Scouts - Official end with a date now

[NeedleinA]

I might be late to the party on this one, but released today (8 May 2018), it appears we finally have an answer and a date to the conclusion of Scouts and the Church (link)

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As announced publicly today in a joint statement with the Boy Scouts of America, effective on December 31, 2019, the Church will conclude its relationship as a chartered organization with all Scouting programs around the world.

 

Edited May 9, 2018 by NeedleinA

[Crypto]

I hope they have a well developed youth program in place, there are quite a few things that it'll need to replace! I look forward to seeing it though.

[Guest]

From Deseret News

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A new worldwide initiative for all Mormon boys and girls will debut in January 2020, replacing all existing activity and achievement programs, including the Personal Progress program for Young Women and the Activity Days, Faith in God and Duty to God programs for younger girls and boys, according to an email sent to church members.

I'm kind of sad about this aspect.  My kids have been working really hard to do all these things.

• My daughter will get her second medallion this summer.  Then she'll be done.  So, that's ok.
• Two of my sons will get their eagle before it closes.
• But one son who was going to be the first to get all the awards from primary onward.  He'll never get to finish.
• Then my two youngest won't even get their Faith in God award.  I guess they will be the first to start the new track.  So, that's not so bad.

I'm just sad for my one son who was working so hard to get all the awards. Well, I suppose the new program will be better for him.

Edited May 9, 2018 by Guest

[Guest MormonGator]

2 hours ago, Carborendum said:

From Deseret News

I'm kind of sad about this aspect.  My kids have been working really hard to do all these things.

• My daughter will get her second medallion this summer.  Then she'll be done.  So, that's ok.
• Two of my sons will get their eagle before it closes.
• But one son who was going to be the first to get all the awards from primary onward.  He'll never get to finish.
• Then my two youngest won't even get their Faith in God award.  I guess they will be the first to start the new track.  So, that's not so bad.

I'm just sad for my one son who was working so hard to get all the awards. Well, I suppose the new program will be better for him.

If Scouting is really important to him, can he continue in a troop not associated with the church? Just asking, nothing more. 

[Guest]

3 hours ago, MormonGator said:

If Scouting is really important to him, can he continue in a troop not associated with the church? Just asking, nothing more. 

Well, I got reactions from all my boys about it.

My teacher is fine getting his Eagle and his second Duty to God.  After that, he'll do whatever.  The priest DtG was not all that important to him.  But we'll see.

My older deacon doesn't seem to care about any of it.  He'll get his Life and he may or may not get an Eagle.  He's not too keen on it.  But he'll try to get his first DtG award.  He may get his second (he's almost a teacher).

My younger deacon was looking forward to it all.  But he was disappointed in the scout leaders who never really did anything.  So, he'll try to get one more rank before it's over.  And he'll try to get his deacon's DtG.

My youngest boy won't even be 8 years old when the program changes.  So, I thought it would be no big deal.  But he was the one who took it the hardest.  My wife explained that he's looked up to his older brothers and saw them doing scouting activities all the time.  He figured that was part of what it was to be in this family.  Take scouting away and he felt like part of his identity was being denied to him.  He cried for about 20 minutes.  

So, I sat him down and let him know that ALL the boys would be going onto the new program.  And he would be doing the same things that all his older brothers would be doing.  When he heard that, then he was fine.  He's looking forward to whatever the new program is.

[Guest MormonGator]

10 minutes ago, Carborendum said:

When he heard that, then he was fine.  He's looking forward to whatever the new program is.

Great. That's all that matters. Glad the transition was smooth for them my friend! 

[Jane_Doe]

2 hours ago, Carborendum said:

My youngest boy won't even be 8 years old when the program changes.  So, I thought it would be no big deal.  But he was the one who took it the hardest.  My wife explained that he's looked up to his older brothers and saw them doing scouting activities all the time.  He figured that was part of what it was to be in this family.  Take scouting away and he felt like part of his identity was being denied to him.  He cried for about 20 minutes.  

If he wants to do Scouts, why not enroll him in a community troop?

[mordorbund]

3 hours ago, Carborendum said:

My youngest boy won't even be 8 years old when the program changes.  So, I thought it would be no big deal.  But he was the one who took it the hardest.  My wife explained that he's looked up to his older brothers and saw them doing scouting activities all the time.  He figured that was part of what it was to be in this family.  Take scouting away and he felt like part of his identity was being denied to him.  He cried for about 20 minutes.  

We've got one like that too. He's been looking forward to scouts for about a year and a half now, and he still won't be in it once the change takes effect. When I told my wife the news she said, "Oh, Little Bit will be so sad!"

[Guest]

17 hours ago, Jane_Doe said:

If he wants to do Scouts, why not enroll him in a community troop?

It turns out that he doesn't.  See the last line of the same post you quoted.

