Re: Boy Scouts of America

Couldn't disagree more. I am an Eagle Scout '91, Santee 116 (now Muscogee 116) Arrowman, and a volunteer since 2010--including 9 years as Cubmaster, going on my 10th as an Assistant Cubmaster, and have recently volunteered as a Unit Commissioner. I've led 2 crews to Philmont. I helped found a girls' troop in 2019. My children have grown up in Scouting and I have one Eagle (now a Clemson rising junior) and a son working on his Eagle now.

Scouting was my source of father figures when my own father lived in a different state from the time I was 9 years old. It taught me so many good things--leadership, organization, planning, outdoors skills, a love and appreciation for nature. It still teaches ALL these things today. I feel that the leaders in my troop take the concept of being a parental figure for these kids very, very seriously. We want them all to grow up to be better adults and better citizens.

Scouting, in my experience, is the same program it was when I joined it 40 years ago. The biggest difference is that council-level activities aren't as plentiful because of personnel issues (both staffing and participating). It still instills the great, timeless values of the Scout Law and I couldn't be prouder to be a volunteer. It is still the finest youth organization in the country. And contrary to what you assert, God has NOT been removed from the program.

No, we no longer exclude girls and we no longer exclude people based on sexual orientation. That's forward progress, in my opinion. Stagnation leads to irrelevance and death. Although I personally have no daughters of my own, I believe strongly in the value of having girls in the program. What could be better for our country than having *twice as many* Eagle scouts in our society? After all we need all the principled leaders we can get.

Scouting is deeply ingrained in American culture, and now Scouting America is for ALL Americans who choose to participate. It has emerged from bankrupty and controversy stronger, leaner, and better. Though numbers have been declining noticeably in the last 5 years due to controversy and COVID, I--and many of the volunteers I speak with--feel very strongly that the program is about to turn the corner.

If anything I feel that my Eagle rank has been made stronger and more virtuous over the last several years, and I look forward to many years to come in the country's premiere youth program.

LakeNormanTiger

Walk-On [140]

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Posts: 328

Joined: 6/3/00

Decisions are made by those that show up!

May 23, 2024, 5:35 PM

I agree with the positive commenters in this thread in regards to the “Boy Scouts of America”.

That said, I don’t love the name change. But the name needs to reflect the group that it serves. I am glad that the BSA program accepted girls into its ranks. My 2 children just finished up their Cub Scout/ Webelo Journey. My son does not want to move on, but my daughter does! The church that sponsors our scouting program supports 3 separate units. A Boys Troop, a Girls Troop, and Cub Scout Pack. So my daughter has loved the last 2 months with her new set of scout friends.

During these past 2 months my daughter has been working on her first rank. She has learned the oath:
On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

She has learned that a Scout is:
• Trustworthy,
• Loyal,
• Helpful,
• Friendly,
• Courteous,
• Kind,
• Obedient,
• Cheerful,
• Thrifty,
• Brave,
• Clean,
• and Reverent.

Shes working on learning how to live up to the Scout Motto, of Be Prepared!

She is learning that as an American, she will do her best to - Be clean in my outdoor manners.
Be careful with fire. Be considerate in the outdoors, and Be conservation minded!

She also knows how to tie a Square Knot, Bowline, Two half hitch and a Taut-line hitch, and when they should be used.

Shes has demonstrated how to safely use a pocket knife. Even the can opener function on a fancy multi-tool. I know several “country boys” that cant do that and have cut themselves pretty badly by just thrusting a knife through the top of a lid….

I am Eagle Scout. So it seems like the same content I had to learn.

I also have learned, experienced, and totally agree with Lakedudes comments that it’s volunteers at the council, troop, and pack level that make the programs go. You can have a lot of influence on how your program is administered by showing up and making the most of the program your kids/ community are involved in. One of my favorite quotes is “Decisions are made by those who show up!” That’s the truth in just about everything! So dont give up on Scouting. If you love/d, have found memories of scouting, then get involved. Help keep the ideals of teaching citizenship, service, leadership and character development to young people.

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Boy Scouts of America