r/BSA

So why exactly is it part of the scout oath and law that you have to believe in God? And it seems like it’s any god? What is the point of that? I’m not really understanding why someone that does not yet believe can’t join.

Maybe this is old news but it was a first for me. I am a hiking merit badge counselor. Today, I received a hiking plan for a 20 mile hike that was obviously entirely AI generated. The scout did not deny it.

Now, I think the hiking plan requirement is one of the really important parts of the merit badge. Being able to look at a map, understand what you need to be looking for and know where potential issues might occur. I believe using AI completely bypasses any opportunity to learn any of this. It's defeating the whole purpose of the requirement.

However, I also know that I can't make new requirements for a merit badge. There is nothing in the requirements that says AI is prohibited. So I did accept the plan. But I also warned the scout that AI can frequently be wrong and will hallucinate information and strongly encouraged them to double, triple, and quadruple check the plan.

Is this the new normal? Can I have a no AI rule for a merit badge that I am a counselor for?

Hi all,

I’m starting Christmas shopping for my kids, and both would be interested in receiving items related to camping/scouting.

We have a good handle on general camping equipment, but is there anything that you or your kids really love that would enhance the camping/scouring experience? We have a 6 year old Tiger Scout and an 11 year old in Scouting America.

Thanks!

I wanna plan thw date for my coh but I'm unsure who to talk to and get it approved.

My sons troop requires the scouts to have the actual green book for scouts and then of course there is scoutbook. Now there are discrepancies because the book is different than the electronic scoutbook.
What is the purpose of the actual hard boon at this point? I also want to add to the frustration of completing a merit badge that holds half the 1st class requirements and none of the work he’s completed being accepted for the rank because one is for rank and the other is a merit badge. It’s the same material.

TL;DR: I figured I'd ask the braintrust here if you've had any experience with Ozark Trails or Bass Pro Shop 4-person dome tents.

We have had the good fortune of seeing our Troop grow over the last year (yeah, it surprised us, too!). Typically, we've used Coleman Sundome 4-person tents, which are of decent quality (and formerly decent price). We've seen prices go from $38 on Prime Day to $76, so maybe we should look around.

Ozark Trail has one for $30 on sale, and Bass Pro Shops carries a $50 tent. They both appear similar to the Coleman tents, with big mesh openings, taped seams, a rugged floor base, and a rainfly

I know Ozark Trail (the Walmart house brand) makes shockingly good bikes, but I don't know too much about he quality of their camping gear. I've enjoyed Bass Pro Shops duffel bags for years, but I honestly don't shop there much.

Hi, all. My AOL and I are planning on visiting local Scouting troops for next year. While I am highly active in her Cub Scout pack, I am completely lost as to how the next level works.

So far, I see differences like Scouts meet weekly and throughout the entire year, and it's less of a big deal if you miss now and then due to schedules or life in general; that most camp frequently; and that there are ranks and merit badges, but...that's about all I can gather with no real context.

Yes, I went directly to the scouting official website, but it was almost more confusing, because now it looks like there are Sea Scouts, Venturers, Explorers....can you see why a Scouting-level newbie would be overwhelmed? 😆

Can anyone point me to a simplified breakdown of how scouting at that level works? What are the different ranks, how do you progress, etc? And as for the other areas (Sea,Venturers, etc), what are those? Are they an area of scouting that you can participate in as a scout, or a different track? I know nothing, so I will not be offended by a dumbed-down version of literally any aspect of it all.

Thanks a ton in advance!

Scrambling a bit as we prep for Camporee a week from Friday. (Hello anyone else from Mecklenburg Apache district!) Our usual trailer-hauler is unavailable for the weekend, so we’ll be splitting MVP* gear among the vehicles.

This will give me a good chance to tag EVERYTHING and kickstart our inventory and checkout system. (Yay!) so my question is: Can I write on tents and rainflies with a Sharpie without damaging the waterproofing?

*My brain was supplying Minimal Viable Product because I work as a systems analyst, but they’re also our Most Valuable Players in the gear. This includes my coffee supplies.

In my youth, I frequented Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch outside of Walsenburg, CO and enjoyed the multi-day, multi-assault trek without "resupply" and "programming" stops throughout. Now as an adult, I see that the ranch was sold a few years ago and as I look at my scout reaching high adventure age in a few years, I am curious what ranches and programs are out there for high adventure treks that are truly putting on a pack, walking into the wilderness, and living off what you brought for days to a week?

Okay, so I'm running out of time and the beneficiary wants my project done. Some of the required materials for the project may have a long lead time. Would it be allowable for me to order materials before the council approves my proposal, and if not, is there any way they can prove I didn't just order the materials after the approval. Quick replies will be appreciated.

I work full-time during the week, and therefore, I’m not available at all during the week.

I could be incorrect about this, but my understanding is that most camps expect their staff members to be available during the week. In your experience, is there any option to work only on the weekends? Has anyone done this?

Thanks in advance for any responses to my post.

Adult volunteer in Troop helping with maps & compass requirements.

I will be showing the kids Cal Topo for planning-printing maps.

Torn on free hiking app. I use All Trail and Gaia but curious what you all feel is the best free app for scouts.

Our Council has an annual camporee every fall which includes Merit Badge clinics for the troop kids and Adventure Classes for Webelos and AOLs. They are having a hard time getting volunteers to run the Cub adventures.

I started thinking they are missing an opportunity here. Why couldn't they recruit troop level kids to teach these adventures? Specifically current and former Den Cheifs. After all, one of the ways to earn their Den Cheif award is to staff an event like this. Does any other council do this? What challenges did they run in to?

I want to talk about Movo at an upcoming Roundtable and to help some of the units I support as Commissioner how to roll it out. Like does it just read the Pin or does it read the Calendar in Scoutbook? So if no meeting is planned for an upcoming week will it tell people this if they ask about upcoming meetings? The Pin may say meeting every Tuesday, but in reality no unit meets every week so I want to be sure Movo isn't telling new families about meeting nights when they don't meet.

So what good or not so good things are you seeing about it? Also I'm trying to find ways for leaders to get the email again, we've had some Key Three changes where new Key Three leaders don't have the email to activate.

Just trying to learn as much about it as I can -- Thanks for your input.

I am an MBC for the Nature Merit Badge and just started it as a group with a patrol. I have been approved for a while, but this is my first time counseling for a merit badge. This requirement says “Make plaster casts of the tracks of a wild animal.” Since tracks are sometimes luck of the draw on finding them, is this something that would be acceptable if the group participated in making a cast together, or does it need to be each individual Scout making their own cast with their own track? Or is this an “up to the MBC’s discretion” thing?

Help I'm 17 trying to plan out my COH and I am so confused of the program I also have many questions if a fellow eagle scout or someone with knowledge can give me advice and some guidance can you ?

Do any units have experience taking the westbound Amtrak Empire Builder to West Glacier? What do you do when you arrive at West Glacier? The train arrives late at night (even when on time). Apgar campground, our destination, is about a 3 mile hike away. Shuttle services and ride shares don’t appear to guarantee service or be readily available at night. Nearby lodges are $$$ and booked. Just trying to see if there’s something I’m missing.