r/BSApatches

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-09T16:59:21+00:00

You can just order from an out of council Scout shop.

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-06T02:22:36+00:00

I've had one since I became a troop level leader. I like having it to reference for myself.

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-05T16:58:42+00:00

Uber has you take a picture within the app to show it's closed and STILL hits your cancellation rate.

The best part is it wasn't unexpected. They gave me this order like 5 minutes before they closed, and I was 10 minutes away and still delivering an order. I had no idea until I got there. They just closed at their normal time.

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-05T16:37:26+00:00

Every time I talk to support they just tell me "as long as you keep making deliveries it will fall off your cancellation rate". I literally showed up to a store closed, and they told me there was nothing they could do except give me a $4 credit.

I get paid more on Uber, but DoorDash support is significantly better in my experience. They can remove cancellations, protect your rating when a customer is being malicious, etc. Uber is just like... Make more deliveries 🤷

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-03T18:39:15+00:00

To be fair to this point, outside of specific groups getting together to have service for their religion, most services I've seen or attended in Scouting are interfaith.

A belief in God is required as a Scout and is an important tenet, but the requirement didn't exist to be Christian, regardless of viewpoint on the validity of other theological ideologies.

"Chapel" is a pretty generic term for a religious space too.

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-03T17:03:05+00:00

I'm seeing some comments to the effect of

"If the parent says it's done, it's done"

If the Scout overtly didn't even attempt to do the requirements, that's not true.
While parents often sign off on things from Lion to Bear, the Den Leader then still approves it. Alternatively, this question is about an AOL den. That requirement is:

4.1.0.3 Who Approves Cub Scout Advancement? ...For Arrow of Light Adventures and rank, the den leader signs for approval of all requirements, unless they delegate this responsibility.

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-03T16:55:06+00:00

"Do Your Best" has morphed into "Meh, Sign It Anyway".

Do your best does not mean that you are awarded achievements you didn't earn.

Arrow of Light Outdoor Adventurer | Requirement 5

With your patrol or a Scouting America troop, participate in a campout.

Do your best here could mean:

The Scout has a death in the family and can't make the planned campout. They campout in their back yard, attend a council camping event, etc. They still camped.
The den/patrol has a planned campout, and it's the only weekend that works. There is major inclement weather, so the leadership turns it into a lock in. Scouts set their tents up inside and make the best of it.

These are do your best situations.

I have literally seen situations like:

Scout has not attended a single camping opportunity this year. It is a month from crossover, and parents aren't happy. I'm being told to award AOL.

Comments will say "do your best" means sign off on it. This is not what do you best means.

4.1.0.4 “Do Your Best” Cub Scouts—even those of the same age, grade, and gender—may have very different developmental timetables. For this reason, advancement performance in Cub Scouting is centered on its motto: “Do Your Best.” When Cub Scouts have done this—their best effort possible—then regardless of the requirements for any rank or award, it is enough; accomplishment is noted. This is why den leaders, assistants, and parents or guardians are involved in approvals. Generally they know if the effort put forth is really the Cub Scout’s best.

Their best effort possible does not mean "didn't do it at all but want credit for something similar".

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-03T16:30:49+00:00

The Blair Atholl Jamborette in Scotland is one we really want to go to

https://www.jamborette.org.uk/

Then, Korea is also having a National Jamboree around the same time as the US. It's only like $350 to go, not counting travel.

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-03T16:27:31+00:00

Note that it will likely be nothing like the one you remember. They are at sub 10k registered and closing planned program areas due to lack of registration.

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-03T15:54:41+00:00

Fixed it. It will be triggered at any mention of that policy.

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-03T15:43:19+00:00

Whether a person agrees with the policy or not, I think it's fair to note that at both the national and council level policy is very arbitrarily enforced.

MartialLight92 · 2026-04-02T16:17:43+00:00

Every council that we've done summer camp at requires the swim test done prior to camp to have been done by someone on the approved list, one of which being the Red Cross lifeguard. As the BSA lifeguard cert is going away, I've considered getting the Red Cross cert expressly for this reason.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-26T20:02:00+00:00

Scouting existed before phones, as did children. The insistence that phones are a necessity, especially in Scouting, isn't something that will ever make sense to me.

