BetterWithCheddar

And I've yet to quit my corporate job over the constant DEI and ESG pushes. That doesn't mean I'm 100% on board ~ I just like it when my paychecks clear and I can pay my mortgage and buy food. 🙂 I'd imagine it's the same deal for some boys ~ they do what they need to in order to earn the badge.

To my knowledge, they do not collect a program fee. My son and I have participated in a few one-day events where the charge has been nominal ($10-$15/person). I'm assuming the liability insurance compounds with overnight stays?

This feels like an appropriate forum to vent: I'm putting together an email for families in my son's den that contains details on upcoming events hosted by our council. One such event is a "family scouting outing" at a local council camp. The cost is $45/person. So, hypothetically, a family of 4 would pay $180 to attend an event on a property owned by the council and staffed by volunteers. This does not even include meals. $180! 😬

I sympathize to some degree. I tried volunteering after college and I just felt out-of-place. I wasn't fully accepted as an adult, but was obviously too old to be a participant. I recently became involved again as a parent and have (mostly) enjoyed that experience. OP - while I hope you find the right role in your new council, it's OK to not volunteer right now. Enjoy the season of life that you're currently in.

Here are some additional articles on the Milwaukee camp closures. The first link is from 2015 when the council announced they were going from 4 camps to just 2. The second link is for a follow-up story where staff, alumni, and other fans of one camp attempted to form a non-profit to buy the property from the council. It was eventually sold to a logging company who agreed to lease a portion of the camp back to the non-profit entity, but that arrangement only lasted one summer. It was a valiant effort, but it's gone now. Northwoods Boy Scout camps head into a poignant sunset (jsonline.com) Scout leaders, camp staff make bid to buy Northwoods camp (jsonline.com) So, there you have it: From 4 camps to 1 in less than 8 years. 😬

Hardly, but it's here. It'll be widely used in most professions and those who embrace automation will expand their productive capacities. It's the people who shy away from it and whose productive capacities remain the same that may eventually be displaced by AI. I'd fully support a pause on AI development in the US until its implications could be studied further, but I guarantee there are other countries out there who aren't looking back. A lengthy pause may doom our kids to live under the thumb of an oppressive foreign government for the next 100 years. A scout is brave, right? It's best to push forward while simultaneously developing an ethical framework for governing AI use.

Those green shirts really pop in a sea full of khaki. It's a nice way to differentiate the staff from the campers ~ especially on a check-in or check-out day. One item on my dream retirement list (I'm still ~20 years out) is to provide in-kind uniform supplies to the staff at my favorite council camp ~ the one where I worked as a teen and where my Cub-age son will hopefully attend. It'd be neat to provide them with uniform shirts that were truly uniform (just a CSP and camp patch), plus a staff sweatshirt or pullover. I'm sure my folks spent over $300 to outfit me for my first year on camp staff and that was ~25 years ago.

We're just scratching the surface on AI. To be honest, I'm looking forward to when it can navigate Scoutbook for me.

For those not familiar with Scouting in Wisconsin, Three Harbors council serves Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties (which collectively have a population of about 1.3 million people). Milwaukee County Council merged with the Southeastern Wisconsin Council (Racine and Kenosha counties) in 2011. Following the merger, they had 4 council camps, but soon made plans to divest themselves of two camps in Northern Wisconsin (LeFeber and Robert S. Lyle). These camps were gorgeous, but a 3-4 hour from their core footprint. The two surviving camps (Indian Mound and Oh-Da-Ko-Ta) were much closer to the youth served by the council. I'm pleased to hear that Indian Mound will be under the stewardship of the local Potowatomi, but this has been a hard fall for Scouting around Milwaukee.

More often than not, I've seen camp staffers wear silver shoulder loops; however, I've also been part of a camp staff that elected to wear green tabs to promote Venturing because we were all registered members of the same Crew. Personally, I lean toward silver because it helps distinguish staff from unit scouters (so people know where to direct their questions). Ultimately, you'll want to clarify with the Camp Director or another senior staffer to determine what's most appropriate. Have fun out there!

This was a fun little exercise. Our local Scout Exec's salary and benefits total ~$140,000. Our council serve's ~9,000 youth (down from ~18,000 in 2019). This works out to roughly $16 per scout. We live in a low-to-moderate cost of living area where a mid-career college grad or skilled tradesman probably earns ~$80,000 per year (figure closer to $100,000 with benefits) Honestly, $140,000 for a Scout Exec doesn't seem THAT bad by comparison.

