InquisitiveScouter

This could mean the court will also deny Nationals move to have the court view the councils as separate entities for purposes of the overall litigation. Better go take some nice pictures of the camp you grew up with...it could be gone in the near future...

Sorry, but that kind of real Scouting doesn't pay the CEO's six figure salary. We need revenue! Sell more popcorn!

@Eagle94-A1. Unfortunately, the details of your story are not uncommon. There are many systemic issues across the BSA and US culture that do not bode well for the organization.

All good! But most council camps around these parts are about generating revenue for the council first, with Scouting a fairly distant second.

^^^^ Does this seem just plain wrong to any of you?? Good on you @RememberSchiff for meeting the need directly! Spot on!

We all failed. We try to pre-package Scouting into discrete things like merit badges, Summer Camp, service projects, etc. Scouting is a game with a purpose! Did he have a good game? Did we meet the purpose? What makes an Eagle Scout? As a Scoutmaster, I have written many letters of recommendation over the years. Some are easy. Some are not. The easy ones are long letters regaling the BoR with how I have watched this young person grow and learn, and some of the experiences we have shared. They usually end with this statement, "Jimmy is an Eagle Scout, and I am glad you have the chance to meet him and confirm what I have learned." For the ones that are not easy... "Jimmy has met the requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout."

Ad blockers

Time to make the distinction between Scouting and the BSA??

Jameson76, That would be the cat's meow! A Troop having its own week long Summer Camp would be Scouting at its best:) I encourage you to try it... One issue with "industrial" Summer Camps is that Scouts are too "busy", as almost every moment of their day is scheduled for them. I encourage Scouts to keep one or two merit badge sessions free to do whatever they wish...nap, fish, hike, play basketball, swim, read, bird watch, contemplate the universe, etc.

Remember when the youth forms used to be good for 3 years??

Just had our Committee Meeting via Skype. Went really well.... We are finally getting with the 20th century! (Yes, 20th, not 21st)😛

That's a good idea, Barry.

Feedback is a gift Thanks, Qwazse. Agree. "If I had more time, I would have written you a shorter letter." Who said that? Well, I have some corona-time now, so will revise accordingly...

malraux, Thanks for the input. I purposefully left those in. As you surmise, we are boy only. Will reconsider, though...

Thanks, Dale. Appreciate your taking the time to read...

Scouters, We are still planning for Summer Camp. Here is the info I send out to New Scout parents. This has been well-received in the past, but it is an issue I still deal with every year. Last year I had two egregious offenders. I would appreciate your input on the message following... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- If I were the King, I would decree that no parents should go to Summer Camp the First Year But every parent knows their new Scout much better than I do, at this point, so I defer to your right as parent to make the call. If the only way we can get a Scout to participate in Summer Camp is to have a parent attend, then the parent should go. If you and your Scout decide he can accept the challenge without you, then I would encourage and recommend you to give him that space and not go. This is a very delicate time for these young men. They are closer and closer to bridging into manhood, and many of them are just beginning to face their fear of that unknown and level of responsibility. Separation from parents and the comfort of home for a week is a test most have not yet gone through… In my experience, the first year of Summer Camp, after crossover, is a watershed event. When many new Scouts get that first “full taste” of what the Scouting program is for older Scouts, they choose to stop Scouting. It will be hot, sweaty, uncomfortable, and buggy, with new and unfamiliar foods, faces, and activities. Some things they will absolutely love, but they will not be good at some of the new experiences they are going to try, and many find they cannot deal with that level of physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual discomfort. For some, it is a breeze. The norm I have seen is that a few parents choose to go who are concerned for the health and well-being of their Scouts, and who have not yet established a level of trust in the way we do things. And that is just fine with me. Scout camp is a great place for you to either build that trust, or decide we are a bunch of incompetents who shouldn’t be allowed to take kids into the woods. Maybe one in a hundred comes to the latter conclusion. (Everyone experiences Scouting differently.) There will be some ground rules though… You are there to provide the same level of attention and help to all Scouts. If your Scout is getting “special” treatment from you, it makes the others whose parents aren’t there feel pretty down. This can contribute to serious homesickness for those whose parents are unable to attend. It has been the most prevalent issue with parents attending. One of the best compliments your Scout could get at the end of the week from his buddies would be, “I didn’t know that was your Mom/Dad!” You should not (actually, must not) pack your Scout’s gear. You can review the list of gear with him at home, and watch him pack it to make sure he has what he needs, but this should be on him. You will not be allowed into your Scouts’ tent to help him unpack, find any items, or otherwise deal with minor issues. He needs to struggle on his own, and seek help from his buddies. Without challenges, there is no growth. He will also have a tent mate who will probably be uncomfortable with you being there. We respect their privacy, but do conduct health and safety checks of their quarters. If you notice any issue, it is best to bring it to the attention of the Scoutmasters, and we look into it. Unless there is a serious or life threatening situation, you should be pretty much hands off…in observation mode…minor issues, injuries or illnesses should be dealt with by the youth leaders giving First Aid under the supervision of the Scoutmaster Corps. If a situation needs to be elevated, we let the camp health staff take care of it. My first response to most questions or issues is, “Did you ask your Patrol Leader?” If the Patrol Leader is baffled, I ask the PL, “Did you ask the Senior Patrol Leader?” And then I follow up to make sure the issue was addressed appropriately. You should take some training as an adult while you are there. Summer Camp is a great learning environment for everyone. Hope this helps you understand our philosophy of parents at Scout Camp!

