Posted on 09/01/2006 4:51:41 AM PDT by T-Bird45
For those who are unaware, this magazine is sent to all registered leaders while the boys continue to receive Boys Life.
BTW, I fully endorse and fit the author's second/disclosures paragraph.
It would be so much more fun if Scouts lived in their own privileged world and never learned a thing about helping other humans, as well as learning how to tie knots.
My son is a Scout. It has done him worlds of good. When I see what it's done for him--the wonderful experiences he's had, the confidence he's acquired, the leadership skills he's developing, the friends he's made--I'm sad that there are poor or homeless boys who can't take part because of the expense and the lack of opportunity. I also regret that there are local boys who do have enough money in their families but don't get involved in Scouting because it's not part of their cultural tradition. An effort to reach out to groups like these is not a bad thing at all. Being a part of Scouting can only make these children better Americans and better men. If that's a liberal philosophy, too bad. Scouting shouldn't just be for rich or middle-class white kids.
I haven't read my copy yet. Let's hope it's an abberation.
Let me correct myself. It's great that Scouts has special units for kids who don't completely fit the "norm."
However, I have a problem with a multicultural bike ride with a visit to the Imam. Right now, our nation is at war with large radical elements of the group the Imam represents. Too few Muslims have done any credible denials of the Islamofascists. Based on that, I would be very hesitant to inculcate any of my Scouts or my kids into aspects of the Islamic culture.
Sounds like you got a special one of a kind issue. What do you have against the scouts promoting to its scout leaders some of the outreach that the organization is doing to help the scouting movement and society. Do you really think the scout leaders need to be reminded about the fun of scouting?
Sounds like someone didnt learn from their parents about taking care of the disadvantaged, appreciating other religions and cultural differences. And since when is first aid and livesaving a fun activity.
There are two types of Scouting. Urban scouting is more service-oriented. Suburban and rural scouting is more skills and outdoor oriented.
The defunding of urban scouting has started to decimate its ranks. It could end up being a moot point. Scouting is HEAVILY dependent on funding these days. We have to pay the people who ask for funding and it isn't cheap.
There are two types of Scouting. Urban scouting is more service-oriented. Suburban and rural scouting is more skills and outdoor oriented.
The defunding of urban scouting has started to decimate its ranks. It could end up being a moot point. Scouting is HEAVILY dependent on funding these days. We have to pay the people who ask for funding and it isn't cheap.
The theme is found throughout the publication. A news brief chronicles one Boy Scout council’s efforts to highlight “the issues of hunger, health, and shelter.” Another tells of a Cub Scout pack that was started for homeless boys. There are stories of Scout troops created for “sons of incarcerated mothers” and “disadvantaged youth.” Another story tells of a North Carolina man winning an award “for exceptional service and leadership to Scouts with disabilities.”
The ride to different religious houses sounds a little fruity, but I'm having a hard time figuring out why the rest of this is so bad. And are disabled kids somehow inherently inconsistent with "fun"?
Don't count on it. It's tragic, the way PC has infected Scouting in the West. A hideous cancer, that there's no longer something to be robustly proud of and instead, we should ingratiate ourselves in submissive apologetic displays, towards every minority group that comes down the pipe. At exactly the time when we should be proclaiming the message that the Scouting experience provides answers to problems ranging from childhood obesity to lack of respect for seniors. Old-time leaders like myself give the mag a quick scan to see if there's anything in there about someone we know and if not, it goes straight into the bin.
Once again, it seems that a lot of people, even those IN Scouting, miss the actual point of Scouting--to develop the leaders of tomorrow. Scout skills are still very much a part of the overall program, but, thank goodness, BSA has evolved to recognize that the leaders of tomorrow must have a broader training. I read the latest Scouting magazine yesterday, and, as a compassionate conservative (yes, we really do exist and pray for George Bush's success every day), I think it's great. Scouting has not abandoned its core beliefs, but it's broadening them. And exposing more people to this great value system!! I took a group of Scouts to a local mosque after 9-11...maybe we should all start infiltrating them since they've been doing the same to us all this time?!
Hitting the bottle early- or late?
Thanks for demonstrating my point, Hope.
Did you apologise to the imam for the way we provoked 9-11?
Are you really that much of a jerk who can't see the bigger picture here? Do you just want to ignore our enemies, or do you want to engage them and find out what they're doing? Blind liberals are one thing...but just as bad are ignorant conservatives like you.
At what point do you think you'll be able to 'figure it out', Sloth?
When Scouting publishes an account of a Troop visit to a gay Wiccan puppet theatre collective?
Good going.
Are these the manners you teach your scouts?
Maybe we should have the scouts set up camps just across the border from Mexico-- to help welcome the undocumented workers streaming across the borders by the thousands every day. They could "do a good turn daily" by handing out free water and food, while getting a dose of multiculturalism along the way. Two birds with one stone!
And what about practicing first aid on those poor, downtrodden undocumented masses? First Aid merit badge in no time!
Thanks Hope, but I can see the big picture just fine. Your little trip to the mosque is more Ward Churchill than Baden-Powell.
No. I have a special responsibility, towards my Scouts.
I reserve these 'manners' for your kind.
The Boy Scouts are their to make men of boys. I see these stories as documenting that progress and encouraging others.
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