I can't speak to the specifics of my council's financials, but I've also noticed a shift toward the "event model," as you described. Assuming those events are successful, then I vastly prefer soliciting donations from rich guys at venues rich guys like to FOS.

What isn't expensive these days? I enjoy walking and spend $1,000 / year on walking-related expenses. 90% of my walks are done on the same 1/2-mile loop around my neighborhood. I will occasionally enter a half-marathon (which cost ~$100 these days). Figure a new pair of quality shoes every year ($150); replacement socks and compression shorts ($50); an annual trip to the podiatrist when something isn't quite right ($200); 2 actual "races" ($200); and foot care supplies ($50) - that's $650 per year for someone who just enjoys walking at a brisk pace 6 days per week. All of that and I still have a dad bod. 🙂 OP, at least it sounds like you're getting your money's worth!

I have a hunch that, at least in some areas, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find sufficient volunteer support to sustain programs from start to finish. Hence, the greater reliance on the professional corp. Having returned to Scouting as a Lion Den Leader after a 15-year hiatus, one big difference I've noticed is that the Council runs a lot of multi-district events that used to be ran by the districts themselves.

Maybe it is. I'm a former Lodge Chief. I was never drawn to the ceremonies or cheerful service. I appreciated the recognition as a youth, but was an active OA-member because it allowed me to go to my favorite council camp more often with my Scouting peers (the ones around the same age as me). If the OA were disbanded, Venturing would enjoy new life.

This has to be a big part of it. I'm in my late 30s, having returned to Scouting as a Den Leader. I still put program first, but reducing liability is a close second.

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I was never really comfortable using Native American imagery as a youth in the OA. I also attended a college that used a Native American athletics mascot - same deal there. I'm hardly the PC-type, but neither felt right and I still avoid the use of certain logos out of respect for individuals who may not be accurately represented by the OA- and NCAA-sanctioned symbolism. Again - not trying to make waves, but I suspect there is a silent majority on the issue who are largely indifferent, but (if pressed) would prefer to move on to something less likely to offend or draw criticism.

I think that's a rational response, but some volunteers have a lot emotionally invested in their Scouting service - especially if they were once youth participants and/or watched their child grow through the program.

This Wikipedia page is well-maintained with some nice visuals and brief descriptions of adult awards. Square knot insignia - Wikipedia I would agree - the Scouter's Training Award (green knot, tan background) is most appropriate for troop-level leadership, but don't feel constrained to providing just knots for recognition. Service stars are a great way to provide annual recognition to leaders. Plus, your district may have an annual award program for recognizing volunteers in your area.

BE PREPARED I liked @mrjohns2"Good Citizen" response. As a parent, that's really my number one goal - to raise a decent person who provides a net benefit to society (as opposed to being a drag on others). Everything else is a stretch goal. However, I think the Scout motto answers the OP's question pretty well. Scouting will eventually nudge my son out of his comfort zone when he's old enough to join Scouts BSA. Spending a weekend away from his parents and relying solely on supplies he and his troopmates packed will teach him independence and self-reliance. If he chooses to work on camp staff, he'll spend 6 weeks away from my wife and I every summer. Most successful adults have to occasionally operate outside of their comfort zones and Scouting provides a controlled environment for youth to be independent and make mistakes without serious repercussions.

I didn't assume it's a district function, but connecting with a knowledgeable person on the local level may be a good place to start. I doubt one could write to Aaron on Scouting to ask "How do I get my favorite Scoutmaster reinstated after a Youth Protection violation?" and expect to receive a reply.

OP, I'm sorry to hear of your predicament. Short of a youth participant actually getting hurt, that's my nightmare as a leader / parent - to be accused of misconduct with little recourse to defend myself. I'd ask for additional context, but I don't think it matters much. You might start by petitioning your DE or District Chair, but they may be unwilling or unable to discuss the matter due to its sensitive nature. Unfortunately, zero tolerance occasionally translates to zero common sense; however, please don't completely dismiss the issue as accidental. It seems like an odd thing for a parent to complain about if they didn't suspect impropriety. Hopefully, some more seasoned forum members can offer better suggestions. Good luck.

Welcome. I've been "corporate" since the day I graduated, but I find that makes the things I do in my limited free time all the more meaningful.

I'm afraid to ask (because I think I know the answer), but what's the rush? To provide immediate recognition, a Troop could announce: "We're pleased to share that so-and-so completed their EBOR. We look forward to honoring them at a future date once their application has been approved by the National Office." Gotta beef up those scholarship apps ASAP and get some Facebook likes, I suppose (or else it's like it didn't even happen 🙂).

Welcome back. The right mix of volunteers in your unit or community can make all the difference.