Re: Dad or NOT
Donald R Izard (dizard@ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU)
Mon, 4 Nov 1996 17:25:02 -0500
Having been a SON of a scout leader, and a Dad of 2 scouts,
I find it a less than perfect SCOUTING relationship. I never
had as much fun, when I knew my Dad was watching, and I think
my own son's did not either! Not that either I or my son's would
ever get in any trouble either ;)
As a leader, I would prefer NOT to have my own son that I had
to test for a skill, or council for a merit badge, although
I have signed off on merit badges, as did my own Dad. I also
found that I have more fun as a leader when I do not have to
be watching "OUT" for my son. Or, him being embarased buy some
silly skit that I do, or and old story from my Dad etc.
Being fair, is not really the problem, you just can't take the
Dad (or the Mom) out of being a scout leader for your own child.
The realtionship between a scout master, and his scouts is just
not the same as with a father and son! Scouting is not family
camping. Did I go camping with the troop when my son's were scouts?
Yes I did, but I tried to serve on staff, or in some position
where I did not have to be DAD. But I was always there, near by
just in case something major happened. However, my older son
when to WJ in Auztrailia, with out DAD at all. Way to much $$$$.
I think he grew up more in those few weeks, than in all the time
in scouts, when Dad was near by.
When I was his coach for sports, I found it difficult to take
him out of a game, just to alow some one that came late to get
a chance to play at all. I find that I maybe even enjoy both
scouts and coaching, MORE, now that my sons are off in college
or working on his own.
Just my comments, your own experiences will of course be different.
scouter don
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
