Re: Females at Camp
Settummanque, the blackeagle (waltoml@WKUVX1.WKU.EDU)
Mon, 17 Jul 1995 10:20:02 CDT
Linda Heinz <ljheinz@KSU.KSU.EDU> writes:
>Our troop has had a policy for approximately ten years that a woman
>cannot stay overnight on a troop camp-out unless another woman or
>her husband attend. The Committee Chairman states that this is a
>national policy that we must enforce. Based on my experience, I do
>not believe this to be so. I wouild like to know if other troops have a
>similar policy. Also, he has stated that women will not be allowed at
>Philmont beginning next year although I personally know women who
>have hiked with troops in the past.
Called Philmont on this and a couple other related matters, Linda.
THERE IS NO PLAN TO ALTER THE NATIONAL POLICY ON OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP
(read on, I'll explain that in a minute) AND THAT THE PRESENT BSA YPP
POLICIES WILL REMAIN IN PLACE.
I've also talked with two Scout Executives (one in which I've haven't
heard from in a while, and he tracked me down at work in Chattanooga
last Thursday afternoon, and we had a grand time on the taxpayer's
dime *hehehehe* ...yes, it's noted on the log and I'll have to pay the
$2.20 for the call.
Here's what the BSA has to say about female attendance:
"Two registered adult leaders, or one adult and a parent of a
participating Scout, one of whom must be at least 21 years of age or
older, are required for all trips or outings. Coed overnight
activities require male and female adult leaders".
The combination can be both male, both female, or one of each. The
key words here are "registered", "one of whom must be at 21 years of
age or older" and "coed overnight activities", the last which relates
to the Exploring program and activities, whereby as one CE stated, you
might have a Girl Scout Troop and a Boy Scout Troop to camp together.
"Male and female leaders require separate sleeping facilities.
Married couples may share the same quarters if appropriate facilities
are available"
This means that all male adults must sleep in one set of tentage or
cabin and all female adults must likewise sleep in another set of
tentage or cabin. When a married couple camps together, they can
choose to either sleep together in a tent or divide and sleep with the
other male/females.
"Male and female youth participants will not share the same sleeping
facility".
'nuff said there.
"When staying in tents, no youth will stay in the tent of an adult
other than his parent or guardian"
If my son goes camping with me, he can sleep in the same tent as me.
However, to make things consistant, both CEs told me that related
Scouts and Scouters SHOULD NOT sleep together. Scott stated that "it
would probably be better".
(the quotations are taken from the BSA's Safe Guide to Scouting and
reflect CURRENT BSA policy. This constitutes what the BSA is calling
it's "outdoor leadership policy" and ALL local Councils are to adhear
to this policy.).
Philmont Scout Ranch and the Volunteer Training Center follows the
BSA's policies to the letter. In talking with the staff there, there
is no plans to alter those policies to restrict or deny female
*registered adults* from participating in ANY of the activities at
Philmont.
>I am an Assistant Scoutmaster, attend almost all regular troop meetings,
>have attended four weeks of Summer Camp, and many week-end
>camp-outs. I am also a Brotherhood member of Order of the Arrow.
>Many camp-outs I spend the day and evening and leave before "lights
>out" because of this policy. The past and current Scoutmaster and most
>committee members do not want this policy, but the Committee Chair
>says it is not open for discussion because 1) it is national policy and
>2) the spouses that stay at home want it. Any suggestions, please.
More true about #2 than #1, Linda. Your District Executive needs to
get involved in this one, because it smacks of discrimination and
that's something the BSA can do without. If your Council have a
written policy that goes further than what I've just written here,
that's one thing; but the BSA does NOT have any plans now or in the
coming future to keep you as a REGISTERED LEADER from participating in
anything that you are capable of participating in. You need to get
with him or her as soon as possible and alievate your (and other's)
concerns.
It sounds to me, as it does to others here, that your CC is just
trying to "satisfy his wife's concerns" that by having female Scouters
on a trip invites things other than Scouting to occur. He needs to
know that it is BSA POLICY NOT to deny any female leader training,
participation or service opportunities because "she's a woman", and
this is something that the BSA at the National as well as local
Council levels is VERY concerned about. As Scott, one of the CE's
told me, "If he was a CC in a unit in my Council, I would send my
Field Director to visit him and inform him that there's no BSA policy
like that, and that his refusal to allow you to participate fully
*could* cost him his BSA membership and the unit their charter until
they do comply. What we're talking about is the BSA's partial
implemention of a federal law, and I don't need a lawsuit and neither
can the BSA afford another one."
Let us all know how thigns go, Linda, and I'm sorry that this response
is a lot later than your original posting. I'm trying to catch up
today!
Settummanque!
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