The Boy Scouts of America celebrate their 100th anniversary this year and as a former Boy Scout myself I am glad to see that they are still around and should continue to be. Being in the Boy Scouts gave me opportunities to do things that I never would have otherwise. I got to sail and fully explore a 19th century three-mast sail boat on the open ocean, backpack through the Rocky Mountains and canoe down the Colorado River, amongst many other things.
The Scouts have been bringing boys together and show them things to survive not only in the wilderness but in life. They have many traditions on policies that go back to the beginning of the organization, but it is many of these traditions that have led to a steady decline in membership over the past decade. I feel they need to accept some changes that will attract more members but keep the foundations that have made the Boy Scouts a proud and noble group to help boys down the path towards manhood.
- Religion – Part of the Scout Oath is “…to do my duty to God…” The Scouts believe that a young man needs some sort of Supreme Being in his life to be right. This closed minded view leaves many families who do not practice a religion out of the Scouts. Don’t change the Oath or anything but don’t refuse advancement to boys who do not practice a specific faith.
- Uniform – The uniform is an integral part of being a Boy Scout. It is meant to make you part of a group like the any of the armed services. But the Scout uniform is outdated. They still don’t make shorts that go past mid-thigh and the neckerchiefs are a pain in the butt. The Army and other services have had their uniforms evolve, why don’t the Scouts? Make them more comfortable and wearable and boys may not be as embarrassed about wearing them.
- Gender- Yes, I know it is the “Boy Scouts” but it’s been called that since before women had the right to vote let alone since they started being professional athletes and community leaders. Girls want to camp and do things the Boy Scouts do but many times their local Girl Scout troop does not ofter these activities. They are left to believe that girls just aren’t supposed to do them. Opening the Boy Scouts up to girls would greatly increase the effectiveness of Scouting because it teaches that their are not specific boy activities and specific girl activities. Anyone can do whatever they want and enjoy them in a group.
These suggestions would bring about major changes to the Boy Scouts of America but the changes would be for the better. They could help bring better membership numbers along with teaching a bigger group of America’s youth how to be better citizens and a positive aspect to their communities.
Let me know what you think and if you have any changes of your own. Or share a story about your days in the Scouts (Boys or Girls).
Comments
Peter
March 6th, 2010 - 8:07:40 AM
I'm also a former Scout and never saw advancement refused to those who don't profess faith unless they made a major point of announcing it to everyone and really pushing that. If you really don't like that part of the oath, find a different group that does fun stuff. I kind of see where you're going with the uniform, but neckerchiefs aren't a requirement. We could use bolos when we were in Scouts if we wanted. However neckerchiefs as part of the uniform make sense - for badge work, to set the troops/units apart, etc. I didn't really have a problem with the uniform when I was in Scouts, but will admit that I don't know much about the current uniform. I do know that I can easily recognize a Scout and that the uniform has changed in the past, so anything's possible. They did just re-do the Eagle badge, after all. I tend to disagree on the gender thing. Maybe the Girl Scouts should consider changing to do more outdoors activities rather than having the Boy Scouts change to accept girls. There are times that it actually is good to have boys doing things by themselves and let them be boys. I know that if girls were introduced into the troop, it would have changed a lot of the dynamics and just generally made things more awkward for the boys there. There are other organizations for girls that encourage outdoors skills and once you get to 18 or so, Explorers is a co-ed program. I'd argue that one of the things leading to a steady decline is the huge amount of choices that kids have now for their time. Sports, martial arts, dance, gymnastics, after-school programs, clubs, and more than I ever remember having available as a kid - these things are common and kids have enough trouble choosing what to do as it is. It's really up to the parents to encourage one direction or another when the kids are young. Girls can now choose a bunch of sports that weren't really available when I was younger. I think this contributes more than the traditions that you don't like or think need to change. I guess we just disagree on this, but I'd argue that the Scouts don't really need to change all that much except perhaps to better show that the program can be a lot of fun for young men.
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Frank
March 6th, 2010 - 5:45:57 PM
Frankly, your comments are off base. Scouting does not require any scout to practice a "specific religion", and advancements can not be held up for not doing so. The uniform was recently updated to a more comfortable and practical outfit, in its second revision as a matter of fact. And finally, the BSA does allow girls through the Venturing program open to boys and girls 13 to 21. (13 if the have completed 8th grade) Frank Plunkett, District Commissioner, Burlington County Council BSA
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Stacy
March 6th, 2010 - 7:50:51 PM
Take it from a Girl Scout leader - DON'T change the uniform! Our movement is suffering and part of that is because National has tweaked the uniform so often that we are no longer recognizable. I know many a Girl Scout leader who envy the fact that BSA's members are all so clearly identifiable and we are not. And, while I love that BSA does the outdoors stuff, and would love to see my girls doing it too, as the mom of a Cub, I like it the way it is. I am so thankful that my daughters can start Venturing when they are 13 - until then, we'll bide our time. Or, maybe BSA can start a group for girls. Call me old fashioned, I think there still needs to be some places for "boys" and some places for "girls".
