Follow
The survey asked about two distinct types of information -information related to policy and procedure and information dealing with program plans and ideas.
Policy and Procedure
The majority of respondents cite Scouting.org (the official Boy Scouts of America website) as their go-to source to learn more about policy and procedure. It’s generally my first resource too – but I find it terrifically frustrating to use.
The search feature at Scouting.org is practically useless using the Chrome browser, (it never seems to work for me). Content is there but it takes a lot of drilling down through menus before one can find it. Compare this with the much more accessible menu structure of usscouts.org or scouts.org.uk.
Here’s what I find to be the most useful pages on scouting.org:
Scouting Forms
A simple list of commonly used forms. Although the list is not alphabetized or arranged under subject areas one can usually find what they are looking for after a while.
Publications
A list of various publications, some in PDF format and some not, some just explained without any reference to where one can get them. Not Alphabetized or arranged in any useful way but, if you spend the time hunting, you may find what you are looking for.
Awards
Some award information – not alphabetized or arranged in any way – just a random list (again).
I’d like to see the B.S.A. step things up and make things easier to find, and I’d like to be able to get every publication (handbooks, merit badge books, forms, etc.) in PDF format. I find it frustrating and puzzling why this hasn’t happened already. We are way behind in what is possible and useful for our Scouts and volunteers.
In addition to these respondents cited the following:
Commissioner Handbooks
LDS “Green Book,”
Merit Badge materials
BSA Training material
Boy Scout Requirements
Troop/Team Record book
Senior patrol leader handbook
Patrol leader handbook,
Guide for Merit Badge Counselors
PO&R (Policy, Organisation and Rules of South African Scout Association)
Troop Scouter’s Handbook
Boy Scout Leader Specific Training Syllabus
Climb On
The Scoutmasters Other handbook
Clarke: Scouting.org is very frustrating. The one method I have come to use is using the google search area. When searching for something type in the item your looking for then site:scouting.org. For example:
arrow of light site:scouting.org That forces Google to do the search for you on just that one website. Google is doing the search for you instead of Scouting.org’s search engine.
I however, have the Den & Pack Meeting section bookmarked on Firefox and use it as a jumping off area for Cubscouts (since I am a Cubmaster).
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/DenLeaderResources/DenandPackMeetingResourceGuide.aspx