[NightSG]

22 hours ago, mordorbund said:

We've got one like that too. He's been looking forward to scouts for about a year and a half now, and he still won't be in it once the change takes effect. When I told my wife the news she said, "Oh, Little Bit will be so sad!"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1949-Boy-Scouts-Of-America-Handbook-Vintage-Original/183208219395

Have him read that, and a current BSA Handbook of Making Hotel Reservations and Finding a Good Restaurant Because Camping is Dangerous.  He'll see that Scouting has been dead for a few years already.

[JohnsonJones]

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Rifle Shooting merit badge requirements

Do the following: a. Explain why BB and pellet air guns must always be treated with the same respect as firearms. b. Describe how you would react if a friend visiting your home asked to see your or your family's firearm(s). c. Explain the need for, and use and types of, eye and hearing protection. Demonstrate their proper use. d. Give the main points of the laws for owning and using guns in your community and state. e. Explain how hunting is related to the wise use of renewable wildlife resources. f. Obtain a copy of the hunting laws for your state. Explain the main points of hunting laws in your state and give any special laws on the use of guns or ammunition. g. Identify and explain how you can join or be a part of shooting sports activities. h. Explain to your counselor the proper hygienic guidelines used in shooting. i. Give to your counselor a list of sources that you could contact for information on firearms and their use. Do ONE of the following options: OPTION A--RIFLE SHOOTING (MODERN CARTRIDGE TYPE) l. Using a .22 caliber rimfire rifle and shooting from a bench rest or supported prone position at 50 feet, fire five groups (three shots per group) that can be covered by a quarter. Using these targets, explain how to adjust sights to zero. m. Adjust sights to center the group on the target* and fire five groups (five shots per group). According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the following minimum score: (1) A-32 targets - 9; (2) A-17 or TQ-1 targets - 7; (3) A-36 targets - 5.   OPTION B --- AIR RIFLE SHOOTING (BB OR PELLET) . Using a BB gun or pellet air rifle and shooting from a bench rest or supported prone position at 15 feet for BB guns or 33 feet for air rifles, fire five groups (three shots per group) that can be covered by a quarter. l. Adjust sights to center the group on the target and fire five groups (five shots per group). According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the following minimum score: (1) BB rifle at 15 feet or 5 meters using TQ - 5 targets - 8; (2) Pellet air rifle at 25 feet using TQ - 5 target - 8, at 33 feet or 10 meters using AR-1 targets - 6. OPTION C --- MUZZLE - LOADING RIFLE SHOOTING a. Discuss a brief history of the development of muzzle-loading rifles. b. Identify principal parts of percussion and flintlock rifles and discuss how they function. c. Demonstrate and discuss the safe handling rules of muzzle-loading rifles. d. Identify the various grades of black powder and black powder substitutes and explain their proper use. e. Discuss proper safety procedures pertaining to black powder use and storage. f. Discuss proper components of a load. g. Identify proper procedures and accessories used for loading a muzzle-loading rifle. h. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely shoot a muzzle-loading rifle on a range, including range procedures. i. Shoot a target with a muzzle-loading rifle using the five fundamentals of firing the shot. j. Identify the materials needed to clean a muzzle- loading rifle safely. Using these materials, demonstrate how to clean a muzzle-loading rifle safely. k. Identify the causes of a muzzle-loading rifle's failing to fire and explain or demonstrate proper correction procedures. l. Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a muzzle-loading rifle. m. Using a muzzle-loading rifle of any caliber and shooting from a bench rest or supported prone position, fire three groups (three shots per group) that can be covered by the base of a standard-size soft soft drink can. n. Center the group on the target and fire three groups (five shots per group). According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the following minimum score: (1) at 25 yards using NRA A-23 or NMLRA 50-yard targets - 7; (2) at 50 yards using NRA A-25 or NMLRA 100 yard targets - 7. * Note: It is not always practical to adjust the sights (i.e. when using a borrowed fixed-sight rifle). For requirement 2l, you may demonstrate your ability to use the shooting fundamentals by shooting five shot groups (five shots per group) in which all shots can be covered by or touch a quarter and then explain how to adjust the sights to zero the rifle.

I don't know, the merit badge seems pretty decent to me.  Getting a boy to be able to get those minimum scores is actually a challenge, I'd think even for boys 20 years ago.  Other merit badges are still pretty challenging as well...Camping for example

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1. Do the following:

   a. Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards you may encounter while participating in camping activities and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards

   b. Discuss with your counselor why it is important to be aware of weather conditions before and during your camping activities. Tell how you can prepare should the weather turn bad during your campouts.

   c. Show that you know first aid for and how to prevent injuries or illnesses that could occur while camping, including hypothermia, frostbite, heat reactions, dehydration, altitude sickness, insect stings, tick bites, snakebite, blisters, and hyperventilation.

