Re: To get a discussion started
Adrian Daly (adaly@OLLAMH.UCD.IE)
Sat, 31 May 1997 12:00:27 +0100
Hi,
I am a Scout Leader of an all boy troop in Ireland. About two thirds of troops
are mixed here, we are not yet simply because we have enough members in the
troop as it is. We may go co-ed in the future if female leaders become
available etc . etc.
My main point is to comment on the seeming ignorance of contributors on this
topic to the fact that Scouting has been mixed in many parts of Europe for at
least 20 years. In Sweden there are no Guide/Girl Scout associations just
scouts (co-ed). Scouting in Europe hasn't died as a result, neither have there
been thousands of teenage pregnancies or hanky panky in tents:
> 1) I'm not sure that putting sexually maturing teenagers of both sexes
>"under canvas" (separate tents, of course) for a weekend would be either wise or
>practical. For one thing, both a male & female leader would have to "stand
>watch" in shifts all night, every night just to make sure no hanky-panky goes
>on. Not to mention, latrines & showers. Just imagining the headlines & news
>stories loaded with misinformation give me the willies.
as Larry Faust wrote.
To all of you who said "no way"; mixed and single sex scouting both work well
given enthusiastic good leaders. Don't be so conservative. Just because something
works for you doesn't mean everybody has to do it that way.
Yours in Scouting
Adrian
Adrian Daly Ph: +353-1-7062316
Chemistry Dept. e-mail: adaly@ollamh.ucd.ie
University College Dublin,
Dublin 4,
IRELAND.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