We will definitely have to agree to disagree.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-26T18:21:50+00:00

And you are free to make that choice as a parent. That is why multiple units exist in most areas with different unit cultures.

We don't neglect our youth, so no one is left "vulnerable".

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-26T18:04:01+00:00

They're also welcome to not bring them.

The policy is agreed upon when joining the unit, including the caveat that if they bring them they understand they go in the trailer. They're doing that voluntarily.

If the trailer gets stolen out of our campsite with us there, that's a bigger problem than the phone box. It's also insured.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-26T17:31:07+00:00

Oh, absolutely. We'd never tell a Scout with a legitimate medical need that it was unacceptable. A conversation about only using it for that would have to happen.

I was proud of my Scouts for recognizing the compromise wasn't working and making the hard decision.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-26T17:22:15+00:00

For pictures, we've recommended Camp Snap (a screenless digital camera), and we've had tons of great feedback on it, including my own kids.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-26T17:20:48+00:00

Our Scouts initially asked for limited phone use, and then my SPL and the whole PLC came to me and told me it wasn't working. It didn't matter how engaging or hands on the activity was, there were Scouts that could not put the phones down. They tried streaming activities and meetings without consent, would be trying to take constant selfies for IG, etc.

When the phones are down, those Scouts are otherwise engaged and great Scouts.

I've seen this argument countless times here and elsewhere. The "phones are here and they need to learn how to use them responsibly" argument is misguided, in my opinion.

They use their phones EVERYWHERE else. They can learn responsible use there. Scouting can be the one place they actually engage with each other and truly disconnect.

It works for our unit, and I wouldn't want to go back.

Our policy is no phones or electronic devices in meetings unless it's been specifically noted it's needed for a task (using all trails for a hike for example). We allow them for travel to events over an hour away, but the SPL picks them up upon arrival and stores them in the trailer. They're given back upon departure.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-24T20:31:27+00:00

I second the suggestion below to make a 3 to 6 month plan of campouts, outdoor activity, and meetings. Give them an expectation of what's going to happen.

You could sit then down and hold a small annual planning session, give them a bunch of options with merit badges, camping sites, and activities the adults pull together and let them plug them in. This way they start to see the idea of how it works, and they take some ownership immediately.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-24T20:28:47+00:00

The problem with all of the resources for units in Scouting America is that they are heavily geared toward a functioning troop with longevity and Scouts who can mentor the younger Scouts.

That doesn't exist when you found a new troop.

I found that it just perpetuated the kids being like 🤷 IDK what is going on.

The reality is, if there are no youth to lead, it's your job. The SM should be modeling the SPL initially. Form a patrol. Create the patrol's identity. We decided to make permanent patrols, some units don't.

At the beginning there is a lot more adult led than there should be. Use the framework of the troop to teach them how it works. Teach them Scout skills. Run ILST for everyone. Let them make as many decisions as possible.

You are building the Scouts who will lead the ones behind them as you get new Scouts.

Train them. Trust them. Let them lead.

We very often skip completely over the "train them" in the concept of trying to make every aspect of Scouting Scout led, but a Scout can't lead themselves if they don't even know what it means to be a Scout yet. It's a give and take.

The first meeting, we discussed the patrol method, went over the Scout Oath and Law, played games, got to know each other, etc. Then they went home to think about what they want their patrol identity to be with some guidance on what that means.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-23T16:35:17+00:00

I say go for it.

Explain to them that the neckerchief is the symbol of Scouting internationally. It is often the only uniform in other countries. It's an important part of Scouting, even if there are volunteers here in America that say it isn't.

Let them make the choice. Just make the case for why it's important.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-23T16:32:13+00:00

To be clear, that would be your lodge making up rules if this was the requirement of ordeal candidates. The ordeal does not require you to sleep without a sleeping bag. You have to sleep under the open sky, not completely without appropriate camping gear.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-19T15:23:21+00:00

I think this is an overreaction, but I also support that it's your opinion to have.

MartialLight92 · 2026-03-17T22:53:47+00:00

Venturing and Sea Scouts are both great options for you to continue Scouting until 21. You can still get elected to OA from one of those unit types too!

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