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Talon
March 7th, 2010 - 10:39:32 AM
Even if I had a living son I would never let him be a Boy Scout. I refuse to support any organization that discriminates against anyone on the basis of their sexual orientation, regardless of their right as a private organization to do so. And I know many parents of boys who might otherwise encourage an activity such as scouting who won't enroll their children for the same reason. I also let them know exactly why I am refusing to buy their popcorn they try to sell me outside of grocery stores and Wal-mart and Sams Club every year. Frankly, the Boy Scouts of America disgust me and I refuse to support them in any way, shape or form.
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Jeremy Suede
March 7th, 2010 - 10:38:57 PM
I am glad to see people commenting. I thank you for each of your opinions :) Peter - I was in a very large Troop and one of the first things I remember being told is that I had to have some sort of faith. The Scoutmaster flat out said that he would not promote anyone to Eagle Scout who did not have a faith. He was a highly religious man who couldn't see how someone could believe that simple science and evolution created everything. I understand this is not the way in every troop but I"m sure mine was not the only. Even then I felt that this was wrong. The gender thing is a bit sensitive but maybe the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts could have partnership or something where they work together in communities. I don't know, but the Explorer program isn't always available. When I was in Scouts, our area had no Explorer or Venture program. Thanks for your thoughts though. Frank - first let me say thank you for your time and energy towards the Scouts. It is appreciated. But your assuming that every area has a Venture or Explorer program. As I previously mentioned, when I was growing up, there was none of those programs available. As for the uniforms, I am a little old to be purchasing new ones but I am glad to hear they are at least making some changes. Stacy - I'd also like to thank you for your time volunteering in the Girl Scouts I can understand what you are saying. The uniform is tradition and how you recognize members in the community but I think if you kept the same colors and style the tradition could be upheld. Talon - I can see what you are saying and respect that decision. It is discouraging to still see the discrimination. It is a difficult subject though especially with what has recently been happening in the church. The BSA will have to come around eventually but for now they are playing it safe towards parents views. Thank you all for your contributions!
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Peter
March 8th, 2010 - 1:40:10 PM
Well, I know this goes against yours and Talon's views on religion, but the BSA signed a memo of mutual support with the American Heritage Girls. We have a local group that supports both together and even tries to arrange it so that the meetings are on the same night and located near each other so parents can have all kids in Scouting in a meeting at the same time. I know that the religious requirement can be a little rough, but it is a core tenant of the BSA at this time and if it really, really goes against your beliefs, then it's just time to look elsewhere. At least from my time in Scouts, I found that there was a lot of positive character development and valuable life skills learned throughout the time. I also find it ironic that people are so intolerant of the BSA's choices. Tolerance does not mean acceptance, but it does mean that they have the freedom to choose just as you do. :) Perhaps instead of lecturing the Scouts you could just pass by with a "no thank you" and show some tolerance towards them.
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Rob
March 15th, 2010 - 5:40:20 PM
I was interested to read the story above from someone not in America, but as a former and current scout leader here in Australia. Many of these things you speak of have already been tackled and solved within Australian scouting. Firstly we have had girls directly in our program since the early nineties. There is no boy or girl scouts, just scouts. I have girls in my troop and they are just fantastic! Boys and girls are mixed in all the age groups from our Joeys (age 6) through the cubs, scouts, venturers and rovers up to age 26. There is no problem, it is a good thing, do not be fearful of it! Gay leaders, no problem, provided of course they pass all the police working with children checks, just as any adult over 18 would require to. Uniform has changed (now I don't think this is necessarily a good thing, being an old khaki man..) but the kids like it. It is a button up or polo shirt of base navy blue with a different color across the top and collar for each section. We still have the scarves (neckers) but these are unique for each scout group and makes for friendly rivalry, so most of the time kids don't mind wearing them. Commitment to a higher spiritual being or god is still a requirement, at least it asks so on the application form, but beyond that, there is not too much creedence given to it. Whilst scouts in Australia was in decline for a number of years, it has now being growing again for the past few years and is even starting to be seen as cool by some kids. I guess the end of the story is, you can change and it will be successful if you are willing to give it a go and get behind it. Reality is, you will have to, unless your want your scout movement relegated as a past memory of history. For more information on scouts in Australia go to www.scouts.com.au
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Jim
March 22nd, 2010 - 6:36:30 PM
Girls can join Venturing Crews, which is part of BSA, and is specifically designed as a high adventure co-ed program for youth 14 and up. Also, they are experimenting with co-ed scout units currently as a pilot program in several places around the country. Stay tuned for developments on that.
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Rob
May 18th, 2010 - 2:04:51 PM
Girls should be in Cub Scouts. There is nothing in the program that is boy exclusive. The sisters of the boys in our pack already go on all the outings and do everything anyway. They show up in Pack t-shirts, they just are not allowed to earn ranks and that is wrong. Imagine the parent support you would get families no longer need to split their time between their kids. Families would be able to spend more time doing things together instead instead of splitting apart so brother and sister each going off to do their own thing. Cub Scouting is supposed to be about families.
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