OaklandAndy

I've got a buddy who is looking for an old Boy Scout axe with the logo on it. Seeing how many of you have been involved way longer than I have. where can I find one for him? I thought it would make a pretty cool Christmas present. Thanks!

Patrol, my bad. Dang military slang is still hard to get rid of after all these years.

Completely agree. It's a big deal for the little ones. We "solved" this issue by letting them pick out their squad patch (dragon, moose, etc.) and come up with a creative name. It seems to be working as we retain most of our older kids who've been in the program for 3+years at that point.

Well that's just funky. You are correct, only the COR can hold 2 positions within a unit. Being a UC does not automatically make you a committee member by any virtue. They can be an ASM or CommMem, but not both, at least not on paper. If they are wearing multiple hats and fulfilling different roles, that's one thing, but still only 1 position on paper. At least that's my understanding. If it becomes an issue, that would be something your CC and COR to discuss.

What makes an area/community eligible to participate in the ScoutReach program? I'm sure there is some type of income cap for the area, county, or something like that. All I find online is brochures about participating, but no set requirements outside leadership requirements and charter stuff.

100% worth it. I taught Rifle/Shotgun during summer camp for 2 years, with some other events outside of camp, and the look on their faces when it "clicks" is satisfying EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. Feed the bureaucracy their paperwork so you, and the scouts, can reap the rewards.

I haven't looked at the SSM in awhile, but I know as of last year, you don't even need an RSO to run a range during summer camps. Outside summer camps, yes. During...no. Hmm.

We are pretty remote. They paid a couple hundred thousand to run fiber optic under/above ground for about 3 miles. But I guess we're not that remote if we were able to get it. Just expensive!

Our camp upgraded it's wifi to help leaders who need to work. While it's only accessible from "base camp" and not at the campsites, it seems that the password gets leaked to the scouts and they end up sitting all over the place. It turned into an "encampment" and it was disturbing. Resolving one situation created another one.

Totally agree! We actually work with the local multicultural community center in town. We are starting our first, hopefully not last, pack yard sale with all proceeds going to the center to help support their after-school and summer programs. In turn, hopefully we have enough exposure to recruit some of those youth that go to the center. If not, oh well. That was never the aim anyways.

I feel this so much where I'm at. This statement right here is 100% true. As a pack, we have done all we can do make the program as "free" as possible. This includes offering sponsorships for families with multiple youth and just can't afford it, paying for all the program fees, reducing the "requirement" for a complete uniform, and doing away with annual unit dues. Luckily, we have lots of participation with fundraisers and this is the only way we can keep the program affordable in our rural town. Sometimes, I feel like we are doing what the council should be doing. Right now, we're looking into getting a pack neckerchief so they don't have to buy a new one every year. But that'll come down to a pack vote.

No, you are raising moderator awareness for something that has not happened. I never said anything about silencing folks on here or even referenced moderators to begin with. And when asked about silencing them, I gave an example on when I would think they would step in. In-person issues that have not happened? They are and continue to happen. Do I point them out on here? No, I don't even know who anyone is. I address it as I encounter them IRL. Nonsense? No haha. But now I know where you stand.

What happens on this forum is not for me to decide nor is it my place to "ask". It's a public forum. I would think the moderators would silence those who become aggressive and threatening. Neither do I and I hope no one ever would. Outside this forum is another story.

Upset, not at all. I just don't understand why people would say they support all youth in scouting then turn around and discuss why they disagree with having those very same youth in the program. "Can you show me the results of the membership (emphasis) survey that had the majority support current membership policies, because I have been looking for years." No, I can't. I assumed National did their due diligence so that's on me for thinking so.

I have not been around as long as most, I'm sure. Having these discussions here without the "key players", those who make these kind of decisions at the National level, is not input. Just discussion among concerned members. I didn't think I would have to say it but when the actions and decisions made by the organization are just plain wrong, they obviously you have to speak up. It's not "eyes of the beholder" when the majority agrees. We're not talking about purging people who disagree, we're talking about purging those who take actionable steps against the mission of serving youth. Then clearly we're miscommunicating somewhere.