The Boy Scouts of America taught me valuable lessons about tying knots, lighting fires, and what it means to be a man, but I’m glad to see the Department of War reconsidering its historic partnership with the Scouts.
As a past Cub Master, Scout leader and NYLT adult leader, I am appalled by your article. The changes the scouts have taken have led to a much better scouting experience for all families. I was excited to learn girls would be allowed into the program and wish it had happened when I was involved in the programs. It never felt right to me that the sisters of the boys in our Pack, Den, or Troop couldn't earn the same awards. They were right there doing the same activities. Our "bigger" Troop trips included families and again, the girls on the trip were right there learning and participating as well as adding so much to the experience. Families, also, come in many different ways and they represent our communities. Teaching values, leadership, the Scout oath and Scout law...those are all gender neutral activities. They always have been. I think you missed that during your scouting experience. I am positive you had fellow scouts who were figuring out who they were and you never knew it. The process to obtain an Eagle Scout award is a long one full of many steps which have complemented our military programs. It is too bad they now have an exclusionary focus instead of an inclusionary one. Our military will miss out on future leaders who have spent time during their youth learning about leadership values (check out the NYLT program, it is a really wonderful week of camping and learning). The Scout Oath and Law haven't changed it has just expanded to be introduced to more youth. Youth who will be our future whatever their gender might be. I also think you need to look at what Reverent means and know there are many organized religions including Christian who are welcoming of ALL. You have a very limited scope of knowledge in those two areas and I fully disagree with you. Your thoughts on being Trustworthy is also not correct. "A Scout is trustworthy". He/she tells the truth, is honest, keeps promises, and people can depend on him or her. Nothing to do with how someone dresses or expresses themselves, what color they are, or what religion they are, it's a value to do the right thing. These are ideals to work towards in our daily lives.
BTW, Scouting has had 2 deep leadership for decades now. This protects both the youth and the leaders. A Scout leader cannot be 1:1 with a youth unless it is his/her own child.
You state that the in good ol'days Boy Scouts - or scouting in general- was nonpartisan. You should keep it that way. You say that Pete Hegseth should look at conservative platforms.
How conservative is conservative? Is it conservative to the point that it's spelled with a small 'c?' Is it conservative, that no brown or black people - including Native Americans- may join? Like my multiracial sons?
The leaders have preyed upon children- yes - but they will again and again. Your post doesn't say anything about changing who will be leaders. People will always find a way to abuse the trust of others and to perpetrate sexual violence (against male or female) if they are so inclined.
I cannot tell if you intended to be misleading, but you offer a nothing burger in response to what to actually do, other than rail against gay and trans people, and offer (C/c?)onservative scouting alternatives, while purporting that scouting for America has "taken for granted" its relationship with the DoD.
Thanks for the update on this topic. I was unaware of how debased scouting has become, though I knew things shifted when girls demanded to be allowed in.
. I grew up in the 60s when Boy Scouts personified how boys and young men could be molded into physically healthy, accomplished in practical skills, and could generally be accepted in society as honorable and worthy citizens, able to contribute to their communities.
Interesting that this caught my eye today, as I wrote a Substack just yesterday that endorsed instructing all children in the Boy Scout Law as an ideal way to restore moral values to our society.
As a past Cub Master, Scout leader and NYLT adult leader, I am appalled by your article. The changes the scouts have taken have led to a much better scouting experience for all families. I was excited to learn girls would be allowed into the program and wish it had happened when I was involved in the programs. It never felt right to me that the sisters of the boys in our Pack, Den, or Troop couldn't earn the same awards. They were right there doing the same activities. Our "bigger" Troop trips included families and again, the girls on the trip were right there learning and participating as well as adding so much to the experience. Families, also, come in many different ways and they represent our communities. Teaching values, leadership, the Scout oath and Scout law...those are all gender neutral activities. They always have been. I think you missed that during your scouting experience. I am positive you had fellow scouts who were figuring out who they were and you never knew it. The process to obtain an Eagle Scout award is a long one full of many steps which have complemented our military programs. It is too bad they now have an exclusionary focus instead of an inclusionary one. Our military will miss out on future leaders who have spent time during their youth learning about leadership values (check out the NYLT program, it is a really wonderful week of camping and learning). The Scout Oath and Law haven't changed it has just expanded to be introduced to more youth. Youth who will be our future whatever their gender might be. I also think you need to look at what Reverent means and know there are many organized religions including Christian who are welcoming of ALL. You have a very limited scope of knowledge in those two areas and I fully disagree with you. Your thoughts on being Trustworthy is also not correct. "A Scout is trustworthy". He/she tells the truth, is honest, keeps promises, and people can depend on him or her. Nothing to do with how someone dresses or expresses themselves, what color they are, or what religion they are, it's a value to do the right thing. These are ideals to work towards in our daily lives.
BTW, Scouting has had 2 deep leadership for decades now. This protects both the youth and the leaders. A Scout leader cannot be 1:1 with a youth unless it is his/her own child.
You state that the in good ol'days Boy Scouts - or scouting in general- was nonpartisan. You should keep it that way. You say that Pete Hegseth should look at conservative platforms.
How conservative is conservative? Is it conservative to the point that it's spelled with a small 'c?' Is it conservative, that no brown or black people - including Native Americans- may join? Like my multiracial sons?
The leaders have preyed upon children- yes - but they will again and again. Your post doesn't say anything about changing who will be leaders. People will always find a way to abuse the trust of others and to perpetrate sexual violence (against male or female) if they are so inclined.
I cannot tell if you intended to be misleading, but you offer a nothing burger in response to what to actually do, other than rail against gay and trans people, and offer (C/c?)onservative scouting alternatives, while purporting that scouting for America has "taken for granted" its relationship with the DoD.
Your email is a chameleon, friend.
probably a good idea to look BIGGER PICTURE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eomaVuGfm9c
Sounds like they want something resembling hitler youth not America
Thanks for the update on this topic. I was unaware of how debased scouting has become, though I knew things shifted when girls demanded to be allowed in.
. I grew up in the 60s when Boy Scouts personified how boys and young men could be molded into physically healthy, accomplished in practical skills, and could generally be accepted in society as honorable and worthy citizens, able to contribute to their communities.
Interesting that this caught my eye today, as I wrote a Substack just yesterday that endorsed instructing all children in the Boy Scout Law as an ideal way to restore moral values to our society.