2. Learn the Leave No Trace principles and the Outdoor Code and explain what they mean. Write a personal plan for implementing these principles on your next outing..
3. Make a written plan* for an overnight trek and show how to get to your camping spot by using a topographical map and one of the following:

   a. A compass

   b. A GPS receiver**

   c. A smartphone with a GPS app**

   *To complete this requirement, you may use the Scout Planning Worksheet at http://troopleader.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/512-505_16_Wksht_WEB.pdf.

   **If a GPS-equipped device is not available, explain how to use one to get to your camping spot.

4. Do the following:

   a. Make a duty roster showing how your patrol is organized for an actual overnight campout. List assignments for each member.

   b. Help a Scout patrol or a Webelos Scout unit in your area prepare for an actual campout, including creating the duty roster, menu planning, equipment needs, general planning, and setting up camp.

5. Do the following:

   a. Prepare a list of clothing you would need for overnight campouts in both warm and cold weather. Explain the term "layering."

   b. Discuss footwear for different kinds of weather and how the right footwear is important for protecting your feet.

   c. Explain the proper care and storage of camping equipment (clothing, footwear, bedding).

   d. List the outdoor essentials necessary for any campout, and explain why each item is needed.

   e. Present yourself to your Scoutmaster with your pack for inspection. Be correctly clothed and equipped for an overnight campout.

6. Do the following:

   a. Describe the features of four types of tents, when and where they could be used, and how to care for tents. Working with another Scout, pitch a tent.

   b. Discuss the importance of camp sanitation and tell why water treatment is essential. Then demonstrate two ways to treat water.

   c. Describe the factors to be considered in deciding where to pitch your tent.

   d. Tell the difference between internal- and external-frame packs. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

   e. Discuss the types of sleeping bags and what kind would be suitable for different conditions. Explain the proper care of your sleeping bag and how to keep it dry. Make a comfortable ground bed.

7. Prepare for an overnight campout with your patrol by doing the following:

   a. Make a checklist of personal and patrol gear that will be needed.

   b. Pack your own gear and your share of the patrol equipment and food for proper carrying. Show that your pack is right for quickly getting what is needed first, and that it has been assembled properly for comfort, weight, balance, size, and neatness.

8. Do the following:

   a. Explain the safety procedures for:

   1. Using a propane or butane/propane stove

   2. Using a liquid fuel stove

   3. Proper storage of extra fuel

   b. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different types of lightweight cooking stoves.

   c. Prepare a camp menu. Explain how the menu would differ from a menu for a backpacking or float trip. Give recipes and make a food list for your patrol. Plan two breakfasts, three lunches, and two suppers. Discuss how to protect your food against bad weather, animals, and contamination.

   d. While camping in the outdoors, cook at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner for your patrol from the meals you have planned for requirement 8c. At least one of those meals must be a trail meal requiring the use of a lightweight stove.

9. Show experience in camping by doing the following:

   a. Camp a total of at least 20 nights at designated Scouting activities or events.* One long-term camping experience of up to six consecutive nights may be applied toward this requirement. Sleep each night under the sky or in a tent you have pitched. If the camp provides a tent that has already been pitched, you need not pitch your own tent.

   *All campouts since becoming a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout may count toward this requirement.

   b. On any of these camping experiences, you must do TWO of the following, only with proper preparation and under qualified supervision:

   1. Hike up a mountain where, at some point, you are at least 1,000 feet higher in elevation from where you started. **

   **The wording in the merit badge pamphlet (as shown above) is different than the wording in Boy Scout Requirements 2018, which reads: "Hike up a mountain, gaining at least 1,000 vertical feet."

   2. Backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least 4 miles.

   3. Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours.

   4. Take a nonmotorized trip on the water of at least four hours or 5 miles.

   5. Plan and carry out an overnight snow camping experience.

   6. Rappel down a rappel route of 30 feet or more.

   c. Perform a conservation project approved by the landowner or land managing agency. This can be done alone or with others.***

   ***The wording in the merit badge pamphlet (as shown above) is different than the wording in Boy Scout Requirements 2018, which omits the last sentence. The 2016 edition of Boy Scout Requirements included a footnote reading: "The Scout may choose to do requirement 9c alone or with others."

10. Discuss how the things you did to earn this badge have taught you about personal health and safety, survival, public health, conservation, and good citizenship. In your discussion, tell how Scout spirit and the Scout Oath and Law apply to camping and outdoor ethics.

Still requires 20 nights of camping.

Edited May 14, 2018 by JohnsonJones

[Guest MormonGator]

2 minutes ago, JohnsonJones said:

 requires 20 nights of camping.

If I had to choose between 1 night of camping and a root canal without novocaine, I'd tell the dentist to get started. 😉