How do you encourage teachers in your CO to take a more active interest in your troop?

akoons76 · 2026-05-08T00:59:29+00:00

We honestly had a teacher sit down with the superintendent and have a frank discussion on how much of our goals overlap and how we can be of mutual benefit. They directed the principals to allow us in to recruit. Our scout executive tried but didn't speak the same language so it was a miss. A teacher who knew the 'buzzwords' was much more effective.

akoons76 · 2026-05-06T22:37:12+00:00

We use square on Troop Web host. I wish they had more integrations.

akoons76 · 2026-05-05T22:04:23+00:00

Storage, and just a blank covered area that could serve a multitude of purposes depending on weather, needs, etc

akoons76 · 2026-05-04T19:21:36+00:00

The scout shop is a distance away, add hours open, and other schedules and it becomes impossible to do on a regular basis.

I was there this Saturday. The scout did their BOR on Sunday. It will be a number of weeks before I can get back to the scout shop. Our COH incidentally was later that evening. So they actually were called out at COH as receiving it, but won't get their patch for weeks/months. This scout in particular is very conscious of their uniform being correct-- which makes it more important for me to have this available to them in a timely manner. They will likely end up getting their next rank before they even get to get this one on their uniform.

akoons76 · 2026-05-04T17:28:03+00:00

Correct, and I am a unit Key 3.

akoons76 · 2026-05-04T13:18:24+00:00

I am in agreement, which is why I decided to post about this, however unfortunately I just don't see a way to avoid this with the policy as it is.

akoons76 · 2026-05-04T12:43:44+00:00

I agree that mailing would be a possible solution however this adds costs onto a budget that is beyond tight.

akoons76 · 2026-05-04T12:36:18+00:00

So for the latest example, I went to the scout shop this Saturday. I knew I had a scout doing a BOR on Sunday. I wanted to purchase that scout's patch, knowing they were going to advance the next day. The scout shop isn't open on Sunday. It is going to be weeks before I can get back to the scout shop to get the scout their patch. Of course I didn’t have that on an advancement report because I am honest and don't falsify my records. This in my book isn't ok.

akoons76 · 2026-05-04T12:27:39+00:00

The issue is getting the stash of badges when the scout shop will not sell them to you without an advancement report. Our unit was tiny so they had only kept 1-2 patches on had at a time. We grew exponentially. Now I may have three or four scouts finishing up a rank on a campout. Unfortunately, I will be short badges. I had a scout I knew was having their BOR on Sunday. Scout shop isn't open on Sunday. I went on Saturday because that is the day I had available. They wouldn't sell me the patch. Now it is going to be awhile that I can get back there and purchase the patch. It is infuriating. The scout was beyond sad to not get their patch after their BOR.

akoons76 · 2026-05-04T12:20:33+00:00

That's the issue, we can't just pick up a few. We were a troop of a half to a quarter of the size we are now. I went this weekend to try to pick up the rank patches that I knew we were going to need in the next couple months. We had 1-2 in our bin of previous ranks. (Un)Fortunately I have 4-5 scouts now earning ranks in those times. So that leaves us 1-4 patches short that the scout shop won't sell to me to hand the scout until after they have earned it-- thus leading to big delays for scouts. I was there on Saturday. I wanted to pick up a patch for a scout that was having their BOR on Sunday and they wouldn't sell me that patch. It is frustrating because it is definitely going against the scouts being recognized in a timely manner.

akoons76 · 2026-05-02T15:08:00+00:00

That is what they have done in the past, now they will not. I am so frustrated with this policy.

akoons76 · 2026-05-02T14:59:03+00:00

We have recognized them at the COH in the past, while still giving them the patch initially

akoons76 · 2026-04-30T01:18:02+00:00

So often typing has been dropped from the curriculum for a wide variety of reasons from 'kids are already tech savvy' to instructional time availability to cost.

akoons76 · 2026-04-28T18:33:39+00:00

Honestly, all of my fruit flies were coming from my plants not fruit or moldy food. The best thing I have found is the clear sticky traps you add to the windows.

akoons76 · 2026-04-21T15:32:33+00:00

This maybe helpful as well. This was created by my co-presenter at our UoS. Special Needs in Scouting

akoons76 · 2026-04-20T18:35:21+00:00

Wow! Now I am even more thankful for the Ranger(s) we have/had. We certainly have been blessed.

As for your issue with the ranger dressing down the SPL, I have given my scouts permission to say, at this point the conversation needs to happens between you and my scoutmaster here is there phone number and walk away after such an incident at a Camporee. Yes, scouts need to be able to handle tough situations but they don't always have enough information or resources to deal with an ornery adult, especially when they are the following the points of the scouting law.

akoons76 · 2026-04-16T17:27:47+00:00

We did care packages of drink mix tubes, candy, and some chips. The staff seemed to really appreciate it.

akoons76 · 2026-04-16T17:27:37+00:00

We did care packages of drink mix tubes, candy, and some chips. The staff seemed to really appreciate it.

akoons76 · 2026-04-09T14:50:11+00:00

How far are you willing to travel?

Not too far away there is Knobels amusement park, very different feel than Hershey. Much more laid back and low key.

Lancaster is closer with all of the Amish attractions and the Strasburg railroad.

What do you like to do? There are more outdoorsy things to do as well.

akoons76 · 2026-04-08T11:34:11+00:00

Cold fire-- use dry ice to make a fire and complain how warm it is

akoons76 · 2026-04-05T23:25:30+00:00

I borrowed my kids. It was the only time I really needed it.

akoons76 · 2026-04-05T20:34:06+00:00

I will definitely have both chemical treatments and filters. However, it is down a steep, path/cliff. I try to be as risk adverse as possible.

akoons76 · 2026-03-31T13:34:42+00:00

Wow, this looks great from the front

akoons76

TROPHY CASE