InquisitiveScouter

For the most part, people in our community love Scouts. They love to see us in uniform. They love to see us out and about, whether keeping youth active outdoors, or on a community service project. Nearly every time...I mean EVERY time we are out, people come and talk to me either about their positive experience as Scouts, inquiring about what we are doing and why (the SPL's hate me because I always make him talk with these people ), or thanking us for being a "force for good" in the world. People get it...they know the value of good citizenship and character building.

Sad... We were, in the past few years, "shopping" for a new CO (another story). Our local fish and game allowed us to meet there for a time. They loved having our Scouts participate in their rifle and archery events. But, a minority of parents would not let their Scouts participate, nor would let their Scouts attend any events (including meetings) on the property while the ranges were open. I was not a leader at the time. The Committee, at the time, had a discussion with those parents. It came to the point where our unit had to find another meeting location or lose them. We moved. Later, when I became a leader, I asked some of the parents what was the issue? At least five different families voiced a fear of guns and gun owners. They were afraid their kid was going to get shot while attending there. You cannot counter emotional responses with logic and facts, so I didn't bother. The move had already been done. The Scouts absolutely loved it while we were at that venue. SMH

i do not know how recent, but I know one restriction put on many BSA properties (including our council's) is a Conservation Easement. A property right (restriction?) transferred with ownership that prevents development. This would drive down the resale value, particularly for potential developers. Of course, these easements are done with money changing hands.

Bingo

We don't get in to such details. A Scout may work on the requirements for things at any time. Again, I am only pointing out the policy, as written, is ridiculously worded.

I agree with you completely. I did not write the G2SS. Yet, if anything were to happen on say, the Personal Fitness run, for example, I'd be willing to say BSA would not recognize it as a Scouting activity, nor cover any claims.

Now you know the silliness we are trying to point out

Totally agree...when in the woods, for example, I let some buddies (usually older Scouts) go on excursions as long as they tell me where they are going, when they will be back, and show me they have Scout essentials.

Didn't say it was the only reason, just one of them...

Yes, for realz... G2SS specifically now states "Two registered adult leaders 21 years of age or over are required at all Scouting activities, including meetings. " https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss01/ Scouts are not to do any activities without adult supervision. This has been written for some time now... Not just for overnighters...

Although I experienced abuse outside of Scouting, this all rings true... I didn't want to tell anyone because I truly believed my situation would only get worse as a foster... food, clothes, a roof, and some semblance of stability were the trade off. The sad part was, years later, when I confronted the couple and some of the people they knew, I found out that their adult friends knew about and didn't do or say anything to stop it. That "betrayal" hit me worse than the sexual abuse. Fortunately, Scouting was the place I could go for safety. Most of my mentors were veterans, and they helped me through some pretty tough times. But, without proof, it was the word of a white trash teenager against a "well-respected" member of the community. No one was willing to be my champion.

That is correct, technically, if they want to do the activity to count for anything in Scouts. I think what @qwazse was saying is that, youth are leaving Scouting to go do activities which we would call scouting. For example, I know many older teenagers and young adults 16-21 (who are Scouts) around here who go rock climbing without adults. They tell me it is "too much hassle." I won't let my Scout go with them, but he has asked. When he turns 18, he'll prob go without asking Same for backpacking...my dear daughter, same age group, goes backpacking with her friends and college buddies. They don't want older adults around. I am pleased that she is often ribbed for being the only one who brought the first aid kit, map, compass...etc. She is, after all, an Eagle Scout!! Here's another one...although not specifically stated in the G2SS...in the BSA FAQ you will find: Q. Does this mean my son cannot have a sleepover if I am the only adult present? A. Yes, if any of the children other than your own child is a Scout, we strongly encourage all adults to use the Barriers to Abuse in and out of Scouting. https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/yp-faqs/ ----------------- Horse hockey...if my son wants to camp in the backyard with his buddy, who happens to be a Scout, and his parents are OK with it, it's just fine with me. This one is beyond the pale. BTW, if they say "Yes" and then say "strongly encourage", isn't that mixing the message. Also, why should it only apply if the other kid is a Scout? SMH

So, we are offering an opportunity to be awarded (notice I did not say earn) BSA's trademarked Eagle Scout product, under supervision of more than one adult? ☹️

In your council, call, and very nicely ask your registrar. They can only give you the council number though. National, ask Bryan on Scouting https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/contact/ They have contacts at National that might give an answer this year, and "Bryan" might post a piece on it.

+1

Mine does almonds...maybe I'll try cashews!! LOL

So, a synchronized event, because others must participate together at the same time?? Basically a webinar?? How long was long the course?

I asked for the same kind of info on accidents and was told no way, no how. They feared releasing too much detail and exposing themselves to some kind of liability. I thought that was BS-A. National does release accident summaries to help. I used to brief some of these at Roundtable. For other reasons, I have been removed from Roundtable presentations They could put the same thing on the web page for YPT stuff... https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/incident-report/incident-reviews/

Lol.. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=optomist

Yeah...it's a dog's breakfast having regional take it on. But if SM's are removed, all it will do is kill units... Putting down my crayons for now on this one

What about those people employed at the regional level... what do they fill their days with??? And could they be tasked to do Unit Compliance visits (inspections) every two to three years?

How about Commissioner also has to sign off on unit charter?? Just exploring an idea...

No, I'm sure that is National policy, but it is up to councils to enforce.

Preaching to the choir there, brother. My point is, somewhere along the line everyone does a cost-benefit analysis. "For the benefit of what Scouting has to offer, am I willing to undertake the cost of the 'regulatory' burden?" More and more people I know are answering "No" to that question. And, if they keep doing Scouting, those are the ones that consistently endanger youth and program.

And not just YPT...all the other G2SS provisions that add straws to the camel's back. When I am mentoring younger adult leaders to take on SM-type roles, this is the biggest pushback I get...too many rules and prohibitions... Are we near the breaking point with the burden of all those straws? If you want to get certain behavior out of people, you need to incentivize it. What incentive is there for someone to become an SM these days?? Although I agree enforcement is a joke, I doubt that rolling heads will help. It would only further discourage people from taking on the roles. Again I get to the radical idea of paying people to be Scoutmasters...then you can more easily subject them to some sort of inspection regime to ensure compliance.