment or a person’s property, the Scout will pay for repairs or replacement. The PLC may recommend, and the Troop Committee may direct using Scout Account monies to pay for damages. All Scouts and their parents will sign the current Troop XX Code of Conduct Agreement and Handbook Receipt before a Scout participates in Troop outings. ---------------------------------------------- Parents and Scouts must sign an agreement with the Scoutmaster governing behavior expectations and consequences. This establishes a culture, standards and consequences for Scout and parents. It makes it a little more "real" when a Scout signs his name... When we encounter conflict, we work through it using the template above. Each situation is different. In my seven years with this Troop, we have formally dismissed (in writing, that is) two Scouts from our Troop: one due to bullying, and one due to inability to control their physical outbursts with other Scouts. Two others have left during the process of addressing similar issues. Each case is documented, with written communications with parents, and discussed first with Key 3, then with the Committee and Scoutmaster Corps. Whenever we take the formal action of dismissing a Scout, we inform our IH, Commissioner (if we have one at the time), and DE (if we have one at the time) or Scout Executive. Scouts know they can come to us with issues, and we will deal with it fairly and quickly. Justice delayed is justice denied! Word has gotten around to parents that our Troop works diligently to keep a safe environment for Scouts. In that seven years, our Troop has doubled in size (and I don't mean by height or weight 😜 ) (This being only one of the reasons for the growth, IMHO.) Here is the Agreement: ------------------------------ Troop XX Code of Conduct Agreement and Troop Handbook Receipt Scout’s Name ____________________________________________________________________ I will behave appropriately during all Scout activities, living the Oath and Law, and demonstrating Scout Spirit at all times. I understand that misbehavior and inappropriate activities will not be tolerated. I understand there will be consequences if my behavior is not acceptable. I understand consequences can and will include warnings, sitting out during an activity, parent conferences, having a parent take me home from an activity, or exclusion from future activities until I earn trust in my behavior again, and demonstrate to my Scout youth and adult leadership that I can be trusted. ____________________________________________ _____________________ Signature of Scout Date I have reviewed the Troop Handbook, 2022 Revision, and discussed behavior expectations and consequences with my Scout. Furthermore, I understand I must make arrangements to pick up my Scout from an activity if necessary, even if the activity is out of town. ____________________________________________ _____________________ Signature of Parent or Guardian Date ____________________________________________ _____________________ Signature of Scoutmaster Date Scoutmaster will return signed agreement to the appropriate Committee Member for tracking.

Agreed that SB shows this, and that that is the proper order of things... that was not my point. A Unit Leader can invite a counselor without having that block actually signed in Scoutbook. Should it be that way? No, but the system allows it. A counselor can sign off requirements without actually having that block signed. Should it be that way? No, but the system allows it. So, in essence, SB does not "require" the unit leader signature before engaging the counselor. And it should!