I get the corporate structuring of Arrow and BSA. What I was writing about earlier was that Surbaugh was an officer of the two separate 501c3s, but being paid the exact same salary from both. Doesn't really pass the sniff test...

Great time to try some virtual Scouting with Skype or other platforms. Public Health and Emergency Prep MBs are great candidates...

Yeah, that doesn't pass the "Headline Test"

We had our Scout meeting entirely outdoors last night. Except for getting flags and going to restrooms. Our sponsor requested we station an adult at the door with hand sanitizer to give everyone a squirt, and also asked for handwashing immediately upon entry (yes, right after the sanitizer.) We cheerfully complied. Our Scouts have never been cleaner!

Additional data point... National supply currently says they are 49 1/2" x 35" x 35" https://www.scoutshop.org/catalog/product/view/id/2311/s/neckerchief-with-silver-embroidery-64073/ Maybe if I stretched it a lot...

TAHAWK, "Re square neckerchiefs: It's not the heat it's the humidity." You got that right!

My military issue triangulars are 37x37x52 and some are 46x46x65 (I like these a lot) On line suppliers for commerical market are in the range of 40x40x56 (OSHA requirement to meet ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2015) https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.151AppA https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.266AppA http://dir.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/dirnvgov/content/News/Useful Guidance for First Aid Kits.pdf Our Scout Supply Troop neckers measure 34x34x48. Although another "researcher" has data saying otherwise https://observer.wunderwood.org/2010/11/09/how-big-is-a-scout-neckerchief/ First Aid supply checklist in Scout Handbook calls for 40 inch (driven by OSHA/ANSI I suppose). I have a little experience teaching First Aid, and find the Scout neckers fine for youngers/smallers, not good for the heftier IMO, Scout Supply neckers should, at a minimum, comply with the 40(x40x56) (isosceles right triangle implied?) called for in Scout Handbook for First Aid. G2A&I says "Special neckerchiefs, the same size as the official ones, may be authorized by local councils. Such neckerchiefs may include identification of the chartered organization. The standard designed neckerchief may be personalized with troop number, city, and state." (Who follows the G2A&I?? 😣) Any of you ever ask council approval for a custom Troop necker? Or would you? "No" on the squares....doubling the material seems hot to this southern boy...

haha...you are almost as jaded as I am

@qwazse, I wish they roamed the streets of our city or village...;) In their free time (if they even have that), most Scout-aged youth around here now stay at home, play video games, and "socialize" through the Interwebthingy. Remember coming home from school, dumping your books and riding around on your bike or playing Nerf football/stickball/street hockey/hanging out at your fort until it got dark? That's alien behavior these days. I'm for taking them camping...better health outcomes in the long run vs obesity, diabetes, mental health issues, etc...