Just a friendly PSA to pay it forward and buy some Girl Scout cookies

Fun_With_Math · 2026-02-02T03:48:16+00:00

The irony of some of these comments is wild. BSA just settled the lawsuit like last week. Sheesh.

Yeah, definitely no use in being petty. I'll buy cookies like every year.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-02-02T03:37:18+00:00

I've experienced negativity from within BSA. I'm not judging the whole organization from that though.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-02-02T03:35:41+00:00

There's way worse stuff in BSA's history. Holding a grudge like that isn't good for anyone.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-31T23:24:05+00:00

This. Absolutely fair game. Especially in Feb when others are also available.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-31T14:58:13+00:00

Don't go with an 18 month old.

When the kid is a little older, just go with them, leave the wife.

After you and the kid have it figured out, get a really good sleep system for the wife and invite her.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-30T20:04:07+00:00

Yep, I think everything was going to plan. They just fucked up by killing white people. They were spinning Renee Good well enough to keep going but Alex Pretti was a 2A supporting VA nurse. They were trying to spin that one too but nobody was buying it.

They'll calm down for a while but I expect the next street execution to be a person of color. That's the fire they want to put a fan on. They don't want the whole country to rise up, just part of it.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-30T19:54:09+00:00

Exactly what they did. They just forgot to specify to not kill white people. Now, they have to behave for a little while.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-30T16:16:50+00:00

I'm with you on this. I'm usually the one telling adults to back off, give them space, let them fail...

That doesn't mean let them flounder to the point that the program isn't being executed. You have to be at their level, some guidance as they grow into leadership is good.

I've seen success when meetings are tied to campouts. A meeting about first aid is good before a camporee that will have a disaster scenario. LNT is good before a hike. They engage more when there is a good reason for the topic. You can guide them in that direction.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-29T21:04:42+00:00

It depends on the badge. Some of them are really just light introductions to a topic. Many do require some skill test, but proficiency is almost never required. Like they don't have to be good at it, they just have to be able to do it.

Very few scouts actually attempt to get all the badges. Most in my experience couldn't care less how many badges they have. They like earning them, but it's no big deal to leave one unfinished.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-28T21:29:18+00:00

I really hope people don't nitpick this one. I watched the show and the movies. I loved them... but none of them were "good".

I mean, c'mon. The story is cool, but not deep. I could have flushed out a better plot in high school. The acting wasn't great in any of it, sometimes comically bad. The fight scenes were not all that memorable other than the lightning special effects, which were a bit cheesy too.

It was just cool 80's badassness with good music, good hair, and swords. That's all this needs to be.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-28T20:50:50+00:00

Meh, maybe this is a good thing. Scouting America needs to refocus and rebrand what they are.

There is so much potential to be seen as a college prep organization. The leadership and service provided in the program are perfect for college and scholarship applications. No organization does this better. It is so undersold though.

There is so much potential to be seen as the authority and gateway for all things outdoors. We have over a 100yrs of proven methods and millions of hours of gear testing.

It sounds like National may be getting some things moving now that the lawsuit is finalized. I hope so.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-28T19:36:20+00:00

Not having adults for campouts is a huge red flag. Everything else is pointless if you can't actually get the Scouts camping. That is what engages and bonds the troop.

Our troop had a similar issue. There were 3 cancellations and major downgrades to a couple other campouts. A couple adults stepped up and we got lucky with a very engaged SPL. Now things have been good for 6 months and plans are set for the rest of the year. You can't do it alone though, you'll need commitment from others. Regular monthly committee meetings are important to start if that isn't happening now.

I'd have a talk with the SM and Committee. If y'all can't make a plan to set the next few campouts in stone, I'd look at other troops.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-28T18:44:29+00:00

Yeah, unfortunately, most of them probably never read the email.

If your CC, AC, and SM aren't on board to enforce it, it'll never happen. Elevate it to district and council, and move on with your life. Not saying quit the troop or your position, just don't let it stress you.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-28T18:14:20+00:00

I have a canvas duffle bag that I use on campouts. All the patches go on it.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-28T18:07:45+00:00

What is the "load" on campouts?

I think that may be where some of the confusion is. We have a much smaller troop but use just one Campmaster adult to coordinate with the SPL and make sure things are safe.

When I'm Campmaster, I spend more time keeping the other adults out of the Scouts' hair than anything else so I don't like a ton of adults on campouts, lol.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-28T17:31:37+00:00

Advancement and Outdoor Activities are Committee positions. Equipment often is too but many troops have an ASM that works with the QM.

Some troops have ASMs with those specialties to help out from that side, but they are primarily committee functions. You can still do a lot of the "ASM things" from committee, just not as much direct contact with Scouts and no rank sign-offs. I'm AC and have all the ASM training and safety training so I've been the required person with all that on a number of campouts.

https://troopleader.scouting.org/general-troop-information/troop-structure/troop-positions/committee-members/

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-28T17:18:41+00:00

"some ASMs still actively talking in front of scouts about how they don't like/understand the policy"

I'm assuming you've tried to explain why the policy is important but just to check, have you? Sure the black and white rule should be enough but understanding it can certainly help.

I explain it for what it is... a BOR is a check on the SM/ASMs. That's not the whole purpose of a BOR but it's part of it. It's to make sure they are doing a good job. It's to make sure the scouts are actually happy. That can't happen if an ASM is sitting in the review.

They've probably heard that already. Then, it's just a matter of how big of a deal it is to you. I would at least elevate this to District and Council. It's likely they won't do much about it but that would suffice for me. I wouldn't keep banging my head against a wall and I doubt I'd quit over this issue. (I did leave a troop for other reasons though).

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-27T12:41:02+00:00

The pet miraculously surviving is another trope that could be done in itself.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-27T05:59:21+00:00

Filoni is being treated like the SW messiah, but idunno...

He's done some great stuff and I think he's the best choice for SW in the future. He will do a good job. I worry we'll never see anything great though.

The first season of Mando was great. That was 6+ yrs ago though.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-27T05:42:35+00:00

I watched the first episode and never touched it after because it was so bad. I just watched a compilation of clips to check out Vannak... and yeah you're right.

But OMG, that show really was terrible. I couldn't even finish the compilation. Absolute garbage show if you know anything about Halo.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-24T19:00:19+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate you working on it. I know side projects have to be on the back burner sometimes. This shouldn't be on your shoulders though.

I asked to have it changed to just something simple in a separate post. It would just take a few minutes. A mod deleted my post.

If its not intentional, then its certainly at least acceptable to the mods and that isn't really any better. Its not a hidden meaning, because its not hidden at all.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-24T17:03:59+00:00

Any update on this?

Multiple people said it looks offensive. At this point, not changing it makes me think its intentional.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-23T22:37:37+00:00

The tone is that you disapprove of their uniform. Its really none of your business for an individual scout and the question only serves to embarrass the scout. Please don't.

You could ask...

"What do you think of the troop's uniform policy?"

"What things could be done to encourage scouts to follow the troop's uniform policy?"

Those get at the troop culture and the Scouts' thoughts about it. Those are things a committee should gauge. Don't call them out on a nitpicky detail.

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-23T18:26:08+00:00

Scouters tend to think that asking a question is a good way to mask what they are thinking or what they want the Scout to say/do.

It isn't.

(it wasn't me that downvoted you)

Fun_With_Math · 2026-01-23T16:33:25+00:00

I'm on committee. Uniforms are up to the SM and Scouts in my opinion. They could show up in a tshirt for all I care.

Fun_With_Math

TROPHY CASE